Tom Pope

[bycars bootboy]

I thought first half pope and turner looked OK considering the quality of balls into them,but if one of them should have stayed on for 90 minutes it should have been turner not Pope,another thing the manager sees differently than most .

 

But most people with a footballing brain could see Turner had run himself into the ground and was knackered,but there was no natural replacement for him in that role, which meant we were again practically one up front for the umpteenth time.

[Santa]

In the aftermath of the goal Pope was going mental at someone/anyone/everyone. Perhaps it was Roos. I thought it was going to end up like the Cheltenham game where he nearly lamped Chris Neal.

[elav trop 1876]

But most people with a footballing brain could see Turner had run himself into the ground and was knackered,but there was no natural replacement for him in that role, which meant we were again practically one up front for the umpteenth time.

 

Bang on,

don't know why people couldn't see this turner was literally struggling to put one foot in front of another same as denton- once these were subbed pope was on his own again without support-does show if a young lad was knackered in supporting pope the reason pope gets knackered playing there on his own

 

like u say the failure to not have a striker on the bench when you need to win a game was bloody crazy, I said entereing last qtr of game we should have gone 3 up top as our midfield was shot

[valiant steve]

Pope set Turner up yesterday with three excellent chances. He is one of the best footballers in the club and will hopefully form a great partnership with Turner. Goals will come when wingers and full backs start whipping decent crosses in. Turner had opportunities yesterday on at least two occasions to set Pope up but made poor decisions each time.

[Rampant Zebra]

Did we have a midfield?

[PVTony]

Feed the Pope and he will score.

Problem has been that the quality and quantity of feeding has been severly lacking due to incapable feeders, wrong tactics and playing formations.

[Bald Eagle]

In the aftermath of the goal Pope was going mental at someone/anyone/everyone. Perhaps it was Roos. I thought it was going to end up like the Cheltenham game where he nearly lamped Chris Neal.

 

It's called deflecting the blame because it was his man he let go at a set play.

[Bald Eagle]

Feed the Pope and he will score.

Problem has been that the quality and quantity of feeding has been severly lacking due to incapable feeders, wrong tactics and playing formations.

 

He looks like he is feeding well. Clearly had very poor service for 3 1/2 years judging by his goal return. 2 goals in the calender year speaks volumes - unless of course you give him every excuse that it is somebody else's fault!

[brookersleftboot]

Tom worked his knackeres off yesterday & got scant reward. He continually was talking to Turner, pulling him into position & generally helping to develop Turner who i personally consider to be our best striking option.

 

Popey also seemed to be in some sort of running battle with Brown who was constantly it seemed having a go.

Tom Pope is not going to be creating his own chances, but if we ever get wingers who can cross the ball into the box, popey will put them away as will Turner.

[jeffers]

Despite signing / borrowing a multitude of wide men, we don't have anyone capable of getting to the bye line and whipping in a cross. There is no real outlet when we win the ball other than hoofing it upfield. Try watching a few Guppy, Ainsworth, McCarthy videos and they may learn something.

[philpvfc]

Anyone who thinks Pope was going to come back and be the same player he was when we got promoted are puddled, he is 32 and even slower than he was back then. I believe Pope was a good signing but needs to be played alongside a nippy striker and be used as the feeder, Pope is still very good in the air and good at holding the ball up,use him for his strengths and he will be a very good asset,if you play him up front on his own he will become isolated and will easily be marked out of the game. If there has to be 1 up front they will have to have pace and be willing to put in a full shift.

[darren1810]

Pope should never of come back. The guy has spent the last 2 years slagging the club off in his Sentinel column. His buddy Yates rightly lost the number 2 shirt and he was apopleptic.

Elav trop is a friend of mine on this occasion mate we will have to disagree. What I saw yesterday ( very close up at Bycars end ) was a sad parody of what he used to be. Constantly making embarrassing rolls and dives to get non existent free kicks or penalties.

He did one great piece of skill by the Lorne street but had nobody as an option.

When he falls he goes down in stages theatrically that it was cringe worthy to watch.

Great shame as the bloke is a legend.

He is not the worst nor is he the only scapegoat, Wilson was number one for the boo boys.

However none of the others came here with such a fanfare and fan joy.

There is no suggestion whatsoever that he is giving his all....he just isn't any good any more.

Sad to see

[Worcs White]

Tom did ok yesterday. Setup a couple of chances including the goal. Worked hard too. At this point he's not the player he was, but is far from the main problem with this team/squad. With such a weak and ineffective midfield any striker will struggle to score until those problems are resolved.

[SFBT]

Feed the Pope and he will score.

Problem has been that the quality and quantity of feeding has been severly lacking due to incapable feeders, wrong tactics and playing formations.

 

Agree. Pope has the same qualities that he had and even more experience.

He never was fast!

His hold up play and ability to battle with, usually two, centre halves is exemplary.

Service has been dire.

The goal we conceded was criminal though.

I seem to remember Tom had a habit of losing his man when defending in his previous Vale tenure.

Verdict; play to his strengths and he will deliver.

[SFBT]

Feed the Pope and he will score.

Problem has been that the quality and quantity of feeding has been severly lacking due to incapable feeders, wrong tactics and playing formations.

 

Agree. Pope has the same qualities that he had and even more experience.

He never was fast!

His hold up play and ability to battle with, usually two, centre halves is exemplary.

Service has been dire.

The goal we conceded was criminal though.

I seem to remember Tom had a habit of losing his man when defending in his previous Vale tenure.

Verdict; play to his strengths and he will deliver.