some of steve's signings

[swaledale]

Let's just set some context here:

We're 3 points off the top having had a 12 match unbeaten streak without playing at our peak, with a Premiership-class member of the team out through injury.

Not all signings even for top Prem managers work out.

We cannot deny the links that McClaren has in getting very good loan signings; only one so far has been an utter flop (Best).

His perm signings (Thorne, Christie, Dawkins, Roos, Whitbread, Naylor ) put the McClaren acquistions in credit in my book.

Let's not allow set-backs to start colouring our judgements.

I think you ahve hit the nail on the head, Whitbread is cover and useful cover at that, Ibe adds depth, Wisdom and Bamford (for all he is slated his 7 goals last season won us valuable points). Omar Mascarell has undoubted ability, Steve has been trying to give him a run of games and rest Eustace. I won't judge Best yet ( he is injured at ther moment) for me he needs a run

[steviejay]

[quote="tomsdubs"]We spend too much time passing the ball around the back and then back to the goalkeeper. No shots equals no goals.. You don't score from the back.. When we do move forward we have 20 passes before we reach the final 3rd and the law of averages states the more you pass, the more chance you will lose the ball

We should build from the back with quicker moves of around 10 or so passes to get the ball into the opponents box and at least it would improve the efforts on goal. 3 or 4 shots in 10 mins is better than 1 shot or no shots because we've spent too much time playing triangle passes near the back

Last year we were positive. Teams have seen our negativity and we try to pass our way into the goal with no plan B. Ibe has plan B by going on a run and cutting out some of the pass backs and 20 passes but he too often runs into a blind alley

I think if we are more positive, try 10 passes into the b

[Rapid]

We spend too much time passing the ball around the back and then back to the goalkeeper. No shots equals no goals..

and yet we're the 3rd highest scorers in the league

you don't know better than mac my friend and neither do I. we just need to stick with what got us to 3rd in the table, the play off final and what's got us top of the league a few days ago.

as for your OP, there's not enough time passed to make such judgements.

Whitbread - questionable whether this owe is down to mac but he was only ever signed as a squad player and he certainly isn't a bad one

Ibe - started like a train on fire and has gone off the ball. he's only played a handful of games and can't be judged. he's still learning the game

butland - really? knocking this signing before he's really had a shot to save? did you see the blackpool game? yes he needs to work on his distribution but he's only here to cover for grant.

calero - even worse! we sign

[steviejay]

We spend too much time passing the ball around the back and then back to the goalkeeper. No shots equals no goals..

and yet we're the 3rd highest scorers in the league

you don't know better than mac my friend and neither do I. we just need to stick with what got us to 3rd in the table, the play off final and what's got us top of the league a few days ago.

as for your OP, there's not enough time passed to make such judgements.

Whitbread - questionable whether this owe is down to mac but he was only ever signed as a squad player and he certainly isn't a bad one

Ibe - started like a train on fire and has gone off the ball. he's only played a handful of games and can't be judged. he's still learning the game

butland - really? knocking this signing before he's really had a shot to save? did you see the blackpool game? yes he needs to work on his distribution but he's only here to cov

[swaledale]

I don't think we can lay the door at Steve's signings, the team currently finds it hard to be consistent, take two or three players out of the equation, and thats bound to have an effect, I'm happy that we have a squad that is able to cope with injuries.

look at the money spent by the Trees yet at the moment miss two or three players and their in free fall.