Home at last and a Derby win to boot.

comment by lastapostleofvidal (U1491)
posted 8 hours, 52 minutes ago
We completely outclassed the opposition tonight but conceded two very poor goals and missed a few sitters. Davies showed he has no role to play in a Cocu team. Shinnie gave Spart more ammunition with a couple of terrible passes but game time will help him. On tonight’s performance he he well behind Knight, Bird and Holmes though, the latter again excellent.

Rooney took it to another level tonight. Some of his passing was breathtaking in its vision and technique. It looks as though he has been gently getting the pace of this league and now that he is comfortable he is starting to expand his repertoire. He was tremendous.
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I am realising what a very shrewd move this was by MM to have very cleverly manoeuvred this player into our team. And it proves more so with every game he plays.

Martin has also showed why he deserves another 12 months.

Some of his dinks and passes are sublime.

comment by Scouse (U9675)
posted 21 minutes ago
Martin has also showed why he deserves another 12 months.

Some of his dinks and passes are sublime.
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And always have been.
Pity some of our fans have never recognised it

The value of skill over running. Too many fans are only happy if a player runs himself in to the ground. Rooney barely breaks sweat but can see and execute a pass which is far more devastating to the opposition than running with the ball. Simple physics really, I can kick a ball up field far quicker than Usain Bolt can run it.

I think Martin should take a note of this and consider his future in the Rooney role rather than as a striker. He has bags of skill but his pace has dropped from what was not a high level to start with. Definitely offer Martin another 12 months.

comment by 🏁 AngVanDerRaam 🏁 (U17428)
posted 1 hour, 21 minutes ago
comment by Scouse (U9675)
posted 21 minutes ago
Martin has also showed why he deserves another 12 months.

Some of his dinks and passes are sublime.
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And always have been.
Pity some of our fans have never recognised it
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I've always recognised it.

It's such a pleasure to see a master of his craft performing. There was a bit more agility on the ball last night in addition and I think he has been managing himself very carefully in games thus far. He doesn't sprint or run around aimlessly but he's certainly fit enough to get about the pitch and into positions to receive the ball virtually all of the time. I don't think Martin would have the same degree of mobility if he dropped back into midfield but he showed plenty of quality last night to justify keeping him on, unless a significant upgrade magically becomes available.

The problem is though I'd imagine Cocu would like another centre forward, I cant see Marriot or Waghorn leaving unless most of the original transfer fee recouped (Unlikely)
Therefore the only way I'd offer him another 12 months is if we weren't able to get or afford another striker

To be fair to Waggers, he looked a lot more in control when he came on last night.His first touch was much better.

Martin is 31.

We had previously, while Martin was on loan, had Bent, Jerome and Nugent all older when they arrived that Martin is.

He doesn't/never had pace but he has tremendous guile and awareness. I think he has two more quality seasons ahead of him before age catches up but in those two years he'll only get more experienced and will remain an asset to this club.
He offers what Waghorn and Marriott don't and his shots to goal ratio and assists are better than both of them.

Keep Martin - no brainer.

comment by Rameses, Kom op jij Rams (U7190)
posted 1 hour, 25 minutes ago
Martin is 31.

We had previously, while Martin was on loan, had Bent, Jerome and Nugent all older when they arrived that Martin is.

He doesn't/never had pace but he has tremendous guile and awareness. I think he has two more quality seasons ahead of him before age catches up but in those two years he'll only get more experienced and will remain an asset to this club.
He offers what Waghorn and Marriott don't and his shots to goal ratio and assists are better than both of them.

Keep Martin - no brainer.
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I agree Rameses. Martin is more skilful than Waggy but he has lost his mojo as has Marriott. With the new midfield of Rooney Knight and Holmes, we should create more chances. Better service to Martin and Marriott should produce more goals and is the way to go until the young bucks come good (Hector-Ingrams, Buchanan, Whitaker)

Well said Ramdini and Rameses.

3 strikers seems plenty for a season but with chance of injuries you can end up a bit thin. Chris Wilder reckons he needs five - 2 to start, 2 on the bench and one spare. From what I have seen of Whittaker I doubt he will be pushing to start next season and I’m not sure he is a striker either. Maybe one of the hyphen brothers will be knocking on the door but it’s doubtful they will be a first-choice option even next season. Martin has all of the qualities listed above but no pace. Marriott has been very much hit and miss and Waghorn is a decent enough player to have around but scares no opponents. Maybe in a few games our season will be effectively over (assuming Spart is right when he says there is absolutely no chance of a points deduction) and if I were Cocu I might just have a little look at Hector-Ingram and see how close I think he might be to a first-team player for next season. If he’s nowhere near ready then I’d be looking for a lively loanee for next season who can compete with Marriott for the chance to cash in on the ability of Rooney and Martin.

Eno Nto is the one to watch. Fast skilful U18 winger. And above all, easy to spell

Anagram of one ton.

comment by HebridesRam (U2909)
posted 32 minutes ago
Eno Nto is the one to watch. Fast skilful U18 winger. And above all, easy to spell
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Havent seen anything of him yet, Heb, but based on your recommendation, I shall await his progress with anticipation

Not treading on your toes Ang. Just looking at the old website and was struck by the idea of half man half number plate.......

He certainly sounds unique 🤔

But does Eno how to play?