Abbott, Parker and last season

[oafcprozac]

bored senseless at home so have been watching the LP 'Highlights' from last season. I know it wasn't great last year but from the highlights we did make sufficient chances for these two. Abbott was a big hero for us last season but the amount of gilt-edged chances he missed defies belief when you add that Charlton now consider him to be their big hope of leading them to automatic promotion. Whether he was fit or not, his touch let him down in both spells time after time. As for Parker, the first half of the season he did look ok, but I've counted 21 one on ones he missed over the season. But there were (all too) fleeting glimpses of class.

 

We have quite rightly labelled last season one of the worst ever but by Christ we were unlucky. How many times did we hit the woodwork? Often we were let down at both ends and that's why we struggled, we didn't concede many but we didn't need to as we were so abject in front of goal!

 

Just a quick mention for Chris Taylor - i've been his biggest critic over the last year or so, but he did have an impact last season watching those games back. I just hope his injury problems are behind him and he's regained a bit of self-belief. I hope him and Smalley can now push on and be real impact players for us this year. Especially as I think Smalley is out of contract at the end of the season. Both have pace to burn, if Dean in particular could instil a work-ethic he'd be a top, top player. That's what's so frustrating, I know they're third division players but surely they aspire to plying their trade at a higher-level and they must know that will only come by regularly delivering.

 

Hopefully PD and GT will tame our two enigmas.

[boundaryblue80]

Sadly I don't think Smalley does realise that! His big chance was last season after the way Shez stop started his career by insisting Liddell went straight back in the sides despite his legs being gone. Smalley never took it...he should look at Stephens and how he's grabbed his chance with both hands and ask severe questions of himself...

 

Interesting take and review on last season......the word "unlucky" is severely underrated when used overall about last season. That's before you add in the biggest factors of injuries, 2 months with barely a game etc and the games Brill cost us (only slightly made up by the odd point or two he did save us ie. Exeter penalty etc)...as you say, the chances were made and missed. A lot of hopes were pinned on Parker, that many felt would be a good'un. Alas, he was one of the worst. We were all duped...DP too.

Edited August 26, 2010 by boundaryblue80

[PlayItLivo]

Parker was a second choice signing wasn't he? Weren't we suppose to be getting Jordan Rhodes on loan from Ipswich until Hudders flashed their cash, meaning we had to settle for Parker.

[oafcprozac]

Parker was a second choice signing wasn't he? Weren't we suppose to be getting Jordan Rhodes on loan from Ipswich until Hudders flashed their cash, meaning we had to settle for Parker.

 

 

Yeah, panic signing we were after the lad at Blackpool too that's hardly played.....Billy summat.....erm.... Billy Clarke???? So we failed in getting our first choice two in and ended up with Parker. Penney was adamant he wanted a little and large combo and to be fair he finally cracked it with Guy, shame Pav dried up, but thank God Guy bagged those three vital goals and Smalley's late winner v Brizzle and his second-half super show at Carlisle made all the difference.

[Stitch_KTF]

Smalley's late winner v Brizzle and his second-half super show at Carlisle made all the difference.

 

Blimey Prozac, high praise for both Taylor and Smalley within 24 hours - I'll have to stop needling you at this rate.

[oafcprozac]

Blimey Prozac, high praise for both Taylor and Smalley within 24 hours - I'll have to stop needling you at this rate.

 

 

The talent, physique and pace is there, unfortunately their effort and application lets them down time after time. Taylor will be ok i'm sure. As for Smalley i'm not so sure, i'm yet to be convinced he wants it enough. He'll either end up in the Championship or the Blue Square within the next couple of years.

[biggie21]

under dickov i reckon he will work hard, because dickov said if they dont give 100% they are out the team,

[slystallone]

The talent, physique and pace is there, unfortunately their effort and application lets them down time after time. Taylor will be ok i'm sure. As for Smalley i'm not so sure, i'm yet to be convinced he wants it enough. He'll either end up in the Championship or the Blue Square within the next couple of years.

Ha! Hedging your bets there pal!!!!

 

For me its always been an attitude / confidence issue with Smalley. When he has his confidence up; and has belief – he is capable of producing displays like Stockport at home under Shez or Carlisle last season under Penney.

Unfortunately those displays are few & far between – and when he’s on a low; like when Penney foolishly rushed him back after injury and he was like; 30% fit at best; he looks a million miles away from being a professional player.

 

If PD & tags can’t get into his ribs & sort him out; then Smalley has big problems........

 

[PlayItLivo]

If Smalley's back doesn't hold up he's most likely going to throw in the towel any way.

 

Chris Taylor at age 23 is shot to pieces as well. I think we need to accept that he's not the Premiership destined wonder kid we thought he would be.