Other than L Gordon played more minutes, was there really much difference between L Gordon and Knowles. Both offered energy with poor crossing. I would evenargue Knowles defended better of the two
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Gordon usually hits one good cross a game at least, lovely assist for a Matt goal in the winning run IIRC.
That’s a sad indictment isn’t it really,it’s what you might call damning with praise 
I wouldn’t mind keeping Knowles but if he’s one of our higher earners I could get why the club are trying to reduce the wage if that’s what is happening.
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And for Josh Gordon’s headed goal.
Actually, to cheer myself up the other day, I looked at the highlights of some of the games we won. I was surprised by just how much Liam Gordon contributed. He does make the occasional defensive error, usually by hanging onto the ball for too long, but he is a lovely footballer and we are lucky to have him.
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Liam Gordon has certainly improved the attacking side of his game over the last 12 months.At the end of the day you have to remember that Liam Gordon and Knowles are being asked to do a job that they aren’t use to doing as a wing back.
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Could be that’s why the manger is the “ parkie” as well .
People who want knowles back as a striker are crazy .
His at his best when running at players ball at feet not with his back to goals and chasing lost causes
. His a shocking finisher not strong and an average at best touch . His a inverted winger and not playing him there has cost him a good Walsall contact or a upwards move anywhere
Not sure what I see in the defensive qualities of Knowles, whenever I saw him it was often littered with diving into challenges early or being beaten easily and clawing at opposition players to get back in touch with them. Didn’t he have the highest number of yellow cards this season and if anyone has detailed stats I reckon he would have the highest number of fouls committed of all our defenders, even averaged out over 90 mins, which to me would by symptomatic of a poor defender, or in fairness to Tom, a player being played out of position.
He may have improved over the season, playing numerous games in the position should naturally facilitate that, but he isn’t going to improve to the standard required for the role of a RWB. If we aren’t going to play with wingers then in my view he unfortunately becomes surplus to requirements in a Sadler team, so it is best each go their separate ways.
Saying that we will probably announce a new 2 year contract for him tomorrow 
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The thing with Tom Knowles is I’ve talked to Stockport and Swindon fans who loved what they had seen. Admittedly they only seen a snap shot but it shows he has something about him. So if used correctly I wouldn’t be upset with him staying.
The thing I find curious is we are reported to have an option. So we could activate and keep him or transfer list him. We have not so could it be we want to have him sign a contract on reduced terms
Knowles probably looks best, when he plays as a winger or a wide forward. Unfortunately for him, MS doesn’t like to play that way. So a lot of his effort is misplaced.
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To be fair with Knowles…
1st season Knowles - I rated him, and he was exciting.
2nd season Knowles - went backwards, massively so.
Why? Unfortunately that’s down to the coaching team - and I believe being asked to play in a position that is not right for him.
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Knowles started quite well as a winger. He started to drop his level when he played central but still ok.
Last season he was a ‘stop gap’ at RWB and nothing more. Loads of energy but minimal quality. For Sadler to think RWB was covered with Riley, Foulkes or Knowles was naive at best.
Anybody who has ever played/watched the game, knows that if your formation consists of 3 CB’s, your most important players are the wing-backs!!
Defensively both Knowles and L Gordon are weak. Going forward, L. Gordon is similar to Knowles as they both look quick and ‘explosive’ (at times) but are lacking with assists/goals.
In a nut-shell, we need massive improvement on both flanks (via coaching or new recruits).
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Agreed, neither put quality balls into the box.
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Yep.
I find outrageous people slate Knowles…. But praise Gordon as a POTS contender…
Barmy. They’re both as average as each other.
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I know the critics will say it was only Sheppey, but Knowles looked really good when he played further forward. In that game, we had Riley at RWB. In fairness, most people expected much more from Riley: didn’t he start out at Manchester United? Therefore, it is a position we clearly need to strengthen.
Personally, I’d like Knowles to go to Cheltenham and get a new start. Along with Kinsella, he can get the band back together. I’d probably let DJ go too, if it suited all parties.
I would say that most of our team could be generously described as average. In fact, a lot are below average with the exception of Hutch and Earing hence why we are stuck in this bottom league.
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Think with Sadler still on his All Inclusive fortnight jolly to Palma Nova, the week ahead will still most likely be a quiet one. Hopefully picks up from next week.
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It’s a crucial time for Trivela now as regards the playing staff.I’m seeing plenty of fans in so many words saying the “honeymoon period” is over and whilst we are all grateful for what’s been achieved so far it’s blindingly obvious that we need some quality adding now.Signings that make you say “now we are talking”.As with all of you I’m guessing there are posters who you like to read and posters you simply scroll past and I personally know who’s opinions on here that I’ll be judging the progress we make(or don’t make)on the pitch by.
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I would agree in that I want to see us sign the bulk of players who are the right profile, and have got decent experience (100+ games under their belt) but not over the hill and key for me, no major injury issues so we can get them on the pitch every week performing for us.
That said I will reserve judgement on our chances until I’ve at least seen our signings play. The likes of Liam Bennett and Freddie Draper were met on here with plenty of negativity and bemoaning our lack of ambition and yet in the short times they were here they made huge contributions and indeed improved the quality of the team.
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