Luke James

parmo · **Posted:** Mon Dec 30, 2013 12:07 pm

he found the space he needed and made the space he needed in the last 20 minutes - pinched the ball from them, ran at them, caused havoc and showed what he is all about... once their defence had taken to trying to stop Poole, Franks and Duckworth who had ran them ragged all afternoon ........ which is the reason why James should never be taken off if he is not injured or tired.... because the last 10 minutes he IS going to get you a goal

PJPoolie · **Joined:** Wed Mar 06, 2013 6:28 pm **Posts:** 15342

When Poole is on his game he has a first touch way above League Two level, he is seriously talented which is why on his off days that are still a bit too frequent he's so frustrating.

parmo · **Posted:** Mon Dec 30, 2013 12:27 pm

Poole was incredibly good yesterday, he really was.

Andy Dibbles Gloves · **Joined:** Tue Dec 11, 2012 3:32 pm **Posts:** 6817

Poole is always going to struggle for consistency when he keeps getting dropped.

It has always bugged me with pro football. Average players are allowed to be average as they do a job. But the flair players get dropped if they dont shine every game.

Andy Dibbles Gloves · **Joined:** Tue Dec 11, 2012 3:32 pm **Posts:** 6817

Yep. Spot on.

But some will still say he was shite this game or poor that. And wont take any notice of the post you just made.

But pools fans generally have always preferred grafters.

misterb2001 · **Posted:** Mon Dec 30, 2013 8:39 pm

Andy Dibbles Gloves wrote:

Yep. Spot on.

But some will still say he was shite this game or poor that. And wont take any notice of the post you just made.

But pools fans generally have always preferred grafters.

so what do we do if the Away team single him out as our creator then? stick with him or change it tactically?

yloop · **Posted:** Mon Dec 30, 2013 8:41 pm

Stick with it and get other players to use the space to their advantage.

alienlife · **Posted:** Mon Dec 30, 2013 8:42 pm

If any of our players is good enough to have 2 or 3 of theirs watching him like a hawk it creates space for the others and as we have a squad full of players with ability it only takes two or three to rip a defence and midfield apart because they're not sure who to watch.

klinger · **Joined:** Wed Aug 27, 2008 5:27 pm **Posts:** 1589

So where do you draw the line? wait until we play a team who give Poole the time and space to play.
In recent matches against Portsmouth and Burton he just couldnt get into the game because the opposition wouldnt let him, getting subbed in both games.
Hes got to learn to find a way around that.

parmo · **Posted:** Mon Dec 30, 2013 8:49 pm

And team mates alike. They are all young and I trust Cooper and Hignett to teach them to take on the opposition from more areas like we did yesterday, then he and James will find the space. I also think that having Walton in the team made it easier for Portsmouth and Burton. A midfield of Dolan and Walker hhreatens opposition far more and gets Poole in the game more

misterb2001 · **Posted:** Mon Dec 30, 2013 9:59 pm

Poole is the perfect player to have when the opposition aren't playing defensive. Thats more likely to happen when we're winning or when we're away from home. I still think Luke James is more productive when Monkhouse is alongside him, rather than Poole.

PJPoolie · **Joined:** Wed Mar 06, 2013 6:28 pm **Posts:** 15342

Sometimes in games like Pompey and Burton it could be worth switching Monkhouse into the hole behind James for a bit more of a physical presence and put Poole out wide were he'll
enjoy more space.

It's tough one I think our starting line are all good players but think we are still missing something that would push us towards the top seven the thing is I can't put my finger on what.

Here's a question if you could sign a good player but only one what position do you think we need the most? I'm not sure I can answer that.

klinger · **Joined:** Wed Aug 27, 2008 5:27 pm **Posts:** 1589

Chip Fireball wrote:

klinger wrote:

So where do you draw the line? wait until we play a team who give Poole the time and space to play.
In recent matches against Portsmouth and Burton he just couldnt get into the game because the opposition wouldnt let him, getting subbed in both games.
Hes got to learn to find a way around that.

Sorry but I completely disagree with that last line. Portsmouth did what they did last season for large parts of the game and played 4-5-1. They had minimal attacking intent and were happy to flood the midfield and essentially have a holding midfielder playing as a third centre half.

John Hughes employed a similar tactic during parts of last season where Walton never went beyond the halfway line, and its actually very hard to counter, even Barcelona have struggled against it at times.

Obviously if Pools play 4-4-1-1 against a 5-4-1 Poole is going to be operating in a highly crowded area of the pitch with space at a premium. I wouldnt say its his sole responsibility to find a way round that, his manager/coach and team mates shoulder responsibility too. There were two balls played into him in the Burton game which were what we once described as hospital balls. If he has made a run towards the player on the ball and dragged two opponents with him there should be space somewhere else.

I agree it's the whole team's responsibility to find a way round opposition tactics but it does seem that in these games where space is tight, Poole seems to struggle to get involved at all compared to other attacking players like Monkhouse or James.
It's no coincidence that it's in these types of games that Poole is the one chosen to make way when Cooper tries to make things happen.

alienlife · **Posted:** Mon Dec 30, 2013 10:35 pm

I'd agree (and have said elsewhere) we need a proven goal scorer, that instinctive poacher who has a bit of physical presence (not a hulking old fashioned target man) and an eye for goal would make us a top 7 side.

born toulouse · **Posted:** Mon Dec 30, 2013 11:41 pm

This is where the transfer window might get interesting. We aren't going to get the sort of player you're talking about for nothing. But we might get one from a championship or league 1 club if we cover his probably large wages. Is Cooper doing well enough to make IOR/Uncle Ken's mam think that, with a little boost, we might go up via the play-offs? If the answer is yes then it might be time to dust the cobwebs off that purse.

PJPoolie · **Joined:** Wed Mar 06, 2013 6:28 pm **Posts:** 15342

Joel Porter of about 5 years ago would do a decent job in this team. In fact with him we'd be top three material.

born toulouse · **Posted:** Mon Dec 30, 2013 11:52 pm

True, but if anybody had asked us for a lend of Joel at that point in time would we have said yes?

horden · **Posted:** Mon Dec 30, 2013 11:54 pm

alienlife wrote:

I'd agree (and have said elsewhere) we need a proven goal scorer, that instinctive poacher who has a bit of physical presence (not a hulking old fashioned target man) and an eye for goal would make us a top 7 side.

Agree with that! would of possibly made the difference in games such as the recent ones v Burton/Chesterfield where you would of hoped a quality striker would of got us a 2-1 win rather than a draw.

To throw a name into the hat just for debate what about Daniel Nardiello ? Not sure if others would see him as the answer or whether his goalscoring record is viewed as prolific, but someone we should be able to afford/attract. Thought he was okay when on loan at pools and seems to score more goals these days. Will he be playing for Bury on Wednesday?.

jtandwisey · **Posted:** Tue Dec 31, 2013 12:29 am

with colin cooper having picked up Ducky from non league he would find another couple at Halifax in Lee Gregory and Dan Gardner.Both have football league written all over them.I think you have the right coaching team in place and if you can get out of this league your passing game will bear even more fruits.Good luck

Luke James

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