New signings

[spanish rover]

What signings would you want to see at the club in January?

[montyc]

How about some MEN rather than the kids we have now, perhaps they wouldn't stand for getting trampled on like we are at present. Don't suppose Norman Hunter still playing or perhaps chopper Harris?????
OK I know the games moved on since those days, but still in need of some steel, midfield and at the back.

[spanish rover]

I think Rubeun Reid (Exeter city)might be heading our way

[tommyd]

Some players with a bit of experience (including a gk) but I genuinely think the tactics are our biggest issue.

[Kentstripe]

Two things we need the most imo, are a consistent cb and a pacey forward/wideman with good movement.

Most of our cb's are young and do a lot of good things during games, but that doesn't count for much if lapses in concentration lead to people losing their man at set pieces, which is happening too often.

Wonder if Haydn Hollis of Notts County might be on our radar? 6 ft 4, strong in the air, good age, decent expeience at this level and above and has apparently been made available this window.

A big reason that we play sideways and backwards so much is down to the lack of options/runners up front. A Woolery-type forward to support Doidge would help give us that, and would also help stop teams pressing us as high up the pitch, as they would be worried about our pace in behind, something we currently lack.

Stop conceding soft goals from crosses/set pieces, and have more pace and options to play the forward pass and our tactics would be a lot more effective imo.

[doggy]

7 signings minimal, plus new tactics, 2 up front with less of a gap between CD and rest, we have best striker in league with no support!!, midfielders who drive forward when required, Osbourn only one to do this, get rid of zonal marking, MC keeps saying we are poor at defending set pieces, well they only do as you ask!! And quicker out from back, dont let opposition retain shape before we go forward, drives me mad!!

[Kentstripe]

And quicker out from back, dont let opposition retain shape before we go forward, drives me mad!!

You mean give the opposition the ball back quicker?

Nothing wrong with keeping possession, just need more runners and better movement up front, so when we draw opposition out to close us down creating gaps, we have the players to exploit that. Pace in behind will also put more doubt in their minds.

If you have the ball, the opposition can't score.

Don't need quantity, quality more important. One or two proven quality pacy forward options, a commanding cb and another Osbourne like midfielder if possible, and that should be enough imo.

[doggy]

And quicker out from back, dont let opposition retain shape before we go forward, drives me mad!!

You mean give the opposition the ball back quicker?

Nothing wrong with keeping possession, just need more runners and better movement up front, so when we draw opposition out to close us down creating gaps, we have the players to exploit that. Pace in behind will also put more doubt in their minds.

If you have the ball, the opposition can't score.

Don't need quantity, quality more important. One or two proven quality pacy forward options, a commanding cb and another Osbourne like midfielder if possible, and that should be enough imo.

Have to agree about movement, there is none from anyone other than CD and he cant be expected to do it all himself, have to say he is wasted in this current set up, by this i really mean, the way we play. We have become far too predictable and clubs know how we play, no plan B C D..

[Kentstripe]

We have become far too predictable and clubs know how we play, no plan B C D..

That will change IF we can bring in 1 or two pacy forwards imo, MC wanted Woolery in the summer and you can see why. Pace in behind gives us the option of the ball over the top/in behind, which is will give the opposition a lot more to think about.

Do they press high up the pitch and risk being caught in behind, or do they sit off and allow us to dictate play? Currently they know we can't hurt them in behind or on the break so they can pressurise us and force mistakes. Knowing we have the option of turning them around will give them more of a dilemma, which will lead to more confusion/mistakes from the opposition, which isn't happening much atm.

More movement/pace in the final third would offer us that extra cutting edge and create havoc, which would make our possession football a lot more effective imo.

[dursleydog]

1 goalkeeper?
2 Centre backs
1 central midfielder (potentially Stanley Aborah, CM released from Portsmouth)
1 left winger (potentially Sanchez Watt, LW released from Crawley)

[Stewjacksam]

With three going back to parent clubs surely we are going to need about 8 to strengthen the squad.
Two full backs (then Bennett and wishart can cover absence/injury)
One centre half (Ellis)
One holding midfield (pinnock)
One attacking mid (in the bag)
Two genuine wingers (not full backs playing out of position)
One out and out striker - little quick live wire to play off doidge - like. James but able to score
A big job to do
4-4-2 is the formation

[michael]

no-one less than 6'3''

[Kentstripe]

4-4-2 is the formation

Disagree, need 5 in the middle or you get overrun. Hardly anyone plays 4-4-2 anymore and with good reason.

3-5-2, 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 for me.

[Foggy]

I don't think we will be changing tactics any time soon, new players will presumably have been chosen because they are more capable of playing the Cooper way than those we already have.

[Martin Toms]

People have mentioned wide players a few times but what for as we don’t cross the ball into the box like most other teams?

We definitely need a few players around 6ft 3 upwards to give us more physical presence, again like many other teams in this division

[Robert+89]

With the lad coming in, where dose he play left midd. Maybe a younger winger on loan. A 2nd forward who can score. One centre midd. 2 centre back, I think the keeper can have a good season if he has 2 confident centre backs in frount of him. What's that 6 and cooper wanted 5.would not be to upset if a few players where moved on.

[andymac26]

I'm in the camp that says; whoever and however many come in, we still need to have a style of play which provides sufficient service to an effective front two. Otherwise I think we'll still struggle.

[king giraffe III]

We have become far too predictable and clubs know how we play, no plan B C D..

That will change IF we can bring in 1 or two pacy forwards imo, MC wanted Woolery in the summer and you can see why. Pace in behind gives us the option of the ball over the top/in behind, which is will give the opposition a lot more to think about.

Do they press high up the pitch and risk being caught in behind, or do they sit off and allow us to dictate play? Currently they know we can't hurt them in behind or on the break so they can pressurise us and force mistakes. Knowing we have the option of turning them around will give them more of a dilemma, which will lead to more confusion/mistakes from the opposition, which isn't happening much atm.

More movement/pace in the final third would offer us that extra cutting edge and create havoc, which would make our possession football a lot more effective imo.

Welcome to the real world. It's only taken half a season!

[michael]

you are right about missing out on woolery in the summer-but does that not also highlight the problem/myopic summer thinking.

woolery had one stella game, a couple of ok games-and the rest were poorish.
he struggled to get in my first pick in the national league-and the fact MC tried to sign him in summer highlights how Mr Cooper underestimated by a long way (like most of us ) the standard of EFL2.

Much better players than woolery were/are needed if FGR are to keep EFL status ,especially as after monday it will be catch up

[The Cumbrian]

1 goalkeeper?
2 Centre backs
1 central midfielder (potentially Stanley Aborah, CM released from Portsmouth)
1 left winger (potentially Sanchez Watt, LW released from Crawley)

A winger would be great, only problem is Cooper doesn't like wingers.

1 Experienced Goalkeeper
1 Experienced centre back weigh in with a few goals. Even Mark Ellis who is back bench warming at CUCF
1 Central midfielder who can pick and execute a long pass and weigh in with a few goals.
1 Striker that can play in behind the front man and score goals.