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Post by allezlesrouges on Jan 22, 2024 11:50:50 GMT
I think we need to view his overall season at the end of 23/24 to really see if he's had a good season. I don't doubt it if he's had a few games where he's not quite at it. But his stats say he's having a good season in terms of productivity. I want to see where he's at in May to really judge. Obviously if he ends the season with a poor goal return then the argument to not include him grows, but he still is on 10 goals and 3 assists in 19 games so far, so calls of a bad season are premature so far imo I'm slightly confused, I thought you wanted him to be called up for the playoffs? So you want to wait until the end of the season to see what he's done in League 2 and then think about calling him up for the Euros if we make it? Also, who's said that he's had a bad season? I would disagree with that, I think he's been good for League 2 level, but the whole debate is whether simply being 'good' - maybe the 5th or 6th best striker in League 2 this season - is good enough to merit inclusion in the Welsh squad. I would argue it's definitely not I do want him called up for the playoffs ahead of Cullen. What I meant was let's see how he's doing at the end of the season before judging whether or not it's been a good year for him. I won't get all indignant if he doesn't get called up either. I just think he's marginally better to have in the squad than Cullen, so I'd favour any marginal gais, whilst also acknowledging neither are likely to get on the pitch |
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Post by allezlesrouges on Jan 22, 2024 11:56:25 GMT
He's not even the best Welsh-qualified striker in League Two, never mind all leagues. He had a great time tearing apart farmers and postmen last season, but it's a bit more difficult up here. Goal contributions per game; Will Evans = 0.57 Mullin = 0.68 So I'd say Mullin is having the better season so far, and I'd say 13 contributions in 19 games isn't exactly damning evidence that he's finding things that much more difficult beyond the drop off anyone would experience by going up a level |
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Post by iot on Jan 22, 2024 13:00:59 GMT
For what it's worth, I don't think Will Evans is international class at all (and from what I've seen I think most Newport fans agree to be fair). I think Mullin's a better and more natural footballer. Evans has an incredible work ethic, but probably lacks the technical ability to go up the leagues and play for us, even if he does have a couple of years on Mullin and is only a recent convert to professional football. Great to see him doing so well at Newport though
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Post by superunknown on Jan 22, 2024 17:30:15 GMT
He's not even the best Welsh-qualified striker in League Two, never mind all leagues. He had a great time tearing apart farmers and postmen last season, but it's a bit more difficult up here. He was literally the top scorer in League 2 a couple of seasons ago. |
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rncfc
the carls
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Post by rncfc on Jan 22, 2024 18:05:00 GMT
He's not even the best Welsh-qualified striker in League Two, never mind all leagues. He had a great time tearing apart farmers and postmen last season, but it's a bit more difficult up here. He was literally the top scorer in League 2 a couple of seasons ago. Yeah, and then chose to slide down the leagues instead of testing himself at a high level. Sorry, but thus far a career flat track bully, who has only ever scored goals in sides which are excellent at their level. Struggled in average sides whilst at Morecambe and Tranmere. If this is the best we've got then we're really struggling. |
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Post by jimexotic on Jan 22, 2024 18:16:07 GMT
Who said that Paul Mullin is the best we've got? Is that the criteria for being picked, you have to be the very best in that position, you can only call up one striker? Flat track bully is harsh too, do you think it might not also be the case that he's helped sides over achieve with his contributions? I'm not saying that Paul Mullin has had the baton passed down to him from John Charles, I'm not saying that Paul Mullin is a Liverpudlian with a Welsh Nan version of Pele, I'm not saying that Paul Mullin is a Premier League striker, I think he could be worth a look at over the next year or so though depending on the availability and form of others, we're not exactly rich in out and out strikers at the moment, this isn't the late 80's/early 90's.
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Post by iot on Jan 29, 2024 20:23:36 GMT
Not sure if he's carrying something, or if he has just lost that yard of pace, but I maintain he hasn't looked the same player this season. Been kept very quiet this first half and looked slightly uncertain of himself at times, which isn't something you expect from him
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Post by melynwy on Jan 29, 2024 20:40:27 GMT
He was literally the top scorer in League 2 a couple of seasons ago. Yeah, and then chose to slide down the leagues instead of testing himself at a high level. Sorry, but thus far a career flat track bully, who has only ever scored goals in sides which are excellent at their level. Struggled in average sides whilst at Morecambe and Tranmere. If this is the best we've got then we're really struggling. You're contradicting yourself now. You say that things are "a little bit more difficult up here" (League Two), when he is already proven at that level. What he did afterwards isn't relevant to that point. And as you say, he chose to slide down the leagues - he wasn't forced to do so because of his ability. If he had to drop to the National LEague because of his ability, then obviously we wouldn't be discussing the merits of calling him up for Wales. Of course he's not the best we've got. A swquad is more than that. And if indeed we are really struggling, what do you suggest we do, give up? Refuse to call-up lower league players because of pride (or sdtupidity) ? We don't get to choose how good we are, therefore we don't get to choose in which leagues our best options play. |
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Post by aberbeeg on Jan 29, 2024 20:54:43 GMT
Unfortunately he’s looking out of his depth ( as are the entire team) against a bottom half championship team. Hopefully he can improve second half
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Post by erasedcitizen on Jan 29, 2024 22:11:50 GMT
Not sure if he's carrying something, or if he has just lost that yard of pace, but I maintain he hasn't looked the same player this season. Been kept very quiet this first half and looked slightly uncertain of himself at times, which isn't something you expect from him He didn't have a pre-season, I think that's why he doesn't look the same. Hate to say that I think we rushed him back from injury too. He isn't close to a call-up now, but if we go up and he impresses next year it is possible. |
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Post by bobbyghoul on Jan 29, 2024 22:21:25 GMT
Until he's a better option than Moore, Johnson and Broadhead as a 9 then he won't get called up.
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Post by ddirpytnop on Jan 29, 2024 22:27:29 GMT
I know one-off cup games aren't the best way to judge a player's worth and the choice isn't a real one anyway, but if I had to take one of either Paul Mullin or Will Evans into the Wales squad, on the basis of the game yesterday and tonight's game, there's only one player in the frame.
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Post by aberbeeg on Jan 29, 2024 23:02:29 GMT
Let’s hope Mr Page wasn’t watching that shit show
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Post by iot on Jan 29, 2024 23:30:14 GMT
Not sure if he's carrying something, or if he has just lost that yard of pace, but I maintain he hasn't looked the same player this season. Been kept very quiet this first half and looked slightly uncertain of himself at times, which isn't something you expect from him He didn't have a pre-season, I think that's why he doesn't look the same. Hate to say that I think we rushed him back from injury too. He isn't close to a call-up now, but if we go up and he impresses next year it is possible. I get that, but it's not like he's building up a head of steam after starting the season late, his form is regressing. Surely the punctured lung isn't still affecting him now - how would it? |
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Post by aberbeeg on Jan 29, 2024 23:43:15 GMT
He looked completely out of his depth ( as did the whole team)
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Post by morg on Jan 30, 2024 5:26:14 GMT
Until he's a better option than Moore, Johnson and Broadhead as a 9 then he won't get called up. In the 23 v Turkiye we had Johnson, Broadhead, Cullen, Moore and Bradshaw so don't think it's as cut and dried as being in the top 3. Was one of the ones on here 'who got carried away' about Mullen's inclusion and I still maintain that at the time, he offered something that we didn't have elsewhere irrespective of his league status. Would agree though that he doesn't look the same player at the moment and I think the point about pre-season is a fair one. Think the nature of his injury in the US could possibly be still having an effect also. Don't think it's as simple that he's now out of his depth as this time last year he was terrorising arguably better teams than Blackburn. So no, I wouldn't pick him now but I wouldn't rule it out in the future if he were to regain his previous self assurance and playing level. |
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Post by erasedcitizen on Jan 30, 2024 7:42:36 GMT
He didn't have a pre-season, I think that's why he doesn't look the same. Hate to say that I think we rushed him back from injury too. He isn't close to a call-up now, but if we go up and he impresses next year it is possible. I get that, but it's not like he's building up a head of steam after starting the season late, his form is regressing. Surely the punctured lung isn't still affecting him now - how would it? I've read what a few players who've missed pre-season have had to say. It can have a great impact on an entire season. Most Wrexham fans are in agreement that he isn't the player he was last year, though it's not through failing to make the step up. It's quite clear he's capable but he just isn't right. His fitness and sharpness just aren't at the levels he was at last season, and given I watch him weekly you can take my word on that. |
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Post by iot on Jan 30, 2024 10:23:48 GMT
I get that, but it's not like he's building up a head of steam after starting the season late, his form is regressing. Surely the punctured lung isn't still affecting him now - how would it? I've read what a few players who've missed pre-season have had to say. It can have a great impact on an entire season. Most Wrexham fans are in agreement that he isn't the player he was last year, though it's not through failing to make the step up. It's quite clear he's capable but he just isn't right. His fitness and sharpness just aren't at the levels he was at last season, and given I watch him weekly you can take my word on that. Yes but if I remember correctly, he did go through the first couple of weeks of preseason including a game and a half before suffering the punctured lung, which kept him out for a few weeks before returning 6-8 games in? Time will tell I guess whether it's a short-term fitness issue or age starting to catch up with him as he approaches his 30th birthday. |
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Post by surge on Jan 30, 2024 19:12:08 GMT
Isn't he coming off a much shorter pre-season due to injury?
But he's older, he's getting more attention from better defenders and this is the level he has reached before.
We'll see how he goes the rest of the year and next year, but it is a bit worrying for Wrexham that so many key players are older and some on longer contracts. It's not the Conference where unlimited turnover can happen each off-season.
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Post by erasedcitizen on Jan 30, 2024 19:51:13 GMT
Isn't he coming off a much shorter pre-season due to injury? But he's older, he's getting more attention from better defenders and this is the level he has reached before. We'll see how he goes the rest of the year and next year, but it is a bit worrying for Wrexham that so many key players are older and some on longer contracts. It's not the Conference where unlimited turnover can happen each off-season. What's the concern, out of interest? Many would be quite content building from League One. |
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Post by surge on Jan 30, 2024 21:50:46 GMT
Isn't he coming off a much shorter pre-season due to injury? But he's older, he's getting more attention from better defenders and this is the level he has reached before. We'll see how he goes the rest of the year and next year, but it is a bit worrying for Wrexham that so many key players are older and some on longer contracts. It's not the Conference where unlimited turnover can happen each off-season. What's the concern, out of interest? Many would be quite content building from League One. I think you ideally want a core who can step up together. If player x is on longer more expensive contract but struggling with step up then you can manage it. If player x, y, z are all in same boat then it becomes tricky and expensive...and financial fair play can stop a league club making several expensive moves when that doesn't happen(?) in conference. It's far, far too early to say this is the case for Wrexham for several reasons. |
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Post by erasedcitizen on Jan 30, 2024 21:57:12 GMT
What's the concern, out of interest? Many would be quite content building from League One. I think you ideally want a core who can step up together. If player x is on longer more expensive contract but struggling with step up then you can manage it. If player x, y, z are all in same boat then it becomes tricky and expensive...and financial fair play can stop a league club making several expensive moves when that doesn't happen(?) in conference. It's far, far too early to say this is the case for Wrexham for several reasons. I think we got out of non-league by signing players who could do the job right away, and a good number of those are in the squad now in League 2. If we go up, I expect a mass clearout and the beginning of a new transfer policy at the club. The owners have expressed a desire to improve the youth setup also, which could have benefits for the national side in the long run. |
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Post by pclaude on Jan 31, 2024 16:43:04 GMT
Isn't he coming off a much shorter pre-season due to injury? But he's older, he's getting more attention from better defenders and this is the level he has reached before. We'll see how he goes the rest of the year and next year, but it is a bit worrying for Wrexham that so many key players are older and some on longer contracts. It's not the Conference where unlimited turnover can happen each off-season. I would say coming off a collapsed lung might be an issue too? |
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Post by iot on Feb 13, 2024 20:53:14 GMT
Dropped to the bench tonight having not scored in his last 4 games. Must be the first time he's been dropped since joining Wrexham, and his poorest run of form by far. Happens to everyone, I'm sure he'll be back banging them in soon enough
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Post by marsvolta on Feb 13, 2024 21:20:34 GMT
Dropped to the bench tonight having not scored in his last 4 games. Must be the first time he's been dropped since joining Wrexham, and his poorest run of form by far. Happens to everyone, I'm sure he'll be back banging them in soon enough Yeah, I’d say they rushed him back too soon after the lung injury, he hasn’t been the same since. |
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Post by iot on Feb 13, 2024 22:10:57 GMT
Dropped to the bench tonight having not scored in his last 4 games. Must be the first time he's been dropped since joining Wrexham, and his poorest run of form by far. Happens to everyone, I'm sure he'll be back banging them in soon enough Yeah, I’d say they rushed him back too soon after the lung injury, he hasn’t been the same since. I'm not convinced by that argument, because his form has been regressing as the season's gone on. He's proven before that he can be lethal at this level so I'm sure he'll pick it back up, although he is a few years older now so might have dropped off slightly |
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Post by zserty on Feb 14, 2024 7:12:42 GMT
Yeah, I’d say they rushed him back too soon after the lung injury, he hasn’t been the same since. I'm not convinced by that argument, because his form has been regressing as the season's gone on. He's proven before that he can be lethal at this level so I'm sure he'll pick it back up, although he is a few years older now so might have dropped off slightly At least it has probably settled the "should he get called up debate?" For now at least. |
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Post by allezlesrouges on Feb 15, 2024 9:46:52 GMT
Probably due a rest, came back very quickly after the lung injury so that's probably hampered his season a bit. Still good numbers for goal contributions though. Maybe just needs a few weeks rest to get sharpness back
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Post by erasedcitizen on Feb 15, 2024 20:01:50 GMT
Probably due a rest, came back very quickly after the lung injury so that's probably hampered his season a bit. Still good numbers for goal contributions though. Maybe just needs a few weeks rest to get sharpness back Indeed, though I'd say it's very unlikely he's rested at home to Notts County on Saturday. He'll be desperate to play in that. I wouldn't say it's the right call to start him. |
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Post by manulike on Feb 27, 2024 22:28:27 GMT
... To all the naysayers, the doubters, the doomsters and the gloomsters ...
#PAUL.IS.BACK
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