pn87
Season Ticket Holder
Posts: 154
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Post by pn87 on Nov 22, 2014 21:34:53 GMT
I thought we was solid at the back, a couple of dangerous situations but nothing serious, midfield passing and link play with the back was really good at times until last 10 mins when we was giving it away too much. Absolutely rubbish in the final third, Vetokele doesnt deserve to playing up top on his own like that he got shut out of the game he needs a big man up there desperetely i think. JBG looked lively and our main threat but his set peices were woeful all day, and everytime he cuts in he looks likely to shoot and then nothing happened, rommerdahl'ish today. Atleast we didnt lose and at one point i thought we was going to let it slip but the back 4 were good in my opinion, Pope was very nervy but grew into the game i thought, we need an experienced number 2 though. Bob Peeters looked ashamed at the end i thought, hands in pockets head down wandering on to the pitch. Need to improve big time next game, i know this was Millwall but we should have beat them today i think we're the better side by a long way but maybe the occasion was to much in the end
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Post by valleyviper on Nov 22, 2014 21:44:23 GMT
Harriott and Cousins have not progressed since their academy days and should not be seen anywhere near the first team squad, BP, send them out on loan and bring in players who want to earn the shirt, whereas these two kids feel they have done enough coming through the academy to own the shirt - they have not!
Today, why was JJ not invited to take a corner or free kick, the Iceman couldn't clear the first scum player and consequently most of his involvement in the game was less than satisfactory.
0-0 was all we could have expected with such a negative approach by BP, who's plan seemed to be that a draw was better than going for a win, Question;- when are we going to work opposition keepers BP?.
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Post by seriouslyred on Nov 22, 2014 22:15:15 GMT
Sat next to a friend today who was over in London for the weekend - his first cafc game of the season and his comments tell the story of the last six months... Is anyone left from last season?! New pitch... New management... Not enough movement up front. He enjoyed the game and will be back. Despite another draw, we are still within touching distance of the top six and we are now just six weeks from the January window. They've done the groundwork and we now need to work out how to win these games. Harriott and Tucudean did themselves no favours but Coquelin was great and I hope he stays. A shame Buyens went off so early but sometimes luck plays a big part.
Roll on Ipswich
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Post by addick4ever on Nov 22, 2014 23:00:00 GMT
Harriott and Cousins have not progressed since their academy days and should not be seen anywhere near the first team squad, BP, send them out on loan and bring in players who want to earn the shirt, whereas these two kids feel they have done enough coming through the academy to own the shirt - they have not! Today, why was JJ not invited to take a corner or free kick, the Iceman couldn't clear the first scum player and consequently most of his involvement in the game was less than satisfactory. 0-0 was all we could have expected with such a negative approach by BP, who's plan seemed to be that a draw was better than going for a win, Question;- when are we going to work opposition keepers BP?. Not sure why you are cussing cousins he did well today in two positions, as for harriott he had one cleared off the line and laid it on a plate for George so not really sure what you are saying, harriott is improving slowly and cousins is steady. I agree that jj should take set pieces and corners but the iceman is a quality player so can't say his performance less than satisfactory as you say. I agree with reams that George should have been on earlier in a 442 formation but I don't agree with slating RD and bob as we are still difficult to beat and look miles better than last season. We are also still in a gr8 position and are a work in progress, cafc crowd gr8 today those two chances in injury time the difference between 1 point and 3 move on to Ipswich.
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Post by scabbyhorse on Nov 23, 2014 6:39:55 GMT
IA is the only one talking sense on here, some need to find a middle ground at times and not post straight after a game. You get to high after a win and too low after a loss, just makes you come across a bit unhinged and excitable.
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Post by muttleycafc on Nov 23, 2014 6:43:40 GMT
Whilst I can't disagree that we set up a little cautiously, this was a derby and Millwall were up for it. Have we drawn too many games, yes we have, but have we avoided defeat in too many too, yes again. Positively, we had most of the quality and created the best chances. Thought we had two decent claims for a penalty, one cleared off the line , one clear one on one denied at the end by poor reffing and Tucadean's chance that you have to give the Millwall defender credit for. Ok not a top drawer performance, but as the Millwall fans were gloating at the end, I did take some pleasure from the fact that the point was better for us than for them. They can't buy a win at the moment!
Yes, it is clear what we are about. We are not going to thrash teams and we are a decent striker away from a play off side- but we are in reach of the play offs- and going the way we are until January could see us being in a position to have a go. Not sure I get the negativity. The basis is there and we are in the pack.I did post in the early stages of the season to basically say by hook or by crook, we have a great team to build on with a couple of players and really push for promotin. There is some point in Duchatelet not striking while the iron is hot, but I think we are still well placed for this intervention and have been happy with our season so far.
Thought Harriot wasn't bad, and whilst he needs to improve, I can see how he can. You sometimes have to play young players a bit to reap th ebenefits. As for Cousins, he has established himself in the side. I think he is one of the first names Peeters writes down and it seems a lot of people miss what he brings to the side. But I can see the manager doesn't and I suspect his team mates too.
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Post by canterburyaddick on Nov 23, 2014 10:21:11 GMT
Fair post muttley. I have to say that I quite enjoyed the game overall. It was played at a good pace and some good quality at times. The lack of a good partner to Vetekele is obvious, but I like what Coquelin has brought to the team - please try and sign him until the end of the season. Striker not withstanding, he brought a pace to the midfield that has been lacking with Buyens and JJ that made us less defensive, I thought. If JJ is not taking dead ball situations, I'm afraid he adds little to the team, yet again too often bypassed.
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Post by reamsofverse on Nov 23, 2014 11:01:36 GMT
IA is the only one talking sense on here, some need to find a middle ground at times and not post straight after a game. You get to high after a win and too low after a loss, just makes you come across a bit unhinged and excitable. I disagree, nobody has slagged anybody off just questioned why Duchatelet is playing games with improving our strike force. Some people will be happy with a point yesterday others won't but all opinions should be welcome to be aired on here. We don't work to timetables on here mate things get said when they need to be said.
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Post by reamsofverse on Nov 23, 2014 11:14:59 GMT
Whilst I can't disagree that we set up a little cautiously, this was a derby and Millwall were up for it. Have we drawn too many games, yes we have, but have we avoided defeat in too many too, yes again. Positively, we had most of the quality and created the best chances. Thought we had two decent claims for a penalty, one cleared off the line , one clear one on one denied at the end by poor reffing and Tucadean's chance that you have to give the Millwall defender credit for. Ok not a top drawer performance, but as the Millwall fans were gloating at the end, I did take some pleasure from the fact that the point was better for us than for them. They can't buy a win at the moment! Yes, it is clear what we are about. We are not going to thrash teams and we are a decent striker away from a play off side- but we are in reach of the play offs- and going the way we are until January could see us being in a position to have a go. Not sure I get the negativity. The basis is there and we are in the pack.I did post in the early stages of the season to basically say by hook or by crook, we have a great team to build on with a couple of players and really push for promotin. There is some point in Duchatelet not striking while the iron is hot, but I think we are still well placed for this intervention and have been happy with our season so far. Thought Harriot wasn't bad, and whilst he needs to improve, I can see how he can. You sometimes have to play young players a bit to reap th ebenefits. As for Cousins, he has established himself in the side. I think he is one of the first names Peeters writes down and it seems a lot of people miss what he brings to the side. But I can see the manager doesn't and I suspect his team mates too. Muttley but we knew Millwall would be up for it but we should have been up for it even more and as the home side taken the game to them. We are drawing games because Bob is very good at avoiding defeat but we are at the stage now where we are drawing too many games and it is holding us back which is why I am not as satisfied with a regular point as others are. We set up 4-5-1 yesterday simply because we don't have two decent strikers. We'll do the same next week and again at Forest and by doing so we may just get a point from both.........In a nutshell there you have it, this is what we are this season and it is because the owner wanted Bob to bring in a player from Romania who is struggling and to also give KAG a chance. Neither have really worked out so now we are lumbered until January, there is not even a guarantee then that he will see sense. Let's not be fooled, for the third time in 24 hours we seem to have a set up who are happy with not losing games with what we have instead of buying strikers to win them and go that extra mile and for be that lacks ambition. Drawing 0-0 at home to Millwall is not a good result neither are some of the other draws games we have been involved in this season, but reading around the forums it seems drawing matches is a lot better than losing them like we did last season. That's obviously an improvement but not as big a one as some are making out because just like last year we don't have a potent strike duo or a midfield driving force in the middle of the park.
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Post by DFT on Nov 23, 2014 11:51:33 GMT
We showed a bit more fight than usual against them at home, losing Buyens early didn't help but I agree we should have been more positive towards the end, I think we could have won.
Solly was superb and linked up well with Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Francis Coquelin was excellent (love to sign him), Pope did well too.
We always show more bottle when we play them away and I think it's purely down to our support being so loud and passionate there.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2014 12:51:13 GMT
I am sorry people but can someone please point me in the direction of where the club or any of its officials have made any indication they were seeking to challenge for promotion this season? If such an opportunity does arise, no doubt the club will see what can be done. That is it! No more, no less. The only comment Peeters has alluded to is avoiding relegation.
When you consider much of the comment on here perhaps someone could also enlighten me, with the current squad construct, on what basis, even with the addition of a couple of key signings, they deem it strong enough to maintain a sustained push for promotion.
At one level I would fear getting anywhere near the PL this season. The squad for me is in no way ready which would mean one thing - another significant player churn. You do realise we have ploughed our way through circa 220 players since we were last in the PL. How many can you remember? More to the point how many do you want to remember? The last thing this club needs at this stage is to start another revolving door of player recruitment with all that entails.
I understand stability is boring but after a lot of the nonsense we have had to live through in the past decade a short spell in quieter "waters" really is no bad thing.
You are of course perfectly entitled to your own expectations but it is unreasonable to place such expectation on a coach who simply not been empowered to deliver them this year.
You may argue he should demand greater authority but that ignores the basis of which he (and any other candidate for that matter) was to be employed.
Peeters is the coach NOT the manager - he has no mandate to bring any new players in. He can make recommendations about strengthening the squad but surely we know by now he has been employed to work with the players AT THE CLUB to improve their individual and collective contribution to the success of the side. Peeters is performing to the remit he has been given.
I respect you may not agree with: a) The remit b) The manner he seeks to attain such achievements c) Such “reduced” achievements but I have to ask on what basis you have any higher expectations?
but; It is why Pope played rather than an experienced 2nd string keeper. It is why Phillips was on the bench - both have had the opportunity to develop their experience by just 1 more game.
It is why Fox was at left back rather than carry another senior left back, who when Wiggins is fit will barely kick a ball in anger, especially when we appear to have a veritable production line of left backs in the pipeline with Holmes-Dennis & Edwards. Fox in the meantime gets another notch on his appearance belt and another chance to learn and grow.
It is why Cousins gets a job every week so he continues to do get the experience, even playing outside of his comfort zone, because he is good enough to make a contribution week in week out.
It is why we have seen Gomez given a few games
It is why we have seen Ahearne-Grant given a few games
It is why Harriott is getting another chance to rebuild and reboot his career.
The football model is about developing a squad not BUYING a squad.
The business model is about developing a squad not BUYING a squad.
Of the 18 involved in yesterdays' match squad 7 have recently come through our academy and/or development squads. Personally I could not be prouder of that achievement and really hope Muldoon and/or Holmes-Dennis also get their chance.
In terms of coaching/ playing style I have no problem with the approach. When you build a new squad particularly with young players the first requirements to build confidence are; a) not to get beat b) keep your shape c) make sure you keep your shape d) it is vital you keep your shape etc., etc.,
Peeters' message to Harriott is indicative of the approach - it is not about playing for yourself or even playing to the crowd - it is about playing for, with and on behalf of your team mates.
So keep your discipline and it is going to be hard for even a good side to break you down. It is how the younger players can come in and do a job.
I see a similarity with Mike Bailey's style of coaching - I remember I think it was Steve Gritt who said "you could literally close your eyes and know where exactly every one of your team mates was on the field".
Of course with youth there are shortcomings and inconsistencies and they do have a long way to go but everything I have seen indicates that the players are putting in their shift, have shown good commitment to the cause and for the most part competed in every game they have played.
If the current group are able to keep the club within a few points of a play off position then we can see if any "tilt" at promotion is realistic with meaningful additions in January. We still however have to be realistic which is a topic for another thread as in the real world you really do only get to spend your money once.
I genuinely regret if some feel disappointed and frustration at the progress the club is making. I at this stage do not share such feelings.
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Post by MurciaAl on Nov 23, 2014 12:54:13 GMT
The disappointing thing for me was that all week, we were told that the team would be right up for this game, they weren't!
Apart from someone else up front, we desperately need a playmaker.
Oh for a Claus Jensen!
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Post by reamsofverse on Nov 23, 2014 13:23:36 GMT
100% spot on EssexAl, we are two players short of maintaining our play-off push. Without them it's bottom half which will be a major disappointment.
We don't want May 2015 to come around and have thousands of CAFC fans saying 'If only'.
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Post by DFT on Nov 23, 2014 15:11:47 GMT
I disagree EssexAl, I thought the players were up for it, certainly more so than the last couple of home games against them.
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Post by cheevers on Nov 23, 2014 15:41:44 GMT
I don't have much to add that hasn't already been said.
Pretty dissapointing result considering that we are the better team, it was quite obvious when we kept the ball on the floor we were able to go through them. But for some reason we insisted on hoofing it far to often, essentially throwing away possession.
I thought Solly and Coquelin were excellent. Coquelin was up and down the pitch, challenging every and winning many. Very important we find a way to keep him for the season. Fox was solid outside of 5 minutes in the second half when he gave the ball away a few times.
Harriott; there's a player in there, whether it ever comes out nobody knows. He looked pretty good yesterday but my god man, you are a professional footballer, learn to use your right foot.
Onto the next and hopefully 3 points.
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Post by MurciaAl on Nov 23, 2014 16:54:51 GMT
I disagree EssexAl, I thought the players were up for it, certainly more so than the last couple of home games against them. Fair enough DFT, but I expected us to be in their faces from the off and we weren't. I thought Bob would have had them pumped up and that certainly didn't come across to me!
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Post by scabbyhorse on Nov 23, 2014 17:19:46 GMT
Bang on the money grapevine, excellent post it is were we are at the moment. Personally thought it was an absorbing game not spectacular but it ebb and flowed and on the plus side the only quality on show wore a red shirt. Millwall kept there shape well and worked hard and i have a feeling we will not get a chance to beat them at the valley for a few more years because the relegation trap door awaits them.
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Post by DFT on Nov 23, 2014 17:22:06 GMT
It's easy to get carried away with derby games and I've been to many "Old Firm" games and seen players sent off and as a result useless to their team.
Players have to be "up for it" but in a controlled manner.
We could have shown more aggression perhaps but it was an improvement on previous home games against them and their fans were the quietest I've heard them, so we must have done something right.
Oh scabbyhorse, I hope you're right about them getting relegated..........that would be so sweet!
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Post by terryducks on Nov 23, 2014 17:44:46 GMT
up for it should mean winning now and then . It's the most one sided derby on the planet . how about being up for it and collecting three points , crazy I know but we should try it sometime . We have beat them 11 times lol
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Post by reamsofverse on Nov 23, 2014 19:22:44 GMT
Cannot agree with any of that!
Do you think Brentford's ambition this season was promotion?
I would imagine there stall was to go out and try to win every game and see where it took them and they are doing pretty well at that so far so don't be so riduculous. Are you saying the season we'll aim to go up is when the club tel us so? What about the other 23 clubs won't they have a say in that too?
You what? Can you distinguish between what a head coach is and what a manager is for me please? A head coach is merely a name given to the manager on the continent, KM by the way referred to Bob Peeters as our manager for the FLS yesterday.
Your view on the youngsters we have amazes me, just who do you think they are? To improve you need to have potential and Fox and Harriot don't have it, KAG is lightweight and Cousins while doing an average job has not improved as a footballer from a year ago so on what basis do you think lesser players will. They are cheaper than loans fair enough but every time they play they weaken the side not improve it and that is where we are going wrong and whether our aim is to go up this season, next or the year after that, until good solid players can be called upon to replace injured or suspended one's it's not going to happen..
The best youngster we had was Michael Smith and he got dumped by another over rated figure.
What? Are B, C and D not the same? As far as A is concerned what are you saying then...We go out against Blackpool in three weeks time with the sole aim of not losing? And if we draw that's ok because this time last season we were shit?
You don't coach/learn educate young players by telling them to keep their shape, where have you got that one from? they learn things far more technical than knowing where to stand on a football pitch.
As for the progress, again like I have said so many times, it all depends what you are basing and judging our progress on?
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Post by discocafc on Nov 23, 2014 21:12:37 GMT
Should have played 4-4-2 right from the start!
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Post by cafcforever on Nov 23, 2014 21:13:45 GMT
At least we never lost.
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Post by seriouslyred on Nov 24, 2014 13:45:48 GMT
Nine months ago we had a 50% chance of relegation. This reduced to zero over Riga's 16 games. We then went through a period of transforming the squad with everyone going... And we only miss a couple of them if at all. New squad and it's since been revealed they looked at 25 players over the summer but found it hard to attract players until Vetokele Gudmundsson and Buyens signed. We've since added Coquelin and Bulot to the squad. Of course we need another striker but I really don't get all the criticism of the management. We are on track for 36 points after 23 games and that has been good enough for sixth place at Christmas most seasons. That sets us up for quality signings in January but we are still highly unlikely to win the play-offs because other competing clubs have been building for two-three years. We are fortunate that Forest and Blackburn should face an embargo this January. The irony is that M.Duchatelet Meire and Peeters have done the easy part! Building on this is going to take luck and a lot of cash - my guess is €3-5m per player as €1m players simply won't make much of a difference. So that's about six million quid to invest in a club losing £5m a year. Rather than abusing the executive I suggest the fans via the Trust should advocate the business case for pushing on. Even if we don't make it the value of Gudmundsson, Vetokele and Gomez will soar as we climb and this will pay the bills later... No doubt some may argue we shouldn't sell ever...but I can't see cafc turning down a £7m+ bid for Vetokele! My point is that not only are we better on the pitch, but overnight we have become sustainable thanks to the obvious quality of some players. Meanwhile Millwall have the oldest squad in the league and are losing £10m a season... We'd better beat them soon before they fold!
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Post by DFT on Nov 24, 2014 16:10:23 GMT
We've played them 7 times since 1996 and lost 3, I know we haven't won any but we have only lost 3. Not great I agree and I know it hurts. The worst statistic is that we haven't even scored in the last 6.
For the record, heres the record:
Played 71 Millwall wins 33 Charlton wins 12 Draws 26 Millwall goals 114 Charlton goals 66
Now that hurts!
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Post by seriouslyred on Nov 24, 2014 16:34:48 GMT
We've played them 7 times since 1996 and lost 3, I know we haven't won any but we have only lost 3. Not great I agree and I know it hurts. The worst statistic is that we haven't even scored in the last 6. For the record, heres the record: Played 71 Millwall wins 33 Charlton wins 12 Draws 26 Millwall goals 114 Charlton goals 66 Now that hurts! It hurts when we saw how subdued their fans were as we controlled the game for the first half hour and they celebrated the final whistle... But their club will be hurting with yet another £10m loss at the end of the season while we keep building AND reducing losses. As Grapevine puts it so eloquently we are blooding our own youngsters every week. They will either be good enough for next season, or not good enough and go out on loan. Or perhaps too good! And be sold to fund the losses. I predict around five in five out next summer and perhaps then we will be more competitive. As for this January it's impossible to tell what will happen. One thing is for sure, the CEO, the head coach and now the head scout have all said we will acquire one or two quality players if we can secure another 8/9 points in the next five games. We should surely beat Blackpool so where do the other five or six points come from? The point is that if we can't secure those points then the club is too far away from the top six in term of quality and depth. The clear implication is that M.Duchatelet is not going to fund a massive gap but he will shell out for a couple of players if we are close enough. This is a challenge for the executives at the club to maximise results - as I think I've posted before, Peeters, Meire and the leading players stand to make a fortune from pushing on so why would anyone think they are holding back?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2014 19:04:36 GMT
Can I say I love RD's twin track policy of innocence and experience - youngsters getting blooded from the academy combined with signing some of the most technically skillful players in the championship.
Interesting thread on CL in which most agree that Gudmondsson and Coquelin, with Buyens not far behind, are the most skillful players to wear a CAFC shirt since we were relegated from the PL. Sometimes even CL gets it right, and I would definitely go along with that, and welcome it as evidence that RD's Euro-portfolio is providing a more effective scouting and recruitment network than we've had since the Prem days.
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Post by cafc101 on Nov 24, 2014 19:55:36 GMT
I thought that whilst we weren't perfect and have been better this season, we were still the better team and deserved more. They clearly set up to draw or nick a 1-0 like we have to the likes of Norwich and will against Cardiff, Forest etc because they felt ( for the first time in many years!!) that we were the better team.
Igor had a header early on which I felt he should have done better with but it happened quickly so I can't remember if it was a hard header or where his position was, Bikey had his header which if he was 5 yards closer, it probably would have been too powerful to stop. Ole George, whilst that was our best chance, I don't feel any bitterness towards him, he took a poor touch and isn't blessed with pace anyway and Forde came out quickly and if truth be told, would have most likely saved his shot if he didn't chip it. The chip was very nice but unfortunately the defender was 2 yards too close so gave him a nudge and put him off, if Tal or Bikey did that, we'd be raving about that defending so credit where credit is due.
That was out best shot since the 4-4 at winning but that was Peeters' first game against them and considering he was already a cautious manager before the game, given the situation and what's one the game for the fans obviously pushed him to be more cautious, which unfortunately didn't work out, but he has learnt. When we go to the Toolbox I expect to see us more confident and taking the game especially if we are both in the positions we are come April.
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Post by cafc101 on Nov 24, 2014 20:03:14 GMT
Can I say I love RD's twin track policy of innocence and experience - youngsters getting blooded from the academy combined with signing some of the most technically skillful players in the championship. Interesting thread on CL in which most agree that Gudmondsson and Coquelin, with Buyens not far behind, are the most skillful players to wear a CAFC shirt since we were relegated from the PL. Sometimes even CL gets it right, and I would definitely go along with that, and welcome it as evidence that RD's Euro-portfolio is providing a more effective scouting and recruitment network than we've had since the Prem days. I think we'll do very well to keep Coquelin for the season, I can see an extension to January but for the whole season will be great. You could see his training with Arsenal when he quickly moves and spins past players and looks for the cross field pass. Not that I'm trying to bring up this debate again but I think he's much better for us than Poyet, so if we can keep him the season, IMO it would be better than having Poyet back for the season.
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Post by reamsofverse on Nov 24, 2014 20:22:22 GMT
Great posting cafc101 and welcome back
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Post by seriouslyred on Nov 24, 2014 20:57:15 GMT
Can I say I love RD's twin track policy of innocence and experience - youngsters getting blooded from the academy combined with signing some of the most technically skillful players in the championship. Interesting thread on CL in which most agree that Gudmondsson and Coquelin, with Buyens not far behind, are the most skillful players to wear a CAFC shirt since we were relegated from the PL. Sometimes even CL gets it right, and I would definitely go along with that, and welcome it as evidence that RD's Euro-portfolio is providing a more effective scouting and recruitment network than we've had since the Prem days. This! These three and Vetokele are also valued at €2-3m each on transfermarkt which is a long, long way from the squad of the last three years. It will be harder and more expensive to keep improving but there must be tens of players across Europe who might improve us and be available in January or the summer. I get the urgency and that now is as good a season as any to push on - sometimes things drop into place and you have to think go for it. But no panic measures please... Just quiet and precise acquisition of young talent.
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