Tom Pope

[Guest Vale at home]

Well said .from man in the pub . 

[For Us All]

7 hours ago, rob1983 said:

Way past his best. Need get rid must be on a fair wedge. Offers nothing to the side nowadays, especially with how John wants to set up the team. He will always be a club legend though.

He's getting a little older sure but I'd still back him to become our top goalscorer from what I've seen so far.

[Bald Eagle]

5 hours ago, For Us All said:

He's getting a little older sure but I'd still back him to become our top goalscorer from what I've seen so far.

I wouldn’t bet too much

[RailwayRowdy]

I hear what both sides of the discussion say, ie his hold up play is good, or he has no pace etc etc. 

But very few people actually acknowledge that he is by far the best finisher we have had for quite a while. 

If he finds himself with a chance in the box, he invariably finishes it with either his head or foot. He's not just a heading machine. 

Sometimes there is too much talk from the inteligente about his attributes, or indeed lack of. 

Pope is a goalscorer. Realise that, as Adams did, and then you get the best out of him. 

 

 

[Rampant Zebra]

There are two aspects to a players game, ability on the ball is important but you would expect most players at the level we are at to have that considering they have probably been doing it most of their lives. The most important aspect is the ability to play with the right intensity, look at Erikson at Tottenham, when he first started at Tottenham people asked what he did for the team but as England found out the other night, he is quite a good player. You can see that he really means it and makes a great deal of effort. I am not saying Tom is anything like him but you can see that when Tom runs at opposition players on the pitch when they have the ball they are intimidated by his presence which makes them make mistakes. Players at our level need that side of the game to do well. Tom Conlon is another player with the same intensity of play.

[mbycars]

21 hours ago, rob1983 said:

Way past his best. Need get rid must be on a fair wedge. Offers nothing to the side nowadays, especially with how John wants to set up the team. He will always be a club legend though.

You do realise if we did get rid ( your opinion ) we would still have to pay his fair wedge !

[PV1973]

Just a general observation but it seems to me that local lads who play for us generate nowhere the same amount of praise, excitement or respect (if that’s the right word to use) amongst fans that players do who are brought in from other clubs. It’s like they’re taken for granted somewhat. 

[valiant_593]

For me he’s been a great servant over the years. I wouldn’t be starting him but as an impact sub he could be really useful. I can understand why people aren’t exacrlyna fan given constant off the field antics

[SFBT]

1 hour ago, PV1973 said:

Just a general observation but it seems to me that local lads who play for us generate nowhere the same amount of praise, excitement or respect (if that’s the right word to use) amongst fans that players do who are brought in from other clubs. It’s like they’re taken for granted somewhat. 

Yes, and yet he is discussed on here over and over again, so is clearly of interest to the fan base.

[PV1973]

17 minutes ago, SFBT said:

Yes, and yet he is discussed on here over and over again, so is clearly of interest to the fan base.

I find the negativity towards him as a player quite staggering at times. A striker respected and maybe even feared by other clubs, but not appreciated at his own. Same goes for other homegrown lads too. 

[glenpvfc]

3 hours ago, PV1973 said:

Just a general observation but it seems to me that local lads who play for us generate nowhere the same amount of praise, excitement or respect (if that’s the right word to use) amongst fans that players do who are brought in from other clubs. It’s like they’re taken for granted somewhat. 

I'd disagree with that. I think every man and his dog except for VFIA and 007 has Gibbons and Smith in their starting 11, and that's only because one has doubts because they are stoke fans and the other has fullbacks he wants to advertise.

As for Pope, he's not the player we used to have. Still a good option with plenty to offer, I don't want him to leave yet but we definitely need to prepare for life without him, hopefully Rodney down the centre may be that player. Obviously moments like the Man city goal spring to mind but I still maintain the opinion that I was more entertained by the football when Bennett was playing last season than Pope overall.

[rob1983]

Not if he gets a move...

[rob1983]

You do realise if we did get rid ( your opinion ) we would still have to pay his fair wedge !

Not if he gets a move..

[jockyboy]

Not if he gets a move..

If

[Jacko51]

6 hours ago, PV1973 said:

Just a general observation but it seems to me that local lads who play for us generate nowhere the same amount of praise, excitement or respect (if that’s the right word to use) amongst fans that players do who are brought in from other clubs. It’s like they’re taken for granted somewhat. 

"A prophet is without honour in his own land" to misquote JC!!