The Rise of Sam Hoskins

[guest3063]

People can moan about this forum as much as they like. But when you get GPCs pre match summary and Bungles post match analysis it’s a bloody good read.

Absolutely, don't forget West Stand Oap's pre-match summary also. Like you say, all a good read.

[Peter Frost]

I just don’t get the knockers here - in a p!ss poor division with few players that catch the eye and if he was playing for the opposition he would be the one people were saying why can’t we have a player like that - scoring a lot of goals from a non striker position, plays anywhere, tracks back and can also defend , covers every inch of the pitch etc etc - sure he doesn’t get everything right and I don’t think his footballing brain is as sharp as some but at this level 100% an asset

[Gaston]

What is a game brain ?

An all time Cobblers XI is a very high bar to cross. How far back does your XI go ?

Game brain. His in game decisions. He doesn’t see a pass, doesn’t pick the right pass. Often just runs into dead ends. He is a work horse, every team needs one or two. His work ethic is unrivalled.

My cobblers XI would be from mid 90’s. To be honest hd wouldn’t even get in a team of his time at the Cobblers.

[DrillingCobbler]

Game brain. His in game decisions. He doesn’t see a pass, doesn’t pick the right pass. Often just runs into dead ends. He is a work horse, every team needs one or two. His work ethic is unrivalled.

My cobblers XI would be from mid 90’s. To be honest hd wouldn’t even get in a team of his time at the Cobblers.

I *think* this is where peoples confusion comes from. When those say 'Hoskins is a decent player' they are always counteracted by comments such as 'if he's our top striker, then that shows how sh1t our forwards are' or 'he's been here 5/6/7 years and blah blah blah'. And of course my own favourite 'he only signs his contracts quickly because no one else would offer him a deal'!!

NO COBBLERS fan who has been around for more than a very short period would have Hoskins in his/her topX1. But it seems that people who continually slag him off think a club at our level (or just above) can easily replace such a player with better. History shows that isn't the case.

I reckon we've gone through on average (incl. loans) 25-30 players a season for the last 30 years or so...which makes about 750-800 players. Sam would be in my top 100 in terms of ability easily....and then the work rate, the loyalty, the off the ball qualities he has in abundance.

No doubt people will read this and think, 'yeah we've had some right sh1t' during that time which they will of course be right on! BUT. At this level and around this level, its extremely difficult to find a player who fits in well with multiple styles of play, rarely gets injured, chips in with a few goals and assists, chases everything and is very loyal. We are VERY lucky to have Mr Hoskins....and long may he continue to be a Cobbler!

[Manwork04]

I *think* this is where peoples confusion comes from. When those say 'Hoskins is a decent player' they are always counteracted by comments such as 'if he's our top striker, then that shows how sh1t our forwards are' or 'he's been here 5/6/7 years and blah blah blah'. And of course my own favourite 'he only signs his contracts quickly because no one else would offer him a deal'!!

NO COBBLERS fan who has been around for more than a very short period would have Hoskins in his/her topX1. But it seems that people who continually slag him off think a club at our level (or just above) can easily replace such a player with better. History shows that isn't the case.

I reckon we've gone through on average (incl. loans) 25-30 players a season for the last 30 years or so...which makes about 750-800 players. Sam would be in my top 100 in terms of ability easily....and then the work rate, the loyalty, the off the ball qualities he has in abundance.

No doubt people will read this and think, 'yeah we've had some right sh1t' during that time which they will of course be right on! BUT. At this level and around this level, its extremely difficult to find a player who fits in well with multiple styles of play, rarely gets injured, chips in with a few goals and assists, chases everything and is very loyal. We are VERY lucky to have Mr Hoskins....and long may he continue to be a Cobbler!

Fûck me with a rag mans trumpet, you’ve just described my dog.

[Bingers]

Fûck me with a rag mans trumpet, you’ve just described my dog.

You have that many dogs a season? Are you some sort of greyhound trainer.

[Terryfenwickatemyhamster]

Is nobody going to even mention his little legs to counteract all these positives

[everbrite]

Game brain. His in game decisions. He doesn’t see a pass, doesn’t pick the right pass. Often just runs into dead ends. He is a work horse, every team needs one or two. His work ethic is unrivalled.

My cobblers XI would be from mid 90’s. To be honest hd wouldn’t even get in a team of his time at the Cobblers.

So how long have you been supporting the Cobblers to opine a dream team from the mid ‘90’s? Genuine query please.

[BackOfTheNet]

So how long have you been supporting the Cobblers to opine a dream team from the mid ‘90’s? Genuine query please.

Bloody hell, doesn't 27 or 28 years qualify him as a proper supporter then?

[everbrite]

Bloody hell, doesn't 27 or 28 years qualify him as a proper supporter then?

It’s a narrow selection perspective why not from ‘80’s? For me it’s not about how long you have been watching; more awareness of other players like Sabin?
I see you have not lost your argumentative side

[Manwork04]

You have that many dogs a season? Are you some sort of greyhound trainer.

Just the one, who, like Sam runs around a lot and is Loyal.

[BackOfTheNet]

It’s a narrow selection perspective why not from ‘80’s? For me it’s not about how long you have been watching; more awareness of other players like Sabin?
I see you have not lost your argumentative side

I suspect that, like me, he's only been watching the Cobblers since the mid nineties. If you never saw any players from the 80s play then it's pretty difficult to compare them to the players you have seen.

[everbrite]

I suspect that, like me, he's only been watching the Cobblers since the mid nineties. If you never saw any players from the 80s play then it's pretty difficult to compare them to the players you have seen.

For Sabin please read George Reilly - my error.

[Carton Lid]

For Sabin please read George Reilly - my error.

Come on Evers, I struggle to see how you can get Reilly and Sabin mixed up, they were not really alike  ! 

[Bingers]

Just the one, who, like Sam runs around a lot and is Loyal.

Is it your favourite dog?

[Manwork04]

He wears a Rangers Dog Bandana so yeah he’s a top dog.

[everbrite]

Come on Evers, I struggle to see how you can get Reilly and Sabin mixed up, they were not really alike  ! 

For some unknown reason I counted Eric as an 80’s player when he wasn’t but George was!
 Like quite a few on don’t really agree with some of the negative opinions on Sam. For instance young Gaston comes on with pretty unpleasant comments on Hoskins and for whom he has no real positives to offer.
Also I briefly met Terry at an away game late last season. Without any patronising stance the impression I got he was an articulate person and am surprised he now denigrates Sam for his height/and or short legs! Perhaps it is a wind up  Yet Sam is a player who yet again is amongst our leading scorers; from playing where the manager(s) wants him to play from right back to right midfield then to winger to occasional striker. As Manny jokingly suggested - goalie! Everybody has a right to an opinion and to be challenged in return. Personal comments should be treated with disdain!
Onto John Brady who I believe was very unlucky not to achieve a deserved promotion. A lucky Manager is a real bonus for us like Wilder and Bowen who went onto achieve great things for NTFC. Certainly he deserves another shot for the coming season and hope he is successful.
 

[everbrite]

I suspect that, like me, he's only been watching the Cobblers since the mid nineties. If you never saw any players from the 80s play then it's pretty difficult to compare them to the players you have seen.

My father often quoted players like Alan Woan, Freddie Ramscar, Cliff Hilton and Jack English let alone the Trevor Morley’s of the late 80’s.My point is dream teams can include comparisons with former players rather than a solo critical effort on one player! May make the post more interesting? Another point is for instance young Gaston will have a father or grandfather who saw players in the late 80’s?

[Bingers]

Also I briefly met Terry at an away game late last season. Without any patronising stance the impression I got he was an articulate person and am surprised he now denigrates Sam for his height/and or short legs

Fenners?!? Articulate!?! I suspect an imposter. Next you'll be telling us that His Excellency, The Marquis is a handsome young man or that Deepcut is a peace loving hippy.

[Deepcut Cobbler]

For some unknown reason I counted Eric as an 80’s player when he wasn’t but George was!
 Like quite a few on don’t really agree with some of the negative opinions on Sam. For instance young Gaston comes on with pretty unpleasant comments on Hoskins and for whom he has no real positives to offer.
Also I briefly met Terry at an away game late last season. Without any patronising stance the impression I got he was an articulate person and am surprised he now denigrates Sam for his height/and or short legs! Perhaps it is a wind up  Yet Sam is a player who yet again is amongst our leading scorers; from playing where the manager(s) wants him to play from right back to right midfield then to winger to occasional striker. As Manny jokingly suggested - goalie! Everybody has a right to an opinion and to be challenged in return. Personal comments should be treated with disdain!
Onto John Brady who I believe was very unlucky not to achieve a deserved promotion. A lucky Manager is a real bonus for us like Wilder and Bowen who went onto achieve great things for NTFC. Certainly he deserves another shot for the coming season and hope he is successful.

Seeing Danny Rose grab the gloves to go in goal at Barrow, there is still a possibility of Sammy being able to complete the positional set.