They’re always going to try and emphasise the positives at these sorts of events and on the face of it despite the disastrous second half of the season it has been in terms of points and league position the best we’ve achieved for some years. I’m not saying I agree with that narrative, we all know what has happened but we get a 2nd bite of the cherry.
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Dave is the weak link in the team in my opinion, have said it all along. Im not even trying to bash him but thats how i see it.
At times he’s a disaster waiting to happen.
Reminds me a bit of Roper at times. He’ll head the back of a double decker bus and hoof a ball out of the stadium but thats it.
Cant pass, his positioning at times is horrendous, often gets his feet tangle up, regularly lets a ball bounce and as affectionate as his nickname is… he’s not exactly big.
Congratulations to him on the award though.
Tails really does deserve POTS. The odd off game here and there but a tremendous season, especially after the stuff thats happened in his personal life. I’d love to see him as our next captain, unfortunately i think he’ll be off in the summer to bigger and better things - thoroughly deserve aswell IMO.
Oh if only he was as good as Roper. I mean full match sharp Roper at his peak. He marked some top championship strikers out of games. Looked clumsy, and wasn’t so great at the start of some seasons until he got into his stride but he is one of our better center backs. Big Dave will never play at such a high level.
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I wish.
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Absolutely spot on. I’ve heard many a supporter comment that he was clumsy and slow, but whilst he may have looked awkward in his movement, he had a deceptive turn of pace and used his body well. As you say, very few championship strikers bettered him.
Careful. You were the one who claimed to see the lunar module on the moon with ol’ Grand Pappys telescope. That was until you realised you had ‘mis-remembered’ and deleted your post. Something you were ribbing a poster for doing earlier.
You need to wind it in a bit, as the past tends to come back and bite you on the arse.
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I agree that Roper at his peak was an excellent championship defender and there was a rumour that Ipswich Town were willing to pay £800,000 for him.
However, Okagbue only turned 21 in February and he must have amassed something like 80 appearances and played at international level already.
If we are able to keep hold of him, Taylor and Harry, that’s an excellent back three to build the team around. Priestley and Donervan can move on and we can use their wages to offer some decent contracts to our young players.
You can quote me on this when I say that all three could be £1m. players in the next 2 or 3 seasons, and somebody like Peterboro would get that kind of fee for them.
I agree that Okagbue is limited on the ball (Harry Williams is far better in the middle) but he’s a centre half!
For context, I can recall many a centre half who couldn’t do 5 keepie uppies , but they could head it and clear it.
I’d be happy to keep the younger players, get rid of the high earners and get some midfielders that want the ball so that we play through the thirds a little bit more. Currently, hoof ball makes our defenders look industrial, our midfielders have bad necks and our forwards chase lost causes…
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Williams won’t be here next season.
Controversial opinion, if we can get the right price for Taylor Allen and we could with him being in the team of the year, I’d cash in and invest in the forward line.
Decent League 2 center backs are ten a penny. He’s been very good for us this season no doubt about it. His ability on the ball is what makes him. I wouldn’t say there is much special about him in terms of being an actual defender though, probably not much better than Big Dave.
That’s assuming any money would be reinvested, which is a big assumption with Walsall.
Looks like you’re on team JE and Dornans. I imagine you know each other 
I couldn’t care less to be honest - but I can categorically tell you I haven’t posted messages with a kangaroo taking aim at several posters for weeks and weeks - and then made to look a right bozo about it all.
The silence on the matter is deafening…. Right Skip?
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Its not often, if at all that i disagree with your viewpoint but i must say that your statement regarding League 2 CBs being ten a penny is someway wide of the mark in my view.
Ive seen enough shite defenders to know when we have a good 'un and good ones are highly sought after - as are strikers.
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@jjunior9 @Blazing_Saddler I was in no way saying he’d play as high as Roper, nor strictly comparing him like for like. Hes got some things about him that remind me of Roper, especially before he truly found his feet.
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No he is far from shite.
His main strengths are his ability on the ball though. I don’t think he is a great defender. He is the kind of player clubs will pay a solid fee for though. If we can tie him down for 3 years then fair enough. If not we have a choice of one more season or a pay day to invest into the team.
Taylor Allen has a good all round game that’s his real strength he’s not the best or worst defender by any means I’ve seen over the years .Managed right in the correct defensive line up no problem, all player have strengths and weaknesses managers job to put players together that compliment each other.he has a great left foot and his strength for me is his ability to turn defence into attack .his goals this year Ten I think have been a big plus . He’s also great for any manger as he can play and cover many positions. he’s also a leader on the pitch and gives his all .we can’t afford to lose players of his calibre if we have any ambitions of promotion .if we’re looking to rebuild next year we should be pushing the boat out to keep him here .A promotion on his CV will do his future career and prospects no harm at all . I would strongly advise him look at Hutch and how that has worked out .
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May I be the first to welcome you to “team JE and Dornans” (name needs work I grant you)
You will be advised when your initiation ritual has been arranged. Please supply your own marsupial
Any other applicants please pm Thanatos our inspiration and mentor
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Taylor Allen is right up there for goals and assists and he’s decent defensively so very good
Big Dave is still very young / learning and while not as good as Roper, he could be
Harry Williams similar in that he is raw and not perfect but has the potential to be very good.
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Trying to not get involved with you and your alter egos.
Because you’re still talking bollox.
Have this Aussie creature for a while.
All you have to do is put your hand up, admit you got it a bit wrong, and everything is fine 
Very mature
My mind has completely changed on Allen in the last 18 months football is crazy. I’m not clued up on money in this league really 250k realistic or higher or lower? His stock is at an all time high atm
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