Roberts expected to miss Bury trip (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

MMM!! hope this isn't going to be Gary "sicknote" Roberts -heard he was tad injury prone?

Good news - can see the point about Roberts as well, know use bringing him back too early and then having him out for the rest of the season. DeVita has done pretty well from what I've seen this season also, even against Colchester he was one of the better of a bad bunch. Need a decent performance and result to get us back on track.

Swindon1984 wrote:
Good news - can see the point about Roberts as well, know use bringing him back too early and then having him out for the rest of the season. DeVita has done pretty well from what I've seen this season also, even against Colchester he was one of the better of a bad bunch. Need a decent performance and result to get us back on track.

Good news about Thompson coming back, not Roberts being out!

Can't help thinking Paolo was a bit hasty farming Luke Rooney out to Burton, Roberts is good and without doubt will for the foreseeable future be first choice for left midfield, but he does seem to have an ongoing problem staying fit. With only Raffa on the left and Matt on the right it doesn't leave too much cover or options other than playing the likes of Adam Rooney out of his prefered position. If Rooney (Luke) hasn't progressed since joining us and was training hard surely it is a coaching problem as much as it's the players and whatever his weaknesses are we need to be doing everything we can to improve him, just hope this month at Burton will see him come back a little bit stronger and fight for his place.

This was discussed a while back and Roberts has not been a sicknote!
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He was at Huddersfield for 4 years and in that time played 164 games - that averages 41 a season!
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He also had a lengthy spell out after Douglas broke his arm in that period so that number of games is even more impressive!
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I personally think it is a reaction to the new level of fitness and training regime we do - and his body is adapting
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I seem to remember a few others getting injured at the start of last season and then had long runs without any
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Willams can also play out wide as we have seen him move there a few times - this is hardly alien to him as he spent a lot of last season there for Yeovil

old town robin wrote:
Can't help thinking Paolo was a bit hasty farming Luke Rooney out to Burton, Roberts is good and without doubt will for the foreseeable future be first choice for left midfield, but he does seem to have an ongoing problem staying fit. With only Raffa on the left and Matt on the right it doesn't leave too much cover or options other than playing the likes of Adam Rooney out of his prefered position. If Rooney (Luke) hasn't progressed since joining us and was training hard surely it is a coaching problem as much as it's the players and whatever his weaknesses are we need to be doing everything we can to improve him, just hope this month at Burton will see him come back a little bit stronger and fight for his place.

It's difficult to know what to do for the best in terms of loaning players out yo get experience, obviously if there's an injury their opportunity may come up (although get the impression Paolo wouldn't have been keen to play him anyway). Wonder if we have a clause where we can recall him early?

London Red wrote:
This was discussed a while back and Roberts has not been a sicknote!
.
He was at Huddersfield for 4 years and in that time played 164 games - that averages 41 a season!
.
He also had a lengthy spell out after Douglas broke his arm in that period so that number of games is even more impressive!
.
I personally think it is a reaction to the new level of fitness and training regime we do - and his body is adapting
.
I seem to remember a few others getting injured at the start of last season and then had long runs without any
.
Willams can also play out wide as we have seen him move there a few times - this is hardly alien to him as he spent a lot of last season there for Yeovil

Yeah, let's move our most dangerous centre forward out to the wing. Great idea, LR.

The most dangerous who has the same amount of goals as Collins and only 1 more than Benson and Rooney despite playing a LOT more!!!!
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In fact our right winger has more goals - so maybe the wing is he place to be
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Anyway it was not a perm suggestion just one or 2 games if either Roberts or Ritchie are out

The most dangerous who has the same amount of goals as Collins and only 1 more than Benson and Rooney despite playing a LOT more!!!!
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In fact our right winger has more goals - so maybe the wing is he place to be
.
Anyway it was not a perm suggestion just one or 2 games if either Roberts or Ritchie are out

You are relying on stats again LR! Williams is dangerous because he is strong, has good feet, can turn his man quickly and possesses a searing surge of pace - and he's scored a few goals. If you don't think that combination makes him our most dangerous striker, then I don't know what your idea of a dangerous striker is.

I've seen a lot of games this season and I think De Vita has made a stronger contribution to the team when he has played than Roberts. De Vita has excellent first touch, tackles back, is comfortable on the ball, passes well and can use either foot. Roberts has good skill and crosses well but lacks pace and ability or willingness to tackle.
Good to have them both in the squad but purely on what has been seen so far De Vita deserves to be in front of him. I hope Luke Rooney comes back a better player, he has flair and can do the unexpected, certainly prefer him to his namesake who seems to get a fair amount of game time despite being pretty average by our squad's standards.

Agree Syd. If we had a man of the match on Tuesday, it was De Vita. Still scratching my head over that substitution. Our most improved player from last season. To be fair though, Roberts may have more to offer than we (that's you and I) have seen so far.

Oi Den! wrote:
You are relying on stats again LR! Williams is dangerous because he is strong, has good feet, can turn his man quickly and possesses a searing surge of pace - and he's scored a few goals. If you don't think that combination makes him our most dangerous striker, then I don't know what your idea of a dangerous striker is.

Ditto that.

LR, you have voiced some crackpot opinions in your time, but this is right up there.

And stop barking stats all the time, it's not a good look. It also proves very little in most cases.

I would really like to see Roberts have a sustained run in the side so as to bed in and develop some understandings with other players. In my mind there is little doubt over his ability to help us this season. That said, it must be acknowledged that RDV if given the chance could be the man of the moment. As mentioned above he was probably the very best of the poor bunch on Tuesday night. Vastly improved from last season and deserves the chance to shine again.
With RDV and Nathan back in the side I think things will be a bit more settled. The inclussion of Flint would also come as a bonus, if he is fit. I can only see positives in their inclusion, and would in addition like to see the industrious and inventive Ferry back in midfield, a far better choice in my opinion than either Miller or Navarro. That is only my opinion, and I believe I'm entitled to it, whether others agree to it or not.

LionelHutz wrote:

Oi Den! wrote:
You are relying on stats again LR! Williams is dangerous because he is strong, has good feet, can turn his man quickly and possesses a searing surge of pace - and he's scored a few goals. If you don't think that combination makes him our most dangerous striker, then I don't know what your idea of a dangerous striker is.

Ditto that.

LR, you have voiced some crackpot opinions in your time, but this is right up there.

And stop barking stats all the time, it's not a good look. It also proves very little in most cases.

Ditto X 2. Williams is electric, what next De Vita in goal?

Howabout a more sensible option (IMO) of playing Ferry from the start along with Bostock so that we have a couple of players that can get it to William's feet consistantly?

Charles Bronson up front would be a dangerous striker!

the wizard wrote:
I would really like to see Roberts have a sustained run in the side so as to bed in and develop some understandings with other players. In my mind there is little doubt over his ability to help us this season. That said, it must be acknowledged that RDV if given the chance could be the man of the moment. As mentioned above he was probably the very best of the poor bunch on Tuesday night. Vastly improved from last season and deserves the chance to shine again.
With RDV and Nathan back in the side I think things will be a bit more settled. The inclussion of Flint would also come as a bonus, if he is fit. I can only see positives in their inclusion, and would in addition like to see the industrious and inventive Ferry back in midfield, a far better choice in my opinion than either Miller or Navarro. That is only my opinion, and I believe I'm entitled to it, whether others agree to it or not.

Well I agree with most of that Wizard. I would however, like to Bostock have a run in midfield. both he and Ferry are good but I think we would ultimately get more goals out of Bostock.

Above all we need to develop settled partnerships/combina
tions throughout the team. For instance, Ritchie just isn't the same unless he's got a right back and central midfielder who knows how to link up with him.

In terms of the left wing position, I'm struggling to see what the problem is. De Vita is playing well, Roberts looks useful when he's played and Williams does well in that position.

If Paolo picks the right team on Saturday I think we will take them to the cleaners.

Steve. Brentford wrote:
Charles Bronson up front would be a dangerous striker!

How about Bonny and Clyde?they were a hot shot duo!!!!!!!!!!!

Mancrorobin,

Yep, totally agree, I would love to see what Ferry and Bostock could achieve together, because I think they could give some teams a real hard time. I've suggested that before but always get told they do not really complement each other, which to a point I can agree with. Still, no harm in a dream. Is there ?

the don69 wrote:

Steve. Brentford wrote:
Charles Bronson up front would be a dangerous striker!

How about Bonny and Clyde?they were a hot shot duo!!!!!!!!!!!

What about Arthur Scargill?

Oi Den! wrote:

the don69 wrote:

Steve. Brentford wrote:
Charles Bronson up front would be a dangerous striker!

How about Bonny and Clyde?they were a hot shot duo!!!!!!!!!!!

What about Arthur Scargill?

Ha, right all out.

Steve. Brentford wrote:

Oi Den! wrote:

the don69 wrote:

Steve. Brentford wrote:
Charles Bronson up front would be a dangerous striker!

How about Bonny and Clyde?they were a hot shot duo!!!!!!!!!!!

What about Arthur Scargill?

Ha, right all out.

Arthur Scargill?might be useful as a minesweeper!!!!!!!!!
!!

Oi Den! wrote:
You are relying on stats again LR! Williams is dangerous because he is strong, has good feet, can turn his man quickly and possesses a searing surge of pace - and he's scored a few goals. If you don't think that combination makes him our most dangerous striker, then I don't know what your idea of a dangerous striker is.

I like stats. As long as they're not d**n lies.

the don69 wrote:

Steve. Brentford wrote:

Oi Den! wrote:

the don69 wrote:

Steve. Brentford wrote:
Charles Bronson up front would be a dangerous striker!

How about Bonny and Clyde?they were a hot shot duo!!!!!!!!!!!

What about Arthur Scargill?

Ha, right all out.

Arthur Scargill?might be useful as a minesweeper!!!!!!!!!

!!

I hope Bury havent got mrs T in goal as no striker got past her"

Surely that is one stat what counts
.
Strikers are paid to score goals and goals is what I count as a dangerous striker
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Williams has 3 in 14 and Austin who has none of the above had 11 in 8 - now that is dangerous!!!!!
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You pretty much described Sabin there Den
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Before it is said - No I don't think Sabin is as good as Williams - but my point is he has not scored anywhere near enough goals to suddenly suggest one game on the wing would be a total disaster for us as a team - considering he has not hit the net in 11 of our 14 games
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I still think given a decent run Collins would score a hell of a lot more and be classed as far a more dangerous striker than Williams
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There is usually a reason why a player can be pushed wide and the lack of goals could be that - as all the characteristic you say apply to a winger

williams should have more goals really. I think all of our strikers are capable of 15-20 this season each.
I didnt know luke rooney had been loaned out, surely he should have stayed as back up on the left wing. we now look a bit short on the wings although williams can play there.

London Red wrote:
Surely that is one stat what counts . Strikers are paid to score goals and goals is what I count as a dangerous striker . Williams has 3 in 14 and Austin who has none of the above had 11 in 8 - now that is dangerous!!!!! . You pretty much described Sabin there Den . Before it is said - No I don't think Sabin is as good as Williams - but my point is he has not scored anywhere near enough goals to suddenly suggest one game on the wing would be a total disaster for us as a team - considering he has not hit the net in 11 of our 14 games . I still think given a decent run Collins would score a hell of a lot more and be classed as far a more dangerous striker than Williams . There is usually a reason why a player can be pushed wide and the lack of goals could be that - as all the characteristic you say apply to a winger

It's a shame about Collins really, as I've said on another thread he seems to be getting a lot of chances but not scoring many, a bit like Williams earlier in the season. He looks a good player though, and is young so hopefully will come good. Scored enough for Shrewsbury so don't see why he can't do the same here.

Williams on the wing isn't as crazy an idea as it sounds - it wouldn't be the preferred option for me as he is dangerous up front irrespective of how many goals he scores, pressing and harrying the defenders, but we need to make the best use of our resources - if we have enough strikers fit and not enough cover on the wings (say DeVita was injured as well as Luke R on loan) it would probably be preferable having Williams on the Wing than Adam Rooney, who from what I've seen doesn't suit the role. Don't think LR is saying we'd play Williams on the wing as a default, but if we had cover up front and none on the wing he could do a reasonable job there, which is fair.

Williams got 15 goals last year in a modest Yeovil side so I would be looking at a strategy to get the best out of him rather than just lumping the ball up to him.

Yesterdays stat of only winning 4 out of 30 long balls in Tuesdays second half should be modified to a Town player only getting his head on the ball 4 times out of 30, let alone winning the second ball.

So should we continue to play those tactics with our current personnel I fully expect the goals for column to remain low.

London Red wrote:
Surely that is one stat what counts
.
Strikers are paid to score goals and goals is what I count as a dangerous striker
.
Williams has 3 in 14 and Austin who has none of the above had 11 in 8 - now that is dangerous!!!!!
.
You pretty much described Sabin there Den
.
Before it is said - No I don't think Sabin is as good as Williams - but my point is he has not scored anywhere near enough goals to suddenly suggest one game on the wing would be a total disaster for us as a team - considering he has not hit the net in 11 of our 14 games
.
I still think given a decent run Collins would score a hell of a lot more and be classed as far a more dangerous striker than Williams
.
There is usually a reason why a player can be pushed wide and the lack of goals could be that - as all the characteristic you say apply to a winger

Williams is playing very well up front. To then put him out wide would be a silly move. You are silly, London Red.

Stop being silly.

Swindon1984 wrote:

old town robin wrote: Can't help thinking Paolo was a bit hasty farming Luke Rooney out to Burton, Roberts is good and without doubt will for the foreseeable future be first choice for left midfield, but he does seem to have an ongoing problem staying fit. With only Raffa on the left and Matt on the right it doesn't leave too much cover or options other than playing the likes of Adam Rooney out of his prefered position. If Rooney (Luke) hasn't progressed since joining us and was training hard surely it is a coaching problem as much as it's the players and whatever his weaknesses are we need to be doing everything we can to improve him, just hope this month at Burton will see him come back a little bit stronger and fight for his place.

It's difficult to know what to do for the best in terms of loaning players out yo get experience, obviously if there's an injury their opportunity may come up (although get the impression Paolo wouldn't have been keen to play him anyway). Wonder if we have a clause where we can recall him early?

On loan players, I believe you can recall them at any time. Goalkeepers have been recalled when injury has struck so...

Regarding Luke, I wonder if this loan is to help him regain his confidence. He does have talent but maybe lacks that bit of self-belief, which could also explain why he has performed best when coming on as a sub. The nothing game at Bradford on the last day last season he completely changed us from a team without a chance of scoring into one that could, despite being on the field for only about 10 minutes.

I hope he does well for them and returns to come back into the reckoning with Town.

COYMR

It is great to have a 20+ striker in a side but what is the obsession with it ?

We didn't have one last season, although Benson would have if he had had a full season, but won the league. Goals are important but it doesn't matter where they come from.

Teams can be too reliant on a single player to score. what will happen to Burnley if Austin is injured ? Currently they will suffer the same fate as we did when he was sold !!!

All four of our current strikers are on course to score double figures this season. Four times 10+ equals 40+ goals, a decent return from the front line of any team.

Cox's, Austin's, Paynter's, Rhodes' are rare and come along to one or two of 24 teams in a league once every couple of years. I would be happy to see one at Town soon but I don't expect it happen.

Too much emphasis is sometimes put on a striker to score goals whilst forgetting the other qualities he brings to the team. Paolo was considered a great striker but was never prolific.

COYMR