OK Vidal, here goes although I prefer to use marks out of 10:
Wildsmith – Must be one of the best goalies in League 1. Faultless really, apart
from the occasional wayward goal kick or clearance, so 10.
Smith – Every team needs a Smith. Mr Reliable wherever he plays. Nothing
spectacular but rarely makes a mistake. I would prefer to see him in midfield,
however. 8.
Fozzie – I’ve always rated Fozzie even when others on another site have slated
him. When at LB he did show an ability to pick some amazing long, raking passes
but did sometimes baffle by failing with the simple, short ones. However he has
been outstanding at CB and at his current age this could be his best position. A
rock of calmness and experience. 10.
Cashin – Right from the start he showed an ability and maturity way beyond his
years and he has evolved into the complete central defender who rarely puts a
foot (or head) wrong. 10+
Sibley – Has developed into a very competent LB who is also capable of creating
havoc in the final third and scoring the odd, vital goal. I suspect and hope that this
is a temporary spot, one which will help him develop into an outstanding forward thinking midfielder but he has grasped this opportunity following Roberts’ injury.
7+.
Bird – Not his best season so far but still a very important contributor who rarely
loses the ball or gives it away. Should get forward more and score a few goals but
I’ve no doubt he is playing to instructions. Should blossom in a better balance
midfield. 7+.
Hourihane – The only real disappointment for me. His “wand of a left foot” has
either failed or nor been in evidence enough but again I suspect that this is down
to playing instructions as he is not getting forward much. Should also be scoring
more goals. Works hard and his experience helps. 7
McGoldrick – I never really rated him when he played elsewhere but seeing him at
close quarters and in this League makes me appreciate his incredible skills and
intelligence. A vital cog in the side and I hope we can keep him fit. 10.
Barkhuisen – I gather that he has been inconsistent throughout his career but
pundits tell us that this is par for wingers. They are either bang on it or off it. He is
capable of skinning his full back and again should score more goals. He can put in
good crosses and is an important squad member. 7+
Collins – Always puts in a shift and all over the pitch. Often ends up on his own up
front so too much should not be expected of him. I would like to think he will get
20 goals for us but he is in a non-productive patch at present. Defenders must
hate playing against him. 8.
Mendez-Laing – If ever a body did not look like an athlete or footballer it is M-L
but forget that. He has pace and trickery in abundance and is always likely to lay
on a score a goal. It is so rare to have a genuine winger these days, one who can
skin a full back on either side and put in a telling cross. Full backs must be scared
to death of him. That goal against Plymouth was something else and that cross for
Dobbin’s goal was outrageous. 10.
Dobbin – One day he will develop into an outstanding player. I do not know what
his best position is but he is very effective playing wide left for us. Of course he
should have scored more goals but that is the hardest part of the game and he is
still very young. Has pace to burn. 7+
Osula – We have not seen enough of this young man who can look gawky but
because of his strength and pace he can trouble defenders and we know he has
goals in him (from either foot.) 7.
Roberts – Were it not for injury I suspect he would be our regular LB. He was
really growing into the role showing strength allied to speed and an ability to get
forward. 7+.
Knight – Such a shame he has had so many injuries. A vital squad member who
I’m sure will get back in and cement a place. His pace, aggression and stamina
could be a tremendous boon in the second half of the season. 7+
Thompson, Davies, Chester, Loach and Stearman – None (other than maybe
Davies) has played enough to allow for a judgement but I suggest 7 for each.

Sorry about the odd spacing etc.

Sorry to forget Rooney! Looks full of promise and for such a slight lad shows commendable strength and courage. Could develop into a very useful addition either as a CB or DM. 7.

Should also mention PW and staff. I suspect he/they are more than just "win it, get it wide, get it in the box" and this was evident, eg against Cambridge yesterday. They are very pragmatic and will play proper footie whenever possible but realise that, to get out of this league, that is not enough. At present we can only judge them in the context of where we are so, 8+.

Sorry to hog this thread (although so far no-one else is typing!) but have just wakened from a deep afternoon nap during which Jason Bogle signed for us on loan for three years! I spoke to him in Allestree and he confirmed it. Grief, I've no idea what I'd eaten for lunch which could have caused that.

HYN again folks!

Didzy A+ in this league, Wildsmith A.

The other week someone was comparing Cashin to Colin Todd and now Vidal compares Fozzie to McFarland.and Maldini. I will assume both these comparisons are due to a case of insanity.

If Collins could hit the net half as well as he hits the ground after missing yet another sitter he would be a decent player.

Dobbin and NML terrorise Div 1 defences with their pace but from Dobbin especially, there doesn't appear to be a lot of benefit to the scoreline.

Biggest disappointment has been Hourihane. He needs to show a bit more of the passing and shooting skills which made him a Premier league player.

Looks like the play offs will be our best hope of getting out of this division. If we signed a decent striker to play up front with Didzy, we could make automatics.

Ey up Spart and a Happy New Year. The comparisons weren't meant to be taken entirely seriously.

'appy New Year to you Vidal and all on JA606.

comment by Spart-Derby really are the best says red dog. (U4603)
posted 1 hour, 4 minutes ago
'appy New Year to you Vidal and all on JA606.
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HNY, Spart.
Is that a reference to your old mate RRTheDrum, who nobody seems to have heard from for several months ?
Hopefully its just that theres nothing much to occupy him, since we left the Champ ?

Derbyshire live reporting the shin could be on the way back.

Heb would be thrilled, others less so.

IF we could have either Hourihane or Shinnie, who would we prefer?

Shinnie 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 please!

comment by 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 HebridesRam (U2909)
posted 6 seconds ago
Shinnie 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 please!
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Remember we (mostly) regarded him as highly effective (once settled in) at Championship level. In this league he could dominate proceedings

Hourihane is technically better and his set-piece delivery is good, but then it isn't as if we rain in the goals from set pieces. We would gain a battler and lose a bit of creativity. I'm inclined to agree with you Heb, but I wouldn't say the same if we were talking about Bird or Knight rather than Hourihane.

Ha! That has made my year already. Vidal inclined to agree with me about footy. The future is bright indeed

I don't think the comparison of Cashin to Todd is altogether unfair. Cashin has an understanding of the game that cannot be taught; an instinctive ability to know where he needs to be. He's still very young but he's an outstanding talent. And, easily, my POTY so far.

comment by Peeder (U1684)
posted 1 hour, 11 minutes ago
I don't think the comparison of Cashin to Todd is altogether unfair. Cashin has an understanding of the game that cannot be taught; an instinctive ability to know where he needs to be. He's still very young but he's an outstanding talent. And, easily, my POTY so far.
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You don't think comparing Cashin to Todd is unfair? As I have said before, and now you prove it, you know nowt.

Todd had pace, good control, balance and awareness and defended against some of the best players on the planet. Cashin is brave and no nonsense, more like Bucko , and has never played higher than Championship level. There is no comparison.

You can say the player X has a bit of the Player Y about him without it meaning that you are implying they are of equal ability. Toddy was one of the best players we have ever had. Of the qualities you list, Spart, I reckon that Cashin has good control, balance and awareness. He's still a year younger than Toddy was when Clough signed him so he's doing pretty well. I also have him as our POTY so far.

Evening all,

Hope everyone enjoyed their celebrations. Reading about Shinnie's possible return is one of joy but as discussed it leaves question marks on Bird, Knight and Hourihane.

Is PW likely to field a 5-2-3 ( allowing our wingers game time ) or 5-3-2 (most likely) so that Knight - DM - Hourihane can be accommodated?

Latest updates from Alan 'useless' Nixon indicate we're linked to Curtis Nelson from Cardiff. He seems to be predominantly a CB who can play at RB too.

If RB is our priority transfer I'd prefer a player who is a specialist at RB or RWB.

Cashin and Forsyth are working in harmony and as pointed out , to Spart's pleasure, like Todd/Maldindi.
I guess Sibley has become Roberto Carlos-esque so we just need my namesake for RB, Cafu.

You don't need to compare Cashin with anyone. Just acknowledge that he is having a superb season, is probably the first name on the team sheet and is most people's POTY so far or should it be POTS? Having said that, there's nowt wrong with drawing comparisons - it's a natural thing to do and I have no difficulty in thinking Toddy when I think about Cashin. Of course C is not at the same level as T but then, unlike Spart, I know I know nowt!

PS I said this on another thread but I'd be surprised if we sign Shinnie given PW's oft quoted remarks about the imbalance of ages within the current squad - too many oldies and too many kids and not enough in between.

comment by Spart-Derby really are the best says red dog. (U4603)
posted 22 hours, 16 minutes ago
comment by Peeder (U1684)
posted 1 hour, 11 minutes ago
I don't think the comparison of Cashin to Todd is altogether unfair. Cashin has an understanding of the game that cannot be taught; an instinctive ability to know where he needs to be. He's still very young but he's an outstanding talent. And, easily, my POTY so far.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You don't think comparing Cashin to Todd is unfair? As I have said before, and now you prove it, you know nowt.

Todd had pace, good control, balance and awareness and defended against some of the best players on the planet. Cashin is brave and no nonsense, more like Bucko , and has never played higher than Championship level. There is no comparison.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

100% right Spart, Todd was immaculate and I think he was better than Bobby Moore. I do like Cashin though but he has got a long way to go to be lacing Colin's boots.