Number 9 Shirt

[Tarbie]

Anyone else picked up on the fact that Polter has been wearing the number 9 shirt pre-season. Most of the other players seem to be wearing their normal squad numbers. Obviously Conor Washington wore the number 9 last season.

Do we think there is any significance in this?

[Ramsey is god]

Interesting. you know what Washington is wearing. Might just be they both wanted to switch.

[knocker]

If polter is our number 9 God help us.

[nanocopic]

I think Polter should be over Conor although I really hope neither are our main striker this season.

[nasser95]

I think Polter should be over Conor although I really hope neither are our main striker this season.

100% agree. At least Polter scores goals and generally is a nuisance to defenders/

[Hove Ranger]

100% agree. At least Polter scores goals and generally is a nuisance to defenders/

Doesn't Washington score goals? Thought he had a good record last season in the league below?

[Ramsey is god]

Doesn't Washington score goals? Thought he had a good record last season in the league below?

He did, but in all honesty, he didnt even seem to be coming close with us. wernt really getting any chances which is a worry. Thought he looked lively for NI at the Euros though so hopefully comes back with a bit of confidence.

[Hitman34]

Doesn't Washington score goals? Thought he had a good record last season in the league below?

Problem is, he is not in the div below now. Well, not yet anyway

[MattyRangers]

Problem is, he is not in the div below now. Well, not yet anyway

Yep. Plus, his record at the level even below that wasn't great - 5 goals in 39 league appearances for Newport County spread over Conference and League 2

Would absolutely love the geeza to make me eat humble pie next season, but from what I've seen, he aint upto it at this level.

As for Polter wearing number 9.... Well, I don't know what to say If we are going into next season with him as our main striker, we can say goodbye to any chance of a playoff push. IMHO of course.

[nasser95]

Yep. Plus, his record at the level even below that wasn't great - 5 goals in 39 league appearances for Newport County spread over Conference and League 2

Would absolutely love the geeza to make me eat humble pie next season, but from what I've seen, he aint upto it at this level.

As for Polter wearing number 9.... Well, I don't know what to say If we are going into next season with him as our main striker, we can say goodbye to any chance of a playoff push. IMHO of course.

All depends on who we get on the wing mate. Polter can score a load of goals if he gets the supply, not because he's the best player, but because he'll put his head on just about anything.

[hal9thou]

he'll put his head on just about anything.

Following lively debate on here re this very subject, I've been watching clips of him. He should be outstanding in the air, but doesn't always get height. As Nas says though without supply its all academic anyway. Certainly he's a million miles off being a one up merchant, but these days we have to be thankful for small mercies. He may improve.

[nasser95]

Following lively debate on here re this very subject, I've been watching clips of him. He should be outstanding in the air, but doesn't always get height. As Nas says though without supply its all academic anyway. Certainly he's a million miles off being a one up merchant, but these days we have to be thankful for small mercies. He may improve.

When he's in the box, he generally wins the ball in the air. I agree that when holding it up outside the box he doesn't get it as much as he should though.

[Hove Ranger]

Problem is, he is not in the div below now. Well, not yet anyway

Could probably do with a run of starts in this div to see if he's up to the job. But I suppose some are eager for him to fail

[nasser95]

Could probably do with a run of starts in this div to see if he's up to the job. But I suppose some are eager for him to fail

This is the argument put forward by the people who want him to start. It isn't about being eager for him to fail, it's about not seeing enough to validate starting him. When he's played he's looked very average in general at best. Look at the other players who weren't in the first team picture for a while like Nasser, Polter, Chery, Ingram, Hall, Luongo. At various points, these guys weren't the first choice on the team sheet. They had to settle for being on the bench and some like Nasser still have to. But what they did was take every chance they got to push for the first team place. Say what you want about Polter but as soon as he was given a chance, he scored and kept scoring. Chery came back with JFH and gets on the scoresheet as a sub, same with Nasser when he first came. Hall wasn't the first choice initially but made the spot his own As soon as he got the chance to, whether by injury or rotation. Ingram took over to give Smithies a break when we weren't playing for much and looked so solid that he's forced his way into legitimate questioning about who's the better keeper. They all took their chances. Conor got given plenty of game time relative to what he actually offered us on the pitch (7 starts and 8 sub appearances) so it's not like the club was harsh with him on the game time. Meanwhile Nasser makes 3 starts and 13 sub appearances and makes way more of an impact in fewer minutes.

A player shouldn't be gifted a run just to see how he does, a player should earn their spot, unless you want to pi ss off the dressing room.

[stanistheman]

Yep. Plus, his record at the level even below that wasn't great - 5 goals in 39 league appearances for Newport County spread over Conference and League 2

Would absolutely love the geeza to make me eat humble pie next season, but from what I've seen, he aint upto it at this level.

As for Polter wearing number 9.... Well, I don't know what to say If we are going into next season with him as our main striker, we can say goodbye to any chance of a playoff push. IMHO of course.

Yet JFH spent 75% of the money for Austin on Washington.