Mbenza

[wigster]

May 6, 2019 15:06:30 GMT 1 htfcsince70 said:

Delighted that the lad scored - just after I had said "How the hell is he one of our players!" Soft, no idea of how to play the game - follows others into spaces and is always looking towards the bench as though to say - what do you want me to do now? Where shall I run? He's quick and not the finished article and this is where my hope and optimism lies - that he can be coached into being a good footballer. At this moment in time though and despite his goal yesterday I still think he has been a waste of money - how much exactly did he cost?

Couldn't agree more - I don't think there's any argument at all that our recruitment this year has been abysmal, and he was a large part of that. Up to yesterday he'd done very little other than a few excellent crosses and showing his pace and I don't think even his most ardent supporter would claim he'd changed the outcome of one game for us since he came, up until yesterday.

I certainly hope that he's going to show the fight, involvement and willingness to get stuck in that you need in the Championship but, for whatever reason, he hasn't shown it so far. Gary Neville implied that De Gea should have saved his shot yesterday - it was either a bit weak or superbly timed - but it was largely due to Shaw's howler.

If I'm honest I've no idea how we'll do in the Championship - at times the thought of a front three of Grant,Diakhaby and Mbenza fills me with hope, but at times the thought of two of those three representing us on a cold wet windy night at Hull or Barnsley doesn't inspire me at all.

[Headless Chicken]

May 6, 2019 15:22:01 GMT 1 wigster said:

May 6, 2019 15:06:30 GMT 1 htfcsince70 said:

Delighted that the lad scored - just after I had said "How the hell is he one of our players!" Soft, no idea of how to play the game - follows others into spaces and is always looking towards the bench as though to say - what do you want me to do now? Where shall I run? He's quick and not the finished article and this is where my hope and optimism lies - that he can be coached into being a good footballer. At this moment in time though and despite his goal yesterday I still think he has been a waste of money - how much exactly did he cost?

Couldn't agree more - I don't think there's any argument at all that our recruitment this year has been abysmal, and he was a large part of that. Up to yesterday he'd done very little other than a few excellent crosses and showing his pace and I don't think even his most ardent supporter would claim he'd changed the outcome of one game for us since he came, up until yesterday.

I certainly hope that he's going to show the fight, involvement and willingness to get stuck in that you need in the Championship but, for whatever reason, he hasn't shown it so far. Gary Neville implied that De Gea should have saved his shot yesterday - it was either a bit weak or superbly timed - but it was largely due to Shaw's howler.

If I'm honest I've no idea how we'll do in the Championship - at times the thought of a front three of Grant,Diakhaby and Mbenza fills me with hope, but at times the thought of two of those three representing us on a cold wet windy night at Hull or Barnsley doesn't inspire me at all.

I've said it before, but I just can't see that as a good combination, based on the range of attributes and weaknesses shown to date. Whether they are each good enough individually is another matter. One certainly looks like he will be, whilst the other two at least have decent pace, giving them a chance.

[townatheart]

May 6, 2019 15:29:33 GMT 1 Headless Chicken said:

May 6, 2019 15:22:01 GMT 1 wigster said:

Couldn't agree more - I don't think there's any argument at all that our recruitment this year has been abysmal, and he was a large part of that. Up to yesterday he'd done very little other than a few excellent crosses and showing his pace and I don't think even his most ardent supporter would claim he'd changed the outcome of one game for us since he came, up until yesterday.

I certainly hope that he's going to show the fight, involvement and willingness to get stuck in that you need in the Championship but, for whatever reason, he hasn't shown it so far. Gary Neville implied that De Gea should have saved his shot yesterday - it was either a bit weak or superbly timed - but it was largely due to Shaw's howler.

If I'm honest I've no idea how we'll do in the Championship - at times the thought of a front three of Grant,Diakhaby and Mbenza fills me with hope, but at times the thought of two of those three representing us on a cold wet windy night at Hull or Barnsley doesn't inspire me at all.

I've said it before, but I just can't see that as a good combination, based on the range of attributes and weaknesses shown to date. Whether they are each good enough individually is another matter. One certainly looks like he will be, whilst the other two at least have decent pace, giving them a chance.

While pace is a very useful took, think it takes a bit more to be genuinely effective in football, otherwise, Usain Bolt would have got a PL contract

[Headless Chicken]

May 6, 2019 15:36:42 GMT 1 townatheart said:

May 6, 2019 15:29:33 GMT 1 Headless Chicken said:

I've said it before, but I just can't see that as a good combination, based on the range of attributes and weaknesses shown to date. Whether they are each good enough individually is another matter. One certainly looks like he will be, whilst the other two at least have decent pace, giving them a chance.

While pace is a very useful took, think it takes a bit more to be genuinely effective in football, otherwise, Usain Bolt would have got a PL contract

I know, and that's why I just can't see them playing regularly in the same team next year, even if they both progress. All I am saying is the genuine pace they have at least gives them a start.

[Million Dollar Babies]

May 6, 2019 15:48:09 GMT 1 Headless Chicken said:

May 6, 2019 15:36:42 GMT 1 townatheart said:

While pace is a very useful took, think it takes a bit more to be genuinely effective in football, otherwise, Usain Bolt would have got a PL contract

I know, and that's why I just can't see them playing regularly in the same team next year, even if they both progress. All I am saying is the genuine pace they have at least gives them a start.

Siewart has already said how much his system relies on pace in the forward areas

I think he'd happily stick all 3 out there together

[Christ in Shades (art)]

May 6, 2019 15:29:33 GMT 1 Headless Chicken said:

May 6, 2019 15:22:01 GMT 1 wigster said:

Couldn't agree more - I don't think there's any argument at all that our recruitment this year has been abysmal, and he was a large part of that. Up to yesterday he'd done very little other than a few excellent crosses and showing his pace and I don't think even his most ardent supporter would claim he'd changed the outcome of one game for us since he came, up until yesterday.

I certainly hope that he's going to show the fight, involvement and willingness to get stuck in that you need in the Championship but, for whatever reason, he hasn't shown it so far. Gary Neville implied that De Gea should have saved his shot yesterday - it was either a bit weak or superbly timed - but it was largely due to Shaw's howler.

If I'm honest I've no idea how we'll do in the Championship - at times the thought of a front three of Grant,Diakhaby and Mbenza fills me with hope, but at times the thought of two of those three representing us on a cold wet windy night at Hull or Barnsley doesn't inspire me at all.

I've said it before, but I just can't see that as a good combination, based on the range of attributes and weaknesses shown to date. Whether they are each good enough individually is another matter. One certainly looks like he will be, whilst the other two at least have decent pace, giving them a chance.

David Beresford had pace but he just got his head down and kept running towards the corner flag and either kept running out of touch or didn't know what to do with it when he stopped, sounds a bit like Mbenza, although Mbenza can cross but he doesn't do it frequently enough. No disrespect intended but how have we got lumbered with him?

[galpharm2400]

May 6, 2019 16:01:12 GMT 1 Christ in Shades (art) said:

May 6, 2019 15:29:33 GMT 1 Headless Chicken said:

I've said it before, but I just can't see that as a good combination, based on the range of attributes and weaknesses shown to date. Whether they are each good enough individually is another matter. One certainly looks like he will be, whilst the other two at least have decent pace, giving them a chance.

David Beresford had pace but he just got his head down and kept running towards the corner flag and either kept running out of touch or didn't know what to do with it when he stopped, sounds a bit like Mbenza, although Mbenza can cross but he doesn't do it frequently enough. No disrespect intended but how have we got lumbered with him?

truth is we could be 'lumbered' with worse..Mbenza being here next season is one of the least of my worries.. we might be 'paying up' one or two who always 'thought' they were legends in their own minds.. The 'rush' for these 'talents' was noticeable by its absence in the last window and before and none have 'shone like a beacon' since..   cut price bargains a possibility but even then they have proved themselves an obvious 'risk'...

[terryya]

Wagner picked him
Hudson/Whitehead picked him
Siewert picks him.
Belgium U21s pick him

They can't all be wrong.

[Captainslapper]

May 5, 2019 21:05:55 GMT 1 @nt said:

May 5, 2019 20:50:49 GMT 1 Captainslapper said:

The attitude that he won;t risk getting hurt.
Its a risk that comes with the job for any player but especially those with pace who play out wide.
Mbenza pulls out of any challenge, even if hes the favourite to win it. Which ironically is more likely to get him injured.

I disagree.

He doesn’t tackle very often and he’s not highly tactically aware, but that’s not his game.

We need to move away from the idea that all attacking players have to get stuck in and concentrate on the clean sheet. It’s plainly obvious what kind of player he is, and I for one can’t wait to see what he can do when he’s not up against established internationals every week, playing for a manager who trusts in his ability.

Clearly isn;t his game.
My worry is the defenders in the championship might not be internationals, but they generally know how to robustly defend and will spot a powderpuff like Mbenza in an instance as someone they can easily bully out of a game.
Not really about getting stuck in either. Someone like Giggs didn;t get stuck in, but he grafted very hard and was willing to take opponents on knowing hed get clattered.

On the MOTD highlights yesterday there was a moment in the 2nd half that summed him up for me. Lost the ball near the half way line with a stray pass, then as man utd broke away he put 0% effort to get back and atone for his error. None whatsoever.,barely started jogging,whilst his team mates sprinted back to defend and a few seconds later they had a great chance to score.
That really isn;t what you need in the championship! And the only passengers like that that a team can afford are ones who really produce at the right end to make up for it- something he doesn;t look like being able to do at all.

Id trust in his ability too if hed showed any.
One of those players who's probably brilliant in 5 a sides in training where there isn;t the physical edge of a competitive game. In a game he hides, he chickens out of any physicality, hes lazy and he offers almost nothing in an attacking sense.
If we're pinning our hopes on him, we;'re fucked IMO unless he improves massively.

[htfcsince70]

May 6, 2019 16:12:46 GMT 1 terryya said:

Wagner picked him
Hudson/Whitehead picked him
Siewert picks him.
Belgium U21s pick him

They can't all be wrong.

When did they pick him? Wagner in particular?? There is a massive gulf between U21 football and first team football at any level - I know because I've watched lots of it. I think Siewart picks him because he is stuck with him - it can't be because of his ability - other than pace and even with that there was one occasion yesterday in a 1v1 out wide when he hardly left the defender for dead and then he spent the next 5 mins in recover mode - basically, he was blowing out of his arse!

[galpharm2400]

May 6, 2019 16:42:08 GMT 1 htfcsince70 said:

May 6, 2019 16:12:46 GMT 1 terryya said:

Wagner picked him
Hudson/Whitehead picked him
Siewert picks him.
Belgium U21s pick him

They can't all be wrong.

When did they pick him? Wagner in particular?? There is a massive gulf between U21 football and first team football at any level - I know because I've watched lots of it. I think Siewart picks him because he is stuck with him - it can't be because of his ability - other than pace and even with that there was one occasion yesterday in a 1v1 out wide when he hardly left the defender for dead and then he spent the next 5 mins in recover mode - basically, he was blowing out of his arse!

right time, right division and more importantly the right team playing the right way with the right motivation???  who knows??

genuine real pace, properly used and motivated is always a big fear for the opposition.. at the very least they have to account for it and set up accordingly..

jones is still fairly sharp and got a few yards start on him and he still got close enough to cause the defender to put the ball out..football is a game where you do not have to win the race or even win the ball some of the time but you do have to chase it hard, or make a real attempt to win it.. the blowing out of his arse may just be indicative of a season where none of our lot has 'played' that much and the training may well have gone awry some time ago..it can be rectified..

[Porrohman]

May 6, 2019 16:17:07 GMT 1 Captainslapper said:

May 5, 2019 21:05:55 GMT 1 @nt said:

I disagree.

He doesn’t tackle very often and he’s not highly tactically aware, but that’s not his game.

We need to move away from the idea that all attacking players have to get stuck in and concentrate on the clean sheet. It’s plainly obvious what kind of player he is, and I for one can’t wait to see what he can do when he’s not up against established internationals every week, playing for a manager who trusts in his ability.

Clearly isn;t his game.
My worry is the defenders in the championship might not be internationals, but they generally know how to robustly defend and will spot a powderpuff like Mbenza in an instance as someone they can easily bully out of a game.
Not really about getting stuck in either. Someone like Giggs didn;t get stuck in, but he grafted very hard and was willing to take opponents on knowing hed get clattered.

On the MOTD highlights yesterday there was a moment in the 2nd half that summed him up for me. Lost the ball near the half way line with a stray pass, then as man utd broke away he put 0% effort to get back and atone for his error. None whatsoever.,barely started jogging,whilst his team mates sprinted back to defend and a few seconds later they had a great chance to score.
That really isn;t what you need in the championship! And the only passengers like that that a team can afford are ones who really produce at the right end to make up for it- something he doesn;t look like being able to do at all.

Id trust in his ability too if hed showed any.
One of those players who's probably brilliant in 5 a sides in training where there isn;t the physical edge of a competitive game. In a game he hides, he chickens out of any physicality, hes lazy and he offers almost nothing in an attacking sense.
If we're pinning our hopes on him, we;'re fucked IMO unless he improves massively.

But there have been occasions too, earlier this season, where he's bust a gut sprinting back when we've been caught on the break

[arry11]

I've said it before, but I just can't see that as a good combination, based on the range of attributes and weaknesses shown to date. Whether they are each good enough individually is another matter. One certainly looks like he will be, whilst the other two at least have decent pace, giving them a chance.[/quote]

It does not work for me either i can see another mobile striker playing more central and Grant playing down the side of him and Mbenza will fight with the others for a place imo.

[Captainslapper]

May 6, 2019 17:02:20 GMT 1 Porrohman said:

May 6, 2019 16:17:07 GMT 1 Captainslapper said:

Clearly isn;t his game.
My worry is the defenders in the championship might not be internationals, but they generally know how to robustly defend and will spot a powderpuff like Mbenza in an instance as someone they can easily bully out of a game.
Not really about getting stuck in either. Someone like Giggs didn;t get stuck in, but he grafted very hard and was willing to take opponents on knowing hed get clattered.

On the MOTD highlights yesterday there was a moment in the 2nd half that summed him up for me. Lost the ball near the half way line with a stray pass, then as man utd broke away he put 0% effort to get back and atone for his error. None whatsoever.,barely started jogging,whilst his team mates sprinted back to defend and a few seconds later they had a great chance to score.
That really isn;t what you need in the championship! And the only passengers like that that a team can afford are ones who really produce at the right end to make up for it- something he doesn;t look like being able to do at all.

Id trust in his ability too if hed showed any.
One of those players who's probably brilliant in 5 a sides in training where there isn;t the physical edge of a competitive game. In a game he hides, he chickens out of any physicality, hes lazy and he offers almost nothing in an attacking sense.
If we're pinning our hopes on him, we;'re fucked IMO unless he improves massively.

But there have been occasions too, earlier this season, where he's bust a gut sprinting back when we've been caught on the break

Has there?
Like you missing him bottling out of challenges several times yesterday, i must have missed them!

[yellowbelly]

May 6, 2019 16:42:08 GMT 1 htfcsince70 said:

May 6, 2019 16:12:46 GMT 1 terryya said:

Wagner picked him
Hudson/Whitehead picked him
Siewert picks him.
Belgium U21s pick him

They can't all be wrong.

When did they pick him? Wagner in particular?? There is a massive gulf between U21 football and first team football at any level - I know because I've watched lots of it. I think Siewart picks him because he is stuck with him - it can't be because of his ability - other than pace and even with that there was one occasion yesterday in a 1v1 out wide when he hardly left the defender for dead and then he spent the next 5 mins in recover mode - basically, he was blowing out of his arse!

You do realise he is not match fit ?

Calf injury being his most recent problem, no quick fix available.

[shawsie]

May 6, 2019 16:17:07 GMT 1 Captainslapper said:

May 5, 2019 21:05:55 GMT 1 @nt said:

I disagree.

He doesn’t tackle very often and he’s not highly tactically aware, but that’s not his game.

We need to move away from the idea that all attacking players have to get stuck in and concentrate on the clean sheet. It’s plainly obvious what kind of player he is, and I for one can’t wait to see what he can do when he’s not up against established internationals every week, playing for a manager who trusts in his ability.

Clearly isn;t his game.
My worry is the defenders in the championship might not be internationals, but they generally know how to robustly defend and will spot a powderpuff like Mbenza in an instance as someone they can easily bully out of a game.
Not really about getting stuck in either. Someone like Giggs didn;t get stuck in, but he grafted very hard and was willing to take opponents on knowing hed get clattered.

On the MOTD highlights yesterday there was a moment in the 2nd half that summed him up for me. Lost the ball near the half way line with a stray pass, then as man utd broke away he put 0% effort to get back and atone for his error. None whatsoever.,barely started jogging,whilst his team mates sprinted back to defend and a few seconds later they had a great chance to score.
That really isn;t what you need in the championship! And the only passengers like that that a team can afford are ones who really produce at the right end to make up for it- something he doesn;t look like being able to do at all.

Id trust in his ability too if hed showed any.
One of those players who's probably brilliant in 5 a sides in training where there isn;t the physical edge of a competitive game. In a game he hides, he chickens out of any physicality, hes lazy and he offers almost nothing in an attacking sense.
If we're pinning our hopes on him, we;'re fucked IMO unless he improves massively.

Absolutely spot on slapps.
His motm award yesterday was laughable.....but his contribution was more than in any other match this season and defensively he still offers zero.
I love the way some fans think he will tear apart gnarly old pros in the championship.......wet nights at stoke, hull, Brentford et al.
Has to improve hugely to justify 11m or so cost along with the other speedster who doesn't take the ball with him diakhaby!
Will be an interesting ride I think......hope I'm wrong but I don't see either in the team at Xmas.

[turbo2]

May 6, 2019 16:01:12 GMT 1 Christ in Shades (art) said:

May 6, 2019 15:29:33 GMT 1 Headless Chicken said:

I've said it before, but I just can't see that as a good combination, based on the range of attributes and weaknesses shown to date. Whether they are each good enough individually is another matter. One certainly looks like he will be, whilst the other two at least have decent pace, giving them a chance.

David Beresford had pace but he just got his head down and kept running towards the corner flag and either kept running out of touch or didn't know what to do with it when he stopped, sounds a bit like Mbenza, although Mbenza can cross but he doesn't do it frequently enough. No disrespect intended but how have we got lumbered with him?

As my old man used to say 'he'd end up in the town centre if the gates weren't locked'

His general play is absolutely awful. Lazy, half arsed. Pace to burn though

[htfcsince70]

May 6, 2019 19:30:07 GMT 1 yellowbelly said:

May 6, 2019 16:42:08 GMT 1 htfcsince70 said:

When did they pick him? Wagner in particular?? There is a massive gulf between U21 football and first team football at any level - I know because I've watched lots of it. I think Siewart picks him because he is stuck with him - it can't be because of his ability - other than pace and even with that there was one occasion yesterday in a 1v1 out wide when he hardly left the defender for dead and then he spent the next 5 mins in recover mode - basically, he was blowing out of his arse!

You do realise he is not match fit ?

Calf injury being his most recent problem, no quick fix available.

So back to my original point - when did they pick him? He was injured for some of the time and "not ready" prior to that for a lot of the time. A little bit like Diakahby - injured or not ready - so why sign them? I have yet to see either offer more than VLP. Been said many many times - poor recruitment - I would appreciate understanding how many times that they were watched in person rather than a watch and the rest on video clips. Football is about opinions and I am desperate for these two lads to do well because if they do the team does. There were times yesterday, I believe, when players looked up - saw Mbenza and took a different option. Great that he scored but Im not sure about him long term - I hope I am wrong, I really do. I think what frustrates me more is that having such money to spend is such a rarity for me as a supporter that to see it wasted on two players who have made no difference whatsoever is galling. Those who made the decision probably had the best intention - but they will move on and we are stuck with what I believe is their mistake.

[frankslegs]

He will never be the sort of intelligent all round player we need in the Championship.

[wigster]

May 6, 2019 16:42:08 GMT 1 htfcsince70 said:

May 6, 2019 16:12:46 GMT 1 terryya said:

Wagner picked him
Hudson/Whitehead picked him
Siewert picks him.
Belgium U21s pick him

They can't all be wrong.

When did they pick him? Wagner in particular?? There is a massive gulf between U21 football and first team football at any level - I know because I've watched lots of it. I think Siewart picks him because he is stuck with him - it can't be because of his ability - other than pace and even with that there was one occasion yesterday in a 1v1 out wide when he hardly left the defender for dead and then he spent the next 5 mins in recover mode - basically, he was blowing out of his arse!

I noticed that as well - in the second half. He was one on one (with Jones I think) and couldn't beat him for pace. He certainly looked as though he was recovering for the next few minutes as he hardly moved. Hopefully, he may turn out to be good, but for the supposed fee we're lumbered with paying for him, he's got to show a tremendous amount more, consistently, for the money.

[wigster]

May 6, 2019 16:57:02 GMT 1 galpharm2400 said:

May 6, 2019 16:42:08 GMT 1 htfcsince70 said:

When did they pick him? Wagner in particular?? There is a massive gulf between U21 football and first team football at any level - I know because I've watched lots of it. I think Siewart picks him because he is stuck with him - it can't be because of his ability - other than pace and even with that there was one occasion yesterday in a 1v1 out wide when he hardly left the defender for dead and then he spent the next 5 mins in recover mode - basically, he was blowing out of his arse!

right time, right division and more importantly the right team playing the right way with the right motivation???  who knows??

genuine real pace, properly used and motivated is always a big fear for the opposition.. at the very least they have to account for it and set up accordingly..

jones is still fairly sharp and got a few yards start on him and he still got close enough to cause the defender to put the ball out..football is a game where you do not have to win the race or even win the ball some of the time but you do have to chase it hard, or make a real attempt to win it.. the blowing out of his arse may just be indicative of a season where none of our lot has 'played' that much and the training may well have gone awry some time ago..it can be rectified..

Goodness me Galpharm - you're not asking much - right time, right division,right team, playing the right way,and right motivation !! You could add "the right opposition" and that couls apply to hundreds of Town players who never really made it, but didn't cost the multi-millions that he did.

[townrwe]

Looking forward to a front 3 of mBenza, Grant and Diakhaby next season.

They should absolutely tear the championship apart, just need to find some more ammo in midfield.

[arry11]

Okay Mbenza is ours for the future thats will not change for now,we need to focus on putting out an attacking force that will at least reach 60 goals +, Grant seems to already have his name on the starting line up the rest is up for grabs don't see much fire power in the rest of our squad as yet. For me we need to transform our front players and some better attacking players coming from midfield.

[Tinpot]

Either some people are seeing something in Mbenza that I've missed, or a lot of people are massively underestimating Championship defenders.

He might come good. He might have a revelation in the summer that makes him an absolute star next season. My gut feeling though is that we'll sell him in a year's time to a club on the continent for less than the loan fee we paid to have him this year... and we'll still think we got a good deal.

[Million Dollar Babies]

Could it be that wingers find it very difficult in the Premier League? Mbenza and Diakhaby are definitely not alone in being expensive signings that didn't have much impact

Ghezzal cost Leicester 13 million - done nothing
Jahanbaksh cost Brighton 17 million- done nothing
Izquierdo cost Brighton 14 million - done nothing
Elyounoussi cost Southampton 15 million- done nothing
Traore cost Wolves 18 million - done nothing

And then players like Ryan Fraser have taken a good 3 or 4 years to get up to the level required

It would be mental to write our two off on the back of such stop start injury hit seasons. I'll be the first to call for them to go if they've not improved at this point next year but I think they'll have had good seasons.

[melbourneterrier]

Has Mbenza actually confirmed? I can't see any announcement

[melbourneterrier]

Cancel my above comment, its on the examiner.

Just thought the club would make an official announcement

[htfcsince70]

May 6, 2019 23:10:01 GMT 1 Million Dollar Babies said:

Could it be that wingers find it very difficult in the Premier League? Mbenza and Diakhaby are definitely not alone in being expensive signings that didn't have much impact

Ghezzal cost Leicester 13 million - done nothing
Jahanbaksh cost Brighton 17 million- done nothing
Izquierdo cost Brighton 14 million - done nothing
Elyounoussi cost Southampton 15 million- done nothing
Traore cost Wolves 18 million - done nothing

And then players like Ryan Fraser have taken a good 3 or 4 years to get up to the level required

It would be mental to write our two off on the back of such stop start injury hit seasons. I'll be the first to call for them to go if they've not improved at this point next year but I think they'll have had good seasons.

A very good point Kongolo and you are spot on with your assessments. I watched Traore several times last season and thought that he would hit the ground running in PL - I was disappointed that we didn't sign him. Fingers crossed that they both have the season that we hope for in the future.

[galpharm2400]

May 6, 2019 20:59:53 GMT 1 wigster said:

May 6, 2019 16:57:02 GMT 1 galpharm2400 said:

right time, right division and more importantly the right team playing the right way with the right motivation???  who knows??

genuine real pace, properly used and motivated is always a big fear for the opposition.. at the very least they have to account for it and set up accordingly..

jones is still fairly sharp and got a few yards start on him and he still got close enough to cause the defender to put the ball out..football is a game where you do not have to win the race or even win the ball some of the time but you do have to chase it hard, or make a real attempt to win it.. the blowing out of his arse may just be indicative of a season where none of our lot has 'played' that much and the training may well have gone awry some time ago..it can be rectified..

Goodness me Galpharm - you're not asking much - right time, right division,right team, playing the right way,and right motivation !! You could add "the right opposition" and that couls apply to hundreds of Town players who never really made it, but didn't cost the multi-millions that he did.

nah, just the things that got us up, got the blades up, made Pukhi the top scorer etc..  you know, footballing things rather than this emphasis on money..

he cost a lot, he has so far been wasted, carry on wasting him is not an option..  He can either do it or not but this season is no marker for him..

Difficult to look at this season having never in 50 odd years having seen a town team throw the towel in so early and then reading fucking daft comments about a new manager when it was blatantly obvious a number of the players no longer gave a shit.. We may or may not be able to move on unwanted players, given his price tag whatever we think of him he is very likely to be here next season and to carry on giving him grief after such a fucking awful season for every player/fanis unfair and counter productive in the extreme..  Billing and others may not be worth anything like we  hoped they would but they didnt cost us much..

The 'right opposition' is moot because its the championship and there will not be an easy game..

[detox]

mbenza was on loan, but agreed to sign for us now...(am I late with this...)