Ex Player Alex Rodriguez Gorrin

So the manager gets criticized for not mentioning his goal post match then when he does make comments in the local press he gets criticized as the wording isn't satisfactory. Damned if you do damned if you don't, no doubt once Adyei starts a game you'll move on to criticize the club/manager for something else?
I think the point is that twice in a week Robinson has made some very 'qualified' comments about Agyei - after contributing to our revival against Newcastle he mentioned the miss at the beginning of extra time rather than accentuating the positive and yesterday he observed that Agyei could be a 'half decent' player.

Now, it strikes me that man management is one of Robinson's strengths and something he prides himself on. He's usually quick to 'big-up' player potential in interviews and that sends positive message to the fans (sometimes overly positive!) and the player himself. In this instance, something seems amiss and some of us are wondering what that might be.
 
Of course Dan Agyei may be thinking ill show him half decent indeed and really start putting it together. Of course if he does KR will not be credited with engineering the situation. Who knows what's needed to get players motivated to do what the management wants.
 
I think the point is that twice in a week Robinson has made some very 'qualified' comments about Agyei - after contributing to our revival against Newcastle he mentioned the miss at the beginning of extra time rather than accentuating the positive and yesterday he observed that Agyei could be a 'half decent' player.

Now, it strikes me that man management is one of Robinson's strengths and something he prides himself on. He's usually quick to 'big-up' player potential in interviews and that sends positive message to the fans (sometimes overly positive!) and the player himself. In this instance, something seems amiss and some of us are wondering what that might be.
Is it really that different to the way he managed Sykes last season and earlier in this season?

Maybe it is more accute in the case of Agyei as he plays in a more exposed position...and in a position we are more exposed in?

As with Sykes, Agyei would not be here if Robinson had not seen something in him...a raw talent that needs to be nurtured and honed and not overly exposed. It's just far more pressing when our need for goals and 3points is now far greater because of our dip in form and we can see our promotion challenge slipping away. I fear some are placing a lot of expectation on his shoulders, when in reality it is the squad that has to deliver and there are several players who need to step up. I was very pleased to see the way Cam did just that against Burton (after the first 35mins) and took the game by the scruff of the neck for large parts
- it made a HUGE difference to the way we played and the opportunities we created.

I still maintain that this squad still has heaps of goals in it IF they can get back to full fitness playing the way they did in our Autumnal purple patch, especially from the likes of Brannagan, Henry, Taylor, possibly Sykes, certainly Browne and probably Holland and maybe Kelly (and things are heading in the right direction, I think). And now with Agyei several months on in his "development" he most certainly could have a significant contribution to make.

But please lets not put him on that pedestal, only to knock him of again if he is not able to consistently deliver!
 
Is it really that different to the way he managed Sykes last season and earlier in this season?

Maybe it is more accute in the case of Agyei as he plays in a more exposed position...and in a position we are more exposed in?

As with Sykes, Agyei would not be here if Robinson had not seen something in him...a raw talent that needs to be nurtured and honed and not overly exposed. It's just far more pressing when our need for goals and 3points is now far greater because of our dip in form and we can see our promotion challenge slipping away. I fear some are placing a lot of expectation on his shoulders, when in reality it is the squad that has to deliver and there are several players who need to step up. I was very pleased to see the way Cam did just that against Burton (after the first 35mins) and took the game by the scruff of the neck for large parts
- it made a HUGE difference to the way we played and the opportunities we created.

I still maintain that this squad still has heaps of goals in it IF they can get back to full fitness playing the way they did in our Autumnal purple patch, especially from the likes of Brannagan, Henry, Taylor, possibly Sykes, certainly Browne and probably Holland and maybe Kelly (and things are heading in the right direction, I think). And now with Agyei several months on in his "development" he most certainly could have a significant contribution to make.

But please lets not put him on that pedestal, only to knock him of again if he is not able to consistently deliver!
I'm not sure myself and most of the posters here are putting Agyei 'on a pedestal' and we're not making premature claims of greatness. We are simply commenting that Agyei has made some encouraging contributions at a time when the team is struggling and we'd like to see a little more, rather than, for instance, the undoubted effort but lack of spark that Mackie brings. If Mackie had been available we wouldn't have seen Agyei on Tuesday.

And no, I think it is different from the way Sykes was managed - he was criticised when justified and praised when improvement was shown. This just seems slightly different.
 
I'm not sure myself and most of the posters here are putting Agyei 'on a pedestal' and we're not making premature claims of greatness. We are simply commenting that Agyei has made some encouraging contributions at a time when the team is struggling and we'd like to see a little more, rather than, for instance, the undoubted effort but lack of spark that Mackie brings. If Mackie had been available we wouldn't have seen Agyei on Tuesday.

And no, I think it is different from the way Sykes was managed - he was criticised when justified and praised when improvement was shown. This just seems slightly different.
Fair points Big Ron. It was just with regard to Sykes I can remember wondering a few times if their was an issue. Clearly there wasn't, but there was certainly frustration expressed on here over the way he was handled by the management team and the opportunities he was afforded as a result. Have we got a better equipped player now in Sykes than we might have had if he had been given more exposure earlier on? . . . . who knows!

Maybe with Agyei, they are trying to protect him in a high pressure, high stakes situation (as we are now in...promise of what might be earlier in the season is evaporating to some extent)...maybe a bit too much for some, maybe a bit too much for Agyei too!
 
Is it really that different to the way he managed Sykes last season and earlier in this season?

Maybe it is more accute in the case of Agyei as he plays in a more exposed position...and in a position we are more exposed in?

As with Sykes, Agyei would not be here if Robinson had not seen something in him...a raw talent that needs to be nurtured and honed and not overly exposed. It's just far more pressing when our need for goals and 3points is now far greater because of our dip in form and we can see our promotion challenge slipping away. I fear some are placing a lot of expectation on his shoulders, when in reality it is the squad that has to deliver and there are several players who need to step up. I was very pleased to see the way Cam did just that against Burton (after the first 35mins) and took the game by the scruff of the neck for large parts
- it made a HUGE difference to the way we played and the opportunities we created.

I still maintain that this squad still has heaps of goals in it IF they can get back to full fitness playing the way they did in our Autumnal purple patch, especially from the likes of Brannagan, Henry, Taylor, possibly Sykes, certainly Browne and probably Holland and maybe Kelly (and things are heading in the right direction, I think). And now with Agyei several months on in his "development" he most certainly could have a significant contribution to make.

But please lets not put him on that pedestal, only to knock him of again if he is not able to consistently deliver!

On the squad, I came across the programme for the 15/02/14 game against Mansfield so for comparison purposes and shows how far we've come in 6 years:

Ryan Clarke
Max Crocombe
Wayne Brown
Jonathan Henly (had to look him up as couldn't remember him, was on loan from Reading)

Tom Newey
Michael Raynes
Jon Meades
Jake Wright
Andy Whing
Johnny Mullins
David Hunt
Sam Long
David Lynn
Matt Bevans
Kenzer Lee

Josh Ruffels
Alfie Potter
Ryan Williams
Scott Davies
Danny Rose
Nicky Wroe
Josh Shama
Dave Kitson
Callum O'Dowda

James Constable (Leading scorer with 12 goals in all competitions)
Deane Smalley
Sean Rigg
Tyrone Marsh
And the big new signing David Connolly (definitely shows how far we've moved forwards as a club).

That forward line or the rest of the squad doesn't strike fear considering they scored 61 in 53 games (in L2 and Cups) whereas this season we are at 73 from 43 games.

Also shows how Sam Long and Josh Ruffels have improved. Sam Long made 3 starts, 2 sub appearances; Josh Ruffels made 26 starts, 9 sub appearances with 1 goal in midfield.

*Stats from Rageonline.
 
Tyrone Marsh - I'd forgotten about him. Looks like he's doing well at Boreham Wood; if Matty Taylor can come back...........
 
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On the squad, I came across the programme for the 15/02/14 game against Mansfield so for comparison purposes and shows how far we've come in 6 years:

Ryan Clarke
Max Crocombe
Wayne Brown
Jonathan Henly (had to look him up as couldn't remember him, was on loan from Reading)

Tom Newey
Michael Raynes
Jon Meades
Jake Wright
Andy Whing
Johnny Mullins
David Hunt
Sam Long
David Lynn
Matt Bevans
Kenzer Lee

Josh Ruffels
Alfie Potter
Ryan Williams
Scott Davies
Danny Rose
Nicky Wroe
Josh Shama
Dave Kitson
Callum O'Dowda

James Constable (Leading scorer with 12 goals in all competitions)
Deane Smalley
Sean Rigg
Tyrone Marsh
And the big new signing David Connolly (definitely shows how far we've moved forwards as a club).

That forward line or the rest of the squad doesn't strike fear considering they scored 61 in 53 games (in L2 and Cups) whereas this season we are at 73 from 43 games.

Also shows how Sam Long and Josh Ruffels have improved. Sam Long made 3 starts, 2 sub appearances; Josh Ruffels made 26 starts, 9 sub appearances with 1 goal in midfield.

*Stats from Rageonline.

In fairness, David Connolly was extremely decent. Would have loved to get a loan of that calibre in this January.
Nicky Wroe, permanently injured and looking to fulfil to his undoubted potential by starting again at Oxford...where have we seen that before?
 
Yesterday showed Dan Agyei's promise but it showed where he has to improve. Often his outright pace scared the Sunderland defence, but because he was often on the back foot/not anticipating the ball through the pass went to waste.

A classic example/comparison was Matty Taylor anticipating the defender missing the ball from a pass over the top and but for a bit of luck would have scored. In a similar situation Dan Agyei waited to see if the defender missed the ball, they did but because he waited even with his pace he couldn't get there. If he done what Matty Taylor had he'd have got there.

And this wasn't the only occasion when he was reactive rather than proactive. The times he was proactive, the team immediately went onto the front foot. I think it is a mindset thing with him based on yesterday that KR is trying to change.
 
Yesterday showed Dan Agyei's promise but it showed where he has to improve. Often his outright pace scared the Sunderland defence, but because he was often on the back foot/not anticipating the ball through the pass went to waste.

A classic example/comparison was Matty Taylor anticipating the defender missing the ball from a pass over the top and but for a bit of luck would have scored. In a similar situation Dan Agyei waited to see if the defender missed the ball, they did but because he waited even with his pace he couldn't get there. If he done what Matty Taylor had he'd have got there.

And this wasn't the only occasion when he was reactive rather than proactive. The times he was proactive, the team immediately went onto the front foot. I think it is a mindset thing with him based on yesterday that KR is trying to change.
Agree that he did occasionally look as though he could anticipate better, but ultimately I felt he affected the game and worried the opposition, and with a player that quick and powerful on the pitch there’s always a chance. He ran channels and held the ball well - he offered something. He’s raw but you can see how he can impact things, and he certainly wasn’t our least potent attacking threat yesterday. Yet not only was I not surprised to see him taken off on the hour mark, I outright expected it.

He can’t go back to being a player who isn’t even on the bench half the time, and when he is he either doesn’t get on at all or gets five minutes. I don’t care if the guy is on the bench half the time rather than starting, so long as he can get proper 20/30 minute run outs like we saw at Burton. The extent to which his opportunities have been limited versus the extent to which other people have been allowed to be on the pitch is simply unbalanced, and hopefully that can be adjusted between now and the summer. We’re going to need him next season.
 
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Agree that he did occasionally look as though he could anticipate better, but ultimately I felt he affected the game and worried the opposition, and with a player that quick and powerful on the pitch there’s always a chance. He ran channels and held the ball well - he offered something. He’s raw but you can see how he can impact things, and he certainly wasn’t our least potent attacking threat yesterday. Yet not only was I not surprised to see him taken off on the hour mark, I outright expected it.

He can’t go back to being a player who isn’t even on the bench half the time, and when he is he either doesn’t get on at all or gets five minutes. I don’t care if the guy is on the bench half the time rather than starting, so long as he can get proper 20/30 minute run outs like we saw at Burton. The extent to which his opportunities have been limited versus the extent to which other people have been allowed to be on the pitch is simply unbalanced, and hopefully that can be adjusted between now and the summer. We’re going to need him next season.
We'll need him to be on the pitch for a large part of the remaining season if we are to achieve anything this term.
 
I wonder whether the issue is where to play him? Is he really a #9, or is he more suited to be wider, and if the latter he then has more competition (Browne, who replaced him, or Holland) ahead of him. Whether yesterday was meant to be a front two or not, Taylor stayed central and agyei stayed out right.
Most of his telling contributions so far have been running with pace, rather than heading or holding the ball up for others, so not sure he is the direct answer to replacing Taylor/Mackie.
In truth, in a front three of Browne, agyei and Holland, who would you prefer to be in the middle?
 
I wonder whether the issue is where to play him? Is he really a #9, or is he more suited to be wider, and if the latter he then has more competition (Browne, who replaced him, or Holland) ahead of him. Whether yesterday was meant to be a front two or not, Taylor stayed central and agyei stayed out right.
Most of his telling contributions so far have been running with pace, rather than heading or holding the ball up for others, so not sure he is the direct answer to replacing Taylor/Mackie.
In truth, in a front three of Browne, agyei and Holland, who would you prefer to be in the middle?

Agreed. Browne showed somewhat yesterday and previously the difference currently as he was proactive in making the runs before the ball was played. Agyei has to be involved in the matchday squad whether starting or off the bench as he is likely to improve with it and his pace will always scare opponents.
 
Agreed. Browne showed somewhat yesterday and previously the difference currently as he was proactive in making the runs before the ball was played. Agyei has to be involved in the matchday squad whether starting or off the bench as he is likely to improve with it and his pace will always scare opponents.
I thought Browne looked relatively ineffective yesterday when he came on, I think Agyei played the role better, not to mention that Agyei always seemed to have an end product, whether that be a simple pass to a team mate or a shot on goal, Browne was far too greedy in positions where he had no right to be greedy
 
I thought Browne looked relatively ineffective yesterday when he came on, I think Agyei played the role better, not to mention that Agyei always seemed to have an end product, whether that be a simple pass to a team mate or a shot on goal, Browne was far too greedy in positions where he had no right to be greedy

We stopped playing the ball over the top or through the line at that point but Browne carried on offering that run until he got moved deeper.
 
Agyei was ok, had some good moments and bad moments. End product could have been a lot better at times but the talent is clear to see - he just needs to work more on his game craft and technique to get there. I think a 30 minute sub is ultimately the best way to use him now as you can focus on using his pace.

I can see why KR played Browne up front a few matches back - he looks a more complete player.
 
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