The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

We need ;-

2 centre-halves (not make do ones), young, tall and dominating, one left-footer one right
1 right-footed out-and-out right winger
1 left-footed out-and-out left winger
1 great big goalhanging striker

People that can leave to make way;-

Kevin Nicholls - sorry, but I think he's an un-necessary luxury
Lewwis Spence - just hasn't cut the mustard
Curtis Osano - most overrated player at the club, probably a high earner and error prone
Neil Cousins - not good enough
Michael Gash - not good enough

Downsie53 wrote:4-4-2. The 4-3-3 formation we play suited P*** T**** and Lee Tomlin - and neither player is at the club any more!

GK- NEW SIGNING
RB - Osano
CB - NEW SIGNING
CB - Stuart
LB - Day
RW - NEW SIGNING
CM - Porter
CM - Power
LM - NEW SIGNING
CF - O'Connor
CF - NEW SIGNING

I honestly think we're currently a 12th-16th place side currently, 5 players would be ideal as Corcs, Charles etc are far better squad players IMO, rather than starters.

I'd play a fit Huke at CB, problem is is he ever fit? I think getting rid of Downer was shortsighted. If we had Huke and Downer, two top class centre backs in my opinion, they could alternate for fitness purposes (given that Downer could realistically manage 1 game a week in average because of injuries), and if they were both fit then we have 3 quality CB's. Agree about the 12th-16th prediction, i said the exact same thing to my old man after the game yesterday.

i think we need 2 ship out spence and farrell, bloody usless :roll:

think its 2 early to ship charles out, as he has show promise on some occasions


i think we need 2 pacey wingers: tomlin and bell ;) , a decent tall defender or 2, centre mid (bryne);), a striker( sharp) ;) ,

and a new back up goaly. dnt really want key going in goal if day gets injured


and maybe ship smith out on loan as he needs to get his confidence back and gettin beyond the goals agen

happy days:D ;)

I've reached the point where if someone wants to come in for Osano I wouldn't be too bothered. I think he needs to move on to develop more and his lack of concentration isn't helping us.

I agree with Osano, especially if we get some good money for him. If he plays CB he is too error prone e.g. first game against Fleetwood, and as RB he doesn't attack enough for me and doesn't help in the final third

What I think we need:

- A goalkeeper - I just can't see Key or Broadbent filling in (successfully)
- A big mean centre back who can take some of the pressure of Stuart, plus be a threat from set pieces
- Mark Byrne
- A striker who will actually score every week, as i don't think Gash will do that

Disappointed with the lack of faith being shown in Joe Day. I was suprised at him being played when he first broke into the side but he's proved what a good keeper he is. His kicking isn't always great but i'd rather have a keeper that can make saves than one that can kick perfectly!

Gash hasn't done anything wrong so far, was up against a good Centre Back at Luton and he won his share of headers and showed good movement. Won a lot in the air on Monday aswell, but if we're playing the formation we are nobody is near him to get on the end of his flicks!

If we're going to play 4-4-2 we need a 'proper' winger, Charles is ok on the right and willing to run at players, but we have nobody on the left. I'd like to see Day and Robinson as a left side combination just to see how well it goes.

Two of Diamonds wrote:We need ;-

2 centre-halves (not make do ones), young, tall and dominating, one left-footer one right
1 right-footed out-and-out right winger
1 left-footed out-and-out left winger
1 great big goalhanging striker

People that can leave to make way;-

Kevin Nicholls - sorry, but I think he's an un-necessary luxury
Lewwis Spence - just hasn't cut the mustard
Curtis Osano - most overrated player at the club, probably a high earner and error prone
Neil Cousins - not good enough
Michael Gash - not good enough

The word 'fickle' comes to mind.

Mad Dog wrote:Michael Gash - not good enough

The word 'fickle' comes to mind.[/quote]

That wasn't the word I was thinking of ;) :lol:
Seems to try and play all his footy with his back to goal and outside the box. Doesn't seem to have been rated at most all the other clubs he's been to either. Cue hat-trick on Saturday ;)

OsanoIsKing wrote: I'd like to see Day and Robinson as a left side combination just to see how well it goes.

Very doubtful, Robbo's move to Chelmsford is with a view to a permanent deal.

Two of Diamonds wrote:

Mad Dog wrote:

Two of Diamonds wrote:Michael Gash - not good enough

The word 'fickle' comes to mind.

That wasn't the word I was thinking of ;) :lol:
Seems to try and play all his footy with his back to goal and outside the box. Doesn't seem to have been rated at most all the other clubs he's been to either. Cue hat-trick on Saturday ;)

Let's hope so.

He's played two games and been at the club a few days. He's young (24) and ok he didn't do well at York, but he scored 13 goals for Ebbsfleet prior to that. Depends upon the club and manager as well, ask Mansfield fans about Azza prior to us signing him.

OsanoIsKing wrote:Disappointed with the lack of faith being shown in Joe Day. I was suprised at him being played when he first broke into the side but he's proved what a good keeper he is. His kicking isn't always great but i'd rather have a keeper that can make saves than one that can kick perfectly!

Gash hasn't done anything wrong so far, was up against a good Centre Back at Luton and he won his share of headers and showed good movement. Won a lot in the air on Monday aswell, but if we're playing the formation we are nobody is near him to get on the end of his flicks!

If we're going to play 4-4-2 we need a 'proper' winger, Charles is ok on the right and willing to run at players, but we have nobody on the left. I'd like to see Day and Robinson as a left side combination just to see how well it goes.

I agree with what you say about Joe Day and Gash. To put things in perspective Joe is only 20 and is doing ok. There are certainly things that could be done better, but he’s still very much developing (especially for a keeper) so to get where he is at the moment is fantastic. He just needs to continue to work hard as he most likely has done and for us to show some patience and support him.

Gash has played only two games and according to Drives on Saturday is not match fit. I think he has shown some promise, as has been said, he has shown some promise (he’s also only 24) and won’t be on the same wavelength as the rest of the team yet, but that should hopefully come with games.

Strengthening the squad? I agree, Mark Byrne. I think the chances are probably low but I still think it can’t hurt to ask Forest if we could have him on loan and see if he would be happy to come. We’ve got nothing to lose.

Another name to throw into the hat may be Tom Shaw. I’ve heard good things about how he’s done, though obviously JE and PD are in a better position to judge. His contract at Kidderminster is up in the Summer and with their financial problems, we might be able to able to secure him if we believe he would add to the squad and he was happy to come back.

Up front, well Rene Howe is too good to give up trying to re-secure him on loan. It looks unlikely that we’d get him, but I wouldn’t change the strike force if we didn’t because I want Gash to be given time to integrate with the rest and I feel at the back and in midfield are the places where we need an extra body or two now.