Emerald Isle Rover

And I think McLaughlin is of equal measure

Again all subjective Totally disagree on McLaughlin and miller - they aren’t nesta and maldini but are more than capable at this level and both have been better than steady this season but certainly not perfect batth is done seems he’s done an Ayala and just form fell off a cliff after a good season the rest we are similar on

All about opinions think McLaughlin and miller have been above average henriksson yea I can see - line his profile so probably upgraded morishita again for me above average 4 goal contributions in 17/18 games id take that that for new league and challenger for him plus his work rate and link up with Ohashi improving by game again I’m taking them on their own merit and not comparing on who they have replaced as if we did that then of course the squad is much weaker val was a generous c think I just felt sorry over the two abandoned games

Out of curiosity who is generous and why? All a game of opinions and context for me but would be interested to see what others think my grading wouldn’t necessarily be based on their ability alone more coming into a shitshow and how I think they have performed

I try to give players a chance so I think up to Xmas is a ‘fair enough’ period of time to judge players/new signings de neve - F - hasn’t worked out clearly league one level at best Tavares - F - see above Henriksson - D - reckless has shown small glimpses not sure champ football is for him liked the profile but isn’t working out Gardner Hickman - C - solid but not spectacular decent to have in the squad plays better with tronstad in the team can’t lead without him Miller - B - like him looks a decent pick up been solid and I think will only improve Morishita - B - 4 goal contributions finding his feet decent pick up McLaughlin - B+ - excellent pick up been impressed - not faultless by any means but can tell of the signings his experience has been crucial Gudjohnsen - A - goalscorer and looks it big second half of the season (hope the hammy isn’t too bad) Alebiosu - A+ - been player and signing of the season for us I didnt think Brittain would easily be replaced but he has made it look that (as close as can be as Brittain is a top 3/5 rb in the league) baradji - F - for signing an injured player when we needed fit and able players however on recent appearances I’d say could end up being B - decent level if injury free Val - C - jury still out for me on the manager however there have been some massive misfortunes out of his control and the league table might look a little better. Jan needs - rb/rwb / cb / cm / striker offload - Gueye him and Val clearly don’t get on - de neve not good enough henriksson maybe loan out pickering seems on his way which is a shame always liked him tyjon is anyone’s guess

Don’t disagree but just stating that a lot of our issues are the inability to put the ball or have the quality to put the ball in the back of the net especially when on top in games, which then in turn would make for easier last 10mins of games our recruitment has been about 50% correct which isn’t good enough I agree and I also have reservations regarding the manager but my post was in relation to the defence which actually isn’t our biggest problem

Joint 7th best defence in the league joint 20th worst attack in the league that tells its own story

I agree the quality is the issue 100% if miller is needed in both it would mean that Carter atcheson one of Wharton McLaughlin and TGH alebiosu are all injured - it’s unlikely it’s fair that your preference is to have 2 natural players for every position I still think 26/27 players for 11 man game is more than enough but will bring it back to what Iv outlined at the start it’s the lack of quality that’s the issue for me…..to date anyway

Montgomery plays rb for Scotland u21s / TGH can play right back - so miller won’t likely be required there if Carter is injured so he can cover the cb if required rb - alebiosu miller Montgomery TGH Cb - Carter Wharton McLaughlin miller cm - tronstad Tavares Montgomery Baradji forshaw the numbers are there not to mention academy players under a certain age who don’t need registered in the 25 for me it’s all about the lack of quality as opposed to numbers

Tronstad tavares Montgomery

Carter gets injured - miller can play cb (whether you agree or disagree he has played there for hibs) Alebiosu injured - TGH / Montgomery midfield will be covered by tronstad Tavares Montgomery Baradji forshaw (when returning from injury) Lack of depth isn’t classed by numbers it’s classed by quality something Iv stated we don’t have which is my concern but taking quality off the table there is enough numbers there as Iv stated it’s not the way I would have went about it I’d have liked a direct hyam replacement but over 25 players in the squad is enough to cover the team until Jan again it’s the quality in question

Disagree….its not the approach I would have taken or wanted but of course you can sign a player who can cover 2 positions versatile players are common and do cover other positions instead of direct replacements. It’s not something new and certainly not just rovers who do it again though the problem I’m having is more the ability of players rather than the amount of them. As Iv said before 23 registered plus academy players is enough or should be enough

But why would they play there at the same time? I don’t get that argument obviously if there’s a massive influx of injuries which could happen anytime to any team then of course I think have 23 players for 11 positions is fine what I’m concerned about is the quality of the player

Have to agree on this one yes But Iv been stating this from the start Val is their perfect yes man he’s come in goalposts have moved (as in previous seasons) and he’s just falling in line - can’t complain but it’s all out there now they are happy they see the current squad given time be better than last seasons so they can’t hide behind any failures going forward

Can only go by the here and now tgh and miller the likely moving pieces aren’t injured…yet

I actually don’t think he’s wrong on ‘numbers’ it’s the quality or lack of that I fear rb - alebiosu / miller / tgh / Montgomery cm - tronstad / Tavares / Montgomery / tgh / Baradji / forshaw cb - carter / Wharton / miller / McLaughlin so numbers wise with versatility we are ok but the elephant in the room is the quality in the numbers and to date (early days) it’s not been great

It’s such a bad take however it’s not why we are stuck with these lot - they simply have no intention in selling

Because he comes across as reactionary so of challenged on certain topics maybe he will say something he shouldn’t either way it’s another gagging order from him on staff below him it’s farcical really or they have fell out with LT over 2/3 articles about how poor the window has been Andy bayes wil be posting an interview at 8pm on bbc lancs

Gestede comes across as a highly unlikeable person indeed but make no mistake about it suhail pasha is the main problem always has been and will always continue to be so long as venkys continue to employ him

Time will tell….i think that will be the case at least for 2 of those players

They caveated that by saying it will take time basically saying season 1 transition and next season to push on. That’s how I took it silly though

He has been one of the better players on show but he’s not on Britain’s level so this is where the concern is lost 4/5 games tough few fixtures coming up a fully new squad but we’re being asked to be patient

Well we can only judge what we have seen to date and what we have seen is regression from last years squad to now. Travis is streets clear of Tavares at present Brittain is a top 5 champ right back hyam is better than what we currently have so we’re pinning our hopes on Morishita and gudjohnsen to be good but they will take time and that’s the issue certainly the one that I have is we shouldn’t be in this position what ideally should have happened is we sign Morishita/gudjohnsen/miller on top of last seasons squad probably minus Dolan weimann and batth as all were likely to go add Baradji to the mix - Vals words in the interview about transfers saying miller was due in 3 weeks before he signed but got injured so they didn’t want to chance it. Why sign a player in Baradji who failed a medical and is currently injured? Doesn’t make sense

I stated that at the start of the window that last year was the same in terms of predictions towards relegation etc and we proved that all wrong. However there’s 2 massive differences this time around 1. last season we didn’t lose the core of the team - losing 1/2 is fine 5/6 is not fine 2. we seen the start we made last season compared to this one it’s def different. Do the players deserve patience and time yes of course they aren’t to blame but we shouldn’t be in this position

He was smart in answering - edged towards stating next season is when we will see the benefits of all of this ultimately buying themselves a season of transition and then judge on next season