Ranger

[Ironshrimper]

I worry more that it's not going to be a case of supply and demand for both Ranger and Cox. It's becoming obvious that both are prone to injury and this has to be balanced against our need to have both available for as many games as possible. Get them properly fit or get them out there for the next game, that's the dilemma. We need another proper forward in the next window if we have pretentions towards the play-offs.

we need another forward (proper) ������

 

[Pubey]

why do we need another striker?

Ranger is out for a couple of weeks and so we'll probably start Fortune and Cox. If Cox is out we have Hines and McGlashan who can offer something different up front - either from the start or off the bench.

We could even go to a 451/433 with both Hines/McGlashan/McLaughlin playing as advanced wingers/wide strikers supporting Fortune if needed.

Mooney will also hopefully be back at the end of January to offer more cover and depth.

In Cox, Ranger and Fortune we have three very good L1 quality strikers. Who would want to come here to be second choice behind those three? Don't see why we have to get someone in to cover Ranger being out for two weeks, and who would be available?

Also I'd like us to look to the youths or to other youngsters who may be available. We don't have anyone coming through really. These situations are when you want to be getting them on the bench or giving them 20 mins to show what they can do.

 

[mrsblue]

why do we need another striker?

Ranger is out for a couple of weeks and so we'll probably start Fortune and Cox. If Cox is out we have Hines and McGlashan who can offer something different up front - either from the start or off the bench.

We could even go to a 451/433 with both Hines/McGlashan/McLaughlin playing as advanced wingers/wide strikers supporting Fortune if needed.

Mooney will also hopefully be back at the end of January to offer more cover and depth.

In Cox, Ranger and Fortune we have three very good L1 quality strikers. Who would want to come here to be second choice behind those three? Don't see why we have to get someone in to cover Ranger being out for two weeks, and who would be available?

Also I'd like us to look to the youths or to other youngsters who may be available. We don't have anyone coming through really. These situations are when you want to be getting them on the bench or giving them 20 mins to show what they can do.

Ranger ,Cox and Fortune have managed 8 goals between them thus far.....imagine if that figure was 20 plus....we would be top 3 easily.

Not being critical just being honest.

 

[Gt Yarmouth Shrimper]

Ranger ,Cox and Fortune have managed 8 goals between them thus far.....imagine if that figure was 20 plus....we would be top 3 easily.

Not being critical just being honest.

You're not being honest, you're causing mischief:winking:

 

[Southminster Shrimper]

Time for Jason Williams to step up. He has 20 goals in him.:stunned:

 

[Ironshrimper]

You're not being honest, you're causing mischief:winking:

she is being honest, Cox should score more... assists? So what he is a striker... #ShotShy

 

[rigsby]

Ranger ,Cox and Fortune have managed 8 goals between them thus far.....imagine if that figure was 20 plus....we would be top 3 easily.

Not being critical just being honest.

Just imagine PB had listened to you and not signed any of them......We would be bottom 3 easily.

Not being critical just being honest.

 

[Southminster Shrimper]

I think you either have to be very lucky, or pay a lot of money for a 20 goal striker.

Not being critical just being honest.

 

[Angell Delight]

Ranger ,Cox and Fortune have managed 8 goals between them thus far.....imagine if that figure was 20 plus....we would be top 3 easily.

Not being critical just being honest.

I honestly can't agree with any of this.

Ranger - we've played 10 games with this guy in the side and not lost any of them. You can dress stats up any way you like but that record is indisputable and it's no coincidence. Anyone who has actually been to games will know just what a difference Ranger brings to this team, he's a complete handful on all fronts.

Cox - have you noticed how many assists Cox has contributed this season? Because apparently he's amassed SIX more assists than anyone else in the squad. Undoubtedly the most intelligent footballer in the squad and when he doesn't play we miss his link-up terribly.

Fortune - the guy has surprised me, I was less than enthused when we signed him but I am more than happy to admit I was completely wrong. He plays like he's 25 never mind 35 and has proved himself an incredibly effective game-changer off the bench. Like Ranger he is a real handful and we need to get his contract sorted as soon as possible now, I'd have no complaints if we included a years option in the clubs favour. If he carries on the form he has shown so far then I'd be triggering that year come the summer if I was Brown and Martin. I don't think I've ever seen such a mobile 35-year-old Southend player in my 29 years of supporting Blues and you can just tell that the guy played at a higher level earlier in his career.

In terms of bringing others into play these 3 have done a magnificent job - do you think Wordsworth would have scored so many without the likes of Cox and Ranger? Without those two in particular we'd still be battling to keep our heads above water at the wrong end of League One, I have no doubt about that.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

If Fortune and McG play as the two upfront, who is going to be on the bench as a striker? I suggest with that pair in the first eleven you will need two striker options on the bench and I don't see who that can be. Difficult times but interesting times.

Seems a bit back-to-front for me not playing 4-4-2 because you don't have the subs.

I think you either have to be very lucky, or pay a lot of money for a 20 goal striker.

Not being critical just being honest.

20 goal strikers are more products of the team than the individual. There are countless examples of players scoring 20 goals one season and then changing clubs and it not working. Think Simon Cox, David Mooney, Charlie MacDonald, Elliot Benyon, Graeme Jones etc

It's about confidence, a team set up to play to their strengths and plenty of supply.

Those who can consistently score 20 goals a season, even when changing teams, are a very rare breed.

And it's not even as if an individual scoring 20 goals is any guarantee of success. Better IMO to have multiple players grabbing double figures.

 

[Ironshrimper]

I honestly can't agree with any of this.

Ranger - we've played 10 games with this guy in the side and not lost any of them. You can dress stats up any way you like but that record is indisputable and it's no coincidence. Anyone who has actually been to games will know just what a difference Ranger brings to this team, he's a complete handful on all fronts.

Cox - have you noticed how many assists Cox has contributed this season? Because apparently he's amassed SIX more assists than anyone else in the squad. Undoubtedly the most intelligent footballer in the squad and when he doesn't play we miss his link-up terribly.

Fortune - the guy has surprised me, I was less than enthused when we signed him but I am more than happy to admit I was completely wrong. He plays like he's 25 never mind 35 and has proved himself an incredibly effective game-changer off the bench. Like Ranger he is a real handful and we need to get his contract sorted as soon as possible now, I'd have no complaints if we included a years option in the clubs favour. If he carries on the form he has shown so far then I'd be triggering that year come the summer if I was Brown and Martin. I don't think I've ever seen such a mobile 35-year-old Southend player in my 29 years of supporting Blues and you can just tell that the guy played at a higher level earlier in his career.

In terms of bringing others into play these 3 have done a magnificent job - do you think Wordsworth would have scored so many without the likes of Cox and Ranger? Without those two in particular we'd still be battling to keep our heads above water at the wrong end of League One, I have no doubt about that.

this makes me laugh, 6 more assists makes him the most intelligent player, as a forward he should be nearest to the goal...of course he is going to flick it onto the other nearest person, as he is Mr Shot Shy.

Forwards need to score more, it's what they are employed to do.

 

[Maldon Shrimper]

Wonder if PB will try again for Simpson from the Orient?

 

[steve54]

Time for Jason Williams to step up. He has 20 goals in him.:stunned:

Yeah but is that over a season or his career.

 

[mrsblue]

I honestly can't agree with any of this.

Ranger - we've played 10 games with this guy in the side and not lost any of them. You can dress stats up any way you like but that record is indisputable and it's no coincidence. Anyone who has actually been to games will know just what a difference Ranger brings to this team, he's a complete handful on all fronts.

Cox - have you noticed how many assists Cox has contributed this season? Because apparently he's amassed SIX more assists than anyone else in the squad. Undoubtedly the most intelligent footballer in the squad and when he doesn't play we miss his link-up terribly.

Fortune - the guy has surprised me, I was less than enthused when we signed him but I am more than happy to admit I was completely wrong. He plays like he's 25 never mind 35 and has proved himself an incredibly effective game-changer off the bench. Like Ranger he is a real handful and we need to get his contract sorted as soon as possible now, I'd have no complaints if we included a years option in the clubs favour. If he carries on the form he has shown so far then I'd be triggering that year come the summer if I was Brown and Martin. I don't think I've ever seen such a mobile 35-year-old Southend player in my 29 years of supporting Blues and you can just tell that the guy played at a higher level earlier in his career.

In terms of bringing others into play these 3 have done a magnificent job - do you think Wordsworth would have scored so many without the likes of Cox and Ranger? Without those two in particular we'd still be battling to keep our heads above water at the wrong end of League One, I have no doubt about that.

Your being critical and being brutally dishonest......they have scored 8 between them.....end of,fact.:stunned:

 

[Jim Levenstein]

ranger ,cox and fortune have managed 8 goals between them thus far.....imagine if that figure was 20 plus....we would be top 3 easily.

Not being critical just being honest.

wumwumwumwumwumwumwum

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

Cox is fit. Simon Cox played a full training session this morning apparently, and was running full blast in the 11 v 11. So as long as there's no reaction after with his injury, he should be fit to start against Wombles to partner Marc Antoine Fortune up front.

 

[kentblues]

Wonder if PB will try again for Simpson from the Orient?

Think he's scored twice this season. Orient got what their stupidity deserved- a completely uninterested demotivated player whose value will have dropped significantly. Can we take advantage in Jan? Two things work against it . 1 Orient's chairman is the type who does things to prove a point 2. Simpson will be tempted to run his contract down and leave on a free in the summer (and pick up a big wage till then as well).

If Simpson is 100% more about playing and enjoying his football rather than ££ I am sure he has an agent who will be the perfect counter balance to any of that...

 

[Ironshrimper]

Cox is fit. Simon Cox played a full training session this morning apparently, and was running full blast in the 11 v 11. So as long as there's no reaction after with his injury, he should be fit to start against Wombles to partner Marc Antoine Fortune up front.

is cox going to shoot at the goal some time this, or next year?

 

[Floval Flyer]

Cox is fit. Simon Cox played a full training session this morning apparently, and was running full blast in the 11 v 11. So as long as there's no reaction after with his injury, he should be fit to start against Wombles to partner Marc Antoine Fortune up front.

That's great news. Can't complain about Cox/Fortune frontline partnership - especially if we have McG and Hines on the bench there are other attacking options.

Additionally it gives Ranger more time, especially if we can push through against Charlton and Swindon, and with a free w/e on the 7th it essentially means a nice long rest for Ranger to get fully match fit for the crucial home -v- Rochdale on 14th.

I am still not convinced Ranger is or has ever been 100% match fit for any games played this far, and often seems to be blowing and out of steam before half time; due to being out of the game for such a long period. I also get the impression that it will take a bit more time for him to get up to full speed, meaning that quite possibly we have not seen the best of him yet.

As for other strikers (Simpson etc..) coming in, not needed IMHO. Unless Ranger or Hines breaks down - our frontline is looking formidable and also creates so much space and options for the attacking midfielders to get into goalscoring positions we don't need a single prolific goalscorer.

Onwards and upwards.

 

[united we stand]

I thought someone last year put to bed the 'myth' that you needed a 20 goal a year striker to get promoted

From memory the poster went back 5-10 years and looked at all of the promoted league 1 and league 2 teams . The majority did NOT have a 20 goal a season striker

Stats for the championship are easier to find - in the last 16 years only 20 of the 48 clubs promoted from the championship to the premiership had a 20 goal a season man (42%), over the last 10 years its 15/30 (50%). Some clubs have been promoted with a top scorer on 8 goals!