Yeah that’s a joke as well.
Imagine likening his output to Darren Moore
I agree with most of that good defender at this level trouble with me I’m sick of this level and if we want to change that we need better .same as Ryan Stirk for me we need better .until we start thinking in those terms we will struggle to achieve promotion. I think Dave has had a pretty good season actually and deserved his award .
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My West Brom mate (season ticket holder for years and years) said that Moore had a range of 4 passes: west stand, east stand, north stand and south stand.
I go back to the days of Darren Moore and Matt Elliott at Torquay United. Like I say (if you read the post carefully) Moore had a brilliant career at the top level, but he was no Paul McGrath.
Sometimes, a little humility goes a long way…
I like Big Dave a lot as a squad player. He’s got some fantastic natural attributes and will in years to come be one of the first names on the team sheet for a league one or league two club.
Bare in mind at the start of the season our back 3 in July 2025 was going to look something like:
DD, Priestly, TA.
Two of those were injured for most of the season. Big Dave and Harry stood up and had excellent seasons - given their age.
Some, like me, are worried about relegation next season. If it weren’t for Lowe and those two stepping up, it could have been a thing the season just gone.
Need two marquee defenders this season to sign to replace DD and possibly the Priest as well as keeping Big Dave, Harry and TA at the club in my opinion.
Here’s I thought maybe Dave’s so called hoof it long balls wouldn’t look so bad if we had a decent target man who could actually run jump and win a few of them .Managing is actually about being able to put players on the field that can compliment each other.
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Sounds a bit like Charlie Palmer for us. Did a good job for us though. I guess the game has changed a bit now but if a defender can defend, they are kind of useful.
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Same as forwards mate there was a time when centre forwards could only head a ball and were rubbish at every thing else .Jeff Astle .Tony Hateley .and many more .its managers mate there lies the secret 
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But he was an exceptional defender, which was why he was a captain in the premier league. Okagbue is not that FFS
That would be novel 
.
If people are happy with Dave no wonder we’re failing as a club. Some will just settle for any old shit.
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I’m not a massive fan of Dave, think he gets turned to easily for a CB, never appears to get any power in heading the ball away from danger and like others have said his distribution is frankly awful at times.
I can accept that he is still young and has the potential to develop, like Williams. But that is why I couldn’t get my head around going into last season with Priestly being made of glass, McEntee, who wasn’t to dissimilar and was played in midfield at times, and DD who again was looking injury prone. It put massive pressure on Okagbue and Williams to perform and be mainstays of the team.
It’s why I’m surprised we have again offered a contract to PF. CB’s is a big area of investment for the summer, we desperately need a leader or two in there, especially if Allen takes the opportunities that will no doubt come his way after a personally successful campaign that has seen his stock rise.
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And Okagbue and Williams did perform along with Allen.They were the mainstays during our good run and we did not concede many goals. He also has 5 assists to his name. Not bad for a CB. Clearly there is room for improvement especially in his positioning when playing at RCB but some of the stuff I read on here about a young player makes you wonder sometimes.We are a club that relies largely on these sort of players and I like that.
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Williams stepped up and really took his opportunity in a way Okagbue didn’t really. I think Williams was very close to player of the season.
Okagbue was targeted a lot by teams playing the ball over his had down the channel to turn him round, he really struggled with that.
Okagbue is a bit younger than Williams but not much, and has a way to go to be at the same level as Williams.
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And some of the stuff I read on here making it out like he’s prime John Terry makes me wonder too.
Pro’s -
Fairly Quick
Wins Headers
Occasionally puts in a decent tackle (The absolute basics for a defender)
Cons -
When he does head the ball he headers it into dangerous areas EVERY SINGLE TIME
He cannot pass a ball
His positioning at times is borderline Sunday League
His control is poor
His decision making is awful
I don’t understand why fans are happy so persist with him. I see the “he’s young” excuse being thrown around, but even young player can usually pass a ball straight. If we really want to change the way we play we cannot persist with Dave. He won’t be playing in the football league in 5 years. I will put money on it if anyone wants a wager?
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Yes, but it doesn’t change the point that young players have ups and downs (and I’d argue Okagbue had more of these than Williams) and sometimes need to be taken out of the firing line, that wasn’t possible due to our other CBs on the books.
You could say that about pretty much all of the players that were mainstays when it turned to shit too.
It’s almost like it’s possible to judge a player and take that into account. Getting flick ons for a couple of assists is a bonus, being a defensive liability is a detriment to him main job, along with his lack of technical ability.
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I think it’s more continuity. He’s been a regular last 18 months and he might be the only one left as Williams will be gone/injured and as much as I want to keep him I’d sell Allen if that guaranteed getting in a decent permanent striker.
Be interesting what the plan is for the backline now. McEntee and Daniels will need to be replaced. Yes Farq could stay but he’s no use as experienced cover if he’s injured as has frequently been the case in last two seasons.
Could be needing to make four CB signings this summer so would rather keep Okagbue.
Not everyone has to be amazing in a decently functioning side. Nicky Featherstone was no world beater as his career showed but he was solid enough for about a year in league one alongside Chambers and Mantom.
Okagbue is not a good centre back and can easily be replaced.
He wins the occasional header but where does it go? a simple nod down to our own player or head it straight to the opposition?
If it wasn’t for Sadler , he would be part time
The way he’s used is a factor. His best form came in early 2024 when he played in the middle of the back three.and he’s always looked more comfortable there as there’s more of a reliance to just ‘head it and kick it’. The development of Williams, which I’m not sure any of the coaching staff foresaw meant he was still farmed out on the right hand side.
That ball over his head into the channel for the forward to chase always gives me nightmares and he’s also prone to diving in through the back of someone in the box. I think a positional move for him would be much more beneficial
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