ClarenceInDefence
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« on: September 04, 2019, 23:50:49 pm » |
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Now all the summer transfer business is finally completed, I thought I would do a compare and contrast of our current squad compared to the one we had 12 months ago and gauge people's opinions on whether or not we are stronger now than we were then.
The squad by position:
18/19 19/20
GK Cornell, Ward Cornell, Arnold -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RB Facey, Odoffin Hall-Johnson, C.McWilliams -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LB Buchanan Martin, Harriman -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CB Pierre, Turnbull, Taylor, Barnett, J.Williams Wharton, Turnbull, Goode, J.Williams -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CM O'Toole, Foley, McWilliams, Crooks McCormack, Lines, McWilliams, Watson Bowditch Warburton, Pollock -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- L/RW Bridge, Powell Adams, Kaja -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FW Williams, Morias, KVV, Hoskins Williams, Oliver, Smith, Hoskins, Waters
Overall I think we are stronger. My only disappointment was the sale of Morias with no other striker coming in, though I guess you could argue that until January at least his replacement is Waters. Perhaps KC's hands were tied unless Waters moved on.
Considering Curle had to work on a significantly reduced budget, I think overall the work during the window has been good.
The question now remains, can they produce the goods?
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« Last Edit: September 04, 2019, 23:57:50 pm by ClarenceInDefence »
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Dr Feelgood
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« Reply #1 on: September 05, 2019, 00:11:56 am » |
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Weaker, in fact im starting to get a bad feeling now.
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For goodness sake Doc we are NOT going down you heard it here 1st (I damn well hope that does not come back to haunt me)
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guest3264
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« Reply #2 on: September 05, 2019, 03:56:16 am » |
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I have no problems about the squad strength compared to last season, when fit, except up front. Apart from Williams, Curle has failed to bring in a consistant goalscorer, especially with pace!
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guest2995
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« Reply #3 on: September 05, 2019, 06:29:43 am » |
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There are two things to consider here - the drop in budget and the inclusion of the younger players , only some of whom you have included. It is essential the younger players are developed and nurtured through otherwise this squad falls short . As others have said , Curle has taken goalscorers out of the team and replaced them with work horses. We have more steel but inherited injury prone players. In all , I think the squad is no improvement on last season and we will finish lower in the table. I don’t believe Curle will be in charge next season one way or another .
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threeinabed
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« Reply #4 on: September 05, 2019, 07:19:16 am » |
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There are two things to consider here - the drop in budget and the inclusion of the younger players , only some of whom you have included. It is essential the younger players are developed and nurtured through otherwise this squad falls short . As others have said , Curle has taken goalscorers out of the team and replaced them with work horses. We have more steel but inherited injury prone players. In all , I think the squad is no improvement on last season and we will finish lower in the table. I don’t believe Curle will be in charge next season one way or another .
i would like to have seen most of the youth players that have come through used as cover in each position - rather than filling up the squad with journeymen on higher wages - then we could have invested better in certain positions - width, striker, centre mid and centre half - the spine of the team - and get some pace and power, of which we have none. in short, the squad isn't much improved, if at all and it will be all change in 6 - 12 months again
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BackOfTheNet
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« Reply #5 on: September 05, 2019, 07:51:53 am » |
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I think we're stronger in midfield, out wide and in goal. The defence I think is weaker as a unit and the jury is out on the forward line - Williams aside it isn't firing just yet but there's potential there.
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The Hotelend Grand National* Sweepstake Champion 2020
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Manwork04
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« Reply #6 on: September 05, 2019, 08:00:23 am » |
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The only place I think we are stronger is left back, midfield is like for like, maybe with Adams you could say it’s slightly stronger, the real worry I’d say is up front, if Williams gets injured we are relying on the likes of Hoskins and Smith to score 10 goals to 15 goals no chance.
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Rule Britannia
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606 Parklands_Cobbler
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« Reply #7 on: September 05, 2019, 08:29:57 am » |
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Just to point out Harriman is a right footed right back who can occasionally play at LB. Not the other way round.
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Battery Man
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« Reply #8 on: September 05, 2019, 09:37:17 am » |
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I think overall the squad is stronger, unfortunately the area we haven't improved and if anything it looks like we are really going to struggle is up front. We are really lacking a proven goalscorer, Williams will get 10 to 15 given the chance but as for the others I would be surprised if any of them get above 5 goals this season. Hopefully I am proved wrong but our forward line worries me immensely.
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everbrite
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« Reply #9 on: September 05, 2019, 11:52:02 am » |
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I think overall the squad is stronger, unfortunately the area we haven't improved and if anything it looks like we are really going to struggle is up front. We are really lacking a proven goalscorer, Williams will get 10 to 15 given the chance but as for the others I would be surprised if any of them get above 5 goals this season. Hopefully I am proved wrong but our forward line worries me immensely.
If the side clicks like it did against Plymouth then we will do well this season . Bit of a big if! On the positive side I believe/hope Smith will eventually come good he has quite within him to go on a good run come autumn. However the loss of Watson is a really bad loss; perhaps SMcWilliams can step up and fill the centre midfield slot, we have a right back now. Would also like to see Hoskins play in a more central role in partnership with Williams/Smith/Oliver.
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2020 Grand National S/S 3rd Place
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Melbourne Cobbler
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« Reply #10 on: September 05, 2019, 12:44:38 pm » |
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Depends how you are looking at it? If every player in that list performs to the best of their ability then you would have to say last years squad was stronger. However, ability wasn’t the problem last year, it was mental fragility, lack of fortitude and appetite for a scrap. Last year it was obvious that they just didn’t have the minerals as a collective. This year as far as that goes the jury is still out, but the signs are more promising. Put it this way, I would be more likely to put my money on this lot.
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Not a real supporter but unelected chair of the Northampton Town Honorary Supporters Club. (Please note: any opinions given may not necessarily be shared by proper supporters. In incidents of conflict the views of real supporters shall take precedence).
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threeinabed
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« Reply #11 on: September 05, 2019, 13:25:11 pm » |
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also good that despite the massive turnover of players the team that finished the plymouth game contained 8 of last seasons squad.
2 of which Curle didnt want to play last season for most of it.
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Manwork04
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« Reply #12 on: September 05, 2019, 15:36:27 pm » |
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also good that despite the massive turnover of players the team that finished the plymouth game contained 8 of last seasons squad.
2 of which Curle didnt want to play last season for most of it.
How is that good? That means Curle has spunked the transfer kitty ?
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Rule Britannia
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Manwork04
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« Reply #13 on: September 05, 2019, 15:37:06 pm » |
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If the side clicks like it did against Plymouth then we will do well this season . Bit of a big if! On the positive side I believe/hope Smith will eventually come good he has quite within him to go on a good run come autumn. However the loss of Watson is a really bad loss; perhaps SMcWilliams can step up and fill the centre midfield slot, we have a right back now. Would also like to see Hoskins play in a more central role in partnership with Williams/Smith/Oliver.
I really do like this wind up persona Frank
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Rule Britannia
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guest2995
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« Reply #14 on: September 05, 2019, 23:00:44 pm » |
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The big signings this year need to step forward to help KC out . So far : McCormack : needs to be fit - always a risk Smith - needs to step up Warburton - needs time and find his place . Adams - needs to find form Lines - needs to be utilised and not bypassed. These players need to come off for us to function .
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everbrite
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« Reply #15 on: September 06, 2019, 07:08:33 am » |
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............ Curle has failed to bring in a consistant goalscorer, especially with pace!
so have most EFL teams
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2020 Grand National S/S 3rd Place
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threeinabed
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« Reply #16 on: September 06, 2019, 07:21:28 am » |
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How is that good? That means Curle has spunked the transfer kitty ?
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Larry
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« Reply #17 on: September 06, 2019, 09:36:59 am » |
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so have most EFL teams I've corrected it for you
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everbrite
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« Reply #18 on: September 06, 2019, 10:51:32 am » |
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I've corrected it for you
I excluded Prem for obvious reasons - so why?
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2020 Grand National S/S 3rd Place
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Melbourne Cobbler
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« Reply #19 on: September 07, 2019, 03:02:36 am » |
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Talking of last years squad, I see JJ has been playing every game for Burton as a centre half. Didn’t see that coming?
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Not a real supporter but unelected chair of the Northampton Town Honorary Supporters Club. (Please note: any opinions given may not necessarily be shared by proper supporters. In incidents of conflict the views of real supporters shall take precedence).
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