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Viking Chat => Viking Chat => Topic started by: scawsby steve on December 14, 2024, 04:54:17 pm

Title: January window
Post by: scawsby steve on December 14, 2024, 04:54:17 pm
Now of massive importance. We'll not get promoted with the present squad as it is.

They're not good enough.
Title: Re: January window
Post by: StocksArmy on December 14, 2024, 05:00:49 pm
The manager isn’t good enough.
Title: Re: January window
Post by: DonnyNoel on December 14, 2024, 05:10:05 pm
Whilst I agree it's not good enough, it's a big squad though and the manager has been backed. We're not relying on youth in any position. I think some fringe needs to move out for a couple of core players to come in.
Title: Re: January window
Post by: In the box on December 14, 2024, 05:17:52 pm
Whilst I agree it's not good enough, it's a big squad though and the manager has been backed. We're not relying on youth in any position. I think some fringe needs to move out for a couple of core players to come in.
Tell me who the big players with experience of promotion that are in the squad and I bet they don’t go into double figures!!
Title: Re: January window
Post by: DonnyNoel on December 14, 2024, 05:23:54 pm
Whilst I agree it's not good enough, it's a big squad though and the manager has been backed. We're not relying on youth in any position. I think some fringe needs to move out for a couple of core players to come in.
Tell me who the big players with experience of promotion that are in the squad and I bet they don’t go into double figures!!

With respect, thats nothing to do with what I posted. I was simply pointing out that if I was in charge of the purse strings that had been loosened in the summer I'd be asking a few more questions before signing more cheques in January.
Title: Re: January window
Post by: Chris Black come back on December 14, 2024, 05:26:06 pm
Some mystifying summer decisions not least Close, who will be on good money. Loans are always a risk but this crop haven’t been amazing. Two strikers only and neither of them offer pace to get in behind. Hope there is a better plan next month.
Title: Re: January window
Post by: Ian Nimmo on December 14, 2024, 05:42:11 pm
The manager isn’t good enough.
Grant is good enough, although i am sure he knows they have made some bad decisions so far, because he has taken responsibility in his interviews. He does tend to stand by his players, maybe it’s time to make it clear when mistakes are made changes will be made.
My biggest concern is that our midfield is not good enough, and he doesn,t have too many options at present, given the underperformance from too many players.





Title: Re: January window
Post by: Filo on December 14, 2024, 05:43:44 pm
A midfield Mister required in my opinion
Title: Re: January window
Post by: DonnyNoel on December 14, 2024, 05:50:16 pm
A midfield Mister required in my opinion

Agreed. As we've seem before, sometimes its one piece of a puzzle thats missing and to put it into modern parlance I think we're missing a #6.
Title: Re: January window
Post by: StocksArmy on December 14, 2024, 05:55:11 pm
The manager isn’t good enough.
Grant is good enough, although i am sure he knows they have made some bad decisions so far, because he has taken responsibility in his interviews. He does tend to stand by his players, maybe it’s time to make it clear when mistakes are made changes will be made.
My biggest concern is that our midfield is not good enough, and he doesn,t have too many options at present, given the underperformance from too many players.







This begs the question… whose fault is it then? He’s chopped and changed the squad every game we’ve played. This isn’t a squad he’s inherited, it’s a squad he has built. A squad that we though that all he needed to do was add to after last season yet we are worse off. So I disagree.
Title: Re: January window
Post by: DonnyBazR0ver on December 14, 2024, 06:02:51 pm
Good managers don't win every game. Good managers have to deal with their own decision making, players in and out of form, injured players and find a way to turn things around.

Let's not forget all he had to contend with last season and he found a way to get things going.

Being a good manager is not panicking like we fans tend to do.
Title: Re: January window
Post by: Bessie Red on December 14, 2024, 06:14:40 pm
The manager isn’t good enough.
Grant is good enough, although i am sure he knows they have made some bad decisions so far, because he has taken responsibility in his interviews. He does tend to stand by his players, maybe it’s time to make it clear when mistakes are made changes will be made.
My biggest concern is that our midfield is not good enough, and he doesn,t have too many options at present, given the underperformance from too many players.







This begs the question… whose fault is it then? He’s chopped and changed the squad every game we’ve played. This isn’t a squad he’s inherited, it’s a squad he has built. A squad that we though that all he needed to do was add to after last season yet we are worse off. So I disagree.
How are we worse off. We were languishing close to the relegation places this time last year. Relax Grant will turn it around!
Title: Re: January window
Post by: Northants Nomad on December 14, 2024, 06:19:30 pm
The manager isn’t good enough.

Arguably, some of the fans aren’t good enough.
Title: Re: January window
Post by: Chris Black come back on December 14, 2024, 06:20:11 pm
He’s unquestionably a good manager and has signed some good players. What’s a mystery though is the constant changing of formation, tactics and players. It’s become impossible to say what kind of side we are, other than one recently which doesn’t win much or play well. I am sure he will turn it around but the last month or two we’ve been getting gradually worse and have lost any type of identity.
Title: Re: January window
Post by: mushRTID on December 14, 2024, 06:36:32 pm
I’m one of his biggest fans but how can Grant not be questioned?

His signings have made us worse. Not talking about just player for player but the whole dynamic of the squad.

I’m sick to death of the constant changes.

Please Grant just pick a team and keep it the same for 4/5 games. That team has to have Ironside starting up top.
Title: Re: January window
Post by: GazLaz on December 14, 2024, 07:03:02 pm
I’m one of his biggest fans but how can Grant not be questioned?

His signings have made us worse. Not talking about just player for player but the whole dynamic of the squad.

I’m sick to death of the constant changes.

Please Grant just pick a team and keep it the same for 4/5 games. That team has to have Ironside starting up top.


He wants to be a “chameleon” manager and adjust for every opposition, which is fine but difficult to do. It’s also unnecessary and probably unadvisable when you are the favourite every week as we are. We have better players than most teams but negate that advantage by not having a style of play to impose on teams. We are fine against teams that try and play football but are generally shit and we are fine against teams that do play football and are quite good at it which forces us into a certain style of play. It’s the low block/ counter attack/ pressing teams we struggle against.


We need to either be all in counter attack and make sure we control the game in a way that ensures we have 40% possession every week or sign a couple of footballers for the midfield in Jan and evolve the passing game.
Title: Re: January window
Post by: StocksArmy on December 14, 2024, 07:09:54 pm
The manager isn’t good enough.
Grant is good enough, although i am sure he knows they have made some bad decisions so far, because he has taken responsibility in his interviews. He does tend to stand by his players, maybe it’s time to make it clear when mistakes are made changes will be made.
My biggest concern is that our midfield is not good enough, and he doesn,t have too many options at present, given the underperformance from too many players.







This begs the question… whose fault is it then? He’s chopped and changed the squad every game we’ve played. This isn’t a squad he’s inherited, it’s a squad he has built. A squad that we though that all he needed to do was add to after last season yet we are worse off. So I disagree.
The manager isn’t good enough.
Grant is good enough, although i am sure he knows they have made some bad decisions so far, because he has taken responsibility in his interviews. He does tend to stand by his players, maybe it’s time to make it clear when mistakes are made changes will be made.
My biggest concern is that our midfield is not good enough, and he doesn,t have too many options at present, given the underperformance from too many players.







This begs the question… whose fault is it then? He’s chopped and changed the squad every game we’ve played. This isn’t a squad he’s inherited, it’s a squad he has built. A squad that we though that all he needed to do was add to after last season yet we are worse off. So I disagree.


Apologies we are not worse off. We are just miles off where we set out to be.
Title: Re: January window
Post by: edlored on December 14, 2024, 07:19:13 pm
No shots on target again enough said
Title: Re: January window
Post by: Jersey Rover on December 14, 2024, 07:25:24 pm
Agree with a couple of posts above, GM just needs to pick what in his opinion his best 11 and formation and stick with it. This constant chopping and changing to suit the opposition is confusing everyone, fans included. Pick our best 11, same formation and let the other teams worry about us.
Title: Re: January window
Post by: Rovers91 on December 14, 2024, 10:33:29 pm
We need a centre half, 2 centre midfielders, a winger and one which can take a f**king fullback on the outside and not cut in everytime and a striker.
Out Yeboah back to Bristol, Fleming back to Hull, Close and Broadbent would do me.
Title: Re: January window
Post by: sedwardsdrfc on December 14, 2024, 11:31:26 pm
I’m one of his biggest fans but how can Grant not be questioned?

His signings have made us worse. Not talking about just player for player but the whole dynamic of the squad.

I’m sick to death of the constant changes.

Please Grant just pick a team and keep it the same for 4/5 games. That team has to have Ironside starting up top.


He wants to be a “chameleon” manager and adjust for every opposition, which is fine but difficult to do. It’s also unnecessary and probably unadvisable when you are the favourite every week as we are. We have better players than most teams but negate that advantage by not having a style of play to impose on teams. We are fine against teams that try and play football but are generally shit and we are fine against teams that do play football and are quite good at it which forces us into a certain style of play. It’s the low block/ counter attack/ pressing teams we struggle against.


We need to either be all in counter attack and make sure we control the game in a way that ensures we have 40% possession every week or sign a couple of footballers for the midfield in Jan and evolve the passing game.

Was thinking that today. Why are we flipping in and out of a back 3 or back 4 depending on opposition instead of just going at them with our best team!

The amazing run last year had a lot to do with us playing our game every week regardless of the opposition.

Be brave Grant we are good enough!
Title: Re: January window
Post by: grayx on December 14, 2024, 11:51:14 pm
The manager isn’t good enough.

A club our size wont get better.
Title: Re: January window
Post by: Red wizard on December 15, 2024, 03:34:13 am
Very long way to go yet. Very long. We will go up,form like this in march and April is a worry. To be in touching distance of the top 3 is fine and I hope no one running the club is panicking like some of our fans. I'm not saying all is Rosey but it's far from bleak. Chill and enjoy Christmas.
Title: Re: January window
Post by: Wild Rover on December 15, 2024, 07:58:31 am
The manager isn’t good enough.

Who do you suggest would be good enough.
Title: Re: January window
Post by: Nudga on December 15, 2024, 08:05:58 am
I feel GM is more than good enough but he's got to stop trying to keep the whole squad happy.
Be ruthless, fight for the shirt and fight to stay in the shirt.
Title: Re: January window
Post by: ncRover on December 15, 2024, 08:15:21 am
McCann has been well back financially and has signed 16 players on permanent contracts since the start of last season.
Add on to that another 4 loan signings this summer.
I’m not saying he should have any sort of pressure on him at all as that won’t achieve anything, but we should have a far more cohesive squad than this by now.
Title: Re: January window
Post by: colincramb on December 15, 2024, 08:54:52 am
I said it Tuesday and I will say it again. The players we’ve brought in to replace what we had at the end of last season aren’t on the same level. And this is a much weaker league than last year.

Big January coming up. This current 11 won’t get us promoted
Title: Re: January window
Post by: Butchers Red on December 15, 2024, 09:01:57 am
The side that played at Fleetwood would get us promoted, 3 at the back, aggressive wing backs rather than powder puff misfiring wingers, two up top with Hursty roaming behind, George and Bails in middle and we'll be fine.

Title: Re: January window
Post by: GazLaz on December 15, 2024, 09:28:52 am
The side that played at Fleetwood would get us promoted, 3 at the back, aggressive wing backs rather than powder puff misfiring wingers, two up top with Hursty roaming behind, George and Bails in middle and we'll be fine.



Again, at Fleetwood the conditions forced us to play direct and we looked better for it. It’s like McCann can’t admit we are a long ball team and we are better when we horse it up to Ironside.
Title: Re: January window
Post by: Park Rover on December 15, 2024, 09:34:33 am
Totally agree, the team against Fleetwood worked well, was expecting to see the same team against Cheltenham and was frustrated to see that Grant had changed the team and formation again. He did exactly the same after a good win away at Bradford.i just don’t get the constant tinkering.if it’s working, don’t mess with it !!!
Title: Re: January window
Post by: vaya on December 15, 2024, 09:35:16 am
The side that played at Fleetwood would get us promoted, 3 at the back, aggressive wing backs rather than powder puff misfiring wingers, two up top with Hursty roaming behind, George and Bails in middle and we'll be fine.



Again, at Fleetwood the conditions forced us to play direct and we looked better for it. Its like McCann can’t admit we are a long ball team and we are better when we horse it up the Ironside.

"When we horse it up the Ironside"

Is this a euphemism?
Title: Re: January window
Post by: Usher wide. on December 15, 2024, 09:45:38 am
The manager isn’t good enough.

Away Rover, Keith 79, donnyguy & StocksArmy. I’ll remind you all of this pathetic post come the end of the season.
Title: Re: January window
Post by: steve@dcfd on December 15, 2024, 10:10:58 am
We are better now than this time last year. The reason for all the chopping and changing goes down to four positions in the side.
Gibson as not produced on the left attacking side of the pitch whether he can I’m not sure but he is no Adelulaken.
Kelly another player who as been disappointing he has not come any where near Craig
Then the attacking central midfield Sbarra for all some people said about him is not good enough
Clifton hard working but will he score the goals.
Molyneux been marked out of games and with no other attacking midfield threat then our creativity is gone.
Grant brought these players in but they have not shown the quality or consistency to improve the side from the end of last season. So zGrants got some decisions to make
Title: Re: January window
Post by: Campsall rover on December 15, 2024, 10:37:53 am
One thing I do know is Joe Ironside must start in pretty much all league games.
He played in them last season, very rarely got subbed and scored 20 goals.
We don’t have to start both Joe and Billy imo. Joe is quite capable of playing as the front man on his own. He did it last season and he did it magnificently well.
Having a big squad should be a plus a very big plus but it seems to have created a problem for GM

He has got to be bold now and decide what his best 11 is what his best formation is and stick to it match after match. Only make a change when it is forced or if it consistently isn’t working obviously.
Chopping and changing game after game is not helping & it is now becoming starkly obvious that is the case.

It’s up to GM not me or any of us of course but we all have our own opinions on what he should do.

Personally I would have a starting 11 of  4-2-1-3 / 4-2-3-1  call it what you will as there has to be flexibility in any formation. With the ball without the ball etc etc.

So my best 11 with everyone 100% fit is as follows. Or at least this is what I would try right now. ( Westbrooke is just coming back from injury )

Sharman-Lowe

Sterry or Emmanuel
Olowu
McGrath
Senior or Maxwell

Bailey
Westbrooke

Clifton or Hurst

Gibson
Ironside
Mollyneux

Play Gibson on the right & Molly on the left and change over at times during the game as required to give opposition something different to think about.

Couple of either or ors in that team.

At present I think I would go with Emmanuel for his physicality.
He played well v Port Vale and also did yesterday.

Maxwell looks off the pace at present so would stick with Senior but a fully fit firing Maxwell gives us a better attacking player and would start for me.

Clifton or Hurst.  Probably start Clifton and use Hurst as an impact player off the bench. He can and has been a match winning player for us if used sensibly.
Clifton is physically stronger and gives us a better option for 60/65 mins imo. Same as Kyle has he has a goal in him.

I would give Westbrooke a go now along side Bailey. He is a busy player who will provide the team with a bit of guile which is needed.
Very good passer of the ball and I think will help give our front 3 more quality balls to run off or feed off.

Billy Sharp is now an impact player for me and will do a job off the bench for 30 mins.
Starting him yesterday against a big physical team like Wimbledon was  imo not very well thought out ( I am being polite )

Subs:

Lawlor.
Nixon or Maxwell or Sterry or Emmanuel or Fleming.
Anderson
Kelly
Sbarra or Broadbent
Hurst
Sharp

Others no doubt will see it differently.

If we play 2 up top then we would need to play a 3 centre back system and wing backs or go for 4-4-2 but do we have 2 midfielders who can keep us solid enough in that 4-4-2
If we had Bailey and Craig maybe but I thinks it would be dangerous with our current midfielders.

Broadbent I am sorry isn’t good enough
Yes a great 2nd 45 mins last week but he went missing totally yesterday and hasn’t shown enough to be the player needed in our midfield.
Yeboah can go back to Bristol City and we need another striker in January.


Title: Re: January window
Post by: i_ateallthepies on December 15, 2024, 10:59:43 am
If Grant really has been chopping and changing because he thinks it combats the opposition better then by now I would hope he can see it absolutely is not working.  Try settling the side and see how it goes until the Window opens.
Title: Re: January window
Post by: graingrover on December 15, 2024, 03:52:41 pm
Mind boggles at the criticism of Grant McCann .Two moments in the game yesterday are much more relevant indicators both five yards out from their goal line with only the keeper to beat and from players who undeniably we need to keep hold of .
Title: Re: January window
Post by: ncRover on December 15, 2024, 08:41:42 pm
One thing I do know is Joe Ironside must start in pretty much all league games.
He played in them last season, very rarely got subbed and scored 20 goals.
We don’t have to start both Joe and Billy imo. Joe is quite capable of playing as the front man on his own. He did it last season and he did it magnificently well.
Having a big squad should be a plus a very big plus but it seems to have created a problem for GM

He has got to be bold now and decide what his best 11 is what his best formation is and stick to it match after match. Only make a change when it is forced or if it consistently isn’t working obviously.
Chopping and changing game after game is not helping & it is now becoming starkly obvious that is the case.

It’s up to GM not me or any of us of course but we all have our own opinions on what he should do.

Personally I would have a starting 11 of  4-2-1-3 / 4-2-3-1  call it what you will as there has to be flexibility in any formation. With the ball without the ball etc etc.

So my best 11 with everyone 100% fit is as follows. Or at least this is what I would try right now. ( Westbrooke is just coming back from injury )

Sharman-Lowe

Sterry or Emmanuel
Olowu
McGrath
Senior or Maxwell

Bailey
Westbrooke

Clifton or Hurst

Gibson
Ironside
Mollyneux

Play Gibson on the right & Molly on the left and change over at times during the game as required to give opposition something different to think about.

Couple of either or ors in that team.

At present I think I would go with Emmanuel for his physicality.
He played well v Port Vale and also did yesterday.

Maxwell looks off the pace at present so would stick with Senior but a fully fit firing Maxwell gives us a better attacking player and would start for me.

Clifton or Hurst.  Probably start Clifton and use Hurst as an impact player off the bench. He can and has been a match winning player for us if used sensibly.
Clifton is physically stronger and gives us a better option for 60/65 mins imo. Same as Kyle has he has a goal in him.

I would give Westbrooke a go now along side Bailey. He is a busy player who will provide the team with a bit of guile which is needed.
Very good passer of the ball and I think will help give our front 3 more quality balls to run off or feed off.

Billy Sharp is now an impact player for me and will do a job off the bench for 30 mins.
Starting him yesterday against a big physical team like Wimbledon was  imo not very well thought out ( I am being polite )

Subs:

Lawlor.
Nixon or Maxwell or Sterry or Emmanuel or Fleming.
Anderson
Kelly
Sbarra or Broadbent
Hurst
Sharp

Others no doubt will see it differently.

If we play 2 up top then we would need to play a 3 centre back system and wing backs or go for 4-4-2 but do we have 2 midfielders who can keep us solid enough in that 4-4-2
If we had Bailey and Craig maybe but I thinks it would be dangerous with our current midfielders.

Broadbent I am sorry isn’t good enough
Yes a great 2nd 45 mins last week but he went missing totally yesterday and hasn’t shown enough to be the player needed in our midfield.
Yeboah can go back to Bristol City and we need another striker in January.

I agree with your midfield selection Campsall.
With the players we have at our disposal Westbrooke, Bailey and Clifton is the closest we have to Craig, Bailey and Biggins in terms of balance and what they are capable of.

Looking at the next 4 games and the type of teams they are it’s actually an easier run. l’m not expecting anything from Walsall away. But Tranmere, Colchester and Fleetwood shouldn’t pose as many problems.

I would make 3-5-2 the template and make a new centre forward with pace the priority.
Bobby coming back in can provide CB cover.
Senior good there too. Keep Fleming to compete with Maxwell at left wing back.
Title: Re: January window
Post by: Barmby Rover on December 15, 2024, 11:05:34 pm
The manager isn’t good enough.

Ooh! Sack the manager, the scream of the unintelligent football fan, and replace him with who? I know, that ex centre half we used to have, he was so much better, or try to pinch the manager at Port vale, such a hero! I know, we can get Pep Guardiola, he's really good on my Fifa game! Grow up.
Title: Re: January window
Post by: GazLaz on December 16, 2024, 07:16:13 am
The side that played at Fleetwood would get us promoted, 3 at the back, aggressive wing backs rather than powder puff misfiring wingers, two up top with Hursty roaming behind, George and Bails in middle and we'll be fine.



Again, at Fleetwood the conditions forced us to play direct and we looked better for it. Its like McCann can’t admit we are a long ball team and we are better when we horse it up the Ironside.

"When we horse it up the Ironside"

Is this a euphemism?


It’s a superb typo! *to
Title: Re: January window
Post by: foxbat on December 16, 2024, 10:07:52 am
 :)
Title: Re: January window
Post by: selby on December 16, 2024, 11:37:24 am
Wolves are not one of the best u23s sides but have a lad Fletcher Holman who is scoring goals for fun and attracting other sides in our division.