Thetownend.com

This is my impression......

Lucas: Not much has been said about him really with regards to performance. It could be because the back 4 in front of him are keeping him quiet, or he is just in control.... I have no idea but it is better then hearing about howlers.

Greer: Nuff said

Cuthbert: He's not played much? Had a great review last week mind and it is no mean feat to keep morrison out of the 1st 11. Could be an absolutely blinding signing.

Douglas: There was a lot of hype about Douglas signing, and from what I can gather he has not disappointed. Very high marks to Wilson and Fitton for that one.

Lescinel: Could Wilson have a bit of King's talent spotting nouse about him? lescinel was more or less written off for the most part but seems to be coming good.

O'Brien: I was never sure about this one. Heard from many (I do read) that he is all pace and no technique, could be a dud. Having said that, think lescinel.

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Loans:

Tope: Sounds a dud, but then we where a tad desperate

Ferry: Sounds sexy, hope we can sign him permanently

Hutch: Give him a chance..

Revell: you've torn your dress.

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Have I missed anything?

Do you ever sleep?

Not a playing signing but Peter Shirtliff looks a fine addition if the improved defending is anything to go by.

we still need another forward

I think that's a big part of our turnaround at the back. I seem to recall Tranmere being a similar side last season, winning games 1-0 and 2-1 a lot.

Sleep is for freaks.

I was thinking about the change since Shirtliff came in, cant be coinicidence. Tranmere fans weren't happy that he switched.

Especially as he was replaced by Jason McAteer.

Tranmere as a club (not the fans) are idiots and deserve everything that comes their way for appointing a couple rookies instead of a seasoned pro like Ronnie Moore. Shame on them.

Danny Wilson has been reasonably shrewd thus far, long may it continue.

I honestly regard Gordon Greer as a potential Town legend in the making... Although he's got a lot to do in that respect, I really hope it goes that way.

peacock :)

I dont think Tope is a dud - just his final ball is pants. Ok, thats a big problem to have when your a striker but his effort & work rate is good which isnt always the case with loan players. He has enough skill to get past players but then it all goes a bit down hill. I think alot of people are being a bit harsh on him.

From what I've seen (which isnt really alot) he's a better option that Hutchinson.

First time I have seen Topi and Hutchinson yesterday and on that showing Topi has twice the potential of Hutchinson, he looked eager and not quite match fit but we looked like he could cause some problems for defenses, has a sharp turn on him but as stated his final ball is still a little off......for now.

BR, Lucas is a fantastic keeper. Kept us in the game against Wolves, commands his area, solid all the way.

Something i refrained from saying - after his debut. People were all saying how good he was, and I was completely perplexed by this, as he'd done nothing that Tope hadn't. Well, apart from show he doesn't actually have pace. It's a strange one. People are quick to criticise Tope, who has scored, has energy and a nice touch, yet seem happy with Hutchinson, who's not really shown anything yet.

Any criticism directed at either of these two so early is ridiculous IMO. Opinions are fine but to criticise from the stands so early before either have had a chance to settle is hardly encouraging. Tope has taken a couple of games and now is starting to look better and Hutchinson will be the same I'm sure.

I don't see the point of bringing in Tope and Hutchinson if we're sticking with 1 up front and playing them on the wing. They seem no better than Macklin or Marshall, so why don't we give them some games to see how they develop?

we needed bodies in, we now have the option to go 442 or even a out and out 433 if the 451 isnt working now we have enough strikers

For me Lucas in goal (bar game one) has been the big signing..the MK game we could of lost and he made some good saves..he impressed me at Wolves with his kicking and general organisation of the defence.

Agreed, and that's one reason we got hammered at Gillingham. there was only one way we could play so easy to counteract.

i think Douglas is the biggest signing for us, he is to good to be playing at this level

Is there really any chance that we could sign Ferry permenantly?

He was on the periphery of the Celtic senior team. I doubt Celtic will want to sell. Of course, he may fancy the move himself to get his career up and running and how many Celtics youngsters have been close to the first team and missed out? Many I imagine.

Sure we needed more strikers to give more options, but that doesn't explain why he plays Tope or Hutchinson in a 4-5-1 when we've got Macklin and Marshall. I've only seen the home games but in those I've seen nothing to suggest either of them are better than what we've got.

We are unbeaten with those players and that system. You are moaning just for the sake of it you miserable cunt.

This.

If it's not broken.........

Will be interesting to see if he changes things to try and take the game to Colchester at the CG on sat. Got some decent options on the bench now but don't know if Billy and Revell together are the answer. 4-3-1-2 with macca or jp sat behind them?

Nice avatar weasel.

ta. MS Paint's a bit shabby but killed some time whilst waiting on the roasties earlier.

id stick with what we have used so far, then change to an attacking 442 if all is not going to plan, with the 451 we look very solid in central midfield which is a major part why our defensive record is currently so impressive

have we not played 4-4-2 the last two games with Hutch and Paynter upfront?

I wasnt there yesterday but it was defo a 4-4-2 against Southend.

Both of them are better than Sturrock, Joyce, Razak and Corr which is the direction we want to be heading. I actually think given half a chance Tope could really come good.

It's a fair point but the problem is they're not permanent signings.

I  take your point  but to be honest I dont think either of them are better than a fit Barry Corr

which is rarer than seeing a unicorn :)

I am sure that I saw a unicorn sometime late Friday night.

Tope won't have the time to come good, unless he stays until the end of the season. He has the right credentials on paper, is a very rough diamond on the pitch but there is no point in trying to dribble round the whole opposition, run into trouble and lose the ball.

He does seem to cause problems and pull defenders out of position, but the ball rarely ends up with the free man because it's given away. I'd much prefer to see Macklin being played as I don't think Tope is any better and Macklin is one of our own.

i agree with what you say macklin should be playing instead of tope i dont think tope will come back IMO which will give macklin the chance to shine. hopefully that miss on the weekend wont mess with his head.

Macklin's pace could scare alot of defences this season.

It will but his finishing wont scare a lot of keepers!

I think he just needs a goal. The chance at Yeovil was harder than it looked, with two defenders closing him down. It's hard to know, but it might just need him to grab a tap-in or something to get a bit of confidence in front of goal

Macklin seems to not quite have the right attitude yet, i think having him in the squad and letting him develope further in the reserves and the League Trophy would stand him in better stead. Tope is not our player and so in the little time is here may aswel give him the game time to get the best out of him. Bolton regard him highly and none of our squad have featured for England at any level in recent years so i truly believe a few more games if we keep him and he could be handy for us this season.