Carruthers out for six weeks!

[uptheus]

And possibly longer (12 weeks) depending on whether he needs an operation.

I get the feeling he was rushed back as he never looked 100% fit.

Like others have said, the recruitment of these players (Carruthers, Holmes, Mackie, Brown) and you could add Garbutt to this list has cost us dearly this season so far. And what’s more annoying is, when Robinson says we’ve been unlucky with injuries!! I’m afraid if you bring in players that are either injury prone or having to be managed through injuries then what do you expect. You reap what you sow I guess.

 

[Scotchegg]

Carrathurs has been unlucky and has virtually no impact on the side, but his injury could not have been expected. Mackie came in late and has shown that once fit he is a decent player, even if he struggles after 60-70 minutes he is still effective in his play. Holmes missed a few games early on due to a preplanned operation and general been fairly consistent outside of this. Browne looked great but was getting kicked to bits. He had an injury and is being managed back into the side, but with a bit more care as he's not our player.

All of these are footballing issues and happen to any club. I don't think it is simply down to bad recruitment, but to have had the injuries we have seen is unlucky. There are other sticks to beat KR with, but not sure he is a fault here.

 

[yellowbow]

To be fair Holmes does have an ongoing back problem that needs to be managed. I think Robinson said after the game yesterday that he might miss the next game again as he’s struggling with it a bit. That can’t help with gaining any sort of real consistency.

I also believe Mackie’s hip issue isn’t something that is going to completely go away.

Agree about Carruthers though, that seems to be just down to bad luck. It happens.

 

[Shropshire U]

Carruthers was an irresponsible gamble. I think that KR had good memories of how he worked with him in the MK Dons days and thought he could do a job for us, ignoring his increasing injury problems in the subsequent years.

 

[Oufc28]

I don't think their is a club in this league who wouldn't have Ricky Holmes. Even with his back problems. On his day (which is most games) he terrifies defenders.

 

[Paul Cannell]

To recruit one crock is unfortunate, to recruit four is incompetence.

 

[yellowbow]

I don't think their is a club in this league who wouldn't have Ricky Holmes. Even with his back problems. On his day (which is most games) he terrifies defenders.

Agree, but when you gamble on two or three essential players/positions it’s a huge risk

 

[Northstandboy]

Can't we send him back to Sheffield and get a fit player in January?!

 

[Shropshire U]

Can't we send him back to Sheffield and get a fit player in January?!

Yay! Great idea, let's have Billy Sharp!

 

[battman]

I think it's the end for Carruthers, and I wouldn't be surprised if Smith and Garbutt get sent back too, if only because of their lack of impact on the starting XI. Mitchell too seeing as Easty is back. Hopefully that might give us a little bit of freedom r.e. wages to bring in two quality loans in January.

 

[OX11yellow]

I think it's the end for Carruthers, and I wouldn't be surprised if Smith and Garbutt get sent back too, if only because of their lack of impact on the starting XI. Mitchell too seeing as Easty is back. Hopefully that might give us a little bit of freedom r.e. wages to bring in two quality loans in January.

On Radio Oxford yesterday, they said it would be Sheffield United's decision if he returns, not ours. Terms of the loan I guess.

 

[RyanioBirdio]

I doubt Wilder would let us send him back to be honest. Not unless he and SU knew there was another team ready to take him on the same terms contribution wise. Not that I think KR would dream of returning him anyway. He thinks he’s one of the best midfielders at this level.

 

[yellowbow]

On Radio Oxford yesterday, they said it would be Sheffield United's decision if he returns, not ours. Terms of the loan I guess.

 

[Oufcrealist]

He had a serious knee injury in Feb 2014 and was out for several months.
He has had shorter spells out with knee injuries since.

 

[Paul Cannell]

I doubt Wilder would let us send him back to be honest. Not unless he and SU knew there was another team ready to take him on the same terms contribution wise. Not that I think KR would dream of returning him anyway. He thinks he’s one of the best midfielders at this level.

Our manager makes Wilder look like a playa. How s**t is that?

 

[Mellowyellow]

To be fair Holmes does have an ongoing back problem that needs to be managed. I think Robinson said after the game yesterday that he might miss the next game again as he’s struggling with it a bit. That can’t help with gaining any sort of real consistency.

I also believe Mackie’s hip issue isn’t something that is going to completely go away.

Agree about Carruthers though, that seems to be just down to bad luck. It happens.

With these problems known to KR, especially after the crocs we signed last season, I do wonder why on earth he brought them into the club though.

 

[Scotchegg]

With these problems known to KR, especially after the crocs we signed last season, I do wonder why on earth he brought them into the club though.

Because Mackie and Holmes at 80% are better than others at 100%. Who would you have looked at instead?

 

[Mystery Yellow]

Holmes

And possibly longer (12 weeks) depending on whether he needs an operation.

I get the feeling he was rushed back as he never looked 100% fit.

Like others have said, the recruitment of these players (Carruthers, Holmes, Mackie, Brown) and you could add Garbutt to this list has cost us dearly this season so far. And what’s more annoying is, when Robinson says we’ve been unlucky with injuries!! I’m afraid if you bring in players that are either injury prone or having to be managed through injuries then what do you expect. You reap what you sow I guess.

Few of them players we did take a risk on Holmes who admitted he’s been suffering from back problems for a number of years but still managed to be one of the stand out players in league 1 manages to get through games

Browne came with a slight knee issue but hasn’t gone away & still efforting him now otherwise I think we’d see him starting week in week out fully fit

Mackie no pre season & constantly injuries over the past 3 seasons at qpr but our only option up top as Smith as soon no form or quality what so ever

Carruthers wasn’t a risk only had one bad injury around 2014 but managed to play over 100 games for Mk dons & 30 games in 2017 for Sheffield United then fell out of favour with CW

January they need to get the transfer business right by not taking risks with players who’s had a number of injuries in the past

 

[RyanioBirdio]

Because Mackie and Holmes at 80% are better than others at 100%. Who would you have looked at instead?

You might have a case for your argument were it not for the fact that we haven’t left the relegation zone all season. The likes of Baptiste, Whyte and bar the odd stupid decision, Brannagan in recent weeks, have shown that young and energetic players are the ones making the biggest difference to our play when available. You should never gamble on ageing players’ ability to get and then stay fit to define your entire season.

What I want to know is what happened to our recruitment department. The head scout left over a year ago to go to Leeds but where has the head of recruitment gone? All we hear about is “me and Tiger had a recruitment meeting”. Has everybody left? Is KR now signing players from his little black book? Have we gone back to the dark old days of having a ring round, hence so many of the players that have arrived since summer sharing the same agent?

 

[Manorlounger]

All the players looked at towards the end of last season and again pre-season and then who signs? Interesting conundrum, what was it that decided players to go elsewhere?

 

[TailsWeWin]

All the players looked at towards the end of last season and again pre-season and then who signs? Interesting conundrum, what was it that decided players to go elsewhere?

Crap manager?

 

[uptheus]

Carrathurs has been unlucky and has virtually no impact on the side, but his injury could not have been expected. Mackie came in late and has shown that once fit he is a decent player, even if he struggles after 60-70 minutes he is still effective in his play. Holmes missed a few games early on due to a preplanned operation and general been fairly consistent outside of this. Browne looked great but was getting kicked to bits. He had an injury and is being managed back into the side, but with a bit more care as he's not our player.

All of these are footballing issues and happen to any club. I don't think it is simply down to bad recruitment, but to have had the injuries we have seen is unlucky. There are other sticks to beat KR with, but not sure he is a fault here.

No matter how you look at it the player recruitment during the summer has been extremely poor, especially when it was a known fact that we struggled to score last season and that Obika was injury prone, and couldn’t hit a barn door. So to bring in Mackie who has a reoccurring hip injury, Holmes with a known back problem and Browne having to be nursed through a knee issue wasn’t the best recipe to address this.

Yes a side needs a good balance of experience and youth in the right areas, but not a side of A&E suspects and inexperienced youth.

The only player of any note we acquired is Whyte. The rest (McMahon, Garbutt, Carruthers, Holmes, Mackie, Browne) I’m afraid aren’t what the doctor ordered for whatever reason or another unfortunately.

 

[Cass63]

No matter how you look at it the player recruitment during the summer has been extremely poor, especially when it was a known fact that we struggled to score last season and that Obika was injury prone, and couldn’t hit a barn door. So to bring in Mackie who has a reoccurring hip injury, Holmes with a known back problem and Browne having to be nursed through a knee issue wasn’t the best recipe to address this.

Yes a side needs a good balance of experience and youth in the right areas, but not a side of A&E suspects and inexperienced youth.

The only player of any note we acquired is Whyte. The rest (McMahon, Garbutt, Carruthers, Holmes, Mackie, Browne) I’m afraid aren’t what the doctor ordered for whatever reason or another unfortunately.

we used to get pissed off under wilders watch that players weren’t given medicals,now they are,we find out the players we go for are all injured, we couldn’t wait to get Holmes in the building then find out he can’t play 3 games in a row. Player recruitment this season has been crap, I’m not saying they are bad players but every week another one breaks down, how much are we paying Carothers not to play,

 

[Cass63]

I know I got Carruthers name wrong, it’s because I’ve never seen it on a team sheet.

 

[Scotchegg]

You might have a case for your argument were it not for the fact that we haven’t left the relegation zone all season. The likes of Baptiste, Whyte and bar the odd stupid decision, Brannagan in recent weeks, have shown that young and energetic players are the ones making the biggest difference to our play when available. You should never gamble on ageing players’ ability to get and then stay fit to define your entire season.

What I want to know is what happened to our recruitment department. The head scout left over a year ago to go to Leeds but where has the head of recruitment gone? All we hear about is “me and Tiger had a recruitment meeting”. Has everybody left? Is KR now signing players from his little black book? Have we gone back to the dark old days of having a ring round, hence so many of the players that have arrived since summer sharing the same agent?

Baptiste has hardly played during our recent improvements, but along with Whyte I think many would agree that it has been the performances of Mackie that has made the difference. In addition, Holmes is a player that puts defences on the back foot and has been one of our better players.

Any one brought in to the side is a gamble, and you have to try to find the right balance regardless of age. Garbutt is young with no history of injuries but has failed to impress. Norman has not progressed beyond a promising few games, Smith isn't getting a look in. Previously the kid from Arsenal, the 2 from Man City and God knows how many others have arrived with youth and energy but not succeeded.

So to say you should never gamble on ageing players is as ridiculous as saying that you should never gamble with untried kids. Some succeed, some don't.

 

[uptheus]

Baptiste has hardly played during our recent improvements, but along with Whyte I think many would agree that it has been the performances of Mackie that has made the difference. In addition, Holmes is a player that puts defences on the back foot and has been one of our better players.

Any one brought in to the side is a gamble, and you have to try to find the right balance regardless of age. Garbutt is young with no history of injuries but has failed to impress. Norman has not progressed beyond a promising few games, Smith isn't getting a look in. Previously the kid from Arsenal, the 2 from Man City and God knows how many others have arrived with youth and energy but not succeeded.

So to say you should never gamble on ageing players is as ridiculous as saying that you should never gamble with untried kids. Some succeed, some don't.

I agree with you about Mackie, but we needed better with less risk, especially as we only had Obika on the books.

Re; young players, there must have been better options of young players available from say the Championship who aren’t getting regular game time. Having said that, we did get Smith and that hadn’t worked out well!!

 

[Scotchegg]

I agree with you about Mackie, but we needed better with less risk, especially as we only had Obika on the books.

Re; young players, there must have been better options of young players available from say the Championship who aren’t getting regular game time. Having said that, we did get Smith and that hadn’t worked out well!!

That's my point, you take a gamble with whoever you bring in. Ageing pro's have experience but are also more likely to struggle with injuries. Young hopefuls may have fitness but struggle to adapt. Players dropping down the leagues are seen as failures, those stepping up a division might not cope.

Recruitment on a league 1 budget offers no guarantees. Kane Hemmings was initially thought to be a great signing, Whyte was seen as unproven. Some pay off, others don't.

 

[arthurturner]

No matter how you look at it the player recruitment during the summer has been extremely poor, especially when it was a known fact that we struggled to score last season and that Obika was injury prone, and couldn’t hit a barn door. So to bring in Mackie who has a reoccurring hip injury, Holmes with a known back problem and Browne having to be nursed through a knee issue wasn’t the best recipe to address this.

Yes a side needs a good balance of experience and youth in the right areas, but not a side of A&E suspects and inexperienced youth.

The only player of any note we acquired is Whyte. The rest (McMahon, Garbutt, Carruthers, Holmes, Mackie, Browne) I’m afraid aren’t what the doctor ordered for whatever reason or another unfortunately.

No, just what the doctor ended up with!

 

[unification]

Baptiste has hardly played during our recent improvements, but along with Whyte I think many would agree that it has been the performances of Mackie that has made the difference. In addition, Holmes is a player that puts defences on the back foot and has been one of our better players.

Any one brought in to the side is a gamble, and you have to try to find the right balance regardless of age. Garbutt is young with no history of injuries but has failed to impress. Norman has not progressed beyond a promising few games, Smith isn't getting a look in. Previously the kid from Arsenal, the 2 from Man City and God knows how many others have arrived with youth and energy but not succeeded.

So to say you should never gamble on ageing players is as ridiculous as saying that you should never gamble with untried kids. Some succeed, some don't.

He's 25 so not young and has had some long term injuries.

He hasn't really looked good enough for League 1 when a part-time LB in Josh Ruffels is massively outperforming him. It's astounding that he's still an Everton player really.

I didn't expect him to be as bad but he really hasn't been up to scratch.

 

[Scotchegg]

He's 25 so not young and has had some long term injuries.

He hasn't really looked good enough for League 1 when a part-time LB in Josh Ruffels is massively outperforming him. It's astounding that he's still an Everton player really.

I didn't expect him to be as bad but he really hasn't been up to scratch.

What injuries has Garbutt had? I'm not disagreeing that he hasn't been good enough, but even at 25 he's hardly past it and hasn't (to my knowledge) suffered with significant injuries.