Who should we sign?

[Guitar Ray]

1 hour ago, jjvale_03 said:

Yeah, but you'd have to be pretty stupid not to be able to put 2+2 together and realise he was talking about a number of players that included the Whitfield and Hannant.

I must be pretty stupid then.

Ive seen no hard evidence.  You clearly have all the facts at your disposal👍

Askey alluded to players, but not how many. Could’ve been 2, could’ve been 6 for all we know.

Let’s not forget Miller came to a settlement on his contract, whilst Whitfield was told he could leave. There’s a big difference.

I should point out that I’m merely playing devils advocate here.  I trust the manager to do what’s right. If he doesn’t fancy Whitfield, fine by me.

[werstayinup]

15 hours ago, Erniemossrules said:

The problem is the truth hurts.

Instead of moaning why don’t you come up with some constructive arguments .

Not everybody thinks everything is rosy in the garden and things are an improvement.

Obviously  the Shanahans have paid over the odds for the club and Askey is not being very clever with his signings with the budget he has been given.

I must admit Bennett,Amoo and Cullen are better than we had last season but the rest are no better than what we had last year.

The problem is a few injuries and we will badly weaken the team and really haven’t got any game changers to bring on when we are losing.

If you think Askey is The Messiah so be it everyone has a cross to bear.

Accept that some people don’t agree.

Ok Ernie,i will play the game.you say Askey hasn't been clever with the budget,now assuming you know the exact budget other than Bennett,Amoo and Cullen who would you have brought in again assuming you know the wages of the players you would like want

[Guitar Ray]

1 hour ago, Iron Curtain said:

I think the issue with Whitfield is that he doesn’t fit into Askeys system... he is a flare player who can produce a moment of magic... the problem is if that’s your game you need to do that more frequently than Ben does.

Askey wants players to work hard, cover a lot of ground and play within the team guidelines.

The best example was at Kidsgrove... every time any wife player broke down the wing, they either cut in and payed the ball off, or hit the byline and looked to pull the ball across... except Ben... Ben tried an audacious shot that sailed 10 ft over the bar.

Im not saying that’s a bad thing, as some of them will come off... but my guess is Askey thinks he will get more goals from plan a than speculative “worldies”.

Then you need to add on top the point that Ben doesn’t have the engine to cover all his defensive and pressing duties.

he may well go somewhere and be a huge success if they play a system that allows a flare player to do nothing but try and beat the world... a lot of teams have them... Askeys system doesn’t suit one, so what’s the point in us paying his wages when it works for everyone to move him on and find someone who does what’s required.

 

A balanced opinion.

I threw the subject out there for discussion but personally have no problem if Whitfield stays or goes.  The manger gets paid to decide.

Numerous people seem to be jumping on the anti-Whitfield bandwagon so it’s interesting to see why.   Interesting that he’s been written off as even a squad player by many.  Several posters have preferred Hurst, who we know nothing about.

Moving on, Im not one to hark back to the past but how about this, Luke Hannant would’ve fitted Askeys “high tempo pressing” style of play perfectly.  Feel free to discuss, or not 👍

[Iron Curtain]

19 minutes ago, Guitar Ray said:

A balanced opinion.

I threw the subject out there for discussion but personally have no problem if Whitfield stays or goes.  The manger gets paid to decide.

Numerous people seem to be jumping on the anti-Whitfield bandwagon so it’s interesting to see why.   Interesting that he’s been written off as even a squad player by many.  Several posters have preferred Hurst, who we know nothing about.

Moving on, Im not one to hark back to the past but how about this, Luke Hannant would’ve fitted Askeys “high tempo pressing” style of play perfectly.  Feel free to discuss, or not 👍

Hannant for me has two issues... 

1. His end product left a lot to be desired. Evidenced by the fact he delivered the 2nd  highest number of crosses last year in league 2... when you are aiming for Popey, that says more about your crossing ability than Popes ability to finish with his bonce.

The stats speak for themselves... in 63 appearances Hannant made 6 assists. Roughly one every 10 games.

So high energy yes, technical ability looked to be lacking... something that Askey will be trying to balance.

2. He is rumoured to be one of the naughty boys. It’s ALLEGED he crashed his car with a number of ladies in it after a late night. 

I have no idea if this is true or not but if it is, would indicate why Askey wasn’t willing to help him work on point number 1.

 

[Burslem Academicals]

Good point about Hannant as a good fit for Askey's "high tempo pressing" style of play but that is out of possession and in terms of keeping the ball moving and following instructions to the letter it seems that Askey thought Lloyd a better player in terms of football intelligence and skill set....then again Whitfield has the skill set and talent but perhaps not the required discipline for a "high tempo pressing" style of play.

Thinking that Madison as back up keeper and Browne the extra winger look likely signings at this point and left side utility Hurst but Whitfield is something of an enigma to be sure a very talented young player and you would think there is something there that Askey could work with in terms of development and at very least Browne and Whitfield offer quality back cover for Amoo and Worral with Montano having an iffy injury record and both could be usefull late on subs off the bench as on form both can be a game changer....perhaps Askey has a replacement lined up and the lack of pre-season game time and being absent from the training camp in Scotland seems a clear sign that Askey wants Whitfield gone or could Whitfield just be injured maybe. 

 

 

[JRC]

1 hour ago, PV1973 said:

Exactly which makes a mockery of Askeys comments about the transfer listed players getting a chance, because clearly Whitfield isn’t going to get a look in. 

He did play him early doors. For whatever reason he seems to have moved significantly backwards in the pecking order since. Can't play in the system Askey wants? Won't play in the system? Lack of stamina? Injury that hasn't been publicised? Indiscretion? Askey thinks he has better?

[JRC]

21 minutes ago, Iron Curtain said:

Hannant for me has two issues... 

1. His end product left a lot to be desired. Evidenced by the fact he delivered the 2nd  highest number of crosses last year in league 2... when you are aiming for Popey, that says more about your crossing ability than Popes ability to finish with his bonce.

The stats speak for themselves... in 63 appearances Hannant made 6 assists. Roughly one every 10 games.

So high energy yes, technical ability looked to be lacking... something that Askey will be trying to balance.

2. He is rumoured to be one of the naughty boys. It’s ALLEGED he crashed his car with a number of ladies in it after a late night. 

I have no idea if this is true or not but if it is, would indicate why Askey wasn’t willing to help him work on point number 1.

 

I think Hannatt was a tad unlucky to be let go on playing ability. At a push he may end up bottom end league one. I suspect he was a bit of a party boy and Askey didn't feel he would buy into what he wanted. Fair enough decision on balance.

[Mario]

Some good sensible debate going on at last, on our current squad and circumstances.

[Walka003]

I think what also works against Whitfield in comparison to Rawlinson (who appears to have been on the Scotland trip) is wages and the amount of cover in his position.

 

I don't know so may be entirely wrong. But I would imagine Whitfield is one of the high earners at the club, where as Rawlinson I can't see being on as much.

 

Also, Whitfield is now currently behind Amoo, Worrall, Montano, Lloyd and maybe Browne in JA's winger plans. This makes his position untenable if, as said, he's taking home a decent wedge.

 

Rawlinson on the other hand is probably behind Legge and Smith, while the jury is out on Kennedy untill he has played league football. Therefore he is likely to be a lot more useful in the squad if he stays.

 

 

I struggle to believe Rawlinson was one of the trouble makers. I don't recall reading anything from his time at TNS that suggested he was a bad apple (wasn't he captain?) I think he could come good, maybe he just lost his way a little last year.

 

 

 

[valefan16]

Never really felt Rawlinson let us down to be honest, he was a mainstay in the first half of the season where we were comfortably clear of relegation worries, bar the Lincoln game we had a steady enough start until December when the wheels fell off!

[PV1993]

27 minutes ago, valefan16 said:

Never really felt Rawlinson let us down to be honest, he was a mainstay in the first half of the season where we were comfortably clear of relegation worries, bar the Lincoln game we had a steady enough start until December when the wheels fell off!

Rawlinson's reputation was damaged by his move to full back. More than capable centre half for me, so I feel sorry for him.

The trouble is neither him, Smith nor Legge are particularly good with the ball at their feet. Kennedy has been brought in for that reason.

As for Whitfield, agree that wages probably have a lot to do with it. No one has said though that he has been left behind intentionally - perhaps he has a trial somewhere? If he was injured he'd still be there for team bondng, as Browne appears to be.

[Emile]

I think some fans are hoping we loose Whitfield and bring in Durrell. If that was the swap I'd love it to happen but looks unlikely. 

 

I think Miller did something that it was better for both parties he walked before getting sacked. I don't think his situation is comparable at all to Ben's who I think is unlucky not be quite right for this team. 

[Inny]

Personally I think Whitfield has sufficient skill to be a fantastic player in the right team and with the right manager to bring him on. I know JA has his own way of playing and if Ben doesn't fit into that way then I understand his reasons for letting him go. Personally I felt we tended, on balance, to look more dangerous when he played. There is probably a stat out there to disprove that.

What I do find strange is the criticism of Ben's attitude. Have I missed something or are we just assuming he has a bad attitude as he struggles to make an impact in some game or have things gone on behind the scenes that show his attitude is poor?

A balanced opinion.
I threw the subject out there for discussion but personally have no problem if Whitfield stays or goes.  The manger gets paid to decide.
Numerous people seem to be jumping on the anti-Whitfield bandwagon so it’s interesting to see why.   Interesting that he’s been written off as even a squad player by many.  Several posters have preferred Hurst, who we know nothing about.
Moving on, Im not one to hark back to the past but how about this, Luke Hannant would’ve fitted Askeys “high tempo pressing” style of play perfectly.  Feel free to discuss, or not 

[SFBT]

4 minutes ago, Inny said:

Personally I think Whitfield has sufficient skill to be a fantastic player in the right team and with the right manager to bring him on. I know JA has his own way of playing and if Ben doesn't fit into that way then I understand his reasons for letting him go. Personally I felt we tended, on balance, to look more dangerous when he played. There is probably a stat out there to disprove that.

What I do find strange is the criticism of Ben's attitude. Have I missed something or are we just assuming he has a bad attitude as he struggles to make an impact in some game or have things gone on behind the scenes that show his attitude is poor?

I agree with all the above.

 

[ginge]

I've got a feeling Conlon is going to have a good season. Similarly to Worrall he played much better after Askey's appointment and fitted in with the 4-3-3 system scoring a couple of good goals in the process. He particularly stood out against MK Dons away. Hes also still young.