Taiwo Atieno

[Fonda]

Billy off injured today. Didn't take long for our '3 strikers' to get exposed...

[Father Jack]

Guess thats what happens when the other 3 striking options had already been substituted. Thats unlikely to happen in a real game though, unless the gaffer has a senior moment...

[bc-gull]

I really hope Kee's injury isn't too bad as I think he is key this season.

[Fonda]

I wasn't meaning the game today. One injury (as we've sufered to Kee today) means we have 2 fit strikers to start the season. It's not enough. I suppose Mcphee is next in line for a striking berth. If we get to the point that Yeoman and Spear need to be relied upon, we're going to struggle because they're not ready.

[Father Jack]

Agree that Yeoman and Spear dont look ready. Its all about the cash in the end though. Can we afford to have another striker (established at league level presumably?) who would probably only play in the event of injury?

[Fonda]

Hence my suggestion of a loanee for if and when injuries occur.

[bobby93]

Missed an open goal. Apprently it was harder to miss than score. On the day he signs oooh dear.

he did. but as an optimist im going to try and remember the way he found a good position and timed his run well, before rounding the keeper with a good touch, rather than the way he found the wrong side of the net at the near post. shame really.

[Southampton Gull]

Hence my suggestion of a loanee for if and when injuries occur.

You shouldn't really need one for pre-season though

[yellowforever]

Yeoman actually looked okay today, though I agree he's not ready. Atieno put in a lot of effort, and chased balls down, but is not a natural finisher, as demonstrated by a poor open goal miss. Won a bit in the air as well.

[leetufc]

It's a tough one. Yeoman and Spear need to be played to see if they're good enough, but its a brave man to put them in league games of importance. I would like to see them go out on loan to at the minimum a Blue Square North/South team where they'll be in a competitive league and we can see what they're about. Maybe to Truro where Palmer has gone. A lower level than that and I feel staying at us and playing for the reserves will be more beneficial.

I reckon Ling has probably finished his permanent signings now, which is a good time to have finished, with two weeks to go until the season opener. Reckon he'll probably use the loan market though to bolster the squad and depending on how we perform early on.

[exilegull]

Fonda,

I guess if we had signed a player for half the wages of Howe we could be in a position to take another striker. Personally I'm glad we signed Howe. We're always going to have to make comprises.

As for a striker on loan - now is not really the time to dig into the loan market unless there is a high qualilty young player available from a top club - someone like NIcky Ajose at Bury last year. However these are few and far between especially for our club with it not being ideally located.
Other than that squads are still being formed, players recruited and also trying to be offloaded. Once the transfer window is shut, managers will have an idea of who their core squad is, who they couldn't offload and who no longer fits into their squad. There will then be a good base of available players to dip into - if our finances allows.

[Fonda]

I think i should clarify, i didn't suggest at any point we should have signed another striker, or have a loanee in at this stage. And i'm well aware of the need to construct a squad on a budget. My point was merely that by referring to Yeoman and Spear as option '4 and 5' the insinuation is they might be needed - and i'm unconvinced they are ready. If we are going to need an option 4, and i suspect we will at some point during the season, i hope we bring someone in on loan rather than having to play one of those two.

[ferrarilover]

I don't think it is overly optimistic to suggest that we remember the well timed run, the nick round a VERY intimidating Jensen and a slightly wobbly finish, because that is what happened.
Ok, yes, he should have found the net, but all this about him not begin a natural finisher, based on what, one dodgy side netting? Michael Owen is one of the most natural finishers I have ever seen, up there with Henry and Ruud Van Nistelrooy, I'll bet it would take about 30 seconds on youtube to find each of these world class strikers doing exactly what Taiwo did today.

If that is the biggest mistake he makes in his career, he'll be doing pretty well.

Matt.

[tufcbrett]

I wasnt at the game so i wouldnt no. All i got told it was really bad. But yeah i agree Matt.

[RussianGull]

Atieno should have scored but I don't think we should be so quick to dismiss Spear just yet, I personally was impressed with him, more so than the like of Yeoman and Halpin.