January sales

[Slartibartfast]

What, if anything, does Liam need to look for in the January sales?

 

I thought Coleman had a good game again against Crawley and with De Bolla and Ricketts to fit back in I don't think we should be shopping for any new midfielders.

The defence has been fairly solid, although I would like to see James Smith back in the side.

We had a bit of a worry when Lance got injured, but I think that Liam has a lot of confidence in young Sam and besides why look for another keeper when the one we have is so good.

So as always it is forwards again. Charlie is excellent but seems to be going through a rough patch. His running off the ball, control and vision are still brilliant but he isn't putting the chances away, Luke and Omone are both very good and very young.

We are still in contention for a play-off spot but it will not be easy to maintain that challenge.

I would like to see us get in a forward good enough to put Luke and Omone on the bench, I doubt that we have any money so it will probably have to be on a three month loan, but someone who could get 10 goals and get Charlie firing again should see us in contention right up to the end of the season.

[jc]

Originally Posted By: Slartibartfast

The defence has been fairly solid, although I would like to see James Smith back in the side.
We had a bit of a worry when Lance got injured, but I think that Liam has a lot of confidence in young Sam and besides why look for another keeper when the one we have is so good.

If James Smith replaced Hawkins in the side right now I don't think he would be doing so on merit. Anyway, I would still rather see a 4-4-2 being employed, with Hawkins as a right-back. This would allow both Keeling and Opinel to be included and negate the need to play Slatter out of position at right-wing-back.

As for Lance, he has put in some impressive performances, but there are still a couple of areas he could work on - in particular, he sometimes releases the ball too quickly after claiming it, kicking it upfield before our players have had a chance to break and get in a position to receive it. If Holloway regains full fitness and is able to reach the standards he was setting last season, it will be interesting to see who Daish prefers.

[Slartibartfast]

Originally Posted By: jc

If James Smith replaced Hawkins in the side right now I don't think he would be doing so on merit. Anyway, I would still rather see a 4-4-2 being employed, with Hawkins as a right-back. This would allow both Keeling and Opinel to be included and negate the need to play Slatter out of position at right-wing-back.

I'd agree with the 4-4-2 but I would have Ricketts at right back.
Liam seems to like 3-5-2 however and given Ricketts display against Oxford I would give him another go in the holding position in place of Quinn.

[jc]

Agree 100% - my selection was based on those players currently fit.

[ColtheJock]

I was at the game on Tuesday, my first visit back since the day we took Oxford apart. I think the defence does look fairly solid and as you both say maybe a return to 4-4-2 would suit better, but Daish does seem to prefer the 3-5-2 set up, I think that means his team can control the midfield. I feel an experienced target man might benefit the team for the rest of the season, and I creative midfielder might help too. I think Liam Diash has built a good strong squad this season and it will be interesting to see what changes he does make.

[NDH GNFC]

IF WE ARE LOOKIN 4 ANOTHER FORWARD THEN DANNY KEDWELL FROM WELLING WOULD BE A GREAT SIGNING OR MAYBE BRING A STRIKER IN ON LOAN FROM A LEAGUE CLUB BUT WE WILL NOT BE SIGNING JAMIE SLABBER BCOZ HE AS SIGNED 4 STEVENAGE TODAY

[mikefleet]

burton after charlie now:

http://www.kentonline.co.uk/sport/default.asp?article_id=30080

[Hempstead Gaz]

Could do worse than make enquiries about Danny Hockton, he nust feel a bit out of place with so many old blokes down there - he is the right age , and knows how to score goals.

And do not reply it's at a lower level.

A natural goalscorer will score at whatever level he plays at - ask Michael Kightly.

[David Holden]

Problem is that he is under contract, and Margate will probably want a lot of money for him.

 

 

[Slartibartfast]

I think the good news is that Liam is looking to strengthen the squad, as always money will be a limiting factor but he did a pretty good job in the summer finding the likes of Ricketts, Long, De Bolla, Cronin, Coleman and Keeling without the benefit of a big budget.

Charlie might well go at the end of the season anyway so if Burton want to throw some of the Man Utd money our way and we can find two new forwards it might be good business to let him go now.

[Jimmy]

Originally Posted By: Chatham Gary

Could do worse than make enquiries about Danny Hockton, he nust feel a bit out of place with so many old blokes down there - he is the right age , and knows how to score goals.
And do not reply it's at a lower level.
A natural goalscorer will score at whatever level he plays at - ask Michael Kightly.

Hockton has had a spell in the Conference before - at Stevenage and was unimpressive - he has scored goals for Margate but this is likely to cause them to ask comedy money - not George Boyd worth £750k comedy though!

It might be worth a look at someone on loan who can do a job immediately.

I reckon we need a tall striker, holding midfield cover and full back cover.

There might be one or two on the way out - Ekoku was no real suprise but maybe Anderson could follow him.

[Stu M]

Originally Posted By: mikefleet

burton after charlie now:

According to Crawley's temporary forum, a couple of their fans were talking to a few of ours who'd said Charlie had handed in a transfer request. I trust somebody who knows what they're talking about can scoth this scurrilous rumour...?

[ColtheJock]

I agree with the comment above, the Club would need to consider carefully any offer for MacDonald and maybe if it was big enough then it might be better to take it. I would hope though that it is not the case, as MacDonald works hard for the team even when not scoring. He had a few chances on Tuesday and the goals will come again soon. If the club wants to move forward then we need to hang on to these players.

 

:-)

[Graham S]

I don't think any money likely to be offered could possibly compensate for what Charlie does for the team. IMO he is the best striker we have ever had, bar none. He isn't a straightforward predator, as Bostock & Portway were, he's everywhere, a real engine room player, when he needs to be. Look at the photo in the link posted by Alan W in my video thread. That's a real team player for you & if he shows that delight when another player scores, you can't tell me he's interested in going either.

 

He's worth his weight in gold & Liam knows it, which is why he's the 1st name on the team sheet for every game. In his position, I'd be moving heaven & earth to offer him a new contract, even if it meant passing by on some new additions now.

 

Graham S

[Slartibartfast]

I certainly agree about Charlies contribution to the team and also that he is the best striker we have ever had, not as many goals as Ports but a far better all round game, and as long as he is here he will probably be the first name on the team sheet.

However, you don't get too many Jimmy Jacksons these days, most clubs at this level change half of the team every summer and players that hang around at one club for four or more seasons are bloody rare. Sometimes, if you get the chance, you have to take the money.

As for Charlie being a team player, I think you will find he was at Crawley too, and whoever he turns out for next year, hopefully us, he will be the same there as well.

[jc]

It can't be a decision to be taken lightly. We've found it hard enough to get strikers who will score 10 a season in the Conference, let alone 20, so even a large sum of money for Charlie may not be a big enough compensation if we can't adequately replace him.

 

Also, surely only those very few who have been watching Fleet since 1946 are qualified to declare a striker 'the best we've ever had'?

[Slartibartfast]

Very true, I remember at the end of 1999 watching a show about the top 100 musicians of the millenium and being totally underwhelmed by the fact that they all came from the last 40 years of the 1000.

I shall change my comment to Charlie is as good as anyone I have seen playing for the Fleet in the 36 years I have watched them.

[Graham S]

Originally Posted By: jc

It can't be a decision to be taken lightly. We've found it hard enough to get strikers who will score 10 a season in the Conference, let alone 20, so even a large sum of money for Charlie may not be a big enough compensation if we can't adequately replace him.

Also, surely only those very few who have been watching Fleet since 1946 are qualified to declare a striker 'the best we've ever had'?

I am concerned that there are people who feel it would be rather a good thing to get money for Charlie, as if we could snap another striker with ease. Look at the problems we've had getting a decent front man since we went into the Conference, apart from all too brief purple patches from unlikely heroes, Rob Haworth & Roy Essandoh.

The rumours from the Crawley forum were that some of our supporters were saying Charlie had asked to be made available for transfer. Hopefully this is just hot air bow locks. If it's true, it may be connected with quite a few of our recent away performances, where he has received very little in the way of real service - something Chas commented on during his internet commentary more than once. (Apologies for using this as the basis of an opinion to those purists who feel that only those there in the flesh ar entitled to comment.)

Bascically I'd be crestfallen if we lost him. either now or at the end of the season, even if in the light of JC's final paragraph I re-word my assessment of him to the more prosaic: "best striker we've had at the club since 1971, bar none."

Graham S

[Hannah]

Remember when J Smith played up front? He was quite good, scored didn't he? I guess he's always available if we ever get another strikers crisis

[Jimmy]

He did score but wasn't what I would have called "quite good".

 

Emergency measure only.