Viking Supporters Co-operative

Viking Chat => Viking Chat => Topic started by: roverstillidie91 on August 19, 2025, 09:30:28 pm

Title: Striker
Post by: roverstillidie91 on August 19, 2025, 09:30:28 pm
Such a shame that Street wasn't a permanent signing.

Does feel from the grand scheme of things that's the area we have least strengthened.

Title: Re: Striker
Post by: ChrisBx on August 19, 2025, 09:36:12 pm
We haven't strengthened there, that's the issue.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: In the box on August 19, 2025, 09:39:21 pm
We haven't strengthened there, that's the issue.
It was that obvious at the end of last season but we didn’t dip our hands in our pockets to sort it …but bought a giant stereo instead !!
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: Copps is Magic on August 19, 2025, 09:41:14 pm
We don't have a goal scorer. Dominated all four teams so far and not created enough clear chances or scored enough goals. It's clear for all to see. FAO the board and McCann - do you want us to be promotion contenders this year?
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: sedwardsdrfc on August 19, 2025, 09:49:05 pm
I think looking at the division it’s worth bringing forward the January loan budget and sorting something now. We could have a chance of competing for the playoffs.

If Hanlan is already out of favour questions have to be asked about the signing.

We kneed to trim the squad and use the savings to help make it happen. Westbrooke isn’t going to play. Neither is Close and Ironside could be let go. Grehan could go out on loan to play games he’s 4th choice in a team with other options at centre half.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: Thorney on August 19, 2025, 09:49:41 pm
We don't have a goal scorer. Dominated all four teams so far and not created enough clear chances or scored enough goals. It's clear for all to see. FAO the board and McCann - do you want us to be promotion contenders this year?

We created plenty of clear chances tonight.

Just didnt take them.

What sort of question is that to ask. Course mcann wants to be promotion contenders. And we will.
Every team will have games like we did today and lose.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: GazLaz on August 19, 2025, 09:50:13 pm
We’ve played two good teams in the last two games with very good defences. We’ve not created loads of clear chances that a better striker would have scored. Sbarra should have scored that one today, Middleton’s was a great chance also. Neither misses were to do with the quality of our striker.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: Pinter777 on August 19, 2025, 09:51:11 pm
That’s a good point and I appreciate it’s all politics in life but would £600k have been enough to get street?
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: The Dav on August 19, 2025, 09:51:58 pm
I’m really proud of that performance tonight ! With a Street in our side we win that game ! Albeit we’ll play worse than that this season and win games ! Well done lads
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: Prez on August 19, 2025, 09:52:18 pm
Nothing wrong with Billy tonight. Led the line Superbly.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: drfcsteve on August 19, 2025, 09:52:57 pm
If only Sharp was 10 years younger. We’ve been at our best when he’s played IMO but he can’t start every game.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: DonnyBazR0ver on August 19, 2025, 09:54:29 pm
Crikey, didn't take long for 'we're doomed' knee jerk claims to come out.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: Copps is Magic on August 19, 2025, 09:55:56 pm
Crikey, didn't take long for 'we're doomed' knee jerk claims to come out.

Who's said we're doomed above?
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: Thorney on August 19, 2025, 09:56:47 pm
Nothing wrong with Billy tonight. Led the line Superbly.

Billy was superb tonight. His movement caused them no end of problems and pulled there defenders all over.
Would street of been any better tonight? Doubt it
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: Copps is Magic on August 19, 2025, 09:59:36 pm
Nothing wrong with Billy tonight. Led the line Superbly.

Billy was superb tonight. His movement caused them no end of problems and pulled there defenders all over.
Would street of been any better tonight? Doubt it

Movement? Our whole team's movement was superb! But who is going to score the goals?
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: sedwardsdrfc on August 19, 2025, 10:01:16 pm
Over the course of a season we cant rely on Billy as the main man can we?

He’s got a big role for us but we will need someone to play more minutes
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: scawsby steve on August 19, 2025, 10:01:42 pm
Nothing wrong with Billy tonight. Led the line Superbly.

Billy was superb tonight. His movement caused them no end of problems and pulled there defenders all over.
Would street of been any better tonight? Doubt it

He missed 2 easy chances that he would have scored years ago.

The Huddersfield guy put his chance away with ease. That was the difference tonight.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: dickos1 on August 19, 2025, 10:02:29 pm
We’ve played two good teams in the last two games with very good defences. We’ve not created loads of clear chances that a better striker would have scored. Sbarra should have scored that one today, Middleton’s was a great chance also. Neither misses were to do with the quality of our striker.

Sharp missed two big chances tonight, broadbent’s was a sitter, sbarra was a great chance, Middleton had two great chances
The first 35 mins we were absolutely outstanding
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: StocksArmy on August 19, 2025, 10:09:06 pm
Travesty of a result for the neutral reading that. If there was ever an advert for us being short of a striker then every league game so far is a huge one. Grant dropping Hanlan to me screams he knows it. But he’s left us short from the start for 2 seasons now. Has to be sorted surely.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: EasyforDennis on August 19, 2025, 10:10:47 pm
Forget about Street. He wanted to go back to Lincoln so there was never any chance of us getting him.
Yes we do need a striker but so do most clubs in league 1. Unless we can unearth a gem from non league football then we will have to pay out big bucks and then there is no guarantee of success.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: Thorney on August 19, 2025, 10:15:35 pm
Nothing wrong with Billy tonight. Led the line Superbly.

Billy was superb tonight. His movement caused them no end of problems and pulled there defenders all over.
Would street of been any better tonight? Doubt it

He missed 2 easy chances that he would have scored years ago.

The Huddersfield guy put his chance away with ease. That was the difference tonight.

The huddersfield guy was 1v1 with the keeper. Which billy would of scored.

Billys wasnt. Both his efforts were on target but defenders thrown themselves in front of them.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: Padge_DRFC on August 19, 2025, 10:32:49 pm
The number 10 position is more of an issue. Sbarra and Clifton were no good last season and we're still here now.

The chance for Sbarra is a joke
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: anton123 on August 19, 2025, 10:33:19 pm
I’m happy for billy to run the line this season and we will finish between 10th and 16th . With a street looking at top 6 rest of team is that good . But rest of squad is all on long contracts so next summer we can put all resources into a striker and push on
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: DonnyBazR0ver on August 19, 2025, 10:34:46 pm
Alot of our chances will fall to players other than a striker. Last season we had Billy and Ironside up to January and we were there or thereabouts. Different league yes, but we still try to play the same type of football so the other players with attacking intent have to step up to the plate. Their job maybe made a little more difficult as we're up against marginally better defenders and keepers.

We're only 4 games in. Lots of ups and down ahead.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: scawsby steve on August 19, 2025, 10:46:28 pm
I’m happy for billy to run the line this season and we will finish between 10th and 16th . With a street looking at top 6 rest of team is that good . But rest of squad is all on long contracts so next summer we can put all resources into a striker and push on

You can't just write a season off like that. How do you know Terry will still be here next season?

We've got to try and keep momentum going.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: In the box on August 19, 2025, 10:54:55 pm
That’s a good point and I appreciate it’s all politics in life but would £600k have been enough to get street?
Priorities are many at the club , but McCann is in charge and he may or may not have asked about Street but there are many strikers and we’ve plumped for a players who needs time to get his game together . Playing Sharp is a major sign that McCann is frustrated that Hanlan hasn’t delivered yet . Rovers Tactics are spot on going forward and at the back also . BUT how long do you wait for a players who needs to seize his opportunity, we have players who can get into goal scoring positions but putting them away takes nerve and composure , something Billy has in buckets full but others are just learning to be brave in front of goal . We will bounce back but McCann needs another player to come in who can set the place alight !!
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: TonySoprano on August 19, 2025, 11:32:28 pm
What gets me is that we've gone up a league, but our strike force is massively weaker.

Hanlan is a poor signing, like kwame thomas or rakish Bingham.

That's the last 2 games, we've not taken our chances.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: dickos1 on August 19, 2025, 11:34:51 pm
Comparing Hanlan to Thomas or Bingham is up there as the daftest post of all time
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: Thorney on August 19, 2025, 11:38:28 pm
Hanlon getting some right stick for others missing chances when he wasnt even on the pitch
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: Alan Southstand on August 19, 2025, 11:53:35 pm
We can’t be signing someone like Middleton, who can get to the byline and put in excellent crosses and then expect Billy to be a foot taller! Street would be lapping it up in this side.

S’Barra a strange selection tonight, also. We’ve got to have much better for that role (and we have).

The subs were a marked contrast again, as Saturday, theirs make an impact and ours just made the team look weaker. The rhythm went out the side and don’t get me started on Hanlan.

I think probably 90% of the Rovers supporters know what the problem is. Trouble is, we’re not the ones making the decisions and neither do we have the resources.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: StocksArmy on August 19, 2025, 11:56:27 pm
It’s the fact that he’s not been on the pitch that’s seems a big problem. Just seems McCann already isn’t fully confident in him. It’s my only concern atm. Everything else I feel has stepped up in a big way since last season.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: CheeseToastie on August 20, 2025, 12:18:18 am
It's kind of pathetic how people on here are blaming us for not signing rob street and how he would have made such a difference. He was never coming to us in the summer Lincoln have solid plans for him and he'll be in there starting 11 the majority of the season the board knew this grant knew this he was never coming back. But why not get obsessed with loan signings...sure if Ramsey had come to us instead of Newcastle things would be different ay?! Two loan signings that are superb players that were never going to come back to us. Hence the term loan
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: DonnyRover on August 20, 2025, 12:25:46 am
We can’t be signing someone like Middleton, who can get to the byline and put in excellent crosses and then expect Billy to be a foot taller! Street would be lapping it up in this side.

S’Barra a strange selection tonight, also. We’ve got to have much better for that role (and we have).

The subs were a marked contrast again, as Saturday, theirs make an impact and ours just made the team look weaker. The rhythm went out the side and don’t get me started on Hanlan.

I think probably 90% of the Rovers supporters know what the problem is. Trouble is, we’re not the ones making the decisions and neither do we have the resources.

Agree, so many balls in the box but no one to get on the end of them, we were always hoping for a ball to drop our way in the box tonight, but they rode their luck and especially in the second half they cut out a lot of our crosses with relative ease.

Playing Sbarra we may aswell ask one of the mascots to play, so ineffective, physically he’s not a footballer, you can get smaller players that have an electric turn of pace or are tricky dribblers, sbarra is neither and got caught by their centre halves with at least a 10 yard head start through on goal.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: DonnyBazR0ver on August 20, 2025, 12:40:00 am
Worth reminding Rob Street started at Bromley last season when we peppered them and lost.

Rob Street or any other striker is not the reason why we didn't win tonight.

We may need to go into the market at some point but the need is not immediate.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: mpc123 on August 20, 2025, 06:31:35 am
I was really surprised how well we played.

It's not a striker we need really, look where all the chances come from, literally all midfield and forward line. As per last game we need to be more clinical. I think this has happened in the last few seasons with Mccann. He has talked about it, worked on it and we have sorted it. Just wait rather than ditching most of the team. I think we have started brilliantly.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: karlos on August 20, 2025, 07:57:09 am
The writing was on the wall pre season with Hanlon when mcann said he doesn't run enough but what I can't understand is why Ironside is not getting in over Hanlon.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: Filo on August 20, 2025, 07:59:20 am
We’ve played two good teams in the last two games with very good defences. We’ve not created loads of clear chances that a better striker would have scored. Sbarra should have scored that one today, Middleton’s was a great chance also. Neither misses were to do with the quality of our striker.

Sharp missed two big chances tonight, broadbent’s was a sitter, sbarra was a great chance, Middleton had two great chances
The first 35 mins we were absolutely outstanding

On Sbarra’s chance, the vision and ball from Broadbent was outstanding, anyone with a bit of pace would have got his shot away
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: donnygav93 on August 20, 2025, 08:09:14 am
I think the problem most clubs in this division will have is getting a proven striker at this level will be upwards if not close to a million (only have to look at Alfie may career)

So what choices do we have (premier league loan)

Or take a punt on someone from a lower division

either of which have a risk

I do think billy has been doing a great job at leading the line so far this season especially with the quality of mols Middleton and gibson and I'm hoping halan can become that focal point time will tell
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: ncRover on August 20, 2025, 08:24:44 am
The writing was on the wall pre season with Hanlon when mcann said he doesn't run enough but what I can't understand is why Ironside is not getting in over Hanlon.

McCann on Ironside

"He will have a role, of course he will.

"At this minute, he knows he's up against some stiff competition.

I hope we can make it click around him if he plays. When he and Adelakun to the left and Biggins making runs beyond him it worked perfectly. Different types of players in those positions now.

He looked decent when he came on v Boro.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: TonySoprano on August 20, 2025, 09:04:25 am
Comparing Hanlan to Thomas or Bingham is up there as the daftest post of all time
Nope, all are huge downgrades on what we had before, and massively lower than the standard we need.

You could argue that hanlan is a worse signing because we've gone up a league aswell.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: tommy toes on August 20, 2025, 09:16:42 am
Hanlan, so far, reminds me of Theo Robinson.
Runs around a lot very quickly but dunt achieve much.
Hope he improves.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: Filo on August 20, 2025, 09:18:21 am
Hanlan, so far, reminds me of Theo Robinson.
Runs around a lot very quickly but dunt achieve much.
Hope he improves.
Not really seen anything from him to show he has genuine pace
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: Ian Nimmo on August 20, 2025, 09:19:25 am
Hanlon getting some right stick for others missing chances when he wasnt even on the pitch

This is not the case really, the majority of posts on all threads are concerned that Hanlan has not shown much in his game time.
In this particular game we needed players to come on who could change the game. It seems clear that Hanlan was brought in to be considered as first choice central striker. All comments relate to the fact he did nothing when he game on just like his other performances.
Others players are being stated.




Title: Re: Striker
Post by: DonnyBazR0ver on August 20, 2025, 09:22:17 am
We’ve played two good teams in the last two games with very good defences. We’ve not created loads of clear chances that a better striker would have scored. Sbarra should have scored that one today, Middleton’s was a great chance also. Neither misses were to do with the quality of our striker.

Sharp missed two big chances tonight, broadbent’s was a sitter, sbarra was a great chance, Middleton had two great chances
The first 35 mins we were absolutely outstanding

On Sbarra’s chance, the vision and ball from Broadbent was outstanding, anyone with a bit of pace would have got his shot away

It was Middleton who played the ball through for Sbarra's great run. The centre half wasn't catching him but Castledine, an attacking midfielder, was like a greyhound after a hare to catch him at the very last moment. There aren't many on our team who could outpace Castledine or could have finished the chance with any certainty after such a long run towards goal.   

I think we're being overly harsh on certain players.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: Filo on August 20, 2025, 09:26:10 am
We’ve played two good teams in the last two games with very good defences. We’ve not created loads of clear chances that a better striker would have scored. Sbarra should have scored that one today, Middleton’s was a great chance also. Neither misses were to do with the quality of our striker.

Sharp missed two big chances tonight, broadbent’s was a sitter, sbarra was a great chance, Middleton had two great chances
The first 35 mins we were absolutely outstanding

On Sbarra’s chance, the vision and ball from Broadbent was outstanding, anyone with a bit of pace would have got his shot away

It was Middleton who played the ball through for Sbarra's great run. The centre half wasn't catching him but Castledine, an attacking midfielder, was like a greyhound after a hare to catch him at the very last moment. There aren't many on our team who could outpace Castledine or could have finished the chance with any certainty after such a long run towards goal.   

I think we're being overly harsh on certain players.

If it was Middleton I stand corrected, the highlights fail to show the chance for some strange reason
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: In the box on August 20, 2025, 09:30:30 am
Worth reminding Rob Street started at Bromley last season when we peppered them and lost.

Rob Street or any other striker is not the reason why we didn't win tonight.

We may need to go into the market at some point but the need is not immediate.
We showed that the team can compete and demonstrated that at Middlesbrough but that win meant that we had tipped Huddersfield off and our team selection also did this imo . It’s a great start to our season and 7 point from 12 means we’re here and getting noticed . McCann has got his plans    We have Ironside Hanlan both need to lift their game now and opportunities will not be for off . Port Vale on Saturday looks  good fixture to get things back on track .
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: McCammon egg n chips on August 20, 2025, 09:55:55 am
Definitely feels a bit light up front. All comes down to expectations though. Could this team see us finish midtable as it stands? I'd say so from current performances. Add a striker and I feel we'd be fighting to play offs. We may even get there without, but I think it's asking a lot of Sharp at his age and Hanlan with how he's looked so far.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: oggycompton on August 20, 2025, 10:25:54 am
I think we all agree we are light up front. I was scratching my head a little at the appearance of Sbarra bearing in mind he hasn't even been on the bench in previous games, especially when Gotts played well the week before in the same role.

Long balls to Sharp and crosses into the box with him there I am afraid is not going to cut it, a decent tall presence up front would have made all the difference last night for sure. Bit of an odd selerction if I am honest.

Ironside is clearly frozen out and with Sharp who scored a goal due to an error and hasn't looked like scoring other than that and Hanlan who has been brought in and was given one real go at the first game of the season, seems odd.

The rest of the team and performance were genuinely superb. If we finish 1 point behind Huddersfield this season, we have a great chance of going up. I just felt that it was almost a game where we could expect to get beat due to the difference in finances etc so there were a couple of people needing games being thrown in.

For me, Gotts has to play the 10 role, stop playing Clifton and Sbbarra as I am afraid to say they offer absolutely nothing in that role, give Hanlan an extended run at number 9 to try and get a bit of confidence
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: RugbyRover on August 20, 2025, 10:33:33 am
I'm in two minds about Ironside.

He's definitely fallen into the trap of playing the man not the ball. This usually happens when the player knows he's 2nd best and needs some advantage. I'd be telling to clean up his act and not to get involved with all the wrestling moves.

On the other hand I can't stop thinking he's just right for Middleton's crossing to the back post.

On Middleton, his crossing needs to improve and our lads need to know where they are landing. We could do with a highlights package of all the Dundee goals. See what positions Dalby (?) was taking up.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: boro_rover on August 20, 2025, 10:40:47 am
We’ve played two good teams in the last two games with very good defences. We’ve not created loads of clear chances that a better striker would have scored. Sbarra should have scored that one today, Middleton’s was a great chance also. Neither misses were to do with the quality of our striker.

Sharp missed two big chances tonight, broadbent’s was a sitter, sbarra was a great chance, Middleton had two great chances
The first 35 mins we were absolutely outstanding

On Sbarra’s chance, the vision and ball from Broadbent was outstanding, anyone with a bit of pace would have got his shot away

It was Middleton who played the ball through for Sbarra's great run. The centre half wasn't catching him but Castledine, an attacking midfielder, was like a greyhound after a hare to catch him at the very last moment. There aren't many on our team who could outpace Castledine or could have finished the chance with any certainty after such a long run towards goal.   

I think we're being overly harsh on certain players.

Sbarra was desperate to get the ball on his left foot. He should have had the awareness to realise he had to take it on his right to give himself time to get a shot off.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: steve@dcfd on August 20, 2025, 10:52:38 am
Sbarra should not be in starting line up apart from running about and closing down he does nothing shocked he was in the stay line up.
But the position he plays is becoming more important and goals from that position whoever plays are scarce. It’s generally Gotts or Clifton do we need to try some one else.
Overall last night we created chances but did not take them it goes back to last season before January. One of Ironside or Hanlan to start on Saturday we can’t keep starting Billy. But if either of the two start we need Middleton on the left.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: oggycompton on August 20, 2025, 10:55:12 am
Try Ajayi. Pointless bringing him in as one of our loan players and have him play 20 minutes every week. Give him a go in the 10.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: Filo on August 20, 2025, 11:36:55 am
Try Ajayi. Pointless bringing him in as one of our loan players and have him play 20 minutes every week. Give him a go in the 10.
I said that at half time, Ajayi for Sbarra in the 10, but instead he comes on and plays wide taking our two most dangerous players off
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: oggycompton on August 20, 2025, 11:39:00 am
Back to back games where the substitutions have made us worse, can't say the same about Huddersfield
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: Copps is Magic on August 20, 2025, 11:40:22 am
For me we've got a great midfield, and we were giving Huddersfield the run around at times last night. I don't know why anyone would want to change anything at this point. The defense also looks fairly solid.

The problem is slapping us right there in the face. Sharp, for all he offers to the team (and he does), will struggle to break 10 league goals this season. Ironside will also struggle to get to 10, and Hanlan won't. So our striker force will  have a titantic battle to contributw 30+ goals this season, which is simply not enough.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: jamesrover17 on August 20, 2025, 11:45:40 am
We’ve played two good teams in the last two games with very good defences. We’ve not created loads of clear chances that a better striker would have scored. Sbarra should have scored that one today, Middleton’s was a great chance also. Neither misses were to do with the quality of our striker.

Sharp missed two big chances tonight, broadbent’s was a sitter, sbarra was a great chance, Middleton had two great chances
The first 35 mins we were absolutely outstanding

On Sbarra’s chance, the vision and ball from Broadbent was outstanding, anyone with a bit of pace would have got his shot away

It was Middleton who played the ball through for Sbarra's great run. The centre half wasn't catching him but Castledine, an attacking midfielder, was like a greyhound after a hare to catch him at the very last moment. There aren't many on our team who could outpace Castledine or could have finished the chance with any certainty after such a long run towards goal.   

I think we're being overly harsh on certain players.

Too slow and lightweight on that specific break, I got excited when I saw that ball through as I assumed it was Sharp before I saw the number 10... Billy would have finished that IMO, wouldn't have needed to shift it onto his left and would have probably had a bit more 'nous'
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: ForsolongaRover on August 20, 2025, 12:01:23 pm
Back to back games where the substitutions have made us worse, can't say the same about Huddersfield

Is it possible that GM’s team (and subs) selection is based on giving starts as rewards to those who played against Boro? It might explain Sbarra and he may give Close etc a start v Port Vale.

In general, he must be pretty pleased with all his squad except the two - Hanlan and Ironside -j
vying to be the main striker. And instead of Ajayi replacing Sharp he could reverse it because Ajayi seems far more of a goal threat than Hanlan.

The obvious quality of the build-up play and chances created could be an incentive to attract a PL club to loan us a real quality striker which would be cheaper than buying one.

Title: Re: Striker
Post by: mushRTID on August 20, 2025, 12:03:22 pm
Try Ajayi. Pointless bringing him in as one of our loan players and have him play 20 minutes every week. Give him a go in the 10.
I said that at half time, Ajayi for Sbarra in the 10, but instead he comes on and plays wide taking our two most dangerous players off

Said to my mate that it was a risk taking off both wingers at the same time. Both were playing well.

Ajayi came on and did very little.

Gibson came on and did absolutely nothing.

I think those subs hurt us.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: GazLaz on August 20, 2025, 12:23:07 pm
Try Ajayi. Pointless bringing him in as one of our loan players and have him play 20 minutes every week. Give him a go in the 10.
I said that at half time, Ajayi for Sbarra in the 10, but instead he comes on and plays wide taking our two most dangerous players off

Said to my mate that it was a risk taking off both wingers at the same time. Both were playing well.

Ajayi came on and did very little.

Gibson came on and did absolutely nothing.

I think those subs hurt us.


Not making subs doesn’t seem to be an option which is a bit odd. Changing 5 players can be pretty disruptive to a team battling in a close game. Players can play 90 minutes. It’s not just us, most teams feel like they have to make all their allotted subs these days. It’s a bit premeditated. Moly had his best game of the season last night, he was great, yet he was subbed early (before the last minute), which is rare.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: Alan Southstand on August 20, 2025, 12:53:23 pm
Middleton was the star of that front 3 last night. Most of the threat came from him. Their full back was subbed off second half and I’m not sure he’ll recover from that pummelling for a week or two.

Did Mols get any shots off last night? I don’t recall him getting anything. He was worrying his full back, but not getting into dangerous areas.

Talking of subs, it would have been nice if GM had subbed S’Barra’s before the game started (joking). :lol:
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: mushRTID on August 20, 2025, 01:06:14 pm
Try Ajayi. Pointless bringing him in as one of our loan players and have him play 20 minutes every week. Give him a go in the 10.
I said that at half time, Ajayi for Sbarra in the 10, but instead he comes on and plays wide taking our two most dangerous players off

Said to my mate that it was a risk taking off both wingers at the same time. Both were playing well.

Ajayi came on and did very little.

Gibson came on and did absolutely nothing.

I think those subs hurt us.


Not making subs doesn’t seem to be an option which is a bit odd. Changing 5 players can be pretty disruptive to a team battling in a close game. Players can play 90 minutes. It’s not just us, most teams feel like they have to make all their allotted subs these days. It’s a bit premeditated. Moly had his best game of the season last night, he was great, yet he was subbed early (before the last minute), which is rare.

Fully agree with you and I felt the same watching the game unfold last night.

The only changes that needed making at that point were Broadbent due to being on a final warning and possibly Sharp a bit later.

A point would have been a great result.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: selby on August 20, 2025, 01:10:22 pm
  I don't think it was exactly Sbarra's fault if you watch the whole run the ball didn't exactly run true and seemed clingy to the pitch, Mols and Middleton also had the ball get under their feet when running with the ball and couldn't get away from their markers easily
   A professional team and clever, could they have watched our team play on hard pitches at pace and let the grass grow long, and plenty of water, first thing that came into my head before that run.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: dickos1 on August 20, 2025, 01:26:04 pm
Molyneux was fantastic last night, I was in a box in the home end and none of the home Fans could believe it when we took him off.
They were also raving about McGrath,
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: Padge_DRFC on August 20, 2025, 01:40:34 pm
Molyneux had his best game last night and notably his right footed crosses were okay too.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: danumdon on August 20, 2025, 01:43:00 pm
I think many have gone off on a tangent with these reviews. Like GM said himself we played very well against a much fancied team last night, fair enough we did not take our very good chances and should have been at least 2-0 up first half, GM said it should have been 4! The fact we are producing so many chances is the key here, just as in SOD'd day he was very much focused on the performances, if they are right then eventually things even out and we get the rub of the green. GM was thinking along the same lines, our performances, so far this early in the season are very good, but for some more composed finishing we could now be vying at the top of the league.

I know we all would like to have the option of a striker who could run the channels and create chaos in defences like Street did last season, its not happening just yet and we still have to integrate new players into the squad and develop our play but I'm quite sure we will see this full squad for all its components parts start to click, just one spark can kick this off, we have the players and the management to do so, wanting it all now is all our biggest faults, it will come.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: GazLaz on August 20, 2025, 01:50:31 pm
Molyneux was fantastic last night, I was in a box in the home end and none of the home Fans could believe it when we took him off.
They were also raving about McGrath,

I’ve been critical of Luke this season but he was great last night. It’s not always about putting crosses in and having shots. He retained possession, got us up the pitch and brought others into play. The last 10 mins of the first half and especially the second half, we started going too long. It felt like the plan was to get the ball forward quite quickly but it became too aimless as the game went on.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: colincramb on August 20, 2025, 02:24:12 pm
Try Ajayi. Pointless bringing him in as one of our loan players and have him play 20 minutes every week. Give him a go in the 10.
I said that at half time, Ajayi for Sbarra in the 10, but instead he comes on and plays wide taking our two most dangerous players off

Said to my mate that it was a risk taking off both wingers at the same time. Both were playing well.

Ajayi came on and did very little.

Gibson came on and did absolutely nothing.

I think those subs hurt us.


Not making subs doesn’t seem to be an option which is a bit odd. Changing 5 players can be pretty disruptive to a team battling in a close game. Players can play 90 minutes. It’s not just us, most teams feel like they have to make all their allotted subs these days. It’s a bit premeditated. Moly had his best game of the season last night, he was great, yet he was subbed early (before the last minute), which is rare.

I was a little surprised at the changes, with exception of broadbent who was a walking red card after the first yellow.

Wonder if the others were about maintaining freshness with it still being early in the season and the fact we have another away game Saturday?

Changes definitely made us weaker and their changes made them better, which ultimately comes down to squad depth probably


Title: Re: Striker
Post by: donnievic on August 20, 2025, 02:33:25 pm
Forget about Street. He wanted to go back to Lincoln so there was never any chance of us getting him.
Yes we do need a striker but so do most clubs in league 1. Unless we can unearth a gem from non league football then we will have to pay out big bucks and then there is no guarantee of success.
nothing to do with him wanting to go back or not,he was a Lincoln player and they wanted him back and was always gonna be out our price range really
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: donnievic on August 20, 2025, 02:35:25 pm
What gets me is that we've gone up a league, but our strike force is massively weaker.

Hanlan is a poor signing, like kwame thomas or rakish Bingham.

That's the last 2 games, we've not taken our chances.
so your blaming Hanlon for our strike force being weaker yet he didn’t miss any of the chances last night
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: grayx on August 20, 2025, 09:04:02 pm
Molyneux had his best game last night and notably his right footed crosses were okay too.
Agree Molyneux was very good last night. There were times he was  a bit too unselfish,when he would have been well within his right to have a shot himself.
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: IDM on August 21, 2025, 11:23:13 am
For me we've got a great midfield, and we were giving Huddersfield the run around at times last night. I don't know why anyone would want to change anything at this point. The defense also looks fairly solid.

The problem is slapping us right there in the face. Sharp, for all he offers to the team (and he does), will struggle to break 10 league goals this season. Ironside will also struggle to get to 10, and Hanlan won't. So our striker force will  have a titantic battle to contributw 30+ goals this season, which is simply not enough.

Sharp has had a few efforts blocked by good defending..  might already have had a couple more goals this season otherwise..
Title: Re: Striker
Post by: TonySoprano on August 21, 2025, 11:53:52 am
What gets me is that we've gone up a league, but our strike force is massively weaker.

Hanlan is a poor signing, like kwame thomas or rakish Bingham.

That's the last 2 games, we've not taken our chances.
so your blaming Hanlon for our strike force being weaker yet he didn’t miss any of the chances last night

Think it's gone over your head a bit.
Hanlan didn't start again because mcann has realised he's not up to it.
Had we had a better striker, he would have started, got in good positions and potentially scored.