Chris Stokes

[russell_anderson]

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.

We'll agree to disagree then as I've seen nothing of any merit in either of them.

[StephenD]

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

Lol.

If Scott Quigley had Paul Mullin's ability he wouldn't be at Eastleigh. If he'd been harshly treated by the club I might get the hankering for a return, but he wasn't.

[blumooncrab]

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.

Not sure I follow the logic here, SB? If we’re stronger at the back , with the same midfield, and improved up front ( I’m ignoring Cole Stockton because despite a purple patch in March , it didn’t really work , and he was on loan ) I’d expect at least as good as last year . The Board’s aim is to be better and I’d say our signings look better than last preseason. I like the fact that SC has adopted an evolutionary approach, not revolutionary ; I think with the more attractive style of play (which I expect was a key issue between the board and PW ) there’s hope that we’ll be better than mediocre. Although as I keep saying to my other half , for those who can’t afford quality but don’t want shite, go to Mediocre Carpets !

[Main Stand SeasonTct]

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

Not sure I follow the logic here, SB? If we’re stronger at the back , with the same midfield, and improved up front ( I’m ignoring Cole Stockton because despite a purple patch in March , it didn’t really work , and he was on loan ) I’d expect at least as good as last year . The Board’s aim is to be better and I’d say our signings look better than last preseason. I like the fact that SC has adopted an evolutionary approach, not revolutionary ; I think with the more attractive style of play (which I expect was a key issue between the board and PW ) there’s hope that we’ll be better than mediocre. Although as I keep saying to my other half , for those who can’t afford quality but don’t want shite, go to Mediocre Carpets !

I think we have potentially a stronger squad than last season and a more mobile side that will be easier on the eye. We were a tough watch under Wild. Im hoping for a top ten finish but the change in style needs patience from the fans IMO. For some reason I do detect a tad of negativity towards Stephen Clemence from Suffolk Blues posts. Not sure why as we have not kicked a ball in anger yet and all his signings looked decent IMO.

[McMark]

Barrow fans being cautiously pessimistic is nothing new on this forum and elsewhere!

[Pedro]

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.

His goals kept us in the league. Playing 73 games and scoring 35 times or were they all dives.

His goals kept us up

[Main Stand SeasonTct]

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.

His goals kept us in the league. Playing 73 games and scoring 35 times or were they all dives.

His goals kept us up

I believe we do have the strikers but Wild was never able to get the best out of them. The change in style I believe over the season will change that this time

[Suffolk Blue]

Not sure I follow the logic here, SB? If we’re stronger at the back , with the same midfield, and improved up front ( I’m ignoring Cole Stockton because despite a purple patch in March , it didn’t really work , and he was on loan ) I’d expect at least as good as last year . The Board’s aim is to be better and I’d say our signings look better than last preseason. I like the fact that SC has adopted an evolutionary approach, not revolutionary ; I think with the more attractive style of play (which I expect was a key issue between the board and PW ) there’s hope that we’ll be better than mediocre. Although as I keep saying to my other half , for those who can’t afford quality but don’t want shite, go to Mediocre Carpets !

I think we have potentially a stronger squad than last season and a more mobile side that will be easier on the eye. We were a tough watch under Wild. Im hoping for a top ten finish but the change in style needs patience from the fans IMO. For some reason I do detect a tad of negativity towards Stephen Clemence from Suffolk Blues posts. Not sure why as we have not kicked a ball in anger yet and all his signings looked decent IMO.

I did say that the recent signings have made the squad look a lot more robust. I’m not predicting gloom and doom. But neither am I seeing anything that suggests that offensively things are going to look much different either.

As for Clemence, well he has all our best wishes. I will predict however that in certain respects he is likely to find the ghost of Pete Wild hanging around. Especially in the first half of the season and in particular if performances are not great and/or our league position is poor.

At the end of the day, the problems that led to the end of Wild lay collectively with our lack of ability to score goals through the likes of Telford, Acquah, Garner, Newby and Gotts. All five are still there and our potential yet again, change of manager or not, will again be heavily influenced by them.

So irrespective of playing systems, formations or new defensive combinations if Clemence cannot galvanise that forward midfield and striking unit, his risk of failure is high. Oh and for all his faults Wild was a good communicator. Especially when things got messy. From what I’ve seen Clemence is quiet, polite but not that erudite and rather cliched in his comments. He doesn’t IMO exude much passion.

[Main Stand SeasonTct]

I think we have potentially a stronger squad than last season and a more mobile side that will be easier on the eye. We were a tough watch under Wild. Im hoping for a top ten finish but the change in style needs patience from the fans IMO. For some reason I do detect a tad of negativity towards Stephen Clemence from Suffolk Blues posts. Not sure why as we have not kicked a ball in anger yet and all his signings looked decent IMO.

I did say that the recent signings have made the squad look a lot more robust. I’m not predicting gloom and doom. But neither am I seeing anything that suggests that offensively things are going to look much different either.

As for Clemence, well he has all our best wishes. I will predict however that in certain respects he is likely to find the ghost of Pete Wild hanging around. Especially in the first half of the season and in particular if performances are not great and/or our league position is poor.

At the end of the day, the problems that led to the end of Wild lay collectively with our lack of ability to score goals through the likes of Telford, Acquah, Garner, Newby and Gotts. All five are still there and our potential yet again, change of manager or not, will again be heavily influenced by them.

So irrespective of playing systems, formations or new defensive combinations if Clemence cannot galvanise that forward midfield and striking unit, his risk of failure is high. Oh and for all his faults Wild was a good communicator. Especially when things got messy. From what I’ve seen Clemence is quiet, polite but not that erudite and rather cliched in his comments. He doesn’t IMO exude much passion.

If you listen to the latest Barrow Social Steve Herbert has a very interesting take on Stephen Clemence and one I agree with. He is first and foremost a coach and on the sidelines during the friendlies that been abundantly clear. He wants his team to play attractive offensive football and should he deliver that's fine by me.

[Methuselah]

I did say that the recent signings have made the squad look a lot more robust. I’m not predicting gloom and doom. But neither am I seeing anything that suggests that offensively things are going to look much different either.

As for Clemence, well he has all our best wishes. I will predict however that in certain respects he is likely to find the ghost of Pete Wild hanging around. Especially in the first half of the season and in particular if performances are not great and/or our league position is poor.

At the end of the day, the problems that led to the end of Wild lay collectively with our lack of ability to score goals through the likes of Telford, Acquah, Garner, Newby and Gotts. All five are still there and our potential yet again, change of manager or not, will again be heavily influenced by them.

So irrespective of playing systems, formations or new defensive combinations if Clemence cannot galvanise that forward midfield and striking unit, his risk of failure is high. Oh and for all his faults Wild was a good communicator. Especially when things got messy. From what I’ve seen Clemence is quiet, polite but not that erudite and rather cliched in his comments. He doesn’t IMO exude much passion.

If you listen to the latest Barrow Social Steve Herbert has a very interesting take on Stephen Clemence and one I agree with. He is first and foremost a coach and on the sidelines during the friendlies that been abundantly clear. He wants his team to play attractive offensive football and should he deliver that's fine by me.

I have to agree with all of the above especially Steve Herbert.Ok Stephen Clemence is not the best of communicators but is that important if he gets his tactics right and we start scoring goals and winning games. It may take a bit of time (the new way of playing with a high press)for some of our players to adapt.We as supporters have to be patient but having been to most of the pre -season friendlies I have noticed the team gradually starting to click,The speed with which our players are now getting the ball up the pitch has improved dramatically since last season and they are now going after second balls more frequently.I am cautiously optimistic for the upcoming season.

[Lancaster Branch]

Clemence has been fine with his comms up to now, I don’t get where any criticism comes from.

But let’s see how he does in the muck and bullets of a losing run before properly comparing him to St Pete.

[Main Stand SeasonTct]

Clemence has been fine with his comms up to now, I don’t get where any criticism comes from.

But let’s see how he does in the muck and bullets of a losing run before properly comparing him to St Pete.

This is a good interview with him link below
https://www.skysports.com/amp/football/ ... -show-them