' HAVE WE BEEN TOO SLOW TO ACT ? '

I have felt for quite sometime that we needed extra players to almost ensure automatic promotion, (or give us the best possible chance to try and achieve it), my main thoughts have been that we needed at least 2 defenders and particularly at both full back positions. I have said that we should pre-empt the eventualities of losing defenders to injury and suspension but Malky didn't act until the numbers got so low that he simply had too.

When we got the injury to Nicky Maynard, I honestly thought that Malky would go and get a replacement for him, seeing that we spent a lot of money on him to be our star striker. If it is felt that Maynard was necessary for the squad hence the reason we paid nearly £3m for him, we should have brought another striker in, also as it seems obvious that Malky doesn't think Gestede or Velikonja are the answers or simply not ready.

For me Helguson should be a cover, he is a battling, hard working and brave striker but not the target man that the style we play needs.

Is Malky too slow to act or is he not seeing what many fans see and that is the need for more players ?

I expect to have a mixed reaction to my post and to the question posed but it is all about opinions and those are mine.

I know there are a couple of players lined up for January but the fact each game of the season represents just over 2% of the campaign, I think we are taking a huge chance on waiting until the new year when it has been clear for some time we needed more in.

As much as I want to see the youth get a chance, I don't think any of us expected to see Ralls at left back, that was a desperate move which should have been dealt with long before the game on Saturday.

Ideally yes but even if we had brought in an extra left back would he have been on the bench last week?
I cant see MM putting a RB, CB and LB on one bench, the injuries were unfortunate, very rarely you have 3 injuries in a game.

As for Maynard I dont think its so easy to replace a 3m pound player with a loan. I agree we need a striker but I would rather us spend the money in January to bring someone in.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=97536

Pretty much raised this topic the other day may and got shot down for it..

Although I think it was mainly due to the fact of my choice of title...

I agree Carl, can't understand why he hasn't replaced Maynard. With defence he's taken a gamble on dodging injuries and suspensions occurring at the same time. Fortunately we got away with it against Boro with Nugent and Ralls doing well as a one off. I'm glad he's brought in experienced cover for Taylor in Lappin, and fair play he acted fast to address the issue. Still threadbare though and hopefully we can strengthen with a defender or 2 in January. Going back to Maynard though, unless Velikonja is going to be given a chance we need to look at another striker in January. Mason, as good as he is, is no 20+ goal forward yet.

I have felt for quite sometime that we needed extra players to almost ensure automatic promotion, (or give us the best possible chance to try and achieve it), my main thoughts have been that we needed at least 2 defenders and particularly at both full back positions. I have said that we should pre-empt the eventualities of losing defenders to injury and suspension but Malky didn't act until the numbers got so low that he simply had too.

When we got the injury to Nicky Maynard, I honestly thought that Malky would go and get a replacement for him, seeing that we spent a lot of money on him to be our star striker. If it is felt that Maynard was necessary for the squad hence the reason we paid nearly £3m for him, we should have brought another striker in, also as it seems obvious that Malky doesn't think Gestede or Velikonja are the answers or simply not ready.

For me Helguson should be a cover, he is a battling, hard working and brave striker but not the target man that the style we play needs.

Is Malky too slow to act or is he not seeing what many fans see and that is the need for more players ?

I expect to have a mixed reaction to my post and to the question posed but it is all about opinions and those are mine.

I know there are a couple of players lined up for January but the fact each game of the season represents just over 2% of the campaign, I think we are taking a huge chance on waiting until the new year when it has been clear for some time we needed more in.

As much as I want to see the youth get a chance, I don't think any of us expected to see Ralls at left back, that was a desperate move which should have been dealt with long before the game on Saturday.

My worry this season has been defensive cover. Up front we have enough-why spend 1 million on E V if he isnt good enough? I saw him for 15/20 mins at Brighton and he looked the part.

We have 7 on the bench every game. Malky should have 1 gk, 1 full back, i centre back, 1 central mid, i wide midfielder and 1 forward plus 1 extra which should be an academy lad to give a chance if 2 or 3 up with 10 to go.

Darcy Blake was a great bench player and should have been kept on. We only got 250 for him and given our squad problems at mo DB23 would have been in team at mo.

I think we are ok as we are for the minute.

I think Frei was a panic loan signing that wasn't realy needed and Malky will learn from that
and only bring in players when he realy feels we need to from now on.

Review the situation after the Peterborough game I would say.

Ideally yes but even if we had brought in an extra left back would he have been on the bench last week?
I cant see MM putting a RB, CB and LB on one bench, the injuries were unfortunate, very rarely you have 3 injuries in a game.

As for Maynard I dont think its so easy to replace a 3m pound player with a loan. I agree we need a striker but I would rather us spend the money in January to bring someone in.

Luke, there are 7 subs to be utilised, it would have been my thought to have a defender brought in to replace McNaughton in the starting 11, McNaughton goes on the bench, he can cover both right and left back and even centre half if it gets that desperate.

Connolly is on the bench as cover for Hudson/Turner.

So the cover is there on the bench.

As for the argument of using the money in January, what about loaning the player you want to buy in January until January comes and then buy him?

It is a simple workaround

I agree Carl, can't understand why he hasn't replaced Maynard. With defence he's taken a gamble on dodging injuries and suspensions occurring at the same time. Fortunately we got away with it against Boro with Nugent and Ralls doing well as a one off. I'm glad he's brought in experienced cover for Taylor in Lappin, and fair play he acted fast to address the issue. Still threadbare though and hopefully we can strengthen with a defender or 2 in January. Going back to Maynard though, unless Velikonja is going to be given a chance we need to look at another striker in January. Mason, as good as he is, is no 20+ goal forward yet.

Gareth, the fact is he didn't act fast, there is a difference to acting and reacting and for me Malky is reacting!

I have felt for quite sometime that we needed extra players to almost ensure automatic promotion, (or give us the best possible chance to try and achieve it), my main thoughts have been that we needed at least 2 defenders and particularly at both full back positions. I have said that we should pre-empt the eventualities of losing defenders to injury and suspension but Malky didn't act until the numbers got so low that he simply had too.

When we got the injury to Nicky Maynard, I honestly thought that Malky would go and get a replacement for him, seeing that we spent a lot of money on him to be our star striker. If it is felt that Maynard was necessary for the squad hence the reason we paid nearly £3m for him, we should have brought another striker in, also as it seems obvious that Malky doesn't think Gestede or Velikonja are the answers or simply not ready.

For me Helguson should be a cover, he is a battling, hard working and brave striker but not the target man that the style we play needs.

Is Malky too slow to act or is he not seeing what many fans see and that is the need for more players ?

I expect to have a mixed reaction to my post and to the question posed but it is all about opinions and those are mine.

I know there are a couple of players lined up for January but the fact each game of the season represents just over 2% of the campaign, I think we are taking a huge chance on waiting until the new year when it has been clear for some time we needed more in.

As much as I want to see the youth get a chance, I don't think any of us expected to see Ralls at left back, that was a desperate move which should have been dealt with long before the game on Saturday.

My worry this season has been defensive cover. Up front we have enough-why spend 1 million on E V if he isnt good enough? I saw him for 15/20 mins at Brighton and he looked the part.

We have 7 on the bench every game. Malky should have 1 gk, 1 full back, i centre back, 1 central mid, i wide midfielder and 1 forward plus 1 extra which should be an academy lad to give a chance if 2 or 3 up with 10 to go.

Darcy Blake was a great bench player and should have been kept on. We only got 250 for him and given our squad problems at mo DB23 would have been in team at mo.

I think Malky made his own job a lot harder by releasing or selling the numbers he did before he has got adequate cover.

Painfully so with regard to defenders in particular . Eight games before January , lotta points , hope our defence/defending doesnt cost us too much before the JTW ! /O\

Painfully so with regard to defenders in particular . Eight games before January , lotta points , hope our defence/defending doesnt cost us too much before the JTW ! /O\

That has been and continues to be my worry Coco.

Hope we get through it

I have felt for quite sometime that we needed extra players to almost ensure automatic promotion, (or give us the best possible chance to try and achieve it), my main thoughts have been that we needed at least 2 defenders and particularly at both full back positions. I have said that we should pre-empt the eventualities of losing defenders to injury and suspension but Malky didn't act until the numbers got so low that he simply had too.

When we got the injury to Nicky Maynard, I honestly thought that Malky would go and get a replacement for him, seeing that we spent a lot of money on him to be our star striker. If it is felt that Maynard was necessary for the squad hence the reason we paid nearly £3m for him, we should have brought another striker in, also as it seems obvious that Malky doesn't think Gestede or Velikonja are the answers or simply not ready.

For me Helguson should be a cover, he is a battling, hard working and brave striker but not the target man that the style we play needs.

Is Malky too slow to act or is he not seeing what many fans see and that is the need for more players ?

I expect to have a mixed reaction to my post and to the question posed but it is all about opinions and those are mine.

I know there are a couple of players lined up for January but the fact each game of the season represents just over 2% of the campaign, I think we are taking a huge chance on waiting until the new year when it has been clear for some time we needed more in.

As much as I want to see the youth get a chance, I don't think any of us expected to see Ralls at left back, that was a desperate move which should have been dealt with long before the game on Saturday.

My worry this season has been defensive cover. Up front we have enough-why spend 1 million on E V if he isnt good enough? I saw him for 15/20 mins at Brighton and he looked the part.

We have 7 on the bench every game. Malky should have 1 gk, 1 full back, i centre back, 1 central mid, i wide midfielder and 1 forward plus 1 extra which should be an academy lad to give a chance if 2 or 3 up with 10 to go.

Darcy Blake was a great bench player and should have been kept on. We only got 250 for him and given our squad problems at mo DB23 would have been in team at mo.

I think Malky made his own job a lot harder by releasing or selling the numbers he did before he has got adequate cover.

We have too many midfielders. Ralls, Conway, Kiss should be out on loan at Champ/league 1 clubs which would have enabled Blake to stay or be replaced

Painfully so with regard to defenders in particular . Eight games before January , lotta points , hope our defence/defending doesnt cost us too much before the JTW ! /O\

i agree with this...

Panic buying or loans has got us know where in the past, as I said chaps and suspect is the case, Malky will review the squad situation after the Peterborough game, see how we are for form, injuries, momentum and league position before making a decision on who to bring in come january.

Now is not the time.

Panic buying or loans has got us know where in the past, as I said chaps and suspect is the case, Malky will review the squad situation after the Peterborough game, see how we are for form, injuries, momentum and league position before making a decision on who to bring in come january.

Now is not the time.

I disagree that we are discussing panic buys and loans, we are 17 games into the season and we have been short of defensive cover since the start of the season, especially as certain defenders were never going to get the chance.

And Maynard should have been replaced as soon as we knew his season was pretty much over.

but according to tomorrows echo there was no money available for loans????

can't read article but sub headline is "City finances dictated attempts to strenghten back 4 - Malky"

https://twitter.com/JonDoel1/status/272 ... 32/photo/1

Why could we have not brought the two players due in january in now on loan ????

but how do we know he hasnt been trying to bring in players? .... lets face it a few signings this season as took us by surprise!

correct me if im wrong,but isnt hudson 1 booking away from suspension

Panic buying or loans has got us know where in the past, as I said chaps and suspect is the case, Malky will review the squad situation after the Peterborough game, see how we are for form, injuries, momentum and league position before making a decision on who to bring in come january.

Now is not the time.

I disagree that we are discussing panic buys and loans, we are 17 games into the season and we have been short of defensive cover since the start of the season, especially as certain defenders were never going to get the chance.

And Maynard should have been replaced as soon as we knew his season was pretty much over.

Well we will have to agree to disagree mate.

I am happy at the moment, as I said, I think Malky knows what he is doing, the squad is sound and he will review it just before the christmas fixtures. Thats how I see it, now is not the time to be bringing people in.

Malky obviously has to work to a budget and he has made his calls.
In a perfect world and unlimited finance I am sure he would run a larger squad but he has neither.
I think he deserves credit for making the calls that he has during recent games when we have been stretched particularly Mboro last week.
just think what might have happened the season before last with the same injury list position-wise.

When the window ended we looked okay our squad was jam packed.

I think MM would prefer to save his dosh and put it all aside to January which will be the key point.

Ideally yes but even if we had brought in an extra left back would he have been on the bench last week?
I cant see MM putting a RB, CB and LB on one bench, the injuries were unfortunate, very rarely you have 3 injuries in a game.

As for Maynard I dont think its so easy to replace a 3m pound player with a loan. I agree we need a striker but I would rather us spend the money in January to bring someone in.

Good post, I think it's fair to say most if not all said at the start of the season that we were probably short defensively.
If Malky picked a team with 3 defenders on the bench there would be enough said about the lack of options from the bench. Last week was a freak, yet Malky and the team have got us back to 2nd ( the crowd played a part too ).
Also, after Maynard got injured nobody wanted a striker more than me and nobody was more concerned than me that we had paid good money for Velikonja, yet he couldn't get a sniff.
Again, Malky and the boys have kept us at the top in 2nd without:-
Bellamy
Smith
Mutch
Maynard
Now add Turner, McNaughton, Taylor, I'm sure there's others, yet we still want more, we moan about the debt, we moan about the rebrand (rightfully so, but it's here for now?), we moan we need more players yet are told players will definitely come in January??
Malky has brought in Lappin to plug an apparent hole at left back, I'm not doing cartwheels but he's an emergency loan and nothing more, he gets my full support and so does Malky as it's better than nothing.
Alan Wright? James Chambers? J Lloyd Samuel? Our record is due to change, in the words of Kevin Keegan I would love it, if we're still at the top come January!
Malky you haven't been too slow in my eyes yet??

weve been desperately unlucky with injuries, 3 defenders in one match is almost unheard of,smith,bellers,mutchy and of course maynard aswell
malky was probably right not to panic over maynard,scoring goals has not been a problem for us and i fully expect a decent striker being signed in january
huds one yellow away from a ban is a major worry

Ideally yes but even if we had brought in an extra left back would he have been on the bench last week?
I cant see MM putting a RB, CB and LB on one bench, the injuries were unfortunate, very rarely you have 3 injuries in a game.

As for Maynard I dont think its so easy to replace a 3m pound player with a loan. I agree we need a striker but I would rather us spend the money in January to bring someone in.

Good post, I think it's fair to say most if not all said at the start of the season that we were probably short defensively.
If Malky picked a team with 3 defenders on the bench there would be enough said about the lack of options from the bench. Last week was a freak, yet Malky and the team have got us back to 2nd ( the crowd played a part too ).
Also, after Maynard got injured nobody wanted a striker more than me and nobody was more concerned than me that we had paid good money for Velikonja, yet he couldn't get a sniff.
Again, Malky and the boys have kept us at the top in 2nd without:-
Bellamy
Smith
Mutch
Maynard
Now add Turner, McNaughton, Taylor, I'm sure there's others, yet we still want more, we moan about the debt, we moan about the rebrand (rightfully so, but it's here for now?), we moan we need more players yet are told players will definitely come in January??
Malky has brought in Lappin to plug an apparent hole at left back, I'm not doing cartwheels but he's an emergency loan and nothing more, he gets my full support and so does Malky as it's better than nothing.
Alan Wright? James Chambers? J Lloyd Samuel? Our record is due to change, in the words of Kevin Keegan I would love it, if we're still at the top come January!
Malky you haven't been too slow in my eyes yet??

very good post

Ideally yes but even if we had brought in an extra left back would he have been on the bench last week?
I cant see MM putting a RB, CB and LB on one bench, the injuries were unfortunate, very rarely you have 3 injuries in a game.

As for Maynard I dont think its so easy to replace a 3m pound player with a loan. I agree we need a striker but I would rather us spend the money in January to bring someone in.

Luke, there are 7 subs to be utilised, it would have been my thought to have a defender brought in to replace McNaughton in the starting 11, McNaughton goes on the bench, he can cover both right and left back and even centre half if it gets that desperate.

Connolly is on the bench as cover for Hudson/Turner.

So the cover is there on the bench.

As for the argument of using the money in January, what about loaning the player you want to buy in January until January comes and then buy him?

It is a simple workaround

I don't disagree but for me one defender on the bench is enough, people can always fill in at fullback as shown (with good effect). Even if we had a very good RB and LB as back up for me they wouldn't make the bench.

Yes loaning turning to permanently would be ideal but I think MM would be limiting himself then. Any teams with a player of decent quality will want to replace a player before they lose them or equally get the fee before they replace them.

I think we spoke last season about loans and the fees they command as loan fees and wages and it can be crazy, clubs are deserprate and need these "emergency loans"

It's not as if turner and Taylor are out long either and if Nugent is good enough he is older enough and it wouldn't concern me overally if Gunnar and Ralls played in the fullback positions for a game it two.
Especially Ralls, DJ used to do it for the youngsters and it makes them better players.

Ideally yes but even if we had brought in an extra left back would he have been on the bench last week?
I cant see MM putting a RB, CB and LB on one bench, the injuries were unfortunate, very rarely you have 3 injuries in a game.

As for Maynard I dont think its so easy to replace a 3m pound player with a loan. I agree we need a striker but I would rather us spend the money in January to bring someone in.

Luke, there are 7 subs to be utilised, it would have been my thought to have a defender brought in to replace McNaughton in the starting 11, McNaughton goes on the bench, he can cover both right and left back and even centre half if it gets that desperate.

Connolly is on the bench as cover for Hudson/Turner.

So the cover is there on the bench.

As for the argument of using the money in January, what about loaning the player you want to buy in January until January comes and then buy him?

It is a simple workaround

Carl, i really don't want this to come across as dick-ish as it's gonna sound, but i genuinely thought you knew your football.

I can accept people who dont understand football thinking McNaughton shouldnt be in the starting line-up because of his poor distribution, but for people who do understand football, i'd like to think they realise that his defensive qualities FAR outweigh his weaknesses.

It really does baffle me. This guy is the best defender we've had at the club in years, has been 100% consistent, actually better than consistent the whole time he's been there, and suddenly because he mis-places a few passes people think he should be out of the team.

As i say, you usually talk alot of sense but it's hard to have respect for people's opinions/articles when they make it seem like they don't understand football.

What happened to defenders being defenders and attackers attacking.

Our fans are so frustrating sometimes.

I can accept people who dont understand football thinking McNaughton shouldnt be in the starting line-up because of his poor distribution, but for people who do understand football, i'd like to think they realise that his defensive qualities FAR outweigh his weaknesses.

People have different opinion on players it don't mean they don't understand but you make a point.

The number of times he covers a defensive mistake is unreal, great defensive brain.

His ability on the ball isn't great but not as bad as people make out, his fitness and work ethic means he puts gets in a lot of positions and a lot of forward positions. He does waste a good percentage but he also puts I'm a fair few good balls and the space he makes for the wide player is also vital, him and smith linked up very well.

I can accept people who dont understand football thinking McNaughton shouldnt be in the starting line-up because of his poor distribution, but for people who do understand football, i'd like to think they realise that his defensive qualities FAR outweigh his weaknesses.

People have different opinion on players it don't mean they don't understand but you make a point.

The number of times he covers a defensive mistake is unreal, great defensive brain.

His ability on the ball isn't great but not as bad as people make out, his fitness and work ethic means he puts gets in a lot of positions and a lot of forward positions. He does waste a good percentage but he also puts I'm a fair few good balls and the space he makes for the wide player is also vital, him and smith linked up very well.

It's nothing personal against Carl, and it wasn't meant to be a dig. I guess it just frustrates me because i honestly thought some of the people on here with a better understanding of football can just see what makes him such a good player.

I just think everyone's got the idea of this perfect attacking full-back in the modern game, when really he may not be that (though, as you say, he is better going forward than people give him credit for) but what he offers is far more important, in my opinion.

There are a certain type of fan i wouldnt expect to understand that, but based on Carl's posts on this forum, i thought he at least would. Seemingly not though.

There genuinely aren't many full-backs with Kev's defensive ability that i'd swap him for, at any club.

I think it's the same with Taylor, people don't realise how hard it is to get a Left sides player.
MM mentioned we were lucky with lappin as he knew at least 3 other champ club wanted a LB.

Taylor is without doubt the best left back we have had in recent years?
Left sided players go for a bomb.