Well certainly ‘cheaper’…not necessarily of ‘more value’, AF. We have three injured strikers, two in all probability, long term so they’re of very limited value. See the DT is now suggesting our attention has shifted from Wednesday’s Smith towards Lee Gregory. Not sure what to make of that.
2 days to find out I guess. We were always at risk of injuries damaging our season with such a thin squad, I'd like us to get a couple in to hopefully negate that, but we'll see!
I've a feeling that we'll continue "by hook or crook", we've done amazing so far like that, whether we can get over the line or not is another question.
Saturday: 1-0 to the Rams, a steal against the run of play.
‘Thin squad’? I think that’s the question, RS. Superficially, or on paper at least, we have a stronger squad - or certainly one with more cover - than last season, but the additions either don’t appear to be trusted, eg. Bradley and Fornah, or are injury prone - Waghorn, JJ, Washington, Ward and Elder.
Would Lee Gregory be another example of the same mistake being made again? Last time we had him he looked promising but broke down after ten or eleven games never to reappear. Tbf, since his move to Wednesday, he’s made well over seventy L1 appearances and appeared to do well at our current level. At 35 it’s a risk that he’ll just become another addition to our list of older and injury prone strikers, but we certainly need someone between now and May to support/relieve Collins. LG should be ‘hungry’ and have a point to prove after having so few opportunities in the Championship…maybe worth a risk for the remainder of this season.
Not for me, but beggars can't be choosers. I'd sooner blood some of our youngsters rather than having a team full of older strikers. Build for the future, don't look for short term fixes.
Yep…seemed strange to ship Dajuane Brown out to Gateshead given our circumstances.
Good to see you back, MA.
Perhaps Warne fears a repeat of last seasons 'failure' which is perhaps understandable bearing in mind many fans remain unconvinced about him! He is stuck between a rock and hard place, blood youngsters and miss the play offs or go for tried and tested with the risk of more sick notes and miss the play offs!! Miss the play offs either way and we know who gets the blame.
Back to the thread title I reckon this ain't no walkover. Play the rubbish we have recently and a 2-1 defeat looms, get our mojo back and 3 pts will follow.
One assumes (and for the avoidance of doubt I am not having a "go") that these youngsters are monitored in training and u23 games, indeed some have played in what was the papa johns trophy, not sure if any strikers were though and have been judged by the coaching team not to be good enough?
I'd rather see a loan in of a good young striker, from a champ or prem club, but again the issue of how they would fare in the brutal game that is L1?
I fear we may do the derby way and kick start Charlton's season by losing unfortunately.