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I think the mental part can come from the expectation of where there career is going, and the comedown when reality bites. Take N'lundulu. He's 22, no lower league loans, been getting PL mins, gets a 3 year contract. In his head he's a PL player, but on the pitch he's a league 1 or 2 player. Where must his head be at when he rocks up at Lincoln aged 22, sees lads his age who've played loads of football, and he struggles to make the team at first? I know from the mouth of the horse that Les Reed thought Sims was destined for big things and told him so. Sure, he got loans, but iirc, one or two were last minute and he struggled to get games as he wasn't at clubs for pre season or friendlies. Personally, I think we handled his development and career appallingly, and his head must be all over the place.

The club thought that Sims was going to be massive. Les Reed was a huge fan but he seemed to struggle to win over managers. That run and ball against Liverpool shows the lads talent, and with encouragement and regular games, you have to wander where his career could have gone. I hope he gets a club. The one that shocks me is Hesketh. From PL to Eastleigh's subs bench. My take on this fwiw is that we keep hold of lads that won't make it in the PL longer than is good for them or us. Consequently, they don't get a chance develop at the level they'll eventually play at, and when they get there other players have far more experience. N'lundulu getting a move to Lincoln at 22 is a case in point. He's at his level (at best), what good has it been doing him getting 5 mins at the end of a PL game and the odd u23 game? Crazy. He should have been getting 75-100 league games at lower level over the last 3 years and learned his trade.

Err...

I'm also keen to see how we do with Diallo rather than JWP. I've said for ages that he slows and blunts our play. Him and S Armstrong could make a difference, and hopefully create more.

I'm saying what Gao has done. Other than being unable (for whatever reason) to put cash in he's done absolutely nothing wrong as an owner. Each to their own Duck. Personally, I wouldn't want him.

The question was whether we'd take Ashley over Gao. Of the two, I'm OK with Gao - Ashley is an odious man. Re the appointments - no owners of a reasonable sized business personally hires and fires. Whether it's Gao or his advisors making the decision, who cares - Semmens and Crocker are her and they're good news. Expecting anything else, and criticizing Gao for hiring people to help make crucial decisions, misunderstands how things are done. The positives of Gao's reign are obvious - he's not raped or pillaged the club financially, and he's offered stability. the only real negative is a lack of financial input but if what we're told is correct, he's either skint but can't find as buyer, or the directives laid down by his government mean that he can't put cash in. Give me Gao over Ashley.

Smash

Danny for me, just, if only for that overhead kick and the brilliant video that always got played on Foley's coach (if you know, you know). Rod was brilliant though - was a toss up between them for my team, and almost had them both.

Yep, we've produced some great left backs, and Tatgett deserved his break and is doing well. As for right backs, Dodd was tidy, ditto Kenna, but then there's shockers like Ray Wallace - I remember him at Liverpool in about 87/88 when we were getting battered and he shouted "don't give me the fucking ball" before leathering it! Cart horse. Golac is one player of like to have seen but having not, Clyne is the best I can dredge up. I'll stay calm over Livramento, although he looks pretty bloody special.

Now that's a question! Personally, I'm OK with Gao. He keeps out of the way, doesn't take money out of the club, and has appointed some decent people (Semmens, Crocker). Just a shame he's potless. I'm not sure what Ashley would bring to the party.

Power

I go back further, but adding Gerry Forrest, Dodd, Ray Wallace, Kenna, Cherednik etc to the list doesn't compare with the Bale, Shw, Bridge etc om the other side.

Absolutely. My girls came with me even at a young age, reserve team games especially. They enjoyed the unhealthy snacks, and I enjoyed telling them that the teams swapped shirts (rather than ends) at half time so that they both wore both colours. Bright girls, but both believed me until our reserves played crystal palace reserves and the physical attributes of the players rumbled me.

Sure, Saudi Arabia is an awful country . How we interact and trade with them and Qatar, whilst treating Iran and others as the scum of the earth is one of life's great mysteries, but its a conversation for the lounge not this thread. Despite my political views, I'd still turn up and support the club if they'd bought us. I think virtually all fans would.

If we're all being honest,when push comes to shove, we'd be OK with us being owned by anyone who'd help us compete. Sure, it might not sit right, but when you've got Ronaldo up front rather than Che Adams, Mahrez on the wing rather than Elyonoussi, Laporte at CB rather than Jack Stephens, I don't believe your average football fan is gonna boycott the club because of how Saudi Arabia practice Sharia Law.

Chain

I'd be surprised if that's a surprise to any fan who's watched him play. Never a PL level player in a million years, and I'm not altogether surprised he's struggling in league 1. Terrible touch and turn, and if you haven't sorted that by the time you're 22, it's not looking good.

Yep, social interaction usually leads to social education. Barber, daily? Every month max I suspect. That just leaves the barmaid, and between here and the UI, I doubt there's much time for the pub.

I get all that, but giving these lads loan's away just weakens the group even more, meaning they have to take the best lads from the u18's weakening them, etc. U23 football is great for technical development, but not the hustle and bustle of competition. Players need that exposure, and for me it's better that they stay here and get a balance of coaching, u23 football, and as much competitive football as possible. Sure, winning is important, but these kids are here to develop first and foremost.

Let's see who gets more than that from this lot shall we. 6 from your striker is fine if others score.

Nonsense. Austin had a different team behind him chipping in. What that team did is irrelevant, its not the team available to us now.

I'm struggling for the RB pick for mine, the one area where we haven't been as blessed as others. Shilton Clyne Wright VVD Shaw Case Williams D Wallace MLT Mane Shearer Bench : too many to choose from.

I won't get into a wider discussion, but the issue in this thread and on others is the belief by a few that stats somehow trump what people see on a football pitch, and like it or not, knowledge of the game is pertinent to that. Sure, stats tell part of the story, but an insistence on judging a player on stats alone, isn't helpful to meaningful discussion.

What the team did or didn't do when Austin was here is irrelevant. The issue is where else are the goals going to come from this season? Our midfield don't look chipping in from open play, JWP isn't getting the free kicks or pens to tuck away, and our 10's don't look a threat either. We're better at containing other teams this season, but at the expense of an attacking threat, and without Ings. The question is academic though as I'm not sure what the op expects us to do with no money or transfer window.