Feels like 5 new signings

Lavery particulalry is an interesting one. Some of his best moments were reactive goals, the old fashioned poacher. His percentage of them, though, wasn't great. If Jordan can help him with positioning and foresight, I think he can become a real force for us over the next few years. I confess I have met him and he is a genuinely humble lad, I so hope he does well for us.
 
- Rhodes staying is obviously good but doesn't feel like a new signing
- Coulson is now going to be competing with Dale, Thompson and Lyons so not sure what to make of that. With the formation, that is too many players so perhaps one is going to leave. I personally will never get excited about signing a wing back as I want Critchley to change the formation.
- Apter won't play. Maybe the odd appearance in the LDV or from the bench. Potentially will provide cover for Dembele but other midfielers like Carey will be ahead of him. He won't play wing back. Too much responsibility defensively.
- Kouassi is not ready and needs time in the development squad or on loan.
- Lavery is the big one. He needs to stay fit - this almost feels like last chance saloon. If that happens, he is a natural partner for Rhodes.

Overall, far too early to get excited. In fact, miles off from being excited.
 
I think Kouassi is your option sub upfront to shake things up. I wouldn’t loan him or relegate him to the dev squad.

Lavery is a finisher and a grafter. It’s everything else that needs work. He will learn from Rhodes massively if he plays alongside him.

I have no real expectation of Agent Coulsen either way. He will either do a job or he won’t.

Apter might get 5 mins here and there as I still don’t think Critchley fancies him at all. Just back to give us depth due to number of games or an injury crisis.

Midfield general needed to replace Kenny
 
All teams have injuries. The goal should always be to finish a transfer window stronger then when you started it. As it stands we've lost 1 player who wasn't making an impact and brought in an unknown quantity. Apter was always returning, I suspect he'll head out on loan again. We still need more in the midfield in my opinion.
 
A_Tense_Grin said:
- Kouassi is not ready and needs time in the development squad or on loan.
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8 goal involvements in 10 appearances and you'd stick him in the development squad? Kouassi should be bench minimum, maybe starter. Adds something completely different to anyone else we have, has physicality beyond his years and has proved his eye for goal.

It's time we were bold with our talent.
 
Critchley generally signs potential and then works on it.
Morgan for instance was not well liked at Charlton, but after a few months coaching under Critchley is starting to look like a game changer for us.
IMO Coulson maybe someone who has been identified as having potential that we could sign permanently at the end of the season.
 
DonCorleone said:
8 goal involvements in 10 appearances and you'd stick him in the development squad? Kouassi should be bench minimum, maybe starter. Adds something completely different to anyone else we have, has physicality beyond his years and has proved his eye for goal.

It's time we were bold with our talent.
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That's where we differ. I've not seen this supposed talent yet. Certainly not ready for League One football from what I've seen. The involvement against Liverpool under 4's slight distort those figures. We need to loan him to Tranmere to see what impact he can have in League Two.
 
Tangerinemoss said:
Lavery particulalry is an interesting one. Some of his best moments were reactive goals, the old fashioned poacher. His percentage of them, though, wasn't great. If Jordan can help him with positioning and foresight, I think he can become a real force for us over the next few years. I confess I have met him and he is a genuinely humble lad, I so hope he does well for us.
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Good point about Rhodes helping Lavery to sniff out goals. We've seen that Lavery can poach goals but it doesn't happen enough. Here's hoping.
 
A_Tense_Grin said:
That's where we differ. I've not seen this supposed talent yet. Certainly not ready for League One football from what I've seen. The involvement against Liverpool under 4's slight distort those figures. We need to loan him to Tranmere to see what impact he can have in League Two.
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His performances against Reading and Barnsley alone should have put those concerns to bed?

He had a hand in all four goals vs Reading if I'm not mistaken
 
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A_Tense_Grin said:
- Rhodes staying is obviously good but doesn't feel like a new signing
- Coulson is now going to be competing with Dale, Thompson and Lyons so not sure what to make of that. With the formation, that is too many players so perhaps one is going to leave. I personally will never get excited about signing a wing back as I want Critchley to change the formation.
- Apter won't play. Maybe the odd appearance in the LDV or from the bench. Potentially will provide cover for Dembele but other midfielers like Carey will be ahead of him. He won't play wing back. Too much responsibility defensively.
- Kouassi is not ready and needs time in the development squad or on loan.
- Lavery is the big one. He needs to stay fit - this almost feels like last chance saloon. If that happens, he is a natural partner for Rhodes.

Overall, far too early to get excited. In fact, miles off from being excited.
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I personally will never get excited

That statement stands on its own.
 
A_Tense_Grin said:
- Rhodes staying is obviously good but doesn't feel like a new signing
- Coulson is now going to be competing with Dale, Thompson and Lyons so not sure what to make of that. With the formation, that is too many players so perhaps one is going to leave. I personally will never get excited about signing a wing back as I want Critchley to change the formation.
- Apter won't play. Maybe the odd appearance in the LDV or from the bench. Potentially will provide cover for Dembele but other midfielers like Carey will be ahead of him. He won't play wing back. Too much responsibility defensively.
- Kouassi is not ready and needs time in the development squad or on loan.
- Lavery is the big one. He needs to stay fit - this almost feels like last chance saloon. If that happens, he is a natural partner for Rhodes.

Overall, far too early to get excited. In fact, miles off from being excited.
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Why do you think Kouassi is not ready? Added something we don't have, in terms of size, has a decent touch and scores and creates goals.

What's not to like as at least a regular sub.
 
Wizaard said:
Why do you think Kouassi is not ready? Added something we don't have, in terms of size, has a decent touch and scores and creates goals.

What's not to like as at least a regular sub.
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Just in his last few games he wasn't offering much on the pitch and in some instances making us play long without any real threat. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't lose sleep if he was on the bench as he does provide something different, I just don't think he is ready to make such an impact which we need at present. There potentially is player there, just think he needs to become more accustomed to league football. Whether he does that with us or another loan club, then that is up to Critchley and he will see him day in and day out. It certainly doesn't feel like a new signing which was my original point to the thread.
 
I can't say I'm excited but am extremely pleased that Rhodes is with us for the second part of the season. He would take some replacing.

I like the look of Kouassi, still a raw talent, but brings a bit of muscle up front and knows where the goal is. The best way to develop is to be thrown in at the deep end imho.

As for Lavery, what more can I say about him that hasn't already been said. a snlffer where goals are concerned and a big miss in the line up. Who do the opposition put two men on? Rhodes, Kouossi or Lavery?

Hopefully all will be available sooner rather than later.
 
A_Tense_Grin said:
That's where we differ. I've not seen this supposed talent yet. Certainly not ready for League One football from what I've seen. The involvement against Liverpool under 4's slight distort those figures. We need to loan him to Tranmere to see what impact he can have in League Two.
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“The involvement against Liverpool under 4’s slight distort those figures”
If he’s only capable of making that level then perhaps we should cut our losses and get shut
 
Eternaloptimist said:
“The involvement against Liverpool under 4’s slight distort those figures”
If he’s only capable of making that level then perhaps we should cut our losses and get shut
Click to expand...

I wouldn't be that doom and gloom on his prospects, I just think we need to manage the expectations and let him develop. Ultimatley, not to rely on him whilst he is developing.
 
It feels like one signing to me. Call me old fashioned. 🤘

We've got loads of players, Critch just hasn't put the right ones in the right places at the same time yet. If we lack anything it's a regular fit striker partner for JR and maybe a proper captain who keeps everyone on it at all times.

Other than that, play proper full backs, play two centre backs, play wide attacking players who aren't hit and miss and give them freedom like Keshi and Bowler had. Roughly speaking...

Gabriel Ekpiteta Casey Coulson
Dougall Morgan
Apter Striker Rhodes Dembele
 
A_Tense_Grin said:
That's where we differ. I've not seen this supposed talent yet. Certainly not ready for League One football from what I've seen. The involvement against Liverpool under 4's slight distort those figures. We need to loan him to Tranmere to see what impact he can have in League Two.
Click to expand...
He is actually younger than that Liverpool side , so he did really well as a 2 year old .
 
Tangerinemoss said:
Lavery particulalry is an interesting one. Some of his best moments were reactive goals, the old fashioned poacher. His percentage of them, though, wasn't great. If Jordan can help him with positioning and foresight, I think he can become a real force for us over the next few years. I confess I have met him and he is a genuinely humble lad, I so hope he does well for us.
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good to hear.....always gives 100%
 
Curryman said:
I can't say I'm excited but am extremely pleased that Rhodes is with us for the second part of the season. He would take some replacing.

I like the look of Kouassi, still a raw talent, but brings a bit of muscle up front and knows where the goal is. The best way to develop is to be thrown in at the deep end imho.

As for Lavery, what more can I say about him that hasn't already been said. a snlffer where goals are concerned and a big miss in the line up. Who do the opposition put two men on? Rhodes, Kouossi or Lavery?

Hopefully all will be available sooner rather than later.
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Agree here. What would help all our forwards is getting forward faster and also more and more accurate crosses - ie from wingers playing on their correct foot. The slow build up negates Kouassi and Lavery's strengths in particular. Neither are that well suited to intricate, slow build ups.
 
Not too bothered about Lavery. I don't know if it's because he's been very injury prone that he's not played at his best for a long time? Yes he seems a nice lad, but Kouassi looks very good. That is the 1 player I want to see back.
 
Curryman said:
I can't say I'm excited but am extremely pleased that Rhodes is with us for the second part of the season. He would take some replacing.

I like the look of Kouassi, still a raw talent, but brings a bit of muscle up front and knows where the goal is. The best way to develop is to be thrown in at the deep end imho.

As for Lavery, what more can I say about him that hasn't already been said. a snlffer where goals are concerned and a big miss in the line up. Who do the opposition put two men on? Rhodes, Kouossi or Lavery?

Hopefully all will be available sooner rather than later.
Click to expand...
or Dembele or Hamilton 👍😀
 
Tangerinemoss said:
Lavery particulalry is an interesting one. Some of his best moments were reactive goals, the old fashioned poacher. His percentage of them, though, wasn't great. If Jordan can help him with positioning and foresight, I think he can become a real force for us over the next few years. I confess I have met him and he is a genuinely humble lad, I so hope he does well for us.
Click to expand...
Well pointed out @Tangerinemoss - thought he was excellent last night and should go straight in to the squad.
 
Lavery looked a handful as usual when he came on, he should have finished that chance though when he was clean through after a brilliant move. Hopefully just shaking the rust off his boots.
 
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