For new signings, ask the man from the Pru

[Beefheart]

Serious question, is Vela actually all that good? After initial promise when he broke through for the odd premiership cameo I've seen very little to suggest he's anything but an average player.

He's 5' 11 1/2" so I'm not sure.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Farewell Rob, we hardly knew ye. All the best, buddy.

[Enoch]

it'll be interesting to see if Parky plays him..

Carts before horses and such...

[thebish]

Serious question, is Vela actually all that good? After initial promise when he broke through for the odd premiership cameo I've seen very little to suggest he's anything but an average player.

He's 5' 11 1/2" so I'm not sure.

[thebish]

it'll be interesting to see if Parky plays him..

Carts before horses and such...

good point - well made!

[Gary the Enfield]

Serious question, is Vela actually all that good? After initial promise when he broke through for the odd premiership cameo I've seen very little to suggest he's anything but an average player.

He's 5' 11 1/2" so I'm not sure.

Same height as me. And I'm shit at football so......

[boltonboris]

Serious question, is Vela actually all that good? After initial promise when he broke through for the odd premiership cameo I've seen very little to suggest he's anything but an average player.

Bit of a passenger isn't he?!

We'll find out after half a dozen games this season, if he's involved. Lennon always said he had talent, but didn't really give a flying one. "over a defeat before he's back on the bus" he said to a lad I know.

He shows glimpses of talent and combativeness, but doesn't really bust a gut to get around the pitch and really get involved

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Loose-lipped Lennon appears to have gobbed off to anyone who stood still long enough. Can't imagine why he lost the dressing room.

[BWFC_Insane]

Loose-lipped Lennon appears to have gobbed off to anyone who stood still long enough. Can't imagine why he lost the dressing room.

Freedman didn't like Vela's attitude either.

Whilst we might say two poor managers got it wrong, I would concur with Lennon's view. Several times last season I thought Vela looked lazy and half hearted.

Be interesting to see what Parky gets out of him. I worry he's another who thinks he's got it made, before he's really done anything of value.

[boltonboris]

Loose-lipped Lennon appears to have gobbed off to anyone who stood still long enough. Can't imagine why he lost the dressing room.

Freedman didn't like Vela's attitude either.

Whilst we might say two poor managers got it wrong, I would concur with Lennon's view. Several times last season I thought Vela looked lazy and half hearted.

Be interesting to see what Parky gets out of him. I worry he's another who thinks he's got it made, before he's really done anything of value.

I don't think he'll get anything out of him, because I don't think he'll get in his team. Certainly not in Midfield

[Peter Thompson]

Loose-lipped Lennon appears to have gobbed off to anyone who stood still long enough. Can't imagine why he lost the dressing room.

Freedman didn't like Vela's attitude either.

Whilst we might say two poor managers got it wrong, I would concur with Lennon's view. Several times last season I thought Vela looked lazy and half hearted.

Be interesting to see what Parky gets out of him. I worry he's another who thinks he's got it made, before he's really done anything of value.

I don't rate Vela at all, he can do a job at full back but he's IMO a poor midfielder with a shocking, sulky attitude.

My slight worry so far about Parkinson is that he's not addressed the central midfield issue, and its exactly as it was last season and a major reason why we went down - they were lazy, static, uncreative, weak - they rarely got forward enough to support the attack and didn't provide any help for the defence.

There's obviously a few weeks left before the season starts but a new strong, hard tackling, midfield leader is a must for me if we are to have any chance of success this season.

[BWFC_Insane]

Loose-lipped Lennon appears to have gobbed off to anyone who stood still long enough. Can't imagine why he lost the dressing room.

Freedman didn't like Vela's attitude either.

Whilst we might say two poor managers got it wrong, I would concur with Lennon's view. Several times last season I thought Vela looked lazy and half hearted.

Be interesting to see what Parky gets out of him. I worry he's another who thinks he's got it made, before he's really done anything of value.

I don't rate Vela at all, he can do a job at full back but he's IMO a poor midfielder with a shocking, sulky attitude.

My slight worry so far about Parkinson is that he's not addressed the central midfield issue, and its exactly as it was last season and a major reason why we went down - they were lazy, static, uncreative, weak - they rarely got forward enough to support the attack and didn't provide any help for the defence.

There's obviously a few weeks left before the season starts but a new strong, hard tackling, midfield leader is a must for me if we are to have any chance of success this season.

I agree. Though he's got a problem in that he's already got, Vela, Trotter, Pratley, Spearing, Mark Davies for the centre of midfield. We know that there is a problem with all those players but he does have to ensure we have balance and wide players are important, as are full backs.

I strongly suspect he knows exactly what we need but until he shifts players his hands are tied somewhat. It may well be longer than one summer to get all the pieces into place.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Much as I'd like to get shut of many a midfielder, I'd say he'd be daft to spend time and money getting another when we've already got a bunch of them sucking wages out of the club - I'd rather Parky tried to get the buggers working than get a replacement and pay someone 10 times the L1 average to sit in the stands.

Moreover, he's got some glaring weaknesses to attend to. We've got pretty much the same defence that was shit last season, except we've lost its leader (Wheater) and are about to lose its most natural talent (Holding). We've got two full-backs, Moxey and Wilson. We've got one winger, Chris Taylor (and a hopeful in Tom Walker). As a front-runner we've got Madine and Proctor, who according to my mate who went to Mansfield was worse than Madine. And we've also released many of the kids who might have stepped up to those roles.

For me, assuming we sell Holding but can't shift any midfielders, the order of necessity is winger, centre-back, full-back, striker (fast rather than big) – before we look at another CM.

[Andy Waller]

Much as I'd like to get shut of many a midfielder, I'd say he'd be daft to spend time and money getting another when we've already got a bunch of them sucking wages out of the club - I'd rather Parky tried to get the buggers working than get a replacement and pay someone 10 times the L1 average to sit in the stands.

Moreover, he's got some glaring weaknesses to attend to. We've got pretty much the same defence that was shit last season, except we've lost its leader (Wheater) and are about to lose its most natural talent (Holding). We've got two full-backs, Moxey and Wilson. We've got one winger, Chris Taylor (and a hopeful in Tom Walker). As a front-runner we've got Madine and Proctor, who according to my mate who went to Mansfield was worse than Madine. And we've also released many of the kids who might have stepped up to those roles.

For me, assuming we sell Holding but can't shift any midfielders, the order of necessity is winger, centre-back, full-back, striker (fast rather than big) – before we look at another CM.

Has Woolery figured at all pre-season?

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

On the wing in both games, I think.

[Prufrock]

Think we might be fine up top: Procter, Madine, Clough, Clayton and Woolery. Pressure on the young boys, but Clough needs to play in the final 3rd.

Out wide looks v threadbare, particularly in midfield. 2 wingers and at least one full back would be my priorities. At least one CB (Wheater back seems probable). If we sign Greer and Wheater, I don't think it's going to be a very high line!

[boltonboris]

Wellington has signed for Fluminense, so that's out of the question too

[LeverEnd]

Much as I'd like to get shut of many a midfielder, I'd say he'd be daft to spend time and money getting another when we've already got a bunch of them sucking wages out of the club - I'd rather Parky tried to get the buggers working than get a replacement and pay someone 10 times the L1 average to sit in the stands.

Moreover, he's got some glaring weaknesses to attend to. We've got pretty much the same defence that was shit last season, except we've lost its leader (Wheater) and are about to lose its most natural talent (Holding). We've got two full-backs, Moxey and Wilson. We've got one winger, Chris Taylor (and a hopeful in Tom Walker). As a front-runner we've got Madine and Proctor, who according to my mate who went to Mansfield was worse than Madine. And we've also released many of the kids who might have stepped up to those roles.

For me, assuming we sell Holding but can't shift any midfielders, the order of necessity is winger, centre-back, full-back, striker (fast rather than big) – before we look at another CM.

Has Woolery figured at all pre-season?

Woolery came on at Mansfield and looked dangerous in that we finally had someone who could get behind their defence. Proctor was so static and slow looking so it made a difference. His final ball wasn't always great but he got a couple in. More of a sprinter than a footballer though, but let's hope he can develop that side of his game. If the coaching is simple and sensible and plays to.his strengths, he could be useful.

Vela is the most overrated player we have I think. He's better than walker, but not a 100 percent tryer. He's a had a few decent games but I can't see him playing regularly above league 1 level because he's no more than average at anything. Spearing should be first midfield pick every time. He had an urgency and presence about him on Saturday that was totally lacking from Vela and the clueless Trotter.

[LeverEnd]

Think we might be fine up top: Procter, Madine, Clough, Clayton and Woolery. Pressure on the young boys, but Clough needs to play in the final 3rd.

Out wide looks v threadbare, particularly in midfield. 2 wingers and at least one full back would be my priorities. At least one CB (Wheater back seems probable). If we sign Greer and Wheater, I don't think it's going to be a very high line!

Dervite and Beevers looked shite on Saturday, very slow and clumsy, regularly out paced and out thought by the movement of league 2 forwards. Can't judge Beevers just on that but spoke to an ex pro player at weekend who played recently in this division and he doesn't rate Beevers at all. Mate who supports Wednesday thinks he's decent. That's 4 very slow CHs though.

[LeverEnd]

Oh and before any fecker asks I didn't meet said ex player in a toilet.