Mansfield Match Thread

[Cliff Byrne’s Right Peg]

Howard has been a huge loss for us.
The 2nd half of the season he has improved his ability to come out and collect crosses too, so that argument is redundant.

[cassidystash]

WonderGoals wrote:

I have to agree with Mick. Howard directs those in front of him a hell of a lot more effectively, which In my opinion settles the defence down more than when Watson is in goal.
Watson is a good shot stopper but that’s where it ends with him. I think next season we need to move him on, re sign Howard and also sign another experienced GK to battle it out with him.
I’m telling you now, we’ll need experience there next season…that’s a certainty.
Watson can go for me. No great loss.

I agree with your sentiments 100% WG but I think that hoping for 2 experienced players battling for any position, let alone keeper, is a forlorn hope. If we’re lucky we might get 18 or so with some experience (and hopefully some ability) with cover supplied by what youngsters we have left.

[DarrynStampGoalMachine]

I can’t even begin to understand how anyone who has watched the games this season can’t see Howard as a massive improvement. He’s far from perfect but he steadied a rapidly sinking ship and the stats absolutely back that up.

If we hadn’t signed him and Watson had remained number one through the season we would be rock bottom and well adrift.

I’m 50/50 on keeping Howard I’d like to think we could improve further but we are up against it already next season and going back to Watson as number 1 makes our bad situation even worse. Nailed on certainties for relegation.

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[MK Iron]

It is a difficult one and stats sometimes do lie.

I think the latest version of Rory has looked an improvement over Howard. He is at least as good at shot stopping. He has improved his kicking now the the same (mediocre) level of Howard and in the last few games has looked better coming off his line as Howard ever has done.

I think he has been undone by having unfit players in front of him – Onaraise, McGahay and Taft have had to be thrown in there too quickly and have all played sh!te since Rory’s return.

[cassidystash]

“Onaraise, McGahay and Taft have had to be thrown in there too quickly and have all played sh!te since Rory’s return.”

Because they’re not fully fit or because they’re nervous about what’s behind them?

[MK Iron]

Probably a bit of both Cass.

Prior to their combacks from recent injuries Onaraise and Taft had very few bad games. Both have looked off the pace on their returns. McGahey (who I really rate as a player) has looked off the pace and unfit whenever he has played this season.

[lesgeo]

Howard is certainly the better keeper – but if Rory can keep improving at the recent rate – will be glad to have him as backup.

[Northumbiron]

We need a spine (in more ways than one).

Experienced keeper, CB, CMF & striker to be signed this summer. One at least has to be capable of being an on field leader/captain.

Anything less will be suicide!

[Ironawe]

Rory just isn’t good enough for league football – we keep waiting for him to come good but he’s had enough opps now. There is far too much to work on with his game. a shot stopper yes but most other things he struggles with. I think he’s saved more penalties than kept clean sheets

[WonderGoals]

If we we need an old pro to add to Taft and Onariase, only problem is…will they come here to bench warm ?

I should imagine if Onariase and Taft are fit, they’ll be first choice. Young barks can be added to those 3. Bedeau can piss off and Mcgahey already has a foot out the door.

A bit off topic buy I’d release Clarke as well to be honest, played more games than I penned him in for this season but still an accident waiting to happen for me.

We need an experienced LB to battle with O’Malley and learn him the ropes with his experience and same with Rowe.

I wouldn’t want Howe, good going forward but can’t really defend.

I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he’s converted into a right winger in the future. Good delivery, quick and he will be more than solid enough defensively for a winger.

Defensively though he get’s pulled all over the place, positionally he’s awful.

[SST]

MK Iron wrote:

I think he has been undone by having unfit players in front of him – Onaraise, McGahay and Taft have had to be thrown in there too quickly

To be fair to Howard he has also had to contend with a make shift on numerous occasions.

Rory definitely appears to have improved some aspects of his game but for me, the stats don’t lie. He’s not good enough.

[Author]

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