"The Club has also now found out, following a scan, that Davide Rodari needs an operation to repair a tear in his ACL. This injury, very disappointingly for both Davide and the Club, is likely to keep him out for most if not all of the 2018/19 season"
If this is the case then all the more reason to get an out and out striker for the season ahead.
To be honest I have seen Daniel Ajakaiye play centre forward this season in a couple of friendlies and he doesn't look very comfortable there as if its not his preferred position,he seems to play much better on the flanks.
A top class striker is all we need to complete the team as I will be surprised to see Daniel getting 30+ goals this season!
-- Edited by Adrian on Tuesday 24th of July 2018 03:54:40 PM
-- Edited by Adrian on Tuesday 24th of July 2018 03:56:07 PM
Very disappointing news for the club and player and wish Davide a quick recovery. Tonight’s friendly against Lewes proved your point Adrian. Loads of possession, nice passing, great ball retention, good fitness levels but no cutting edge whatsoever up top. Apart from a couple of decent chances for Sammy and Golding we never really looked like scoring and the Lewes keeper only made one save all night. The squad looks slightly unbalanced with a lot of similar players out wide and a striker has to be a necessity, but did we not start saying that three months ago? Not sure what would be available this time of year as anyone any good will be tied up with other clubs. Decent performance though, defensively we look very solid and I thought Adam has a super game in the middle of the park.
Anyone know what the penalty was for? Somebody suggested handball but did not see it. Some good play and thought we deserved a draw. Agree with John, certainly need a striker. Is Alex Smith anywhere near fitness?
Anyone know what the penalty was for? Somebody suggested handball but did not see it. Some good play and thought we deserved a draw. Agree with John, certainly need a striker. Is Alex Smith anywhere near fitness?
Absolutely no idea what the penalty was for Phil, but in fairness there was scant protest from our team. I thoght the game was played in a good spirit and appropriately refereed for a friendly.
Very sad for Davide about his injury. Yes, indeed, as pretty much all of us have said in one thread or another, we need an out and out striker as an absolute urgency. We cannot afford to 'see how it goes', we have to stay in touch with the league leaders from the start of the season otherwise it will be another forlorn attempt at catch up.
Billy Medlock is under contract at Lewes until 30th June 2019.
Other decent strikers I can think of are Calum Davies has signed for Merstham, Jay May has signed for Dulwich Hamlet and Frannie Collin is staying at Margate.
Can anyone think of anyone else?
As someone has previously said most decent strikers have now found clubs for the coming season so we may have missed out.
Absolutely unbelievable. Just as Rodari was showing his real class and the same manager in place for the start of the season - this happens. But I trust Chris Agutter to find someone to replace Davide from within or outside. I still think the most important signature on the dotted line in recent months was that of Chris.
-- Edited by SS on Thursday 26th of July 2018 12:35:40 PM
After reading the Hastings Observer I can't say that I am surprised that Chris is persevering with playing Daniel Ajakaiye as our centre forward striker.
Whether it is a lack of funding or the unavailability of a striker so near to the start of the season I don't know.
I hope it all works out OK, but with Chris's policy of only playing one up front I can't see us scoring too many goals,so perhaps 1-0 wins may be enough against some teams especially as we have such a strong defence.
Time will tell I suppose but I put my trust in Chris to have made the right decision and see what happens.
Having scored yesterday A Trialist may be worth persevering with
I see that the same named played turned out for Horsham and also scored earlier in the week
Curious that h3 hasn’t been snapped up
Don’t know why anyone should think only playing one up front should mean fewer goals. A lot of teams play just one up front, it’s the support play that is crucial, and can often mean you have 3 up front. It’s all down to how the midfield is set up.
Think we might struggle at times without a big target man up front to provide us with a plan B. However, in our promotion year under Peter Sillett I seem to remember we just had Paul Giles and Paul Burke up front-two small and skilful forwards, and we did ok then.
