Elliot Ward: PNE fans not too impressed

[Snods Shinpad 2]

PNE forum link

Some pretty harsh comments on there from PNE fans about Elliot Ward.

Also it seems that Mellor is free to leave the club.

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-Fergie-to-axe-three-first-team-stars-Exclusive-article408717.html

Always appears a bit slow and lazy, but he always seems to bang one in against us. 113 appearances 30 goals. Worth a punt as backup?

[Smeg]

Mellor is a top line operator who would be a great addition to any Championship squad and I think he needs a fresh start to kick him up the arse. Unfortunately I think his wages demands would be too high.

[Superspy]

im surprised at a lot of those comments, i thought he was really good for the few games we had him..

[CusworthRovers]

Reading that, I think their frustration is centred round the fact that PNE defenders are not allowed to pass the ball or play like a footballer.

He's clearly suited to Sean and I would have him here, but only if we cannot get Shack Attack.


As for Mellor, he's got a decent set of top b*llocks.

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

Ward turned PNE down before he came here on loan as he wanted to come here.  Really wouldn't be surprised to see Ward in a Rovers shirt next season.  I thought he was ok.  Not outstanding, but OK.  Not as good as Shackell, but together I reckon we'd have one of the best pairings in the division.

[Dutch Uncle]

Snods Shinpad wrote:

PNE forum link

Some pretty harsh comments on there from PNE fans about Elliot Ward.

quote]

Poster on there called Elwiss. I'd forgotten that Mike Elwiss - one of our few big successes from local lads over the years - ended up at Preston. Obviously he made an impression there as well.

[DonnyNoel]

Interesting. I wonder how mini-Fergie sees it. I'd assumed they would take a good look at Ward before the summer in case the St Leger interest rekindles itself and maybe make a move for him should they lose St Leger.

I think I'd prefer Shackell but the lack of transfer fee required means Ward is also a good target as I'd guess both would want a similar wage.

[BRMC_rover]

Ward would be a good signing if we are looking at mounting a play off challenge next year. He proved with West Ham that when he's seen as top dog at centre back (1st choice), he plays with confidence. Looks like when he's under pressure to get in the team or undervalued, he may be prone to having a shocker. (Coventry/PNE).

We'l have to wait and see what McCarthy wants to do with Shackell at the end of the season. I can see us getting Keogh on loan from Wolves next season after looking after Shack throughout this campaign. That'd be a sweet loan signing. Maybe him and Billy re-united.

[BRMC_rover]

Ward would be a good signing if we are looking at mounting a play off challenge next year. He proved with West Ham that when he's seen as top dog at centre back (1st choice), he plays with confidence. Looks like when he's under pressure to get in the team or undervalued, he may be prone to having a shocker. (Coventry/PNE).

We'l have to wait and see what McCarthy wants to do with Shackell at the end of the season. I can see us getting Keogh on loan from Wolves next season after looking after Shack throughout this campaign. That'd be a sweet loan signing. Maybe him and Billy re-united.

[Akinfenwa]

BRMC_rover wrote:

I can see us getting Keogh on loan from Wolves next season after looking after Shack throughout this campaign. That'd be a sweet loan signing. Maybe him and Billy re-united.

If we had him and Sharp up front I reckon we would make the playoffs easily. Them two were an awesome striking partnership at Scunny.

[graingrover]

Hi Dutch ... what stats  do you have on Mike Elwiss's time with us ... a prolific striker wasn't he!

[DonnyBazR0ver]

In order of preference, if money/wages are sorted, I would sign.

1. Shackell
2. Sharp
3. Brooker type, if Brooker doesn't make it
4. Ward if not 1 above.
5. Mutch

The rest, if any would be astute loan signings.

I think we've managed to cover the cracks in midfield with Woods, then Gillett, Fortune, then Oster filling Stocks absence.

I'm not forgetting Wilson, who's done an admirable job but, I think Mutch would be an able bodied replacement who is likely to grow in experience and stature.

[CusworthRovers]

I think we may be a tad greedy and over ambitious if we are calling for the signing of Shack and Ward. You have to bear in mind we have spent some conkers on Martis to get him on the length of contract he's on, and I would expect him to be one of the first choice CH's.

IMO that leaves room for one more (assuming it aint going to be Locky, Hird or Webster yet) signing that MAYBE we could afford.

As said before I would take Shack and Martis, but wouldn't be disappointed if we ended up with Ward and Martis. I don't think we can realistically expect to have all 3 on contracts.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Agreed. Ward if not Shackell.

[CusworthRovers]

We also have to consider the more than possible scenario that we could start next season with Martis and one of Locky/Hird/Webster/JOC

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Captain Jimmy at the heart of defence again !

[Dutch Uncle]

graingrover wrote:

Hi Dutch ... what stats  do you have on Mike Elwiss's time with us ... a prolific striker wasn't he!

Hi Grainge (Sounds like a mansion    )

I have Mike Elwiss down for 31 league and 4 cup goals in 97 league and 11 cup appearances between 1971 and 1974 (Although I have multiple sources and one gives one of his league goals to Graham Watson). He was top scorer in his first two seasons for us, and was sold during his third season. I believe he held up the progress of Peter Kitchen who was our young promising striker until Elwiss took over that mantle in both senses. However Kitch certainly blossomed after Elwiss left!

One unusual achievement was that he scored 2 on his league debut, and scored again in each of his next two league games

He also went to Danum GS I think, where my father taught him (Maths that is, not football . )

[en aitch]

Interesting take on Elwiss / Kitchen.

It is true that for \"attacking\" throw-ins Mike Elwiss always made room for himself to be first receiver .... after he disappeared to PNE Kitch assumed the mantle.

Do you think he hampered The \"water-walker's\" progression, or made it easier for him to slowly grow into the role?

[Dutch Uncle]

Interesting and perceptive comments NH - who knows if a time of a little less pressure on PK helped him longer term. I think with his skill, brain, temperament and application that PK was destined to succeed anyway and bottom line was to have two talented young strikers like Elwiss and Kitch at the same time is a luxury we have seldom if ever had. O'Callaghan was different in my mind in that rather than being as good as the somewhat similar Kitchen/Elwiss, he was the absolutely perfect foil - big striker good in the air with the small mobile fox in the box - and combined with Dusty Miller's stream of quality crosses....

Mind you the memory can be affected by nostalgic rose coloured spectacles....

I expect BobG to join this discussion and tear me to threads....

[en aitch]

Yes, Big Bren was not noted for close control / perceptive passing (apart from his sweeping balls out to the right wing from the centre circle) but for the role of Big Guy in a twin striker team he was perfect (particularly with Windy on the right) and yes, they are Rose tinted .... and it's E.N. actually  

[BobG]

As if I would ever sew you up Brian

Can't really comment on what impact Mike Elwiss had on PK. I was only a youthful teenager at the time. I do remember seeing Mike legging it up and down that horrid little hill on the playing field at Danum with a stonking great weight on his back. He was under the masterful (baleful?) guidance of one Mr Bruce - for those of you who remember him.... That was just before he signed. He was a good player. Later he left Preston to join the 'Team of the Eighties' down at Selhurst Park. He was thought to be that good. But he smashed his knee (?) soon after and that was that. His Dad was a regular at BV for years. Saw him there right up to about the time of the Troubles. Haven't seen him since though. Oh, and wasn't Mike Elwiss partnered by another good young blood in Paul Gilchrist? He was a good player too. He ended up at Southampton - who, I think, were fist division at the time. Played in their first team too. Think he ended up injured as well though.

BobG