Featherstone??

I think Manni O would thrive with a reliable partner alongside him. I dont think he is at his best when he has to be the "senior partner" so to speak. So Manni and Waterfall or Manni and Parkes would be fine. If Parkes and Waterfall stay fit and not suspended Manni O wont get a game.

Needs a senior partner?
So easy to forget the fact that our central defence has been an absolute shambles before Waterfall and Parkes and came in.
And Mani O has been a big part of that, and the reason we have conceded so many goals this season especially from set pieces.
Only three teams have conceded more.

By that reasoning we should be getting shot of the keeper and another 7 or 8 starters too.
Rumour has it Van Dyke has signed a pre-contract with us.

Do you mean Dick

It's his Son. Barry

No, I have not forgotten that our defence has been a shambles till Parkes and Waterfall arrived. I am well aware we have conceded more goals than any other team bar three. Manni O struggled with various different partners coming in, getting injured and/or leaving. Not saying he is a world beater, just saying he will play better when he has a reliable partner. Didnt realize that was controversial but hey ho.

Mani O seems like a decent player to me , I agree with saltburn

Proves my point.
Thanks

I agree with you on this too.

Manni O was our best CB from August to October. Everyone was loving him, because he stood out better from Lacey, Purti, Burton, Ferguson, Paterson and Seaman. I remember fans praising for good tackles and strength. Then like everything else, he went sour for whatever reason. Hopefully he'll learn from Waterfall and Parkes to become a better player, if he sticks around.

He was good in a bad defence, but even better have turned up that are a class above.

So what is your point and how is it proven?

we need decent back up players. have,nt we lerned out yet.

So Manni O is a decent back up player if Parkes or Waterfall succumb to the injury curse.

The injury curse isn't the only hurdle, we also have suspensions with the way the Refs seem to dish out yellow cards.

Good point.

Weak as piss central defence and a dodgy keeper have been at the heart of the reason why we have conceded so many goals in recent seasons.
That's too controversial and simplistic for some I know.
But the dodgy man bun keeper has finally gone, and now for the first time we have two big strong old fashioned physical centre halves who take no prisoners.
They may not have pace.
They may not be able to run with the ball and look pretty.
But they know how to mark a man, head a ball and be aggressive and commanding in the air.
They will not be bullied, lose concentration, lose their man at set pieces or drop absolute bollocks costing us goals.
And they are leaders who others will follow.
That is what we require especially at this level given what is usually on offer from the opposition.
Call me old fashioned, but "decent" pacy fannies, especially those who are accidents waiting to happen, are most certainly not what we need in central defence... even as "back up."
Others may disagree...but everyone is entitled to their opinions on here or so I'm told.
https://www.coachesvoice.com/cv/modern- ... s-bonucci/

absolute bang on - best thing ive read on here for some time.

they are real CBs - doing their jobs. The good old fashioned way. Stick an early boot in and grab the striker round the neck, let him know who hes dealing with for the remainder of the game. Soon puts some of these young strikers back in their place and its working.

KP knew exactly what this football club needed - hes given it the remedy its being needing for god knows how long. How any other manager couldnt see or do that is beyond me! but nm we are where we are and i fully believe in it being the new lads and KPs excellent contribution to this team. Few more tweaks and stronger players coming in and we are 100% going to be up there all next season!

also Mani O is a half decent NL CB - there is a reason why he hasnt played as high as Parkes and Waterfall. Bring good ex league players in and its shows. Chesterfield and all other former winners of this league did it and walked the league. Lets hope the trend continues and we have an 11 that would have no bother playing its trade in the league above.

"Eiphos"- "Mani O is a half decent NL CB - there is a reason why he hasnt played as high as Parkes and Waterfall."

So true.
Listen Scunthorpe were relegated from the EFL in 2021-22.
Conceded 90 league goals which must be up there near some sort of record for them in modern times.
Who do you think was at the heart of that defence playing 30+ games??
And who do you think that poor sod Askey was referring to when he said week in week out words to the effect that:
we're conceding too many goals, and despite all the training and messages we are giving the players its not improving, they are not listening, I've never come across it before, and there is sweet F/A I can do about it basically because they are simply not good enough?
Mani O half decent as a CB at NL?... much too kind and generous imo.
Take away his pace and what qualities as a centre back does he actually have?..there is f/k all there tbh.
Nah...but tbf he does make Timid Timi look half decent but that is really saying something.
Where is Timi by the way??
Hows he getting along these days??
Plenty on here thought he was top drawer and were crying when he left...the new Rio

I've not been a fan of Raj but it appears to me that he respects KP, (and rightly so) so that KP has been given the licence to improve the team that previous managers did not have.
I believe that one of the most important abilities that the best managers have is being able to recognise good players and potentially good players and so far KP has shown signs of doing the business.
The best ever, Cloughie, took Hartlepools' John McGoven and made him captain of a double European Cup winning team and a Scottish international.

Like the camera angles ... excellent video ...well done to Chandys replacement Josh Youll.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87Vs9ETdSGg

The lad did ok, be a funny old world if we all thought the same about all the players.
Views will inevitably vary.
I recall no tears.

Really??
Not recall those tears shed for Byrne as well?
It was heart wrenching sobbing out loud.
Hows your hearing these days?

Could it really happen

Oh my hearing is on the top line….you don’t appear able to accept that people can hold different opinions. Oh dear.

hmmm

Two Derby county players on loan we get a useless fullback and Gateshead get an 18 year old striker who has scored 7 goals in the last 6 games. Ertainly makes you wonder and remember Philips used to coach at Derby!!!!