answer to some questions(possibly)

[ronks41]

After todays game I cant help thinking 'if only'! There have been several postings already re Power and others claimed 'non performers' or even some that are claimed to be less than fit or even capable.My take is this.......

 

(1)Power should be told to go away and get fit ASAP, nothing else will be acceptable.At one stage he was walking across the halfway line and his midfield, and even 1 defender,past him during one attack towards the end of the game.He was b*****ksed and its not good enough.But I still dont think he is a natural striker thats competent at this level IMO.

 

(2) Stubbs should be up front possibly in his place. He is more than capable of doing the job and has proved that many times b4 in the past.

 

(3)Pratt should maybe be played in midfield to see if his seemingly endless energy can be put to better use.He is chasing too many lost causes for my likeing and the lad must be getting pretty hacked-off.

 

(4)Aaron Quain should start on the left and be allowed to improve,as I'm sure he would, by getting match fit and gaining more 'match time' with the team. It also means that we still need one more striker big enuf to hold the ball up and scrap with defenders for the whole 90+.......for this I have no answer.I was sooooooooooo hacked off today, so many chances and too many poor decisions by one player that cost at least 2 goals in the second half.

[michael]

Joe Healey at Welling is another target man who may fit the bill /budget.

Think he went to welling pre-season from Kent League -Beckenham- so in a similar vein to Power,similar build;and Healey is now down the pecking order at welling.

 

Not too sure danny would win too much in the air on his own Ronks ?

I think we have seen that peters is not a natural striker-would it be the same with DAnny Stubbs

[P.W.]

Would have thought that, rather than a bench-warmer from Conference South, a hungry striker on loan from a League side playing in their Reserves & looking for a few competetive games (rather like Butcher was as a 'keeper) would be preferable.

 

As to Ronks idea about Quain, he has shown in past matches that he can come on from the bench & shine, but when he starts a game he'll be totally anonymous. Perhaps we should send him out on loan to a Kent League side and let him gain some full match experience there.

[michael]

In all of this unfortunately, after our two cup exits and minimal prize money; how feasible is it for BA to be endeavouring to strenthen the squad;particularly with the HRMC final deadline fast approaching ?

[acdc]

I do think we need to get the wings working.With the strikers we have got we need to use Power as a straight up and down the middle old fashioned centre forward,with Pratt doing the running and playing off Power when the crosses come in.But who do we put on the wings.Before the season started I would have loved to see Quain on the left wing but unfortunately his pre and post season performances have not given Barry the confidence to start him.

[Dutch_Mike]

Wouldn't even have Quain in the 16. I can forgive lack of ability (even though I feel Quain does have the ability), but I cannot forgive lack of effort; and that is all I have seen from him in the past few games. As someone suggested yesterday, being offered the contract in the summer seems to have made him complacent; he thinks he merely needs to show up and he will walk straight into the first XI. He's not the player we need for a relegation scrap.

[margateshot]

I can't believe we are discussing the fact that some players appear, and quote, unfit, lacking effort, complacent. We have the youngest squad in the league so how can we be talking this way. They need a good kick up the [****!!****] or kick them out.

[CT9]

It's obvious to all that many are not impressed with Power, so far. So rather than go spending money why not give Joe Taylor or Shane Brown a chance to shine. Let's face it they would be hard pushed to end up with an inferrior goal ratio. Yet it might just show that we have a little nugget waiting.

[seasidesteve]

people dont seem to realize what a huge step up it is from reserve kent league to ryman premier.what we need is an experienced pro striker not more kids to help along the better youngsters we have.we can all see what a difference in the team when paul smith is in defence so the same is needed up front

[Iris's Tea Hut]

I see where you're coming from, SSS. But the step up has to occur somewhere, or the same players year in, year out, would be competing at this level. We have a good system for progression when you compare it to other clubs of this level. If you talk in terms of players coming through to help us push on for a play-off place THIS SEASON, I could understand your logic. But when you consider that the discussion is (mainly) about replacing a striker that has scored none, done nothing, chased nothing, commited nothing, offered nothing and found himself in a good position of use a total of zilch occassions, I can't see how offering the shirt to someone that has showed worth in the reserves could be worse? I still firmly believe we are a 20-a-season-man away from top half football.

 

IMO also, moving Stubbs would be regressive. I feel that, although he gives 100% week in, week out, he was ineffectual However, thi9s is changing with confidence, and to damage that confidence at this stage could be costly.

[ronks41]

I would suggest re the above counter, and constructive, comments that I am only speaking from knowledge of how Dan Stubbs plays as a striker or predominantly attacking role throughout 90 mins. He would still need a target man, case in point would be John Akinde, when they played together at Ebbsfleet youth and reserve level.My point was not well made. I meant that with current budgetry constraints the pressure would be less if players within the squad were utilised short or mid term for their natural gifts and not to fill a place that no-one else can currently play well enough.If you need an average of 1 goal extra per game BA could do well to play Stubbs up front.BUT he will still need a taller player to hold up/win high balls.My original post was to suggest possible options not to undermine any other players or management.

[CT9]

Ronks I didn't realise that Dan Stubbs was a goal a game man. Could BA move him up front please. Now we just need a tall lad to go with him. How about one of our centre halves going up front?

[ronks41]

Good example would be 2 wks ago, local 5/7 aside comp. He scored 15 goals in 7 games. Not necessarily direct comparison but he knows how to finish close in.He doesnt get the chances needed from midfield and is often told to look for strikers first. Strange that in training he drifts in and gets goals but in matches is encouraged to stay wide or on the edge of the box.I am not saying he is the answer to the current problem but he can finish a darn site better than one or two others out there every week.

[Iris's Tea Hut]

If that's the case Ronks, I retract my statement. I thought it would be regressive to move him as I think he has recently grown into his starting position.

 

However, if you are saying that he was maybe that way because he was out of his preferred, more advanced position, then its worth a bash, isn't it?

[ronks41]

He has, since joining Ebbsfleet PASE 4 yrs ago,played attacking midfield. Prior to that he played both as forward and 'in the hole'. Here he seems to be a bit type cast although he does like playing his current position.Just seems to me that, as already stated, he has more to offer than current strikers.He, once again, would require the ball to feet and a taller 'hold-the ball-up' type co-striker.It probably wont happen so all this is pointless banter anyway.But nice to air my opinion.

[BlueGate Alan]

Are you a relative Ronks

 

Must say he is one of the hardest working players I have seen for the Gate so maybe this is an option for Barry.

[ronks41]

LOL.......is it that obvious? I am taking an honest and impartial view even though that may be the case and I am always his BIGGEST critic too.Cant think what gave me away there...........!

[Iris's Tea Hut]

Must say he is one of the hardest working players I have seen for the Gate so maybe this is an option for Barry.

 

That's for sure. You cannot fault his workrate.

 

Ronks, from what you know, would it be a fair assessment to say that it took him a while to find his groove / confidence?

[BlueGate Alan]

Well I did think it Ronks, when you first appeared on the site, so welcome and I must say Dan was a great signing by Barry

[ronks41]

If I am completely honest he still hasnt got over not being at the Fleet anymore. He is only half of what he was 4 months ago and I dont really see that the current o/all climate and situation here is helping.He hates losing more than me, and thats saying something!!..lol. But he loves the club and all concerned so we are hoping that he will start to regain what he has lost and develope further. He will always give 200% of what he's got. Last week for instance he had a bacteria in his gut that was so bad he lost 3/4 of a stone in 5 days(thurs thru mon) missed training on the tues, went training on thurs but only did half the session.Then played the Hendon game on the Sat. Against my advice and judgement but you cant stop him.