Comments on: What We Can Learn as the Dust Settles on the Season

By: Adam Hepton

Adam Hepton — Thu, 15 May 2008 10:57:39 +0000

“At home we just need to make sure we understand that the best way to attack is to get the ball as often as possible so we need a guy in the midfield to win it back”

Dare I say that we had one of these, and he’s just been freed in the shape of Craig Bentham?

By: Joe

Joe — Tue, 13 May 2008 22:25:33 +0000

Stuart has two main things to sort out this summer.

1) He has to reshape the back four. This will mean signing a first-choice centre half because I don’t think Clarke and Bower are enough to carry us through a whole season. There are loads of right backs around but not many good ones. I feel a bit sorry for Williams but then having seen him give away the most stupid penalty of the season at Shrewsbury and the way he got done by Michael Boulding I think he had the odd calamity in him a la Holloway and that is a tendency that does not disappear with age. It would do no harm having a younger and more energetic model in. Heckingbottom stays. There are decent goalkeepers out there but if there is a chance of keeping Loach I would because he is talented and loved playing for us this season.

2) He has to find a way to accommodate Nix, Colbeck, Daley, Thorne and a second striker (whoever that may be) in the same side. That is a lot of attacking talent for this division (especially when Daley can actually be bothered) and it should yield a tonne of goals but it leaves us a bit soft on midfield cover for the defence. I think City would reap the benefits of playing in a more attacking style, but unless Stuart can persuade Bullock to anchor full-time or get someone in like Brandon to do that job then I think he needs to work out how those 5 can provide us with more insurance when City haven’t got the ball.

By: Lee Zanetti, from Silsden

Lee Zanetti, from Silsden — Tue, 13 May 2008 21:17:57 +0000

Not sure I agree Tom. I think Eddie, or “Skip” as I like to call him deserved another year. He’s a good player and will no doubt do well wherever he goes. Let’s hope McCall has some ftting replacements!

By: Paul Firth

Paul Firth — Tue, 13 May 2008 16:25:48 +0000

I’m entirely with Roland on the Donavan send-off. Wouldn’t you just love to have seen the last 10 minutes at Wycombe with that awesome strike partnership of Wethers and The Don? At least Wethers would have known that he would have had to go for all the crosses, on the basis that The Don wouldn’t be jumping!!

By: Tom from Bingley

Tom from Bingley — Tue, 13 May 2008 12:03:05 +0000

Colin Todd brought Eddie to Valley Parade after an ambitions bid to secure his signing. Johnson had completed a successful loan period at Crewe Alexandra and had been offered an extremely generous contract offer in relation their wage structure. Colin Todd convinced the board to also build a package to outbid Crewe. Eddie obviously looking for his first professional contract outside of Manchester United, took the best offer on the table.

I liked both Striker Johnson & Midfielder Johnson and could never question his commitment for our club. However, for the ‘Championship’ wages he has commanded over the last 2 years, he has not produced enough to warrant a new contract. People may point to the fact that he wished to stay at BD8 by offering to take a 50% wage cut. 50% would still contribute to an excessive wage compared to his league two compatriots and probably 4 times the amount we are paying an exciting Kyle Nix.

I feel that McCall has got the right target in Luke Beckett! Guaranteed goal scorer! My mouth waters at the thought of fielding our first established (proven goal scorers) strike partnership since Blake and Mills…