Strikers

[Kernow]

When we have players who miss easy chances on the pitch, do we let two players who proved themselves last season, sit on the bench. Favouritism or what. Remember speaking to Nicky early days, he been told him play in a two upfront and play to his style ,through the channels. What changed or is Coxy advising behind the scenes. Sort it before these guys switch off totally.

[Sedgwick]

What players are you talking about? Mellis & Tomlinson, only two on the bench yesterday from last season.

[kevin kents tasce]

Surely he means Cook and Maynard who have both proved themselves for a few seasons.

I bet the pair of them are wondering what on earth they have got themselves into

[Chrisuknottm]

What players are you talking about? Mellis & Tomlinson, only two on the bench yesterday from last season.

He's talking about Maynard and Cook who both did it at their previous clubs.

[Kenwood]

Surely he means Cook and Maynard who have both proved themselves for a few seasons.

I bet the pair of them are wondering what on earth they have got themselves into

Not sure Cook can complain too much the two chances he’s missed in the last two home matches have been woeful

[Martin Shaw]

Maynard was coming back from injury and only started training again on Thur or Fri so plainly wasn't ready to start. That said, I would definitely have brought him on earlier than 80 minutes.

[Chrisuknottm]

Surely he means Cook and Maynard who have both proved themselves for a few seasons.

I bet the pair of them are wondering what on earth they have got themselves into

Not sure Cook can complain too much the two chances he’s missed in the last two home matches have been woeful

Cook isn't the type of player to be an impact sub. He's an out and out target man to mix it with big defenders and let them know he's there and force mistakes for himself and his team mates to take advantage. .. exactly what CJ wasn't yesterday. ..their defenders weren't worried about him so it was Danny alone.

I'd honestly play Cook and Maynard together with Danny just behind...it's where he was forced to play yesterday coming back more and more just to get the ball after Khan was substituted.

[Sedgwick]

Maynard was coming back from injury and only started training again on Thur or Fri so plainly wasn't ready to start. That said, I would definitely have brought him on earlier than 80 minutes.

Agreed, wouldn't of thought he would be starting... but the subs are always way too late.

Cook and Maynard not started together yet?

I know Danny is top scorer but hes hardly a goal threat or likely to bag a winner out of nothing is he.

[kevin kents tasce]

Don't agree Kenwood. The one yesterday was a very good save. Although I agree should have done better v Cambridge. That said it's unfair to expect a striker to get a few minutes every now and again and expect them to be sharp. It doesn't happen at any level of football.

I would say that we had two attempts on goal yesterday, both were from Cook who only played 20 minutes.

Cook should be the target man and Rose or Maynard should be playing off him.

[MTFCMusings]

When Maynard was warming up, he kept looking back to the bench as if to say, is it time yet? Especially when Dapo came on before him. He even pointed to his watch at one point.

With the strikers we have, we have to play two up too.
Appreciate Cook has missed two good chances but he’s in the position to miss them and has only been on the pitch about 15 mins in each game. Rose has barely had a chance in open play up top on his own.

[S7AGS]

As good as Maynard is I’d have cook start every game and alternate Rose and Maynard...cook needs to play games, he’s not naturally fit so needs to just play and be that horrible striker teams hate to see on the teamsheet.

I’d probably play Rose as well, play all 3...we make it too complicated, play your best players at this level.

[NorthLondonStag]

As good as Maynard is I’d have cook start every game and alternate Rose and Maynard...cook needs to play games, he’s not naturally fit so needs to just play and be that horrible striker teams hate to see on the teamsheet.

I’d probably play Rose as well, play all 3...we make it too complicated, play your best players at this level.

Cook is certainly not naturally fit. I don’t really understand why he isn’t in condition though.

Surely if you are a pro and it’s your full time job then you get yourself fit. Treadmill, exercise bike, high rep weights, HIIT, swimming, laying off the booze and the carbs. They also have fitness coaches fgs.

Match fitness/sharpness I accept is different, but no excuse for reasonably well paid players not being fit. They’ve nowt else to do all day.

And yes I accept you don’t want your players over trained but that’s what the fitness coach is there for.

[EdwinstoweStag]

When Maynard was warming up, he kept looking back to the bench as if to say, is it time yet? Especially when Dapo came on before him. He even pointed to his watch at one point.

With the strikers we have, we have to play two up too.
Appreciate Cook has missed two good chances but he’s in the position to miss them and has only been on the pitch about 15 mins in each game. Rose has barely had a chance in open play up top on his own.

I sense that the players are unimpressed by Dempster’s strategic lethargy.

[gazza1988]

Natural fitness is more how quickly a player recovers from injury, how they recover between matches and training. It's like pace it's not something you are taught, some player have it and some don't. If a player in injured alot and its not a recurring injury (eg Craig Davies) would indicate they would struggle to see games out and likely to get injured again if they are subject to too many games or training sessions. Or a player in his early to mid 30s who's "legs have gone" would indicate a low level of natural fitness. Or a player in his late 30s who can still mix it up with the young uns (eg Bishop) would indicate a high level of natural fitness.

[cassellswasmagic]

I think Rose is playing very well as a lone striker feeding off scraps but I think Cook has got more guile about him especially if it was a front two. I would be going with Cook and Maynard. Once fully fit that pairing should be very good at this level. I could even start dreaming of the play offs

[NorthLondonStag]

Natural fitness is more how quickly a player recovers from injury, how they recover between matches and training. It's like pace it's not something you are taught, some player have it and some don't. If a player in injured alot and its not a recurring injury (eg Craig Davies) would indicate they would struggle to see games out and likely to get injured again if they are subject to too many games or training sessions. Or a player in his early to mid 30s who's "legs have gone" would indicate a low level of natural fitness. Or a player in his late 30s who can still mix it up with the young uns (eg Bishop) would indicate a high level of natural fitness.

Yep, but still no excuse IMO for being unconditioned for a pro outfield player. Whether you are naturally fit based on your explanation or not, you can still be conditioned and outwardly fit, as a result of proper disciplined training and diet. And if you are 'trained' fit then you are more likely to be able to go for longer in games and to recover quickly from exertion.

[gazza1988]

Natural fitness is more how quickly a player recovers from injury, how they recover between matches and training. It's like pace it's not something you are taught, some player have it and some don't. If a player in injured alot and its not a recurring injury (eg Craig Davies) would indicate they would struggle to see games out and likely to get injured again if they are subject to too many games or training sessions. Or a player in his early to mid 30s who's "legs have gone" would indicate a low level of natural fitness. Or a player in his late 30s who can still mix it up with the young uns (eg Bishop) would indicate a high level of natural fitness.

Yep, but still no excuse IMO for being unconditioned for a pro outfield player. Whether you are naturally fit based on your explanation or not, you can still be conditioned and outwardly fit, as a result of proper disciplined training and diet. And if you are 'trained' fit then you are more likely to be able to go for longer in games and to recover quickly from exertion.

Of course you can. You can be fit and carrying a bit of timber as well. You have to consider mental fitness as well. Which is part of what Drewe Broughton is doing. I will go out on a limb here and say there's not many footballers that are 100% physically and mentally fit out there. We all have our problems which affect our performances on a day to day basis, I'm not just talking about footballers there.

[NorthLondonStag]

Natural fitness is more how quickly a player recovers from injury, how they recover between matches and training. It's like pace it's not something you are taught, some player have it and some don't. If a player in injured alot and its not a recurring injury (eg Craig Davies) would indicate they would struggle to see games out and likely to get injured again if they are subject to too many games or training sessions. Or a player in his early to mid 30s who's "legs have gone" would indicate a low level of natural fitness. Or a player in his late 30s who can still mix it up with the young uns (eg Bishop) would indicate a high level of natural fitness.

Yep, but still no excuse IMO for being unconditioned for a pro outfield player. Whether you are naturally fit based on your explanation or not, you can still be conditioned and outwardly fit, as a result of proper disciplined training and diet. And if you are 'trained' fit then you are more likely to be able to go for longer in games and to recover quickly from exertion.

Of course you can. You can be fit and carrying a bit of timber as well. You have to consider mental fitness as well. Which is part of what Drewe Broughton is doing. I will go out on a limb here and say there's not many footballers that are 100% physically and mentally fit out there. We all have our problems which affect our performances on a day to day basis, I'm not just talking about footballers there.

(I don't understand 'of course you can' as it can't possible relate back to any of my post). In any case I agree with the mental fitness/wellbeing point, at all levels. It's overlooked in football (hopefully less so now) and the same applies elsewhere.

I also don't disagree it's possible to be 'fit' (in a very general sense) and also carry some timber. We'd all like to think that about ourselves...

My point is very straightforward - I do not believe that it is sensible or disciplined for a pro footballer in this day and age to be carrying 'timber'. I've never seen it recommended by any coaches or training manual. Carrying timber can't be an aid to fitness or performance (if you want to bulk up to put it about then put muscle on).

[Sedgwick]

Natural fitness is more how quickly a player recovers from injury, how they recover between matches and training. It's like pace it's not something you are taught, some player have it and some don't. If a player in injured alot and its not a recurring injury (eg Craig Davies) would indicate they would struggle to see games out and likely to get injured again if they are subject to too many games or training sessions. Or a player in his early to mid 30s who's "legs have gone" would indicate a low level of natural fitness. Or a player in his late 30s who can still mix it up with the young uns (eg Bishop) would indicate a high level of natural fitness.

Yep, but still no excuse IMO for being unconditioned for a pro outfield player. Whether you are naturally fit based on your explanation or not, you can still be conditioned and outwardly fit, as a result of proper disciplined training and diet. And if you are 'trained' fit then you are more likely to be able to go for longer in games and to recover quickly from exertion.

You can still be fit enough to play professional football and have a bit of a belly on you/ look like Andy Cook... there isn't one body type of a footballer. Works the other way too, there's some absolute stick thin defenders in the championship who you'd think should bulk up and put some muscle on but are still strong, Scott Malone is a great example. I doubt anyone at Accrington gave a toss about Billy Kee having a packet of crisps and a pint then a takeaway after a game every week when he was banging them in.

Play cook, let him cause havoc for defences and he'll score.

[Parkinsons Perm]

As the defence has looked porous why don't we try Cook and Maynard there, according to Gazza you don't need to play in your preferred position, versatility is the key

[gazza1988]

As the defence has looked porous why don't we try Cook and Maynard there, according to Gazza you don't need to play in your preferred position, versatility is the key

They'd deal with crosses better

[yellas-derek-yellas]

It is great that Danny Rose has learned how to jump but it seems he is often the target man with no one to feed.
Maynard and Rose swapping roles would be potent if they could get it together.

[Cleveland_Stag]

We’re still talking about Cook and his weight? He’s always looked like this, for example when he was banging in goals for Tranmere and Walsall. With him close to fully recovering from his injury, I’m confident that Cook will be able to complete 90 minutes of football. He will have done it countless times in the last few seasons looking exactly the same as he does now with regards to his ‘weight’ and the timber he’s carrying.

I agree with some of the opinions on this thread when it comes to starting Cook and Maynard up top together. I think the two of them will be our best forward duo. I doubt Rose will be dropped any time soon though.

[BH_Stag]

On another note regarding the strikers, Afolayan looked completely lost yesterday and made no impact at all. He looked like he didn’t know what to do or where to stand (though tbf he’s probably not used to playing as one of 4 strikers on the pitch, which was daft in itself) and looked absolutely shattered after 10 minutes.

I’d place him 5th/6th down the line in the pecking order for a start up top, just feels like a bit of a waste of time for all involved.

[Chrisuknottm]

On another note regarding the strikers, Afolayan looked completely lost yesterday and made no impact at all. He looked like he didn’t know what to do or where to stand (though tbf he’s probably not used to playing as one of 4 strikers on the pitch, which was daft in itself) and looked absolutely shattered after 10 minutes.

I’d place him 5th/6th down the line in the pecking order for a start up top, just feels like a bit of a waste of time for all involved.

The guys around me and myself were saying exactly the same thing.....what was the thinking that he was what we needed? X Difficult for the lad to make any impression but like you said he looked lost.