The Sea-gull
30-08-2013, 09:43 AM
Seems that this is what the manager and the fans all feel we need. How many players do we need though?
As things stand our striker pool is Collins, Vine, Caldwell and Handling. In terms of numbers 4 is probably fine. In terms of balance it is ok too. Collins and Caldwell are out and out no 9s and Handling and Vine (despite him being the one who actually wears 9) are a wee bit more versatile and can play as wide forwards or second strikers/false 9s or whatever you wnat to call it. Vine is doing a great job as a very false no 9 just now.
In terms of quality, jury is out on all of them. Collins, granted he has had a lack of service, has done little to suggest he is 200k well spent and 4 games in a goalscorer like him would have looked to have a couple. Early days yet though and real judgement should take place after half a season or so. Other strikers have taken time to settle and then come good and he might be one of these strikers who goes a few games without a goal then rattles them in over a burst of games.
Vine, still not sure about him. Maybe we need to set up a bit differently to get the best out of him. Feel he might be a good signing as a squad player but not sure he is what we are looking for in terms of first XI quality.
Caldwell - I like what I have seen of this guy and can't understand why he hasn't been given a chance, esp when we are not scoring and he looks like a goal scorer. Pat obviously sees them training and may know different but I don't see why he isn't worth more game time. One of Pat's managerial flaws for me is that he can be a wee bit shy with the younger players. I know they need gradually blooded but I feel he held off with Harris and is now doing the same with Caldwell.
Handling - not sure about him and I don't think Pat is either. Could it be that, based on recent line ups, the manager sees him as a wide player.
This being the case, could we try and "train" Handling to be a wide player and maybe use what is left of the budget to sign a pacy, creative, attacker with a wee eye for goal who might help Collins settle a bit more and help get the best out of him rather than signing an out and out winger.
As things stand our striker pool is Collins, Vine, Caldwell and Handling. In terms of numbers 4 is probably fine. In terms of balance it is ok too. Collins and Caldwell are out and out no 9s and Handling and Vine (despite him being the one who actually wears 9) are a wee bit more versatile and can play as wide forwards or second strikers/false 9s or whatever you wnat to call it. Vine is doing a great job as a very false no 9 just now.
In terms of quality, jury is out on all of them. Collins, granted he has had a lack of service, has done little to suggest he is 200k well spent and 4 games in a goalscorer like him would have looked to have a couple. Early days yet though and real judgement should take place after half a season or so. Other strikers have taken time to settle and then come good and he might be one of these strikers who goes a few games without a goal then rattles them in over a burst of games.
Vine, still not sure about him. Maybe we need to set up a bit differently to get the best out of him. Feel he might be a good signing as a squad player but not sure he is what we are looking for in terms of first XI quality.
Caldwell - I like what I have seen of this guy and can't understand why he hasn't been given a chance, esp when we are not scoring and he looks like a goal scorer. Pat obviously sees them training and may know different but I don't see why he isn't worth more game time. One of Pat's managerial flaws for me is that he can be a wee bit shy with the younger players. I know they need gradually blooded but I feel he held off with Harris and is now doing the same with Caldwell.
Handling - not sure about him and I don't think Pat is either. Could it be that, based on recent line ups, the manager sees him as a wide player.
This being the case, could we try and "train" Handling to be a wide player and maybe use what is left of the budget to sign a pacy, creative, attacker with a wee eye for goal who might help Collins settle a bit more and help get the best out of him rather than signing an out and out winger.