Echo News 'We're talking and we're trying' - Blues boss Maher on his search for a striker

[AlfaShrimper]

Need a new manager rather than players.
Yet again his favourite boring two were selected in midfield last night.
Poor old Morton must be the most devastated player ever being left out and when he put the ball in and KAF was in the position to nod it in said it all….and of course Moncur scored for Ebsfleet after all that time being handcuffed by the crab….most negative, stayed in his ways manager in all of the leagues surely?

They literally didn't even play 8 minutes yesterday? How can you judge that it was an easy incorrect line up? Yes I agree Morton should be playing but you cannot judge anything based on last night

 

[rlb999]

Every other club is showing positive intent by actually signing players rather than talking about it. Of course some of these signings will not work out but at least those clubs will have tried.

When you say 'tried' we'll then have spent a load of money on players that we aren't going to get back. We'll also be stuck with these players until their contract expires so at some point we'll reach the threshold of not being able to sign any more players - unless there's a magic money tree?

 

[Clinton Baptiste]

Get the cheque book out for Ogunleye for Brentwood.

 

[kentblues]

In Bim we had a rare thing at this level, which is a striker who could create a goal for himself - Bim could roll someone, beat a man, and score a goal. As such, almost immediately, he moved up to league 2.

We have strikers who can score, but a team that doesn't create chances. The two things are very different. If we manage to find another striker with Bim's abilities, he'll be gone in 6 months also.

Thing is even Bim may go to Chesterfield, not score for a few games, be on the bench a lot and perform, in terms output at least, no better the previously. Cards hasn’t scored in 3 months odd so he starts to look like a forward who can’t score again.

You can pay a kings ransom’s for a striker currently scoring who comes in and doesn’t.
So then consistency is important and that is even more in demand. Or regard bringing in someone who has shown they can deliver in the past even if not in the last season or two (so Cards in the summer) as better than signing someone who has never scored regularly at all (then that would be a Corr)

How due you increase your odds- well I guess this is where data is supposed to help (although watching the player a few times I would still value very more. Would you buy someone that the data told you was great but your eyes told you otherwise?)

 

[blues exile]

When you say 'tried' we'll then have spent a load of money on players that we aren't going to get back. We'll also be stuck with these players until their contract expires so at some point we'll reach the threshold of not being able to sign any more players - unless there's a magic money tree?

Signing any player, even on loan, is of course a gamble, success is never guaranteed. Pepple exceeded expectations but Moncur fell short (for the reason he was not allowed to play his natural game). Are we really content to let this season drift by without showing any positive sign of strengthening the squad other than talking about it?

 

[Kris]

Other teams are signing players because they are more financially stable than us at present. COSU are still paying off massive debts. We're basically a season behind every other team thanks to Rat Gate. Hopefully buying players will be more of a priority this summer. I'm baffled as to why some posters don't see that.

 

[rlb999]

Signing any player, even on loan, is of course a gamble, success is never guaranteed. Pepple exceeded expectations but Moncur fell short (for the reason he was not allowed to play his natural game). Are we really content to let this season drift by without showing any positive sign of strengthening the squad other than talking about it?

I've got no doubt we're going to sign people. Just might not be today or tomorrow.

(by the way, we can sign as many as we like - this season has gone).

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

Every other club is showing positive intent by actually signing players rather than talking about it. Of course some of these signings will not work out but at least those clubs will have tried.

Out of curiosity, which of the players that we could afford, signed by other clubs, are players you think would have made a difference to us?

Signing players for the sake of signing players is pointless unless they make an improved difference. Boston signed a striker before our match, did we really want him? Does it mean they've had a better window than us just because they signed 'somebody'?

COSU have spent millions in a short period of time, they don't have an endless pit of money to just throw away. It is folly to suggest they should mindlessly sanction transfers for any Tom, Dick or Harry if they aren't going to improve us. Of course, it is frustrating and I want a worthwhile replacement for Bim as much as anyone, but I'd be even more frustrated if we go and waste money on another player who isn't going to improve our team just to appease the 'want' for signings by some fans.

 

[Hawkwell Blue]

I've got no doubt we're going to sign people. Just might not be today or tomorrow.

(by the way, we can sign as many as we like - this season has gone).

Does the F A Trophy count?

 

[kentblues]

Get the cheque book out for Ogunleye for Brentwood.

A good example. It’s impossible we aren’t aware of him and I assume data must be ok…he may or may not be the profile we are looking for (target man or whatever) but let’s say he is.

There will be a whole bunch of clubs looking at him. His agent will be over excited. Someone likely is going to offer £££ even if this season might be a one off. He might score at his current level but not at ours and definitely not in the EFL.

Not sure it’s where our risk and “value” appetite might be. Who knows.

Of course Data Man is supposed to identify these players before it becomes a mad auction

 

[* ORM *]

I've got no doubt we're going to sign people. Just might not be today or tomorrow.

(by the way, we can sign as many as we like - this season has gone).

This season certainly hasn’t gone. If we continue the recent trend that’s play off form.

 

[Sandbach Shrimper]

Let's not forget we do already have four strikers at the club, one of whom only recently joined. Need at least one of them to start scoring instead of just hoping that the next signing will work out. We also need to create chances for them.

 

[Barry.C]

The 110 signed over the past 4 months are nearly all naff and not worthy of us and have all been rubbish for their teams
Our budget is naturally small in comparison to these other 23 big spenders
If we had signed any of them we would be stuck with them
Its ALL too difficult and too expensive
the smallest squad in the league is fine with me
Im looking forward to next Summer
Sod the loan system only works 50 % of the time

It might help me to feel better if I adopted my new philosophy above and I would also become excessively patient

 

[rlb999]

This season certainly hasn’t gone. If we continue the recent trend that’s play off form.

We've played Braintree and Ebsfleet.
Unfortunately when we play better sides we're going to drop points because we don't move the ball forwards quickly enough. The manager doesn't look like he's going to change this, so it seems likely to continue as long as he's here.

 

[rlb999]

Does the F A Trophy count?

Fair Point. Would be a small consolation. Someone needs to knock FGR out though, because I can't see us doing it.

 

[Swiss Tony]

Not while I'm around.

Shrimperzone having a Spartacus moment.

 

[Bromley Blue]

I've got no doubt we're going to sign Pepple. Just might not be today or tomorrow.

(by the way, we can sign as many as we like - this season has gone).

Corrected that for you.

 

[wiggy]

Most negative stayed in his ways poster on Shrimperzone surel

They literally didn't even play 8 minutes yesterday? How can you judge that it was an easy incorrect line up? Yes I agree Morton should be playing but you cannot judge anything based on last night

Wasn't judging it on last night, was basing it on the whole season.....Morton and KAF with very limited play time have contributed more than Maher's favourites have between them all year.....new signings will also be under restraints so it is all pointless until he is gone!

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

We've played Braintree and Ebsfleet.
Unfortunately when we play better sides we're going to drop points because we don't move the ball forwards quickly enough. The manager doesn't look like he's going to change this, so it seems likely to continue as long as he's here.

I thought the same when we stuffed Solihull and turfed up Halifax recently, both of which are in and around the playoffs.

 

[NZamba Legend]

Are we really content to let this season drift by without showing any positive sign of strengthening the squad other than talking about it?

The article in question makes it clear this is not what is happening at all.