cambsno
Youth team star
Posts: 1,183
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Post by cambsno on Sept 17, 2024 13:34:48 GMT
Which ever way you look at it the recruitment for this season looks a total disaster. Whether that’s bad planning, bad luck, lazy scouting or just plain poor decisions (Probably a bit of everything) Reyes- Replacing Mannion with an inexperienced 20 year old was a risk and so far it’s looking like a bad decision. Watts- Missed the Portugal trip and has since been unavailable more than available. C O’R At least he’s fit - but he looks like he’s operating at least one division above his natural level. Richards- The worst of the lot, doubt we will see him in a Cambridge shirt again. Smith- Looked like the real deal in his early appearances but has not hit those heights since. Is a player in there but we need to see it more consistently. Gardner- Still waiting for him to make an appearance… 2 year contract at his age.. Would he be doing more to get himself fit if his contract was up in June… Loft- surprisingly long contract and we are yet to see if he’s worth it. His career so far would suggest we’ve taken a massive gamble on him. Lavery- Head and shoulders above the others signed, but the failure to add another striker meant we were always going to be screwed if he got injured. Gibbons- Fine as back up but not ideally suited to the way we’re currently trying to play. Nlundulu- Not the number 9 any of us was hoping for, limited time on the pitch, so harsh to judge.. but done himself no favours on Saturday. Contract extensions for KaiKai and Kachunga are also looking like poor decisions, as is the one for Rossi. We’ve also got McConnell on a 3 year contract and even when available he wasn’t deemed selectable for whatever reason. While Barton has been a revelation this season it’s concerning that he was only given 1 year and that’s not yet been extended. Bennett also looks set to run his contract down. When a team is struggling there is always a combination of reasons. We (Monk/Strang) are getting more decisions wrong than right at the moment. Is time for some of the players to come good and justify the decisions taken. But right now I think it’s perfectly understandable that people are questioning the decision making amongst other things. You cannot say disaster after 5 games, especially when we had been unlucky in a few and our xG should have us on around 6 points Reyes - Mannion had an offer to go to one of the favourites for the league and loads more money. There is a good keeper in Stevens, look at first 15 or so games last year. Reyes has potential. Could have gone the other way like that WH(?) keeper to Pompey the other year Watts - on paper a good signing CoR - looked good a lot of the time, rated bit has made mistakes GG - good signing on paper Loft - Monk must see something in him, played 40 games a season last 2 years so normally fit Nlundulu - Can't base him on a sub appearance. Even players Henry got off to slow starts and missed sitters. Look at Kane when he was on loan! KaiKai and Katch - yes, would not have given a new deal Rossi - Like him and wanted to see him given a chance - had Morro and RB ahead of him last year People moan that we buy old players and have players on short deals so lose them and also moan when players are given long deals or are young!
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danboyb
Youth team regular
Posts: 704
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Post by danboyb on Sept 17, 2024 13:38:15 GMT
I'm not sure how anyone can be so certain about Richards given the literal handful of minutes that he has had on the pitch? And the suggestion that Gardiner isn't working hard to get himself fit because he has a two year contract is just laughably ignorant, sorry if that sounds rude... The fact he hasn’t had time on the pitch is the point I’m making.. He was signed with huge question marks on him and the fact he’s barely played and won’t play for weeks/months would suggest signing him was a gamble (Monks words) that has failed. As for Gardner, it’s claimed he came here lacking in fitness, here we are in the middle of September and he’s still yet to make an appearance… and I’m sure is 2 weeks away.. still. Maybe he’s busting a gut to get fit and show his worth, let’s hope that’s the case and the long wait is well worth it.
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Post by El Goodo on Sept 17, 2024 13:39:14 GMT
I'm not sure how anyone can be so certain about Richards given the literal handful of minutes that he has had on the pitch? And the suggestion that Gardiner isn't working hard to get himself fit because he has a two year contract is just laughably ignorant, sorry if that sounds rude... I think Richards is less about his ability than it the fact that he's made 2 brief appearances and the recurrence of an old injury now means he's out for what sounds like months rather than weeks.
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Post by El Goodo on Sept 17, 2024 13:39:53 GMT
As for Gardner, it’s claimed he came here lacking in fitness, here we are in the middle of September and he’s still yet to make an appearance… and I’m sure is 2 weeks away.. still. Maybe he’s busting a gut to get fit and show his worth, let’s hope that’s the case and the long wait is well worth it. He got injured. He's not still just lacking fitness from the summer.
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malotru
Youth team star
Posts: 1,689
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Post by malotru on Sept 17, 2024 13:43:10 GMT
I'd definitely worry about Longelo at left-back, but it looks like we've signed him to play more as a wing-back/winger than anything else. Is the idea that when Longelo goes on a attacking foray high up the pitch does Andrew (when playing) fill in as temporary LB position until Longelo gets back and we resume our wingback/3 CB shape. Longelo is sure entertaining to watch though.
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Post by addyell on Sept 17, 2024 13:46:29 GMT
Back onto strikers, I do wonder if we find some additional funds in the 'empty pot' to sign someone in Laverys absence. Nlundulu & Loft strike me as similar, interchangeable players and to expect Njoku to replace Lavery as a starter is asking a lot, even with the good cameos he's shown so far.
If Richards is out long term and likely to go back in January, it may free up some funds for the second half of the season that we might bite the bullet on until then. Here's hoping anyway!
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danboyb
Youth team regular
Posts: 704
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Post by danboyb on Sept 17, 2024 13:46:34 GMT
As for Gardner, it’s claimed he came here lacking in fitness, here we are in the middle of September and he’s still yet to make an appearance… and I’m sure is 2 weeks away.. still. Maybe he’s busting a gut to get fit and show his worth, let’s hope that’s the case and the long wait is well worth it. He got injured. He's not still just lacking fitness from the summer. Yes, you’re right he is currently recovering from a knock. But when we signed him he was physically unfit, which is hugely disappointing for someone so experienced.
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Post by addyell on Sept 17, 2024 13:49:16 GMT
I'd definitely worry about Longelo at left-back, but it looks like we've signed him to play more as a wing-back/winger than anything else. Is the idea that when Longelo goes on a attacking foray high up the pitch does Andrew (when playing) fill in as temporary LB position until Longelo gets back and we resume our wingback/3 CB shape. Longelo is sure entertaining to watch though. I'm not too worried about Longelo defensively if he can provide in attack what he has shown so far. Playing three at the back and having experience of Smith/Digby/Cousins in the middle of the park should allow him the cover he needs when pushing on.
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nickpom
Reserve team regular
Posts: 3,204
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Post by nickpom on Sept 17, 2024 13:51:28 GMT
I'm not sure how anyone can be so certain about Richards given the literal handful of minutes that he has had on the pitch? And the suggestion that Gardiner isn't working hard to get himself fit because he has a two year contract is just laughably ignorant, sorry if that sounds rude... The fact he hasn’t had time on the pitch is the point I’m making.. He was signed with huge question marks on him and the fact he’s barely played and won’t play for weeks/months would suggest signing him was a gamble (Monks words) that has failed. As for Gardner, it’s claimed he came here lacking in fitness, here we are in the middle of September and he’s still yet to make an appearance… and I’m sure is 2 weeks away.. still. Maybe he’s busting a gut to get fit and show his worth, let’s hope that’s the case and the long wait is well worth it. Very few professional sportsmen fail to 'bust a gut to get fit' - of course he is wanting and trying to get fit. You have no idea what his injury is, what is needed to get him back to fitness, yet you are happy to publicly cast doubt on his motivation and effort? I suspect you'd - rightly - be livid if someone did that to you in your own work. I agree it's hugely disappointing and frustrating that we haven't seen him on the pitch yet, and when he gets to play he will likely take a game or two to get fully up to speed, but let's be a little respectful of the man while we have to wait. As for Richards, we know that he has had severe mental health issues due to past trauma, we know that football experts think there is a very, very good player in there ('far above your club's paygrade' was what I was told), QPR seem to feel that a change of scene would give him a chance to reset and we have clearly taken a conscious gamble on him (although probably not an expensive one). Let's see how he gets on over the next four months rather than writing him off already...
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danboyb
Youth team regular
Posts: 704
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Post by danboyb on Sept 17, 2024 14:06:17 GMT
The fact he hasn’t had time on the pitch is the point I’m making.. He was signed with huge question marks on him and the fact he’s barely played and won’t play for weeks/months would suggest signing him was a gamble (Monks words) that has failed. As for Gardner, it’s claimed he came here lacking in fitness, here we are in the middle of September and he’s still yet to make an appearance… and I’m sure is 2 weeks away.. still. Maybe he’s busting a gut to get fit and show his worth, let’s hope that’s the case and the long wait is well worth it. Very few professional sportsmen fail to 'bust a gut to get fit' - of course he is wanting and trying to get fit. You have no idea what his injury is, what is needed to get him back to fitness, yet you are happy to publicly cast doubt on his motivation and effort? I suspect you'd - rightly - be livid if someone did that to you in your own work. I agree it's hugely disappointing and frustrating that we haven't seen him on the pitch yet, and when he gets to play he will likely take a game or two to get fully up to speed, but let's be a little respectful of the man while we have to wait. As for Richards, we know that he has had severe mental health issues due to past trauma, we know that football experts think there is a very, very good player in there ('far above your club's paygrade' was what I was told), QPR seem to feel that a change of scene would give him a chance to reset and we have clearly taken a conscious gamble on him (although probably not an expensive one). Let's see how he gets on over the next four months rather than writing him off already... Very few professional footballers turn up at a new club out of condition. It’s not a great first impression , especially from one of the more experienced players in the squad. It was more a throw away comment that you’ve decided to take offence at. We will see whether giving him a 2year contract was sensible over the coming months. The Richards gamble hasn’t worked. The reason we’ve been told is due to injury, he has a history of that. He’s obviously had personal problems and I wish him well with it, but us signing him hasn’t worked out. I’ll be amazed if he’s not sent back in January, but maybe I’m just being ignorant.
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tojo
Reserve team regular
Posts: 3,519
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Post by tojo on Sept 17, 2024 15:16:43 GMT
The fact he hasn’t had time on the pitch is the point I’m making.. He was signed with huge question marks on him and the fact he’s barely played and won’t play for weeks/months would suggest signing him was a gamble (Monks words) that has failed. As for Gardner, it’s claimed he came here lacking in fitness, here we are in the middle of September and he’s still yet to make an appearance… and I’m sure is 2 weeks away.. still. Maybe he’s busting a gut to get fit and show his worth, let’s hope that’s the case and the long wait is well worth it. Very few professional sportsmen fail to 'bust a gut to get fit' - of course he is wanting and trying to get fit. You have no idea what his injury is, what is needed to get him back to fitness, yet you are happy to publicly cast doubt on his motivation and effort? I suspect you'd - rightly - be livid if someone did that to you in your own work. I agree it's hugely disappointing and frustrating that we haven't seen him on the pitch yet, and when he gets to play he will likely take a game or two to get fully up to speed, but let's be a little respectful of the man while we have to wait. As for Richards, we know that he has had severe mental health issues due to past trauma, we know that football experts think there is a very, very good player in there ('far above your club's paygrade' was what I was told), QPR seem to feel that a change of scene would give him a chance to reset and we have clearly taken a conscious gamble on him (although probably not an expensive one). Let's see how he gets on over the next four months rather than writing him off already... 'Serious mental health issues'? There is no confirmation of that at all, more like serious attitude baggage, that's what he's known for. Your right about one thing though, he's on serious money, let's hope we're not covering too much of it
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Post by Andrewlang on Sept 17, 2024 15:36:13 GMT
People with mental health issues have long been cast aside as having attitude problems. I feel like if I lost my best mate than struggled with my mental health while being told I was a lazy waste of space my health would nosedive even further. It feels believable and understandable that someone in that situation would have a hard time coping tbh.
Not sure it's something we know enough about to comment on though tbh. In any case as far as I'm aware his mental health and/or attitude isn't why he's unavailable.
Andrew
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Post by amberisbackdrink on Sept 17, 2024 17:38:54 GMT
Disappointed that Lavery is injured. Seems like Blackpool fans think this is a regular thing which given the thin squad we have available from fitness compounds things.
Not touching the mental health thing with Taylor Richards as it is very disrespectful. Maybe Richards hasn’t been physically fit to play or not doing enough in training.
Still questions over the squads we start the seasons with which asks questions of Strang/Monk and the backroom staff who assess new signings fitness.
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danielcufc
First team star
Posts: 9,046
Favourite CUFC player: Dion Dublin
Favourite CUFC match: Peterborough 1, Cambridge 5 London Road 3.1.1989
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Post by danielcufc on Sept 17, 2024 17:39:06 GMT
Catching up then the narrative seems to be that Strang’s Judgment can’t be questioned, we don’t sign injury prone players, we are plucky little old Cambridge and can’t compete with the big clubs like Stevenage & Shrewsbury and once it all clicks in the winter we’ll be fine. Have i missed anything 🤷♂️
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Post by El Goodo on Sept 17, 2024 17:40:22 GMT
Come on, Dan, you're better than that.
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