Signings

[GazLaz]

Of the signings we made in the summer, who has made the first XI stronger?

CO’R over Olowu? Possibly
Middleton over Gibson?
Hanlan over Sharp?
TLT over TSL?
Gotts over Clifton?

[mpc123]

Remembering performances are based in a league above.

All the squad as been good overall, only 3 points from top and playing Spurs on Wednesday.

Signing overall as always been good with GM.

[DRFCSouth]

O'Riordan is very good on the ball. Overall the back line looks more solid.
Middleton is the best crosser of a ball in the team. Not sure why he's not starting every week. Gotts- I'm not sure how much faith they have in him yet. His set pieces yesterday looked decent.
Hanlan not convinced by. I suppose we have to remember we have stepped up a level, so we're doing well at the moment.

[DearneValleyRover]

That’s a question for January/end of season surely? As stated above we are a division higher and playing against higher quality players, opposition and managers

[GazLaz]

That’s a question for January/end of season surely? As stated above we are a division higher and playing against higher quality players, opposition and managers

It can be a question for then and now. Things will become clearer as time goes on but what got me thinking was the fact that Bradford appear to have (possibly) improved past us since the end of last season. Is this because none of the players we signed to play in the midfield/attacking 6 have really made an obvious difference to our levels?

This is not me writing the signings off, GM signings often don’t hit the ground running but work out to be good additions. It’s not taking in to account squad depth could have been improved without necessarily improving the first XI directly.

[Donnybax]

The centre backs that have come in are better the ones who left

[DearneValleyRover]

That’s a question for January/end of season surely? As stated above we are a division higher and playing against higher quality players, opposition and managers

It can be a question for then and now. Things will become clearer as time goes on but what got me thinking was the fact that Bradford appear to have (possibly) improved past us since the end of last season. Is this because none of the players we signed to play in the midfield/attacking 6 have really made an obvious difference to our levels?

This is not me writing the signings off, GM signings often don’t hit the ground running but work out to be good additions. It’s not taking in to account squad depth could have been improved without necessarily improving the first XI directly.

I think Bradford have signed some very experienced players which is helping them but they are also coming toward the end of their careers, as the season goes on they are more likely to suffer injuries and loss of form because of it In my opinion of course. I think O’Riordan and Pearson are an improvement, Grehan and Gotts, hard to say as they haven’t played much, same with Hanlan. Middleton for me isn’t a replacement for Gibson but competition, he’s looked ok so far as for TLT he’s disappointed me so far

[jmt23]

I think the treatment of Hanlan has been poor, obviously I’m not privy to what is going on behind the scenes in training, but I feel he was just beginning to work harder, understand the role he is required to play…

As for who has made us stronger:

O’riordan is way better than Joseph in my opinion, week in week out contender for MOM.
Pearson, for me a big improvement on either of the guys we lost.
Hanlan yet to be seen, but needs more of a chance in a team that creates.
Ajayi, not sure but again Ive not seen enough.
Middleton, I think the lad has good enough quality to play another league higher, deadly crosser.
TLT, I find it hard to say anything bad about him, he will be a great keeper, however TSL imo is better, and I would say more suited to how Grant like the fast transition, with that laser guided long pass. Despite a rocky display in the last 3 games, he will come good again.

Too early really, I wouldn’t say any is a negative though, I think we are way stronger than last year.

[Alan Southstand]

The one area where we haven’t significantly improved is the front 3. Middleton over Gibson for me but we now find ourselves dependant on BS, who couldn’t get in over Rob Street! Molyneux also finding it very difficult so far.

We look ok against some teams but woefully under powered against others.

[Padge_DRFC]

Gotts will turn out to be better than Clifton, but we could have signed most of league 2 and that would happen.

We look better at CB.

Keeper I think we know what we get different. Shot stopping TLT. The rest TSL who became excellent commanding  his area.

Middleton is okay. Gibson is showing he's better than them all at this level.

Time will show but so far Hanlan looks worse than Ironside never mind Sharp.

[steve@dcfd]

Defensively as a unit we are better but last two games shows we have been over reliant on the defence for our position in the league. So ORiordon Pearson and Grehan have improved our defence. Whether any are better than Olowu is debatable I would say on a par.
Midfield and attack is where for me we have not improved as yet from last season. Gotta need to play more games to see if he is better than Clifton.
Crew needs to show more drive in his game if he going to improve. Close could be utilised more but Grant likes the forward of the three to press that’s not Closes game. We might need to swap the loan in January to more dynamic player than Crew.
Attack the poorest part of the squad. Molyneux as found on evidence so far he is not a dynamic wide midfield player in league one did he reach his level last season. Ajayi as not shown as yet when given his chance anything to remotely replace a misfiring Molyneux.
Gibson can be good and bad in the same game totally different player to Middleton who is quicker and a better crosser of the ball. But his closing down of the opposition is slightly worst than Gibson.
Billy is the most consistent player in the forward role will he score the goals we require not sure but he has a better chance than the two signings Grant has made in the striking department. It’s early yet but Hanlan and Olusanya are both underwhelming at best. Comparing any of the strikers with Street well you can’t we were spoiled last year and without him we wouldn’t have been Champions
So overall at this moment in time apart from the defence our signings both permanent or loans in midfield and attack leave a lot to be desired.

[Bessie Red]

My opinion on this is that, TLT has dissappointed & needs to find some form. I would maybe give IL a go for the next few games. Defensively we have enough for league one. Pearson, O Riordan, Sterry & Maxwell are all good enough. Grehan is class & will play some part this season. Unfortunately JM is not playing well at the moment but Im sure he'll improve. Midfield wise I think we are okay. GB & OB have raised their game & will be fine at this level. BC is more than capable of playing in Lge 1. CC has dissappointed, just looks as though he doesnt want to be here. RG will be a decent signing. HC & JS decent enogh squad players. ZW will we see him make an appearance again? Up front we know BS is class & we are are lucky to have him. JG, LM & GM are all good enough but need to raise their games. TO & DA good squad players at this level. BH has not lit any fires yet, however if Grant can get him playing to our strengths I think he will come good. I wonder if he has left him out of match day squads to give him time to be coached to understand what we need from him?

[RoversInSpain]

CO’R a million miles better than Olowu.
Middleton great addition to compete with Gibson.
Like Gotts, will get better and better. Clifton needed.
TSL or TLT? Happy with either at this level, though let’s see what Mr Lawlor comes up with at Spurs. He was magnificent v Middlesbro’
Hanlan is the mystery at the moment.

[ncRover]

Middleton being signed to play on the left for this system l think was a strange one. McCann wide players normally play on the opposite side to their favoured foot and look to score goals.

I think attack may need a rejig in Jan. Only 2 sides have created less big chances than us. That could be a movement and lack of height in attack issue as much as a creativity issue?

Defence has been solid and would have been even more so had TLT been in better form. Which he will be at some point.

It’s still been a good start don’t get me wrong.

[mushRTID]

Honestly think it’s worth trying Gibbo in the #10.

We are creating nothing from the edge of the box, feels like we’re trying to go wide with every attack and we’ve been found out.

Gibbo can take the ball in tight spaces, great touch and awareness of space.

He can take the ball in tight central areas and feed Billy.

He can also do the same and play in the wingers.

It’s worth a go to me.

[sedwardsdrfc]

Easy the defence is a lot stronger and at a level above last season. Midfield is about the same but Gossa imo will be an improvement on Clifton (who is a good player). We still have Gibson but Middleton is strong competition improving the wide areas.

The glaring downgrade is the strikers. Sharp shouldn’t be starting every week he didn’t in the division below. He’s a very useful player but can’t see us scoring enough goals to sustain a playoff push. I hope we can be solid enough at the back to stay close enough in Jan and bring in a striker to push us.


We’ve probably not improved in goal but TLT isn’t a bad keeper by any means

[EasyforDennis]

Defensively as a unit we are better but last two games shows we have been over reliant on the defence for our position in the league. So ORiordon Pearson and Grehan have improved our defence. Whether any are better than Olowu is debatable I would say on a par.
Midfield and attack is where for me we have not improved as yet from last season. Gotta need to play more games to see if he is better than Clifton.
Crew needs to show more drive in his game if he going to improve. Close could be utilised more but Grant likes the forward of the three to press that’s not Closes game. We might need to swap the loan in January to more dynamic player than Crew.
Attack the poorest part of the squad. Molyneux as found on evidence so far he is not a dynamic wide midfield player in league one did he reach his level last season. Ajayi as not shown as yet when given his chance anything to remotely replace a misfiring Molyneux.
Gibson can be good and bad in the same game totally different player to Middleton who is quicker and a better crosser of the ball. But his closing down of the opposition is slightly worst than Gibson.
Billy is the most consistent player in the forward role will he score the goals we require not sure but he has a better chance than the two signings Grant has made in the striking department. It’s early yet but Hanlan and Olusanya are both underwhelming at best. Comparing any of the strikers with Street well you can’t we were spoiled last year and without him we wouldn’t have been Champions
So overall at this moment in time apart from the defence our signings both permanent or loans in midfield and attack leave a lot to be desired.

If you think back Rob Street didn't set the world alight when he first joined us. We need to give the new additions a chance and see what happens.

[Pancho Regan]

Defensively as a unit we are better but last two games shows we have been over reliant on the defence for our position in the league. So ORiordon Pearson and Grehan have improved our defence. Whether any are better than Olowu is debatable I would say on a par.
Midfield and attack is where for me we have not improved as yet from last season. Gotta need to play more games to see if he is better than Clifton.
Crew needs to show more drive in his game if he going to improve. Close could be utilised more but Grant likes the forward of the three to press that’s not Closes game. We might need to swap the loan in January to more dynamic player than Crew.
Attack the poorest part of the squad. Molyneux as found on evidence so far he is not a dynamic wide midfield player in league one did he reach his level last season. Ajayi as not shown as yet when given his chance anything to remotely replace a misfiring Molyneux.
Gibson can be good and bad in the same game totally different player to Middleton who is quicker and a better crosser of the ball. But his closing down of the opposition is slightly worst than Gibson.
Billy is the most consistent player in the forward role will he score the goals we require not sure but he has a better chance than the two signings Grant has made in the striking department. It’s early yet but Hanlan and Olusanya are both underwhelming at best. Comparing any of the strikers with Street well you can’t we were spoiled last year and without him we wouldn’t have been Champions
So overall at this moment in time apart from the defence our signings both permanent or loans in midfield and attack leave a lot to be desired.

That's absolutely right EasyforDennis.
After his first 4 games or so, I was wondering what Rob Street brought to the party.

How wrong he proved me.

In Grant we trust.
If you think back Rob Street didn't set the world alight when he first joined us. We need to give the new additions a chance and see what happens.

[colincramb]

We are definitely short in the 9 position. It’s an odd scenario that we’ve ended up in really. Somehow we’ve ended up a year down the line (and another year older) with Billy being our first choice striker when he wasn’t signed for that purpose in the league below. Not having a go, he’s been excellent in some games this season (Bradford in particular) but we can’t expect a nigh on 40 year old to starting every week surely? Especially in weeks such as this when there’s 3 games in 7 days. Ironside gone and Hanlan has found himself outside the match day squad in recent weeks probably says all you need to know.

It’s a worry.

[In the box]

We are definitely short in the 9 position. It’s an odd scenario that we’ve ended up in really. Somehow we’ve ended up a year down the line (and another year older) with Billy being our first choice striker when he wasn’t signed for that purpose in the league below. Not having a go, he’s been excellent in some games this season (Bradford in particular) but we can’t expect a nigh on 40 year old to starting every week surely? Especially in weeks such as this when there’s 3 games in 7 days. Ironside gone and Hanlan has found himself outside the match day squad in recent weeks probably says all you need to know.

It’s a worry.

Like most clubs finding a regular goal scorer is very hard to find , and it has been our problem since Marquis. Now it’s been all loan
Strikers since Moore left and like most loans you can’t build your teams progress around them .
Our top scorer so far is Bailey and without his efforts we’d be struggling to impact games . McCann says happy with his squad and I’m sure that’s the message he wants the players to except , but is hard to see how this can be when a 39 yrs old still commands the main slot and justifiably. But it a long season and unexpected things happen at Donny   .

[ncRover]

Hanlan looks better than Olusanya

[steve@dcfd]

Hanlan looks better than Olusanya

Only just but Crew is another player who is not good enough for me unless there’s a vast improvement then Ajayi Olusanya and Crew can go back in January we need better

[i_ateallthepies]

Crew looks like he isn't trying from what I've seen.  Totally unlike the Crew of last season.

[grayx]

Hanlan looks better than Olusanya

Possibly, but neither look like scoring

[Filo]

Hanlan looks better than Olusanya

Olusanya has yet to show us this rapido pace

[mpc123]

When people score alot of goals, you can't keep saying that without them we wouldn't be where we are, thats the whole point, the team plays to that. The difference is no matter who that front 3 is, we can't get it right at the moment and keeper errors. It's fine margins, we are not far off, GM will keep us going. It's a decent start, better than what I expected to be honest. We need to get back to getting something out of a game starting from saturday

[RugbyRover]

Hanlan looks better than Olusanya

Olusanya has yet to show us this rapido pace

I've heard he looks really fast in training. Leaves McGrath trailing apparently.

[In the box]

Of the signings we made in the summer, who has made the first XI stronger?

CO’R over Olowu? Possibly
Middleton over Gibson?
Hanlan over Sharp?
TLT over TSL?
Gotts over Clifton?

The idea was to make a stronger squad  and not supersede other individual players by comparing them . Middleton has been side lined because Gibson is playing very well ( In spite of criticism)
Gotts and Clifton are equals in ability but Clifton that’s been getting on the score sheet .

[Chris Black come back]

If we finish top half this season we will have significantly outperformed our budget. Not sure what some people expect us to be spending on a striker or other players. We’ve got a massive squad and likely our biggest budget for a decade, yet we will still have a bottom half budget. Luton Town as an example will have a budget around double our budget. Only so much magic that Grant can add.

[GazLaz]

None of the new signings have scored in the league have they?