From the interview on the O/S he seems a very likeable, enthusiastic lad. By all accounts he is quick and strong. He will have been well schooled at Brentford and looking at their message boards he was well thought of there. It was Rob Scott who took him to Brentford so a bit of inside knowledge will have been at play . It gives us something we haven't currently got and at 22 he should have room for improvement. In short, its exactly the sort of signing we should be making. Have him on the bench maybe for Saturday and throw him in if the situation allows or demands it, but lets give him time to settle in and not rush to judge him on day two. He is a young player here for two or three years, not two or three weeks.
If he plays as well as he speaks, he should be a class act. I imagine PW is happy that he now has the raw materials to create a squad than can play a variety of styles with the emphasis on attacking football. Another wide man would be a bonus but I'm very happy with this transfer window.
Onwards and upwards.
Want him straight in Saturday or I'll be thinking why haven't we signed a winger whose been playing. Want him to play as a wide man not cutting in all the time. Been all over twitter about him joining us for weeks. Want it to work with him.
Another decent signing with that hoped-for potential to develop quickly, do well for us and sell on.
We all hope he does well as it means the team does well.
Do we think Smith is going to slowly fall out of the team? I hope not but given PW has done nothing to support his role thus far including this signing...the writing is on the wall me thinks.
Apart from one instance last night I don't think he added much value and his hold up play and heading seems to have decreased by 70%.
So, makes me wonder. Its a new signing but does it strengthen the bench? not sure. Does it make the first team better?
Im wondering, who you all think would be the better 2 in a 2 upfront situation?
Im wondering, who you all think would be the better 2 in a 2 upfront situation?
I'd go with Smith and Lapado Ian. None of our forwards have Smith's level of skill when it comes to control and laying off the ball. Lapado is a player who thrives at close quarters in the box and I think the two of them would compliment each other.
I don't think Proctor is anywhere near the levels he achieved before his injury and I think he looks laboured. Vassell tries hard but it seems his feet work faster than his brain at times and he therefore loses the ball too easily. The jury's still out on Morris.
Ladapo seems to be the pick of the forwards and might turn out to be really good given the right support.
I really dont want Smith to get lost but im not sure he can play in such an advanced 3.
Of course, and I had not really considered this, but depending on what PW can see in his minds eye we could still play 433 (sorry gwru) with wingers.
Im a little too excited to see us make a success of it but im not opposed to the smith-Ladapo combo with one or even 2 wingers...with Woody and Co moving up the middle to press...well, perhaps not Woddy, but Ajayi alas!
Im wondering, who you all think would be the better 2 in a 2 upfront situation?
I'd go with Smith and Lapado Ian. None of our forwards have Smith's level of skill when it comes to control and laying off the ball. Lapado is a player who thrives at close quarters in the box and I think the two of them would compliment each other.
I don't think Proctor is anywhere near the levels he achieved before his injury and I think he looks laboured. Vassell tries hard but it seems his feet work faster than his brain at times and he therefore loses the ball too easily. The jury's still out on Morris.
Ladapo has pace, strength, a trick and a finishers instinct. He would work best off a bigger target man. Vassell for me he is behind Freddie in the pecking order. Proctor just doesn't look like his old self. He doesn't seem as physical and has perhaps lost half a yard of pace. To be fair he hasn't had much opportunity and it might come back with games. You've got to love Smith for his work rate and honesty, but he does look a bit out of sorts. Morris I like a lot. He wasn't prolific at Shrewsbury but he was a pivotal player for them in that side that did so well. He is more physical than Smith. Maybe not as strong in the air but a better hold-up player.
If they are all fit I think I would go with Morris and Ladapo, but it isn't an easy one.
You try a pairing and measure them on goals and assists, if they don't get the goals you give someone else a chance. I think a fit Morris has to be given a chance a class player
