Chris Stokes

[Suffolk Blue]

Stokes is a very good signing irrespective of whether he’s here for cover or not. It’s more than possible that he’ll be with us for longer than the 5 months. Hint of Chester about him.

Critical to Adams in leading on the pitch last year. I’m a fan of Ray but Stokes pedigree is miles better. This is no in and out player. He’ll be very popular with the fans.

[Alley_Cat]

5-month deal is an interesting one.

Gives time for Sam Barnes to get fit again without rushing into another injury.

This

[Suffolk Blue]

Gives time for Sam Barnes to get fit again without rushing into another injury.

This

So we’ve bought a player in Barnes who’s not likely to feature much in the first few months of the season. And as cover for this fact we’ve bought another player who is fit and tested in pre-season who has demonstrated his capability for years at this level and above.

And there seems to be an assumption that the untested multiple injury prone starlet whom Blackburn have given up on will at some point waltz into the starting 11 and start to demonstrate his higher league potential.

Can only think that some posters on this forum are avid fans of Roy of the Rovers. To me Barnes is a pure punt. The chances of him ever realising his initial potential are now slim and receding. As likely to be playing for Chorley as Barrow in a couple of years.

Hope I’m wrong but I think Stokes will play far more games for us than Barnes this season. Don’t think he’d have signed this late otherwise. And I’m not complaining as it’s a good signing.

[mall]

This

So we’ve bought a player in Barnes who’s not likely to feature much in the first few months of the season. And as cover for this fact we’ve bought another player who is fit and tested in pre-season who has demonstrated his capability for years at this level and above.

And there seems to be an assumption that the untested multiple injury prone starlet whom Blackburn have given up on will at some point waltz into the starting 11 and start to demonstrate his higher league potential.

Can only think that some posters on this forum are avid fans of Roy of the Rovers. To me Barnes is a pure punt. The chances of him ever realising his initial potential are now slim and receding. As likely to be playing for Chorley as Barrow in a couple of years.

Hope I’m wrong but I think Stokes will play far more games for us than Barnes this season. Don’t think he’d have signed this late otherwise. And I’m not complaining as it’s a good signing.

Can't argue with any of that .

[SKIPPER]

Cover in that area is absolutely vital. For most of last season we had a solid back line almost unchanged. Suddenly when it came to the run-in we hit the buffers. Canavan was injured for 3-4 games altering the line-up then as soon as he returned Ray got himself suspended. To me that was one of the most significant t pointers to us missing out as we didn't have a proper centre back to stand in for either of them.The signing of this lad addresses that .

[blumooncrab]

Interestingly, or not, Stokes is the same age as Canavan , both are 33. Both experienced at an higher level and good passers, and I’d say good intelligent footballers. Difficult to tell in preseason but Stokes looks equally as good if not better. So I think with Vassell we look solid there. Good improvement at full back too , where the left back in particular looks great. Overall I think we look stronger than last year. I’m excited by the prospect and the change in style. Two years ago when we lost Brough and Gordon, two of our best players ( and Walters who made a decent contribution with 9 goals) I thought we never really improved or indeed kept the same standard in those areas. Now we lost Ben Whits, but Mahoney looks like he’s an upgrade , and lost George (a leader and fan favourite), and Chester ( who was wobbling at the back end!) but the replacements are better I think . And I don’t discount Sam Foley or Rory - versatile squad players. Add in Kyyate (?) , a rejuvenated Garner and Dallas, who has something to prove, and we could be onto something. So long as the new boss can meld it all together I think we’ll do well. The big boys (Stockport, Wrexham and our nemesis, Mansfield) have moved on . There are spaces to be filled. We have a difficult start so have to be patient but the signs are encouraging. Come on ye Bluebirds !

[Suffolk Blue]

Yes. Must admit that over the last couple of weeks the squad has begun to look more structured and robust.

I find it interesting that given the fascination that Wild seemed to have with his defence that many of our acquisitions made by Clemence also focus on the defence. Clearly Clemence prefers a different kind of defensive set up to Wild but it has always struck me that the key to a stable L2 side is always the defence. And this side may not be much different in that respect. In fact it’s beginning to look more solid than a Wild defence.

Being in your early 30s is not a weakness for an L2 defender with a lot of league experience.

Don’t know why I should be surprised that Clemence may not be such a radical alternative to Wild. You can see why his style may may not have been to the hung-ho tastes of the Gallinsons at Gillingham.

[Jonty]

I find it interesting that given the fascination that Wild seemed to have with his defence that many of our acquisitions made by Clemence also focus on the defence. Clearly Clemence prefers a different kind of defensive set up to Wild but it has always struck me that the key to a stable L2 side is always the defence. And this side may not be much different in that respect. In fact it’s beginning to look more solid than a Wild defence.

We had a good defensive record under Wild. Only 5 teams better and that includes the top three. The problem was at the other end. The key to a promotion challenging side is sticking it in the net.

[andyg]

Always remember Quigley in an interview in the first season back in the EFL (I think after we'd lost 2-1 at home to Morecambe) where he said L2 is a league of making the least mistakes (at the back) which means you end up higher in the league. Jonty is correct in saying that you have got to have the top forwards to get into the top 3 etc but these forwards move up divisions if they really get on a scoring streak (except if you can afford to keep them like Stockport & Wrexham). Langstaff is a good example at Notts Co last season scored a lot and now he is at Millwall. Problem for Notts Co was their leaky defence and they ended up around mid table. I get the impression both Wild & Clemence feel defence is the key. Trick is getting us looking more dangerous up front. Over to you Telford, Garner, Acguah etc.

[Suffolk Blue]

I find it interesting that given the fascination that Wild seemed to have with his defence that many of our acquisitions made by Clemence also focus on the defence. Clearly Clemence prefers a different kind of defensive set up to Wild but it has always struck me that the key to a stable L2 side is always the defence. And this side may not be much different in that respect. In fact it’s beginning to look more solid than a Wild defence.

We had a good defensive record under Wild. Only 5 teams better and that includes the top three. The problem was at the other end. The key to a promotion challenging side is sticking it in the net.

……which is why we have mid table obscurity written all over us at the moment.

[Pedro]

We had a good defensive record under Wild. Only 5 teams better and that includes the top three. The problem was at the other end. The key to a promotion challenging side is sticking it in the net.

……which is why we have mid table obscurity written all over us at the moment.

Since Quigley left we have not had a decent forward.
Shame he is at Eastleigh he and Rooney made things happen.
The best defence in the world with no ability to score will at best given you a draw.
I think our weakness up front will be shown against Crewe and am expecting a defeat.

[russell_anderson]

I find it interesting that given the fascination that Wild seemed to have with his defence that many of our acquisitions made by Clemence also focus on the defence. Clearly Clemence prefers a different kind of defensive set up to Wild but it has always struck me that the key to a stable L2 side is always the defence. And this side may not be much different in that respect. In fact it’s beginning to look more solid than a Wild defence.

We had a good defensive record under Wild. Only 5 teams better and that includes the top three. The problem was at the other end. The key to a promotion challenging side is sticking it in the net.

And it still is. Other than Acquah who has some promise the strikers - Telford and Garner - are very poor.

[Main Stand SeasonTct]

We had a good defensive record under Wild. Only 5 teams better and that includes the top three. The problem was at the other end. The key to a promotion challenging side is sticking it in the net.

And it still is. Other than Acquah who has some promise the strikers - Telford and Garner - are very poor.

Technically Telford and Garner are excellent IMO but were never suited to Pete Wilds style of play. Telford has proven he has the ability at this level with both. Newport and Crawley and the new style of play could just play to his strengths.

[StephenD]

……which is why we have mid table obscurity written all over us at the moment.

Since Quigley left we have not had a decent forward.
Shame he is at Eastleigh he and Rooney made things happen.
The best defence in the world with no ability to score will at best given you a draw.
I think our weakness up front will be shown against Crewe and am expecting a defeat.

If Scott Quigley was the answer he wouldn't be at Eastleigh. Even when we clung to League status the first year he was as likely to dive for a possible penalty as put the ball in the net.

[SKIPPER]

Since Quigley left we have not had a decent forward.
Shame he is at Eastleigh he and Rooney made things happen.
The best defence in the world with no ability to score will at best given you a draw.
I think our weakness up front will be shown against Crewe and am expecting a defeat.

If Scott Quigley was the answer he wouldn't be at Eastleigh. Even when we clung to League status the first year he was as likely to dive for a possible penalty as put the ball in the net.

Hasn't done Paul Mullin any harm