Tom Pope... Bury FC forum

[Fosse69]

Same is true of Glen Murray for Brighton. He's 35 now and over the last three years he's scored over 50 goals, playing very much in the channels and nowt else. Play Pope in the same way and that would be a good return over the next three seasons.

 

With a reputation a striker cannot be left alone just because he has slowed down, his mind, control and goal touch are still there.

[jjvale_03]

Tom certainly looks a different animal after being dropped and having to fight to regain his place in the team.

 

His cameos against Crewe and Northampton were exactly what I was advocating when asking for him to be dropped or used more effectively. The return to Popeball for the Macc game was a stark reminder of how easily we can fall back into the trap of starting him every week and losing his impact.

 

Even though he is contracted it looks like Miller may be on the move this summer. One of the most crucial signings of pre season will be someone to challenge Popey for his position as lead striker, or someone who can play alongside him. I fear for us if the backup for Pope is Angus and Turner. Hopefully Synectics have learnt from NS that you have to pay a premium for centre forwards, they demand a higher wage than a left back.

[Heatwave]

With a reputation a striker cannot be left alone just because he has slowed down, his mind, control and goal touch are still there.

 

Remembering Jimmy Greenhoff's time at VP; you could tell he'd lost pace but he more than made up for it in skill.

 

Speed is transitory, class is permanent.

[Paul6754]

Tome Pope makes up for lack of pace with good and canny positional sense. Neat finish vs Bury.

 

Would love to see a Leitch-Smith or Tony Nayor type player bought in to play along side Popey, thought Ricky Miller was the answer but for whatever reasons it didn't work out.

[TheSage]

A younger version of Pope learning his trade and sharing the load would be great but costly.

A bit like Hugill.

I agree with you about a quick, nippy poacher in the mould of a Naylor or a McPhee. But again they don't come cheap unless Askey has a non league lad with potential in mind.

 

We all agree I think on the fact that we can't go into the third season on the trot almost solely relying on an older Pope to score the goals to keep us going. He needs help.