New signing...

[jc]

Originally Posted By: thatguy

just seemed a little lazy every now and then.

When was that?

It's a real shame Sodje wasn't given more time on the field last season, averaging as he did around a goal every 180 minutes he spent on the pitch. How damaging his departure will be, of course, all depends on his replacement(s), so we'll just have to sit tight.

[Stu M]

And it's a little known fact that Fleet never lost when Sodje scored... the Ian Rush of his generation...

[thatguy]

it was the start of the season, he just did not seem to want to work for it. Saying that, if it was not for him, we would of not won against oxford at home, which I am forever grateful for, as this was the best birthday present I could get.

[eufckev]

A little lazy?

 

I still remember when we played Grays away, he ran from one side of the pitch to the other at full pelt, sprinted with the ball in the box, took a shot and hit the post, thus Charlie Mac scoring.

 

I wish Sodje all the best at York.

 

[David Holden]

His best performances always seemed to be when he came on as a subsitute.

 

I would be interested to see how many goals he scored in matches that he started last season.

[eufckev]

Sodje started 15 times and scored 5 times.

[DA11]

Good luck to Sodje. Really wish him well. Just a shame he's gone to another conf side. We need a 6ft plus aerial ball winner and a sniffer now. Chukki I believe will do well with a good pre season under his belt and golden boy I'm still not sure about. Are their any rumours at the moment about signings?

[eufckev]

Is Dennis Oli still on contract at Grays?

[StuThompson]

No need to panic but at least this time last year we had someone we knew would score goals for us. But I have all faith with Liam to come up wth the goods.

[John Pearce]

While I agree there is not need to panic.....yet!

 

It has to be said that so far the squad is looking far weaker than last season's:-

 

Gone : Charlie Macdonald

Gone : Ross Smith

Gone : Onome Sodje

Gone : Jon Keeling

Gone : Rob Quinn

 

In : Gary Macdonald

In : Neil Barratt

 

All I can say is that I hope Daish knows what he's doing, todate the minus's far out way the plus's. In key areas too.

[Stu M]

Bit ultra-pessimistic to ask if Daish knows what he's doing. MacDonald was always on the way out, Sodje and Keeling rejected contracts, Barrett and Ricketts look more than able stand-ins for Quinn, so the only one you could really ask questions about is Ross Smith, and at least Daish has the position covered.

 

It's not like he's gone out of his way to get rid of these players.

[Slartibartfast]

Originally Posted By: John Pearce

While I agree there is not need to panic.....yet!

It has to be said that so far the squad is looking far weaker than last season's:-

Gone : Charlie Macdonald
Gone : Ross Smith
Gone : Onome Sodje
Gone : Jon Keeling
Gone : Rob Quinn

In : Gary Macdonald
In : Neil Barratt

All I can say is that I hope Daish knows what he's doing, todate the minus's far out way the plus's. In key areas too.

This time last year was the height of the knicker wetting season with many people on here claiming we couldn't get a 5-a-side team out, a couple of supporters (Charlton I think) even had a letter published in the Reporter saying the club had been decimated, the Manager didn't know what he was doing and we were certs for relegation....we all know how right they where.
Comparing our squad this week with the squad we had the same week last June I think even the most negative posters on here would have to admit that we are much stronger with far fewer positions left to fill.
Despite the fantastic news on the sponsorship deal I don't see us having money to throw away, it is much more important that those positions are filled by the right players rather than panicking to fill them quickly.
Like last year we won't drop any points in June or July.

[Stu M]

An interesting reaction is that of York fans to Sodje's arrival - most seem very happy with it, excited even.

 

Can you imagine if we plucked a relatively unknown teenage striker with an average strike rate and a lot of bench-warming time from a 'lesser' club...? Some posters would have judged him straight away as unfit to wear the shirt and would be moaning their heads off!

[DA11]

Originally Posted By: Stu M

An interesting reaction is that of York fans to Sodje's arrival - most seem very happy with it, excited even.

Can you imagine if we plucked a relatively unknown teenage striker with an average strike rate and a lot of bench-warming time from a 'lesser' club...? Some posters would have judged him straight away as unfit to wear the shirt and would be moaning their heads off!

I don't know any fans like that Stu. Do you?

[Stu M]

Heh heheh... you must have been in hibernation this time last year then, DA11 !!

[DA11]

I was too scared to comment last year. I had visions of tarring, dunking and Daish being burnt at the stake. with everything that has gome on at this club Daish has performed a bloody miracle in my eyes. Ok some of our tactics may have not worked on occassions but I have never questioned his buying ability. Well I don't think I have.

[Slartibartfast]

Originally Posted By: DA11

I was too scared to comment last year. I had visions of tarring, dunking and Daish being burnt at the stake. with everything that has gome on at this club Daish has performed a bloody miracle in my eyes. Ok some of our tactics may have not worked on occassions but I have never questioned his buying ability. Well I don't think I have.

I think James Smith is the best player Daish has bought.

[KShep]

Originally Posted By: John Pearce

Gone : Charlie Macdonald
Gone : Ross Smith
Gone : Onome Sodje
Gone : Jon Keeling
Gone : Rob Quinn

All five players will be missed, some more than others. But, one thing we should remember is how, for want of a better term, easily we signed these players.

-Injury-prone Ex-Margate
-Ex-Margate, relatively unheard of
-Charlton youngster who was released
-Ageing player from a team we would definitely regard as inferior
-Ageing player who's worked his way around the Conference.

Think of it like this and it doesn't seem Daish has to work miracles- just maybe take a gamble on a striker who's seen a few too many physios, have a nose around clubs whose status in terms of grounds and finances leaves a lot to be desired, and continue with last year's recuitment policy of 'young, hungry players'.

I know it's simplifying things, maybe a little too much, but I have no doubts Liam will do what he needs to without 'working mircales'.

[Greg_Dyke]

After July 1st, a lot of free agents become active...like Brentford, you can cling onto the hope that Daish has been working behind the scenes

[Andy Y. (G&NFC)]

If (Mr Daish to you J.P) didn't know what he was doing then we wouldn't be in the situation we are now would we?

 

As for Sodje? I was told by one of the players during his first spell that, although there was massive talent he was difficult to play alongside as he pretty much did his own thing and lost concentration.

 

I think he was getting better at team play and I'm disappointed he hasn't signed but I don't think its the end of the World.

 

Good luck to him anyway as he seemed like a decent bloke and he certainly scored some important goals for us!