The inability to adequately strengthen the squad from the free agent market this summer is just as concerning as it was last summer. As you rightly point out, the search for a decent number nine has been going on for more than a year now. Are they targeting players they are never likely to get an overlooking players who would actually strengthen the squad pretty well in the process? Something seems amiss with the recruitment and has done for some time. It's almost like they are so obsessed with off field activity that putting together a competitive team seems like an afterthought. Current squad is very weak in key areas. Doesn't seem to be any sort of direction or plan on the football front at present and again, it's felt like that for quite some time.
Given that Braintree changed almost their entire 11 at halftime, it’s unfair to say Knight was playing against defenders with 60 minutes in their legs. In saying that, the quality of opposition will rise quickly with Cardiff and Charlton on the preseason horizon so that will provide more of an indicator than last night for sure. All the new lads, new pros and triallists played their part so box ticked in that respect. Would be good to see you take a fresh approach into the new season. Gets a bit repetitive otherwise. We all know what Loft is or rather isn’t but he’s our player and constant criticism changes nothing. Last season was appalling for pretty much all concerned so it’s definitely fresh slate time. On the catering front, at least Braintree have unlocked the secret of putting fried onions on burgers, think the Abbey caterers must have bunked that day off while doing their diplomas at college. Maybe their summer CPD covered it so we live in hope.
The kit I did clock, but the changes weren’t made until 60 minutes according to their Twitter account (somehow still missed it haha) - so even more apt for the Knight point although it was a team entirely of trialists. Anyway I really wasn’t trying to take anything away from Knight he looked really exciting.
Agree on Munday and recruitment point - I just feel we have been here a few too many times before. Clock ticking down until season starts, not enough business done etc. Bit Groundhog Day.
But 2/3 high quality through the door and things suddenly look very different. Here’s hoping.
Fair point on Braintree’s changes, I’ll amend that. I was getting a burger at half time so missed that (you’re right on the onions!)
We can agree to disagree on Loft, until he starts to offer something to indicate he’s worth his 4 year deal, I’ll call it how I see it. I’d love him to prove me wrong but it wouldn’t be a very interesting article if I just ignored something quite blatantly obvious to me and everyone I was sat with. Criticism can actually change something in my eyes, it’s an indication that we can demand a certain standard. He’s not performed to that for the vast majority of his time and I hope that changes.
Anyway the last point was supposed to be an indication at the fresh slate you mention, because I agree in a new season positivity is called for - and there’s plenty to be excited about, Knight as you rightly say being one! Up the u’s
Did you notice they changed their kit too?? For what it’s worth, my personal opinion is that if the remaining recruitment goes to plan (a big if for us!) then Loft could become so peripheral that they may look to loan him out during the 2nd half of the season. Harris wants a fast, mobile centre forward with the technical skills to bring the likes of Knight, Brophy and Kaikai into the equation. More Tom Elliott than Devon White so to speak. Kuch might be a beneficiary of that. Thought Munday showed glimpses of the modern number 9 role last night. Too early in his career for this season but hoping he continues to develop and we might just have a real asset on our hands in a season or two.
The inability to adequately strengthen the squad from the free agent market this summer is just as concerning as it was last summer. As you rightly point out, the search for a decent number nine has been going on for more than a year now. Are they targeting players they are never likely to get an overlooking players who would actually strengthen the squad pretty well in the process? Something seems amiss with the recruitment and has done for some time. It's almost like they are so obsessed with off field activity that putting together a competitive team seems like an afterthought. Current squad is very weak in key areas. Doesn't seem to be any sort of direction or plan on the football front at present and again, it's felt like that for quite some time.
Given that Braintree changed almost their entire 11 at halftime, it’s unfair to say Knight was playing against defenders with 60 minutes in their legs. In saying that, the quality of opposition will rise quickly with Cardiff and Charlton on the preseason horizon so that will provide more of an indicator than last night for sure. All the new lads, new pros and triallists played their part so box ticked in that respect. Would be good to see you take a fresh approach into the new season. Gets a bit repetitive otherwise. We all know what Loft is or rather isn’t but he’s our player and constant criticism changes nothing. Last season was appalling for pretty much all concerned so it’s definitely fresh slate time. On the catering front, at least Braintree have unlocked the secret of putting fried onions on burgers, think the Abbey caterers must have bunked that day off while doing their diplomas at college. Maybe their summer CPD covered it so we live in hope.
The kit I did clock, but the changes weren’t made until 60 minutes according to their Twitter account (somehow still missed it haha) - so even more apt for the Knight point although it was a team entirely of trialists. Anyway I really wasn’t trying to take anything away from Knight he looked really exciting.
Agree on Munday and recruitment point - I just feel we have been here a few too many times before. Clock ticking down until season starts, not enough business done etc. Bit Groundhog Day.
But 2/3 high quality through the door and things suddenly look very different. Here’s hoping.
Fair point on Braintree’s changes, I’ll amend that. I was getting a burger at half time so missed that (you’re right on the onions!)
We can agree to disagree on Loft, until he starts to offer something to indicate he’s worth his 4 year deal, I’ll call it how I see it. I’d love him to prove me wrong but it wouldn’t be a very interesting article if I just ignored something quite blatantly obvious to me and everyone I was sat with. Criticism can actually change something in my eyes, it’s an indication that we can demand a certain standard. He’s not performed to that for the vast majority of his time and I hope that changes.
Anyway the last point was supposed to be an indication at the fresh slate you mention, because I agree in a new season positivity is called for - and there’s plenty to be excited about, Knight as you rightly say being one! Up the u’s
Did you notice they changed their kit too?? For what it’s worth, my personal opinion is that if the remaining recruitment goes to plan (a big if for us!) then Loft could become so peripheral that they may look to loan him out during the 2nd half of the season. Harris wants a fast, mobile centre forward with the technical skills to bring the likes of Knight, Brophy and Kaikai into the equation. More Tom Elliott than Devon White so to speak. Kuch might be a beneficiary of that. Thought Munday showed glimpses of the modern number 9 role last night. Too early in his career for this season but hoping he continues to develop and we might just have a real asset on our hands in a season or two.