Only getting stronger?

JJpool

JJpool

Well-known member
From here Carey is back, who will massively help us on the ball in the middle of the park, plus adds goal threat.

We didn't yet use Wright who looks a promising signing, but he'll be bedded in with training and games.

Then Patino to return, again another in the engine room and he can run the side and pick passes. Can make a huge difference as often we can fall down from midfield to attack, also defence to midfield.

Madine to return who adds the option of going longer.

But the main thing is the midfield, we were woefully short up to now.

Also we have Husband back who is always solid and Thorniley is playing well, we are figuring out our best defensive partnership. Still think Williams has a part to play and his height is valuable against some.

But seems to me we are now getting some key players back.

Again, midfield is the main area of excitement, as for all Dougall and Connollys qualities including pressing, playing through balls and pinging quality passes about etc isn't really their game.

Doesn't guarantee we're instantly going to win but certainly helps us in how we want to play, controlling the game, getting more chances etc.

Also Poveda had not played in a while and was not match fit, for his first full start he did well. Takes time to adjust and grow into the side, look forward to seeing him when hes settled and gelled.

Can't wait to see this team take shape now.
 
Based on yesterday I would say that Poveda may well be a better player than Bowler - he carries a proper goal threat and has great feet.
Corbineau also has some pace and is very direct.
I'm feeling optimisitic, Drinkwater would be a good addition if we are to play two of Patino / Carey / Fiorini, he is (or should be) a step up from Dougall and Conolley.
I'd say we have done great business in the window, walked away with a profit and have bought in players who are more than comfortable at this level.
 
Real reasons for optimism. Midfielders to return who can split a defence with precise passing. Wright looks a very decent prospect who can add craft to midfield . We will then be able to make a better assessment of both Yates and Lavery they may well flourish with better service. Poveda was a real threat yesterday.
 
JJpool said:
From here Carey is back, who will massively help us on the ball in the middle of the park, plus adds goal threat.

We didn't yet use Wright who looks a promising signing, but he'll be bedded in with training and games.

Then Patino to return, again another in the engine room and he can run the side and pick passes. Can make a huge difference as often we can fall down from midfield to attack, also defence to midfield.

Madine to return who adds the option of going longer.

But the main thing is the midfield, we were woefully short up to now.

Also we have Husband back who is always solid and Thorniley is playing well, we are figuring out our best defensive partnership. Still think Williams has a part to play and his height is valuable against some.

But seems to me we are now getting some key players back.

Again, midfield is the main area of excitement, as for all Dougall and Connollys qualities including pressing, playing through balls and pinging quality passes about etc isn't really their game.

Doesn't guarantee we're instantly going to win but certainly helps us in how we want to play, controlling the game, getting more chances etc.

Also Poveda had not played in a while and was not match fit, for his first full start he did well. Takes time to adjust and grow into the side, look forward to seeing him when hes settled and gelled.

Can't wait to see this team take shape now.
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Great analysis JJ. 👏
 
I think there is always far too big a reaction after every game.

Please don't get me wrong, I thought we were good yesterday and worthy winners but in the space of 8 days we have gone from being a "Proper Championship side" after the Bristol City game to "having no quality" after the Blackburn game and we are now "Only getting better".

I just think that we are never as bad as some suggest after a poor result and never as good as some suggest after a positive result, the players try and win every game but sometimes the opposition scores more than them despite their best efforts.

AVFTT is very fickle but to be fair, I'm sure we are not alone and are no worse than similar sites of other clubs.
 
When we get Poveda, Patino, Fiorini, Anderson, Wright and Corbeanu fully match fit and firing, we are going to do some serious damage. Plenty of good options for Appleton, if we add someone like Drinkwater and get Stewart fit, we will have good cover for the midfield anchor role, to supplement Dougall and Connolly.
 
There's never going to be a perfect situation here where it all clicks into place. You get one player back and then two others will get injured or suspended and force a rethink. So it's whether Appleton can roll with the punches like Critchley did often enough and find a way to get to the 40-point mark target ASAP.
 
SEASIDE2020 said:
I think there is always far too big a reaction after every game.

Please don't get me wrong, I thought we were good yesterday and worthy winners but in the space of 8 days we have gone from being a "Proper Championship side" after the Bristol City game to "having no quality" after the Blackburn game and we are now "Only getting better".

I just think that we are never as bad as some suggest after a poor result and never as good as some suggest after a positive result, the players try and win every game but sometimes the opposition scores more than them despite their best efforts.

AVFTT is very fickle but to be fair, I'm sure we are not alone and are no worse than similar sites of other clubs.
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Yes but they are different peoples opinions, not one.

Also some are of individual games and our relative strength at that time.

They can all be true as well, Bristol are showing they're a good side this year and we went at them, could have won, could have lost but drew, so we are a proper side. We were poor quality wise vs Blackburn, missing the type of players mentioned in the op that we're getting back. We are only getting better as far as getting players back to help is in those key areas.

This is about squad strength and helping us to play how we want and in key areas like the midfield.
 
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JJpool said:
Yes but they are different peoples opinions, not one.

Also some are of individual games and our relative strength at that time.

They can all be true as well, Bristol are showing they're a good side this year and we went at them, could have won, could have lost but drew, so we are a proper side. We were poor quality wise vs Blackburn, missing the type of players mentioned in the op that we're getting back. We are only getting better as far as getting players back to help is in those key areas.

This is about squad strength and helping us to play how we want and in key areas like the midfield.
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JJ

There is no doubt that performances do vary from game to game but I just think that there are too many folk who are too fickle and that very often we are not as bad as people make out when we are bad and not as good as people make out when we are good.

My criticism was a general one and apologies if I appeared to be criticising you specifically, you made good points.
 
Good OP JJ. I'm very optimistic for this season. We are in the top half of the table, even though we have faced huge disruption of having to bed in a new manager, new formation and a huge injury crisis resulting in us having no proper midfield. That in my view is a fantastic achievement, so well done MA.
I also think there is plenty more to come and I can see us continuing to improve over the next couple of months I think we will hit peak form following the world cup break, as by then the new players and system will be well integrated and the younger players will have gained valuable championship experience. It could be a really exciting season....
 
I think we always need a Connolly or Dougall type to rat about, screen the defence and clatter tricky number 8s.

It’s then about whether we need two of them or one of them. Opposition might dictate this?

Noticed this is something the top Prem teams play about with. Normally stick with 3 up front but move from single to double pivot (check out my Elite coaching lingo) according to match and situation.
 
Chunkylad said:
I think we always need a Connolly or Dougall type to rat about, screen the defence and clatter tricky number 8s.

It’s then about whether we need two of them or one of them. Opposition might dictate this?

Noticed this is something the top Prem teams play about with. Normally stick with 3 up front but move from single to double pivot (check out my Elite coaching lingo) according to match and situation.
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Don’t use too much Elite coaching lingo or Gerrard might come calling, and we can’t afford to lose you as well.😉
 
Goforgoal said:
With Poveda, Patino, Fiorni, Wright, Corbeanu and possibly Drinkwater. Dougall and Connolly will be no more than bench fillers.
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I think Connolley will still get a place. He’s the ratty, horrible midfielder that allows the better ball playing midfielders to do their thing.

Abit like Keith Southerns role in the Southern, Adam & Vaughan midfield.
 
ItsGrimUpNorth said:
I think Connolley will still get a place. He’s the ratty, horrible midfielder that allows the better ball playing midfielders to do their thing.

Abit like Keith Southerns role in the Southern, Adam & Vaughan midfield.
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He’s got more chance than Dougall.
 
NewburyOne said:
When we get Poveda, Patino, Fiorini, Anderson, Wright and Corbeanu fully match fit and firing, we are going to do some serious damage. Plenty of good options for Appleton, if we add someone like Drinkwater and get Stewart fit, we will have good cover for the midfield anchor role, to supplement Dougall and Connolly.
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I almost agree with you but wouldn’t count your chickensbefore your eggs

Most aren’t fit yet, plus almost anything can happen — a long way to go but it would be great to see them all available
 
Poolfan2 said:
Had actually forgotten we'd signed him. I think it's fair to say CJ Best buy himself a cushion!
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Cjs best asset is obviously pace, but he seemed afraid to use it maybe because of his touch.

It's a shame as he could really cause anyone issues even just knocking it past and putting balls in.

Callum Wright doesn't look that quick but seems to have skill, can cross, finish etc.

Looking forward to seeing him.

Different types of players really but CJ needs to start at least believing in his pace.
 
JJpool said:
Cjs best asset is obviously pace, but he seemed afraid to use it maybe because of his touch.

It's a shame as he could really cause anyone issues even just knocking it past and putting balls in.

Callum Wright doesn't look that quick but seems to have skill, can cross, finish etc.

Looking forward to seeing him.

Different types of players really but CJ needs to start at least believing in his pace.
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It's possible that CJ is hesitant to use the full extent of his pace for fear of triggering a recurrence of his injury. I think that's a big part of why exciting, explosive players often don't quite seem to be the same when they come back from bad injuries.
 
poolfc said:
There's never going to be a perfect situation here where it all clicks into place. You get one player back and then two others will get injured or suspended and force a rethink. So it's whether Appleton can roll with the punches like Critchley did often enough and find a way to get to the 40-point mark target ASAP.
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Think we’ll need a good few more than 40pts for safety.
It’s going to be tougher on everyone this season (no Fulham to run away with it).

On the plus side, I believe we are better prepared and have a much improved squad.
And dare I say, a better manager?
 
Stony Hill said:
Think we’ll need a good few more than 40pts for safety.
It’s going to be tougher on everyone this season (no Fulham to run away with it).

On the plus side, I believe we are better prepared and have a much improved squad.
And dare I say, a better manager?
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Sorry yep probably 50 more realistic. Forgot about nobody being on points deductions this year
 
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