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Viking Chat => Viking Chat => Topic started by: Filo on September 27, 2025, 04:56:12 pm

Title: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: Filo on September 27, 2025, 04:56:12 pm
Equals Dodoo and Hiwala
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: The Dav on September 27, 2025, 05:00:42 pm
We’re so, so short of a quality striker ! Other than that we’re not far off ! Molly needs a rest on the bench with TLT !
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: bpoolrover on September 27, 2025, 05:02:18 pm
Much better second half but we ae so lightweight up front
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: TonySoprano on September 27, 2025, 05:03:04 pm
Rakish Bingham and kwame thomas mk2. 

Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: BillyStubbsTears on September 27, 2025, 05:04:47 pm
2 goals from central strikers in 13 games. Becoming a huge problem.

And that f**king control from Olusanya...
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: In the box on September 27, 2025, 05:06:57 pm
It’s Daja vu … the last three seasons has seen up beg borrow or loan it doesn’t  matter we have not got a striker other than our Billy .. he needs partner who can do what he does and take games to defences ,  hold up play and yes score goals .. help !!!
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: TonySoprano on September 27, 2025, 05:07:19 pm
There's a joke somewhere about a dropped lasagne
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: TonySoprano on September 27, 2025, 05:08:49 pm
Just very poor recruitment, and i said this at the start of the season and got shot down. We've gone up a league but our strike force is alot worse.
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: ForsolongaRover on September 27, 2025, 05:09:39 pm
As others have said why not try our own young players rather than the ones brought in.
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: steve@dcfd on September 27, 2025, 05:18:12 pm
Our strike force was better in league 2, I know we couldn’t get Street but the 2 we have signed are really poor and bad decisions were made on both of them. Letting Ironside leave again wrong decision his goal scoring record was better than either of the two new strikers. Both are not young players they should be better, I hope they make me eat my words but I’ve seen nothing of that coming close.
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: Padge_DRFC on September 27, 2025, 05:22:39 pm
We binned Ironside off for these 2 donkeys. Criminal offence worthy
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: Pliskin on September 27, 2025, 05:28:03 pm
It's a concern.

I'm not sure who's meant to be getting the goals in this team. Aside from the Bradford game, our attacking players have struggled to make much of an impact this season.

We can't rely on our defensive midfielder scoring every week.

And Billy Sharp is somehow now our main striker even though he wasn't for large parts of last season in the league below.
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: donnygav93 on September 27, 2025, 05:34:03 pm
Maybe worth starting sharp on the bench and bringing him on when opposition defenders are tiring
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: In the box on September 27, 2025, 05:34:37 pm
We are competitive but not at the top end just yet , we have players who are just not living up to their build up . Olusanya ( loan) has barely made any impression other than to weaken our chances of scoring . We don’t have Molyneux up to his best yet and no cover for when  he’s marked man and is often left without enough support when 2-3  defenders charge in . Crew hasn’t turned up yet but fingers crossed he’ll sort his game out . Hanlan clearly this must be a gamble on him getting his fitness back up to a competitive level. But it’s McCann who must be pulling his hair out at the teams failure to compete at this level ALL over the pitch and not just in pockets . 3-4 defeats on the bounce is habit forming .
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: Chris Black come back on September 27, 2025, 05:35:51 pm
Pearson MOTM surely. Maxwell and Grehan also good. Lots of ok performances but we were never going to score today were we.
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: Canadian Rover on September 27, 2025, 05:48:32 pm
Pearson MOTM surely. Maxwell and Grehan also good. Lots of ok performances but we were never going to score today were we.

Pearson lost his man for the only goal of the game. Doesn't get him MOTM I'm afraid.
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: EasyforDennis on September 27, 2025, 05:52:54 pm
Olusanya has the touch of an elephant.
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: Padge_DRFC on September 27, 2025, 05:54:48 pm
Pearson MOTM surely. Maxwell and Grehan also good. Lots of ok performances but we were never going to score today were we.

Pearson lost his man for the only goal of the game. Doesn't get him MOTM I'm afraid.

Agreed absolute statue should be 4th choice CB
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: Branton Red on September 27, 2025, 06:12:43 pm
Hanlan has played over 200 games in League 1.

He's only 28.

Surely he must have more about him than he's shown so far?!
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: drfchound on September 27, 2025, 06:17:57 pm
Olusanya apparently missed a good chance today (going on what people have written) and missed the header at Spurs.
His first touch IMO isn’t particularly good but on the upside he does work hard and helps out by tracking back when we don’t have the ball.
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: Jersey Rover on September 27, 2025, 06:31:14 pm
We should start the game with the team that finished. Give them both a start. Close also has to start
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: PDX_Rover on September 27, 2025, 06:35:35 pm
Pearson MOTM surely. Maxwell and Grehan also good. Lots of ok performances but we were never going to score today were we.

Pearson lost his man for the only goal of the game. Doesn't get him MOTM I'm afraid.

Agreed absolute statue should be 4th choice CB

Maybe his loan should be trunkated
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: In the box on September 27, 2025, 06:39:08 pm
Or just sent back “Return  to sender “
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: Avsuptem on September 27, 2025, 06:45:42 pm
I fell sorry for Olusanya, he has had 3 absolute clear cut chances in the last 2 games that any proper striker would score and he has fluffed all 3. He must be feeling it. A split second's quicker speed of thought and we would all be hailing him now. But that's why he is playing for us and not in the Premier League.
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: Thorney on September 27, 2025, 06:51:39 pm
Olusanya has the touch of an elephant.

Ive heard there is an elephant who wants a word with you for insulting him
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: Avsuptem on September 27, 2025, 06:55:26 pm
I am sure Grant McCann will be taking him to tusk.
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: Bentley Bullet on September 27, 2025, 07:12:12 pm
We seem to have a jumbo problem up front.
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: Thorney on September 27, 2025, 07:22:46 pm
I would love notjing more than him to bang 1 in next week and raise his arm infront of his face like a trunk.

Cannot see it like.
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: Reg of the Rovers on September 27, 2025, 07:28:41 pm
We seem to have a jumbo problem up front.
Don’t be such a dumbo.
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: Bentley Bullet on September 27, 2025, 07:31:25 pm
We seem to have a jumbo problem up front.
Don’t be such a dumbo.
Not on your Nellie.
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: DonnyBazR0ver on September 27, 2025, 07:52:50 pm
I understand the concern but  the headed chance Olusanya had at Spurs wasn't easy. It came at him quite quick and he was further out than what it looked at the time. We've seen Billy miss similar sharp chances.

Both he and Hanlan have some improving to do but I'm not prepared to hang them out to dry this early and get on their backs.
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: Thorney on September 27, 2025, 07:58:54 pm
I understand the concern but  the headed chance Olusanya had at Spurs wasn't easy. It came at him quite quick and he was further out than what it looked at the time. We've seen Billy miss similar sharp chances.

Both he and Hanlan have some improving to do but I'm not prepared to hang them out to dry this early and get on their backs.

Yes billy has missed worse.

But we know what billy can do.

Olusanya we do not. 1 half decent season for st mirren doesnt come close to billy.
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: drfchound on September 27, 2025, 08:05:23 pm
As a striker, most chances that come along, come along quickly.
You have to react and shape your body accordingly in a split second.
The chance at Spurs should have been put away, no question.
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: Filo on September 27, 2025, 08:19:47 pm
His touch today when presented with a sitter was reminiscent of Hiwala
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: GazLaz on September 27, 2025, 08:25:15 pm
Pearson MOTM surely. Maxwell and Grehan also good. Lots of ok performances but we were never going to score today were we.

Pearson lost his man for the only goal of the game. Doesn't get him MOTM I'm afraid.

Agreed absolute statue should be 4th choice CB

Not sure he lost his man as we set up zonally from corners (wide free kick I know!), he just stayed in his zonal starting position. Could have done better though admittedly.

He was great apart from that.
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: Alan Southstand on September 27, 2025, 09:29:50 pm
IMHO, neither should be in the matchday squad and that’s reflecting leaves a real problem, as we’re left with Billy (and he hardly touched the ball today). There’s a problem from midfield to attack.
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: big fat yorkshire pudding on September 27, 2025, 09:33:12 pm
I hope they come good, but so far it's a clear problem position.  If they don't perform no doubt McCann will be at it in the January window.
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: Padge_DRFC on September 27, 2025, 09:41:25 pm
I hope they come good, but so far it's a clear problem position.  If they don't perform no doubt McCann will be at it in the January window.

It's nice to have that luxury if the case.... Previous managers didn't
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: Ryaldinhio on September 27, 2025, 09:57:33 pm
I hope they come good, but so far it's a clear problem position.  If they don't perform no doubt McCann will be at it in the January window.

I'd be surprised if he isn't still looking at free agents.

Steven Fletcher available amd would do a better job.
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: Chris Black come back on September 27, 2025, 10:01:12 pm
How many players do we want in the squad?! He’s not going to be getting yet another striker let alone a free agent who will be nowhere near match fit.
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: Canadian Rover on September 27, 2025, 10:06:25 pm
Hakeeb Adelakun...any takers?

Did he sign for someone already?
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: Ryaldinhio on September 27, 2025, 10:23:57 pm
How many players do we want in the squad?! He’s not going to be getting yet another striker let alone a free agent who will be nowhere near match fit.

I don't want a bigger squad - I think your missing the point.

Do you think we should stick with what we have then? If something isn't right in any line of work or life it can be rectified without waiting, sometimes that's a bigger call than others.
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: drfcsteve on September 27, 2025, 10:28:05 pm
Hakeeb Adelakun...any takers?

Did he sign for someone already?

Better than Olusanya/Hanlan/Ajayi
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: donnyguy on September 27, 2025, 11:05:24 pm
Hakeeb Adelakun...any takers?

Did he sign for someone already?

Still a free agent
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: Avsuptem on September 28, 2025, 09:36:12 am
With Miðleleton and Molly on the wings both of whom are excellent at banging in crosses surely we need a big centre forward in the Brendon IOCalaghan mode.
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: Rovers91 on September 28, 2025, 09:53:39 am
GM will have to change his formation and play with 2 strikers because we haven't got the players who can lead the line by themselves. We are seriously lacking quality up top, we shouldn't be relying on a 40yr old to lead the line.
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: ncRover on September 28, 2025, 10:10:38 am
GM will have to change his formation and play with 2 strikers because we haven't got the players who can lead the line by themselves. We are seriously lacking quality up top, we shouldn't be relying on a 40yr old to lead the line.

Highlighted this before with Olusanya simply by looking at the formation St Mirren used to play.

https://www.drfc-vsc.co.uk/index.php?topic=295003.msg1413646#msg1413646

Maybe Hanlan could do it, but playing Middleton wide left going on the outside isolates the lone striker a bit. Could try Middleton right and Gibson left?

McCann has got the balance right in attack for half his time here. Haks/Ironside/Moly then Gibson/Street/Moly.
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: Alan Southstand on September 28, 2025, 11:29:25 am
With Miðleleton and Molly on the wings both of whom are excellent at banging in crosses surely we need a big centre forward in the Brendon IOCalaghan mode.
Which is why Street worked so well.
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: glosterred on September 28, 2025, 11:31:59 am
Olusanya - the touch of a donkey and a heavy footed one at that

https://x.com/Littlewood86276/status/1972033666902843441


COYR
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: DonnyBazR0ver on September 28, 2025, 11:47:15 am
GM will have to change his formation and play with 2 strikers because we haven't got the players who can lead the line by themselves. We are seriously lacking quality up top, we shouldn't be relying on a 40yr old to lead the line.

Highlighted this before with Olusanya simply by looking at the formation St Mirren used to play.

https://www.drfc-vsc.co.uk/index.php?topic=295003.msg1413646#msg1413646

Maybe Hanlan could do it, but playing Middleton wide left going on the outside isolates the lone striker a bit. Could try Middleton right and Gibson left?

McCann has got the balance right in attack for half his time here. Haks/Ironside/Moly then Gibson/Street/Moly.

I think you're close to where our issues are. Moly, Gibson/Middleton have become detached. When we play well, the  wide players join in with general play, mixing it up by coming inside and making that links that open up defenses. We know there needs to be goals contributions from wide and midfield and we're not getting it at the moment.

The other obvious issue is at the back with individual errors.

We've been here before and we can overcome it again. I think we're putting too much emphasis on our central strikers being the problem.

Whatever system we play, players have to perform and there's too many underperforming recently.
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: Filo on September 28, 2025, 11:48:02 am
Olusanya - the touch of a donkey and a heavy footed one at that

https://x.com/Littlewood86276/status/1972033666902843441


COYR


Gibson’s reaction, says it all
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: ChrisBx on September 28, 2025, 11:51:09 am
His touch today when presented with a sitter was reminiscent of Hiwala

I still laugh when I'm reminded of that moment. What a donkey!
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: danumdon on September 28, 2025, 12:53:33 pm
I think a problem in our current play is the form and fitness of our fullbacks.

When on song players like Sterry and Maxwell have pushed forward with intelligence, guile and effectiveness enabling the wide players to push on and inwards to help our isolated forward, adding weight and options to our attack, whoever it may be playing the central role, its currently why  whoever plays there is isolated and struggling to be effective.

If we get our fullbacks firing and doing what they did previously we will see an instant improvement in the wide players being more effective and enabling the lone striker to have players around him to play off.

Its always looked this way to me, our midfield holds it all together and supplies support whilst flair and creativity comes from our full backs and wide players combining with our lone striker.

Its just needs that spark to reignite the whole team.
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: Thorney on September 28, 2025, 12:59:07 pm
This is the strike force we a stuck with till january at least,
So like it or not, lets get behind them and not on their backs, that doesnt help the team at all.
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: drfchound on September 28, 2025, 01:03:23 pm
Olusanya - the touch of a donkey and a heavy footed one at that

https://x.com/Littlewood86276/status/1972033666902843441


COYR

Gibbo did so well to get away from the defender and put the chance on a plate for Olusanya.
He didn’t look impressed when it was wasted.
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: big fat yorkshire pudding on September 28, 2025, 01:23:14 pm
I mean it's clearly the difference isn't it? Street buries that chance yesterday, we simply haven't replaced him.
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: Padge_DRFC on September 28, 2025, 01:42:20 pm
Any competent footballer scores there. Cukur would have done. Horrid decisions around strikers. I still think Street was a fluke and originally there was no plan to play him down the middle until it was forced
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: mushRTID on September 28, 2025, 01:47:11 pm
There was a ball played into Olusanya in the box, and his first touch bounced about 5 yards away.
Dreadful.

Hiwula did similar and a clip of it went viral!
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: Surrey Rover on September 28, 2025, 02:57:17 pm
This from Preston v Bristol City yesterday, almost a carbon copy of Olusanya’s poor control.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BvDeslNChZQ
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: i_ateallthepies on September 28, 2025, 03:39:27 pm
Any competent footballer scores there. Cukur would have done. Horrid decisions around strikers. I still think Street was a fluke and originally there was no plan to play him down the middle until it was forced

Cukur wouldn't even have managed the bad touch.
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: Spud on September 28, 2025, 05:05:06 pm
This from Preston v Bristol City yesterday, almost a carbon copy of Olusanya’s poor control.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BvDeslNChZQ


That one looks even worse to me, was he a bit further out hence he had even more pitch in front of him?
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: GazLaz on September 28, 2025, 05:33:44 pm
I think a problem in our current play is the form and fitness of our fullbacks.

When on song players like Sterry and Maxwell have pushed forward with intelligence, guile and effectiveness enabling the wide players to push on and inwards to help our isolated forward, adding weight and options to our attack, whoever it may be playing the central role, its currently why  whoever plays there is isolated and struggling to be effective.

If we get our fullbacks firing and doing what they did previously we will see an instant improvement in the wide players being more effective and enabling the lone striker to have players around him to play off.

Its always looked this way to me, our midfield holds it all together and supplies support whilst flair and creativity comes from our full backs and wide players combining with our lone striker.

Its just needs that spark to reignite the whole team.


Good post. The wise men just aren’t getting in to the positions they did last season. The diagonal runs they made into the box last season, when the ball was on the opposite side, just aren’t happening as frequently.

Broken record time but Gibson is our touch of class who has the ability to create things in this league against better players. He needs filling with confidence and a run of games. Hooking him after 60 odd minutes every time he does start doesn’t help either I don’t think. Tends to be the case however he plays.
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: Alan Southstand on September 28, 2025, 05:43:54 pm
Why not try him down the middle - got to be a better option than dumb and dumber?
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: danumdon on September 28, 2025, 05:58:50 pm
Why not try him down the middle - got to be a better option than dumb and dumber?

Im not sure of the impact someone like Gotts would make over having a Gibson, Mols or Adjayi playing in the central role behind the lone striker, seems more suited to playing a holding role in the middle.

What it does do is highlight the role Clifton plays, i know he's not everyone's cup of tea but until we get better or GM plays one of the three mentioned we don't have a more suitable player.

I don't think Bailey should play there either, when he has its killed the unpredictability we get from him in his more regular and effective role
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: sedwardsdrfc on September 28, 2025, 08:34:32 pm
I was accepting we wouldn’t get lots of goals out of Hanlan but thought he’d lead the line and play a role for the rest of the team. That’s how it was sold at leas,  Rob Street without the finishing.

But the pair of them haven’t really looked up to much in the build up or making life difficult for the defenders. That’s what disappoints me not the lack of goals. Grant needs to get as much as he can out of them and hopefully we’re in touching distance come Jan.

Got to learn a bit of a lesson re the signings in the 1st place. Not sure there was much evidence it would be good given Hanlans recent injury record not sure what we could have gone on. Would of been ok to sign as a squad player but the main centre forward is madness for any L1 team
Title: Re: Olusanya and Hanlan
Post by: Alan Southstand on September 28, 2025, 09:45:19 pm
Why not try him down the middle - got to be a better option than dumb and dumber?

Im not sure of the impact someone like Gotts would make over having a Gibson, Mols or Adjayi playing in the central role behind the lone striker, seems more suited to playing a holding role in the middle.

What it does do is highlight the role Clifton plays, i know he's not everyone's cup of tea but until we get better or GM plays one of the three mentioned we don't have a more suitable player.

I don't think Bailey should play there either, when he has its killed the unpredictability we get from him in his more regular and effective role
I was suggesting playing him as the central striker! We tried him as attacking midfielder at Wigan and it was a disaster!