Hanlan

[mpc123]

As has been pointed out elsewhere, Hanlan seems to lack a strikers instinct. I’m unsure about the qualities McCann et al had seen and thought would bring to the team.

Just going on what I’ve seen Billy has been superb.

I question our so called creative, skilful players not doing what they are in the team to do. They need look forward, make runs, see the runs and make that pass early,take players on, get crosses in, make telling passes etc.

It will not always pay off but simply laying it back or to the side is something that any player in the team can do. Players need to do their jobs.

Clifton spotted the run Billy made for our first goal and made a perfect pass.to Billy to do what he does best!

What was different is that we went down the middle. My worry this season has been everything goes down the wings, meaning everyone knows where we are going. Maybe different players enable us to do this better, like Clifton.

[steve@dcfd]

Report from official Site

A brace from Joe Sbarra and a Brandon Hanlan strike saw Rovers triumph 3-1 in a behind-closed-doors fixture against a fellow Sky Bet League One side at Cantley Park this afternoon

[Blue Green Algae]

It is difficult to understand on what basis Olusanya was recruited.

A friend of friend is fairly senior in an MLS outfit. When he heard we'd signed Olusanya his reaction was "who?". Given he's employed to know anyone who's anyone in that league, he said the fact he'd never heard of him was worrying - for us, not for him.

From what we've seen so far, it looks like he was on the money.

Hard to say based on the glimpses we've had, but to me Hanlan looks a better option. How much his ACL injury has affected him who knows, but he has made a career at this level

[jmt23]

I think we can all agree, Billy is still exceptionally sharp in front of goal, despite his age. Give him the ball in the right areas and he will score more than he will miss.lets remember he is the greatest FL Striker there has been, and he is still as fit as most of the team. Quality is not an issue here!

The issue is the same for them all irrespective of quality, SERVICE.

We could have Ronaldo, Messi and Harry Kane  up top and still not score.

[Usher wide.]

I think we can all agree, Billy is still exceptionally sharp in front of goal, despite his age. Give him the ball in the right areas and he will score more than he will miss.lets remember he is the greatest FL Striker there has been, and he is still as fit as most of the team. Quality is not an issue here!

The issue is the same for them all irrespective of quality, SERVICE.

We could have Ronaldo, Messi and Harry Kane  up top and still not score.

Have to disagree there.

The service into the box from the byline by Middleton’s crosses has been exceptional.

Mols, after his personal issues are now hopefully resolved, has shown glimpses of his old self as the ball into the box from the outside of his left foot against Crewe for Bails to finish on shows.

The worry should be if we lost Billy (tired of banging this drum) because we have absolutely no one in this group close to replacing what he gives us……..& he’s knocking on forty.

Hanlan’s last manager (16 league goals over a 4 year period at Wycombe) said ‘Brandon couldn’t hit a bulls arse with a banjo’, I tend to agree.

So let’s please stop kidding ourselves into believing Hanlan must be a good player because ‘He’s played in the Championship’. He’s not & we desperately need someone in the January window who can aid/supplement Billy.

[jmt23]

The point being, even as good as Billy is/ has been, he ain’t scoring goals from all these great chances you talk of.
Im not saying any of the others are good, bad or anything else, but I know if a striker of Billy's quality ain’t scoring, lesser quality won’t either.

Billy is afforded game time though his tireless running and workload, if Hanlan and Olusanya do not match this efffort as a minimum,  they will not get in the team, and may well leave the club.

[BillyStubbsTears]

Wouldn't you think that the absence of Clifton over recent games has shown the impact the presence or absence of a single key player in our team can have?

I don't think it's ever as simple as one player making all the difference. But it is notable that McCann has selected Clifton for every game that he's been available. And the record with and without him is remarkable

With
P9 W7 D1 L1
Without
P8 W1 D1 L6

[vaya]

I think we can all agree, Billy is still exceptionally sharp in front of goal, despite his age. Give him the ball in the right areas and he will score more than he will miss.lets remember he is the greatest FL Striker there has been, and he is still as fit as most of the team. Quality is not an issue here!

The issue is the same for them all irrespective of quality, SERVICE.

We could have Ronaldo, Messi and Harry Kane  up top and still not score.

Hanlan’s last manager (16 league goals over a 4 year period at Wycombe) said ‘Brandon couldn’t hit a bulls arse with a banjo’, I tend to agree.

No, he didn't say that.

[Padge_DRFC]

Olusanya does what Street did last year. You can kick it over the top, however once he gets the ball he's not been like Street.

[steve@dcfd]

We’ve scored 13 goals in the league from 14 games. 5 Bailey. 3. Sharp 2 Molyneux 1 Gibson
1 Close. 1 Pearson. It’s not all about the striker although the goals from Street last seen carried us to Champions. Note he’s scored 1 goal in 13  league games for Lincoln ( not playing in the same position)
The rest of our team need to take these chances that we are creating not just Billy.
Hanlan should be on the bench more often but his goal scoring record is not good .
Olusanya has been given more time on the bench yet he doesn’t look the player to help our cause. Hanlan could be on the bench this weekend.

[ncRover]

We’ve scored 13 goals in the league from 14 games. 5 Bailey. 3. Sharp 2 Molyneux 1 Gibson
1 Close. 1 Pearson. It’s not all about the striker although the goals from Street last seen carried us to Champions. Note he’s scored 1 goal in 13  league games for Lincoln ( not playing in the same position)
The rest of our team need to take these chances that we are creating not just Billy.
Hanlan should be on the bench more often but his goal scoring record is not good .
Olusanya has been given more time on the bench yet he doesn’t look the player to help our cause. Hanlan could be on the bench this weekend.

A McCann team normally has lots of goals from out wide, with the wingers essentially being strikers.

Yes Middleton’s crossing is good but he’s on zero goals!

[Ian Nimmo]

Olusanya does what Street did last year. You can kick it over the top, however once he gets the ball he's not been like Street.

True he has great pace, but when clear he doesn’t seem to know what to do with the ball, whereas street would be thinking of options if he got clear, so a huge difference between the two.

[Usher wide.]

I think we can all agree, Billy is still exceptionally sharp in front of goal, despite his age. Give him the ball in the right areas and he will score more than he will miss.lets remember he is the greatest FL Striker there has been, and he is still as fit as most of the team. Quality is not an issue here!

The issue is the same for them all irrespective of quality, SERVICE.

We could have Ronaldo, Messi and Harry Kane  up top and still not score.

Hanlan’s last manager (16 league goals over a 4 year period at Wycombe) said ‘Brandon couldn’t hit a bulls arse with a banjo’, I tend to agree.

No, he didn't say that.

No you’re right.

The quote was ‘Brandon couldn’t hit a barn door with a banjo’.

[vaya]

I think we can all agree, Billy is still exceptionally sharp in front of goal, despite his age. Give him the ball in the right areas and he will score more than he will miss.lets remember he is the greatest FL Striker there has been, and he is still as fit as most of the team. Quality is not an issue here!

The issue is the same for them all irrespective of quality, SERVICE.

We could have Ronaldo, Messi and Harry Kane  up top and still not score.

Hanlan’s last manager (16 league goals over a 4 year period at Wycombe) said ‘Brandon couldn’t hit a bulls arse with a banjo’, I tend to agree.

No, he didn't say that.

No you’re right.

The quote was ‘Brandon couldn’t hit a barn door with a banjo’.

He didn't say that either.

[BobG]

Oh goody. So what, if anything, did he say?

Suspense is bad for everybody's blood pressure

BobG

[dickos1]

Clearly he is not up to L1, so we need to aim to get rid asap.

I think it was clear he wasn't up to L1 level before we signed him.

I think the same was clear for Olasanya.

I think Ajai was a calculated risk.

But I also don't know what people want when we are signing people for free or loan. Some big forwards in this league for big money, Alfie, N.Lowe etc.

I don't care what anyone says we have a low budget for this league and once that is accepted then our league position will be understood.

There are teams below us with bigger budgets IMO. So we are currently over achieving.

Sharp is out performing Alfie and Lowe

[mpc123]

Prediction, Hanlon to cone off the bench to score the winner against Barnsley

[Blue Green Algae]

Prediction, Hanlon to cone off the bench to score the winner against Barnsley

He'll need to be on the bench for that to happen - which he wasn't last week

[MachoMadness]

Oh goody. So what, if anything, did he say?

Suspense is bad for everybody's blood pressure

BobG

I Googled it, and the only reference I found was Joey Barton saying Hanlan couldn't hit a cow's arse with a banjo when they were both at Bristol Rovers.

Worth bearing in mind he was saying this after Hanlan had actually just scored for Wycombe in a 2-0 win against Barton's side, so maybe not the most objective comments from him.

I do think there is a player in Hanlan but he's looked a yard off it since being here. Whether he's fit or still struggling with his knee I'm not sure. Surely he offers more than Olusanya though.

[mpc123]

Prediction, Hanlon to cone off the bench to score the winner against Barnsley

He'll need to be on the bench for that to happen - which he wasn't last week

Agreed, lets get positive and behind him. He scored midweek, Mccann says well done lad, good game and says your on the bench for this l9cal derby.

78 mins come along, Mccann says to Hanlan, go and make yourself a hero, hey presto. 89 mins rovers win 2-1.

Can everyone imagine being happy.

[vaya]

Oh goody. So what, if anything, did he say?

Suspense is bad for everybody's blood pressure

BobG

I Googled it, and the only reference I found was Joey Barton saying Hanlan couldn't hit a cow's arse with a banjo when they were both at Bristol Rovers.

Worth bearing in mind he was saying this after Hanlan had actually just scored for Wycombe in a 2-0 win against Barton

Correct. Safe to say there's a lot gone on in Joey's life (from being a cash cow for the legal profession to providing pre-season weight-training for lower league defenders) but none of it involves managing Brandon Hanlan last season at Wycombe.

[Ryaldinhio]

Clearly he is not up to L1, so we need to aim to get rid asap.

I think it was clear he wasn't up to L1 level before we signed him.

I think the same was clear for Olasanya.

I think Ajai was a calculated risk.

But I also don't know what people want when we are signing people for free or loan. Some big forwards in this league for big money, Alfie, N.Lowe etc.

I don't care what anyone says we have a low budget for this league and once that is accepted then our league position will be understood.

There are teams below us with bigger budgets IMO. So we are currently over achieving.

Sharp is out performing Alfie and Lowe

He is and will do, because he is a better player. He would get a lot more goals aswell if we played to his strengths.

Not sure what that has to do with the thread though?

[mpc123]

Prediction, Hanlon to cone off the bench to score the winner against Barnsley

He'll need to be on the bench for that to happen - which he wasn't last week

Agreed, lets get positive and behind him. He scored midweek, Mccann says well done lad, good game and says your on the bench for this l9cal derby.

78 mins come along, Mccann says to Hanlan, go and make yourself a hero, hey presto. 89 mins rovers win 2-1.

Can everyone imagine being

Prediction, Hanlon to cone off the bench to score the winner against Barnsley

He'll need to be on the bench for that to happen - which he wasn't last week

Agreed, lets get positive and behind him. He scored midweek, Mccann says well done lad, good game and says your on the bench for this l9cal derby.

78 mins come along, Mccann says to Hanlan, go and make yourself a hero, hey presto. 89 mins rovers win 2-1.

Can everyone imagine being happy.

He is on the bench, could it happen

[goalkick]

Pigs might fly   

[Thorney]

Thought he did ok when he was on today, controlled the ball well and made some good driving runs.

No negativity should be thrown at his direction today, probably the best option we currently jave for sharp

[mpc123]

And molly is rubbish, I hope most people are embarrased based on the reason he had a dip.

Hanlon looks ok, he needs more than 12 mins each time to score.

[mpc123]

Thought he did ok when he was on today, controlled the ball well and made some good driving runs.

No negativity should be thrown at his direction today, probably the best option we currently jave for sharp

  agreed

[Thorney]

Thought he did ok when he was on today, controlled the ball well and made some good driving runs.

No negativity should be thrown at his direction today, probably the best option we currently jave for sharp

  agreed

Looked strong when he was on, barnsley defenders didnt know how to handle him.

Personally its time to give up the ghost with the 2 loans of olusanya and ajayi, lets stick with some consistency.
Unless of course its forced by injury or suspension

[Chris Black come back]

Also thought Hanlan looked good. He has power driving in from the wing. He's clearly not a central striker.

[Alan Southstand]

He’s clearly not a striker, which is what we needed!