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JamieBritt2710 said:
Sinclair has never been a player that got to the dead ball line and put in a cross. At Celtic and at Swans he was utilised as a left forward who would cut in and shoot
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It's a funny thing football. Against QPR, Sinclair made that mazy run into the box and won a penalty. Last night he did a similar thing. Really good at pushing through a crowd of 3 players. Neat footwork.

But only once or twice a game. Why?? Clearly you can't just be a one-trick pony, but when it's so effective why not do it more?

I wish I understood football...
 
Fisher has become almost the crucial signing for us to make of those out of contract. Our record without him and the associated performances have been dreadful, and you can see why.

He's a far better defender than our 2 current fullbacks and he's done more going forward in his one game this season than Rafferty in the rest. Given we have wingers who like to cut inside, it is imperative that we use fullbacks who like to bomb on and get outside. Currently we dont have that and it is making us so easy to defend against.

Think about the problems sinclair caused in a wide right position vs Norwich, where the left back had to be conscious of Fisher, vs last night where he was largely anonymous apart from a couple of solo runs. Ive said it before but if we had signed Max Lowe and Fisher was at rb, we'd be a playoff team without question.
 
California_PNE said:
a measly pne bought these players with the deficiencies they have, i dont understand how you feel justified in the opinion you arrive at, being frustrated with rafferty when pne have failed to get a better player in, its bizarre

but then i read you want gally back ... then it all makes sense
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I'm not 'frustrated' at Rafferty or Hughes, I'm frustrated at their performances. Yes, players of this standard being in the squad is down to recruitment. But that doesn't mean we can't comment on their strong points or deficiencies when they play games for the football club.

You are trying to shut down the debate.

As for Gally, how about providing a counter point or suggestion rather than cryptic bollocks.

Yes, I think he should play at the weekend. I just want more players in the team who can actually handle the fucking ball. He's 36 but still a miles better footballer than half of the lads on the pitch last night, who just panic when given the ball and smack it into a channel as a cop out. We need more leaders on the pitch who will take some responsibility in possession.
 
sedgwick__7 said:
I'm not 'frustrated' at Rafferty or Hughes, I'm frustrated at their performances. Yes, players of this standard being in the squad is down to recruitment. But that doesn't mean we can't comment on their strong points or deficiencies when they play games for the football club.

You are trying to shut down the debate.

As for Gally, how about providing a counter point or suggestion rather than cryptic bollocks.

Yes, I think he should play at the weekend. I just want more players in the team who can actually handle the fucking ball. He's 36 but still a miles better footballer than half of the lads on the pitch last night, who just panic when given the ball and smack it into a channel as a cop out. We need more leaders on the pitch who will take some responsibility in possession.
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As I said, haha ffs they're playing to their maximum, they can't do any better.

And gally will contribute this season of course, he's been a class player and be good to see some rotation, the midfield probs needs it, if gally starts any game Birmingham is one he might start but don't overlook the quality in the centre of the pitch we've had this season, legs energy press positivity it's our biggest strength.
 
California_PNE said:
As I said, haha ffs they're playing to their maximum, they can't do any better.

And gally will contribute this season of course, he's been a class player and be good to see some rotation, the midfield probs needs it, if gally starts any game Birmingham is one he might start but don't overlook the quality in the centre of the pitch we've had this season, legs energy press positivity it's our biggest strength.
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If it is their maximum, it isn't good enough. Not neccessarily their fault, but don't expect people not to comment on their performances, good or bad, or their limitations. This is a football forum.

I'm well aware of our recruitment failures. I've posted time and time again during the past few windows saying we needed better full backs. Some thought we were fine as we are.

The midfield needs a rejig at home. 'Legs' 'Energy' and 'Pressing' all work brilliantly in away games but at the moment those qualities do not break teams down at home, hence 0 goals in 5 consecutive home games. Imho we don't need both Potts and Browne in the team at home. We need more technical players against deep blocks.
 
sedgwick__7 said:
I'm not 'frustrated' at Rafferty or Hughes, I'm frustrated at their performances. Yes, players of this standard being in the squad is down to recruitment. But that doesn't mean we can't comment on their strong points or deficiencies when they play games for the football club.

You are trying to shut down the debate.

As for Gally, how about providing a counter point or suggestion rather than cryptic bollocks.

Yes, I think he should play at the weekend. I just want more players in the team who can actually handle the fucking ball. He's 36 but still a miles better footballer than half of the lads on the pitch last night, who just panic when given the ball and smack it into a channel as a cop out. We need more leaders on the pitch who will take some responsibility in possession.
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I was very critical of Gally last season but he needs to be playing at Deepdale right now, there's just no composure in the middle of the park without Pearson. Ledson has stepped up but he's been an ever-present in our failing performances at home this season, he doesn't have the distribution that Gally has and we've got enough 'legs' in the team.
 
JamieBritt2710 said:
Sinclair has never been a player that got to the dead ball line and put in a cross. At Celtic and at Swans he was utilised as a left forward who would cut in and shoot
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He's not even doing that at the minute.

He gets in a position plenty of times when I'm screaming for him to go at someone only for him to cut back & pass sideways or backwards.
 
sedgwick__7 said:
The midfield needs a rejig at home. 'Legs' 'Energy' and 'Pressing' all work brilliantly in away games but at the moment those qualities do not break teams down at home, hence 0 goals in 5 consecutive home games. Imho we don't need both Potts and Browne in the team at home. We need more technical players against deep blocks.
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Which has to mean more of Harrop and maybe Gallagher and maybe time to find our what Bayliss can provide. Johnson provided the only decent forward pass we made last night. We also need Pearson back. It all depends on player availability and how radical AN is prepared to be but a different type of team for Saturday might be:

Rudd
Fisher, Storey, Davies, Earl
Pearson, Ledson/Gallagher
Barkhuizen/Sinclair, Johnson, Harrop
Riis
 
Schemer said:
Careful....you'll be slated soon for being 'outdated' - wanting wingers to get to the dead ball line?! It seems that even when played on their 'correct' sides, they're expected to cut in rather than get to the line.
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Showing my age obviously. It does seem to be a dying art though.

Back in the mists of time when I used to play on the wing for my school team if I had a pound for every time my PE teacher was encouraging me to beat a man, get to the dead ball line & get a cross in I wouldn't have had to work for the rest of my life.
 
HunterLionheart said:
Maybe we could also remember Bayliss exists and is a ball progressing centre midfielder. The fact that we had no CM on the bench last night was a big worry for me.
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Aye, we have a squad of 25 (has it actually been published anywhere??). Moult, Bodin, Bayliss appear nowhere near the 11. Gally very limited involvement. Ignoring Ripley, that gives us a working party of 20 players to get through half a season. Pearo & Fish coming back from injury, so that's 18.

That's got to stretch any club, with games coming thick & fast.
 
pnewortham said:
Aye, we have a squad of 25 (has it actually been published anywhere??). Moult, Bodin, Bayliss appear nowhere near the 11. Gally very limited involvement. Ignoring Ripley, that gives us a working party of 20 players to get through half a season. Pearo & Fish coming back from injury, so that's 18.

That's got to stretch any club, with games coming thick & fast.
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Bayliss isn't a member of the 25 man squad because he's under 21.
 
LancasterRed said:
Go and watch some recent highlights to see what Rafferty and Hughes bring when allowed to attack. Even if not with assists, the overall play of the two has made a difference.

Last night we were too scared to attack and it showed. Let's not go after players that were either ill or playing with ill teammates, it's down to the manager.
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And there lies your problem. Seemingly judging our full backs on ‘highlights’, and not the whole 90 minutes.

I’m more than happy to have both full backs at the club but Fisher and Earl (who I’ve rated more highly than Hughes) would represent a significant upgrade on the current two.
 
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