How do we think CJ will do in the championship?

JJpool

JJpool

Well-known member
The lad has unbelievable pace.

He was just coming on in the season and seemed to be improving the end product when he got injured.

I think he can cause defences all sorts of problems whether starting or off the bench against tires legs.

He is 26 so not like he's just a young kid, hes coming into his prime and under Critch will improve further.
 
Nobody can keep up with him in a foot race off a standing start or a ball in front and that won't change. But better defenders will back themselves to manage his overall threat I would think. Read him quicker than he can read what he's going to do next or rely on wayward output.

That will be the same for a lot of the (attacking) players I would think and patience will be needed if they're obviously taking punts on lads on a budget.
 
poolfc said:
Nobody can keep up with him in a foot race off a standing start or a ball in front and that won't change. But better defenders will back themselves to manage his overall threat I would think. Read him quicker than he can read what he's going to do next or rely on wayward output.

That will be the same for a lot of the (attacking) players I would think and patience will be needed if they're obviously taking punts on lads on a budget.
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Yes we will have one of the lowest budgets in the division, if not the lowest. But Critch does know these players he's signing pretty well, I'm sure. We have the benefit if his still quite recent work at Liverpool. He seems to see Everton as a rich seam. Maybe he sees them as a club that releases a lot of talent. I read this on the Everton forum...

"it makes me laugh when our young players talk of a pathway when it doesnt exist. there has been a massive disconnect between the academy and the first team which happens when you have 5 managers in 5 years and brands needs to sort it out."
 
voyeur said:
Yes we will have one of the lowest budgets in the division, if not the lowest. But Critch does know these players he's signing pretty well, I'm sure. We have the benefit if his still quite recent work at Liverpool. He seems to see Everton as a rich seam. Maybe he sees them as a club that releases a lot of talent. I read this on the Everton forum...

"it makes me laugh when our young players talk of a pathway when it doesnt exist. there has been a massive disconnect between the academy and the first team which happens when you have 5 managers in 5 years and brands needs to sort it out."
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I think that's an astute summary. Lot's of young talent makes to to Merseyside but so little breaks through. something from which we can and will capitalise 🏝️ 👍
 
CJ will be similar to how he was in League One when fit. He'll have matchups against teams who struggle to handle him and he'll be completely absent in other games. Some games will suit him more than others.

Bowler and Mitchell will be good competition for him. I'm less sold on Mitchell than many on here, but he did finish the season well.
 
Before his injuries I was hoping to see him more in a free role especially when Madine was dropping slightly deeper and playing others, predominantly Yates in. Thought CJ would benefit from that role.
 
We have great coaches, a great manager, Demi improved, CJ will improve if he stays fit, any of the younger players signed or already here will improve, we are a work in progress and a year ahead of schedule, give them time, Jerry is proof. UTMP 🧡🧡
 
He actually scored a few before his injury, so it is more than just his pace that will unsettle defences. His crossing is not the best but we do not play with a Gnando who wants the ball on his head, I would rather him run into the box and see where it leads
 
If his overall football game can improve he'd be a great asset, at the minute his main assets is his unbelievable pace and finishing. He seemed very raw in terms of his overall game though such as crossing, decision making and touch - I did notice he was improving game by game and then he unfortunately got injured.

The Championship will be a big step up for him, we saw he was improving and hopefully he improves to make the step up.
 
Macseasider said:
CJ simply needs to strengthen his crossing and maybe decision making - hard to do running at that speed but that final piece of the jigsaw in his game can be worked on. He has the attributes to set the Championship alight.
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That is what makes a good player a great player and then when they do it at the highest level week in week out that turns them to world class
 
tangysider said:
He actually scored a few before his injury, so it is more than just his pace that will unsettle defences. His crossing is not the best but we do not play with a Gnando who wants the ball on his head, I would rather him run into the box and see where it leads
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Imagine we get a midfielder who can pass like Charlie Adam, with the pace we have on the wings and Jerry making runs. It would be amazing
 
If you watched the game last season where we played Stoke City, they appeared to be frightened of his speed, and although we lost on penalties, he showed up well. I think he'll be Ok. some teams will put two men on him, but that should leave a hole for someone like Yates or Demi to prosper in.
 
Grayth said:
CJ will be similar to how he was in League One when fit. He'll have matchups against teams who struggle to handle him and he'll be completely absent in other games. Some games will suit him more than others.

Bowler and Mitchell will be good competition for him. I'm less sold on Mitchell than many on here, but he did finish the season well.
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I never understood the love in with Mitchell, yes he had pace but his decision making was poor, however, the run he had in the team at the end of the season, he showed some real improvement, and I’m now confident and excited that he will become a very very important part of our team.
 
poolfc said:
I think all lower NW clubs do as Everton have a decent youth set up but are also a northern Spurs at first team level and trying to be something they're not. So there's possibilities to use them as a conduit to get better lads in than you can produce through your own academy.
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....which is why I was saying to (and with) voy the other day that acads at mid level (us) are largely redundant in the sense of producing players for the first team when, with a proper thinking setup you can pick players from the likes oif Everton's acads.

On CJ, he'll do OK as long as you play to his strengths. AS Jimmy Armfield said when he played with Stan Matthews first time 'I played the perfect pass for him to run on to and he didn't move, at HT I asked him why and he said if it doesn't come to my feet I'm not going to fetch it. He never got a ball ahead of him again from me'. Play to his strengths- it's the opposite with CJ, give him the ball marked back to goal, you may as well sub him after 5 mins. Clear space he needs, and OK better defenders will read it and the cover will come across, but it's up to the team to make sure the cover is occupied.
 
Grayth said:
CJ will be similar to how he was in League One when fit. He'll have matchups against teams who struggle to handle him and he'll be completely absent in other games. Some games will suit him more than others.

Bowler and Mitchell will be good competition for him. I'm less sold on Mitchell than many on here, but he did finish the season well.
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.
 
He showed against Liverpool and Everton in pre season - and Stoke in League Cup, and Hull at home - that he is very coachable. First season disrupted by 2 serious injuries - I’d expect Critch to improve his end product by a huge amount.

Away from home teams will be expected to beat us and on the counter he will be some asset. Our pace will terrify even some Championship defences.
 
I think CJ will be fantastic in the Championship, his pace is phenomenal as we all know, but he does need to improve his crossing, and I would love to see him being more direct. If he could pick the ball up around the halfway line and head straight for the penalty spot , it would frighten the living daylights out of many many defenders, and at this point , his decision making would need to be improved, pass or shoot ? Just my opinion though .
 
Curryman said:
If you watched the game last season where we played Stoke City, they appeared to be frightened of his speed, and although we lost on penalties, he showed up well. I think he'll be Ok. some teams will put two men on him, but that should leave a hole for someone like Yates or Demi to prosper in.
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Yep CM - lots of Stoke fans were calling for him to be signed up for them after that game
 
The good thing that we’ve bot had for ages is that he *has* to be good, or he won’t get in the team. We’ve got real options, and I look forward to seeing them push each other and Critch bring them on.
 
CJ will do fine.
He works his socks off, tracking back etc.
Regularly they had to put two defenders on him. With a tricky winger on the other flank they wont be able to do that. I think his final ball etc will continue to improve. In that respect I think he is already well ahead of Demi
 
Curryman said:
If you watched the game last season where we played Stoke City, they appeared to be frightened of his speed, and although we lost on penalties, he showed up well. I think he'll be Ok. some teams will put two men on him, but that should leave a hole for someone like Yates or Demi to prosper in.
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The last couple of matches of last season and the playoffs showed The Mighty Pool really going at the opposition. With the speed we have got now in the team, I don't think many teams will be able to put two men on CJ. I reckon we will be complete with a midfielder such as Wes Hoolahan or Charlie Adam, and another powerful striker, then just strap yourselves in for another promotion season.
 
Fatboy said:
I never understood the love in with Mitchell, yes he had pace but his decision making was poor, however, the run he had in the team at the end of the season, he showed some real improvement, and I’m now confident and excited that he will become a very very important part of our team.
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I agree with you on CJ but not so on Mitchell...I believe the talent was always there and it is just a confidence thing...we didnt treat him particularly well all season and he was often very unlucky not to get in...given a run in the team improved his confidence and we started to see some glimpses of his talent...isnt it just brilliant to be able talk about our players and Championship football...look forward to meeting up with you and others off here for a few beers at the Armfield before the games pal...UTMP
 
As good as Critch & Co are, they don't get everything right. They signed Mitchell to fulfil an attacking full back role, but it quickly became apparent that his defending was nowhere near good enough. They hadn't spotted this during his trial period, seemingly. So he had to go back to the workshop for modifications. United had previously converted him from a winger to a wing back, and then released him. Injuries contributed to that I think.

He's quick but his final product is still developing. Only in the last few he's did he look worth a starting place, to me. Both those games were encouraging. In League One - he now has to go up a division.

Critch & Co also signed Sarkic and Lubala.
 
29DaysLate said:
I've wondered what he'd be like played in the centre.
Thierry Henry started as a pacey winger but really became something when Wenger moved his blistering pace to the middle of the attack.
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He's played there for Mansfield and I saw an interview with a Mansfield vlogger in which he said he thinks it's his best position.
 
voyeur said:
He's played there for Mansfield and I saw an interview with a Mansfield vlogger in which he said he thinks it's his best position.
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I wouldn't expect him to finish many with his head though! But the Tony Hateley type of striker is a thing of the past now so who knows.
 
*glass half full nails it.
CJ HAS to play wide Left. His pace to the by line followed by an accurate cross will cause mayhem in the box. If he plays on the Right, he isn’t comfortable. He has to turn with the ball (which he is not good at ), and then Centre the ball with his weaker foot. It can go anywhere, and usually does. On the Left, he will be a weapon.
 
29DaysLate said:
I've wondered what he'd be like played in the centre.
Thierry Henry started as a pacey winger but really became something when Wenger moved his blistering pace to the middle of the attack.
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Interchanging with Yates and whoever else plays up front, would be perfect for him, he will get free kicks and penalties and he can score.
 
I wonder which side Critch will have him playing on this season.

Couple of things he can work on and theyve been mentioned his crossing and letting the ball get stuck in his feet when hes breaking.Colin Greenall suggested earlier in the season how he thought more of a touch out of feet and run onto it would work well for him.If he can get into the habit of just poking the ball five yards ahead of himself in minimal amount of touches then he is doing anyone for pace.

On his crossing and im dismissing his crossing from the right hand side here.I dont necessarily think he is poor its more that he sometimes has to reset his stance to deliver the ball and I think if he could work on making that movement from pace to delivery a little bit more fluid then he gets full benefit of the space he has created for himself. He likes to clip them in aswell and Id like to see him develop some early low balls into the box,using his instep on some of them or even cutting slightly inside before delivering it which could be a good way of slowing the ball down enough for him anyway.
 
There was one game this season when he came on as sub, played up front and looked totally lost. I prefer him on the left if we keep playing 442, imagine him one on one against the likes of Turton.
 
We will need K&K in the midfield to do the leg work and cover the space he will leave by not tracking back. I don’t mind that as he’s then a missle in the counterattacks
 
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