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Post by jimd on May 31, 2008 16:50:16 GMT
Oxford stricker Matt Green has just signed a two year deal with us....anyone know anything about him?
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Dave
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Post by Dave on May 31, 2008 16:56:44 GMT
this the info on Wilkipedia
As a youngster Green was a member of the Bristol City youth programme but was released by the club as they deemed he was too small to play professional football. An England schoolboy international, Green went on to join the Cirencester Academy under the direction of former Newport County player and Welsh international Steve Lowndes who recommended him to his former club in the summer of 2005. A pacey striker, he made a big impact in his first season, making 30 appearances for the Newport County first team in all competitions. He was a part-time player at Newport and worked full-time at a near-by car auction warehouse before he began to attract interest. Several teams watched him while he played for Newport, including Reading, Stoke City and Swansea City[1] but instead Green joined Cardiff City[2]in January 2007 for a fee of £10,000 with possible add-ons depending on appearances. Green had played alongside several former Cardiff players at Newport including Nathan Blake, Jason Bowen and Damon Searle. Matt made his debut for his new club against Preston North End coming on for the final few minutes as his team won 4-1 on the 23 February 2007. At the start of the 2007/08 season Green was included in a two game pre-season tour of Portugal where he made appearances in both games, finding the net in one.
In October 2007 Green signed a one-month loan deal at Football League Two side Darlington[3]. He made his debut for Darlington on the 9 October against Leeds United in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. He started the match on the bench but was brought on earlier than planned due to the injury of a teammate. He showed why he is highly valued by Dave Jones with an impressive performance and hit the post late in the game[4]. He returned to Cardiff on 8 November after making five appearances in all competitions for the club. He then joined Oxford United on an emergency one month loan deal on November 22[5] and scored on his debut for the club on 24 November against Kidderminster Harriers.[6] He made three appearances for the club during his loan spell, two league and one in the FA Cup, but suffered a broken collarbone during his spell there and returned to Cardiff for treatment before signing on loan again for the club on 25 January.[7] He got his first goals of the second loan spell by scoring twice against Histon on 9 February, going on to make a total of 18 appearances before returning to Cardiff where he was released on his return.
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Post by tufcwewillbeback on May 31, 2008 17:01:26 GMT
Apparentley brilliant at Oxford, so it sounds fantastic, however, it looks as though Benyon will again miss out on the chance to work his way into the first team. I think that that's a shame because he was great when he got chances last season. Still, cant wait to see some of these new signings, Green, like the other's is of high quality, this signalling Buckle's high aspiration for the coming season.
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Dave
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Post by Dave on May 31, 2008 17:33:48 GMT
I'm very pleased with all our signings and don't forget there is more to come. Lets hope we play a better style and that the players can gel quickly.
The pre-season games will be important for these reasons. I know each game will see different line ups, but they all can be used to establish our style of play, plus a plan B something we did not have last season.
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merse
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Post by merse on May 31, 2008 18:24:54 GMT
however, it looks as though Benyon will again miss out on the chance to work his way into the first team. I think that that's a shame because he was great when he got chances last season.  My view is that Benyon, (and Stevens for that matter) are little better than promising with a huge question mark over their physical deficiencies to cut the mustard in a very demanding BSP environment.............more physically demanding than League 2 in my opinion. Not doubting Stevens' skill on the ball and ability to (sometimes) deliver a good pass his obvious lack of stature is an obstacle that he seems unlikely to overcome unless he miraculously increases his bulk so that he can at least hold the opponent off. Benyon's concave chest and poor deportment bely an inherent physical weakness which overrides his occasional sharpness in the box. At the end of the day, the manager does not have the time to indulge in these players to overcome their shortcomings as a promotion push has to be launched from day one of the new season. The signings of Green and Carlisle underline this fact in my opinion, thus the two crowd pleasers from last season will once again prove to be peripheral figures. The acquisition of Dsane and the hoped for acceptance of Zebroski of the club's offer would make their case for a starting place even more forlorn. As an example of a striker/winger short of stature but possessing the necessary bulk to be successfull at BSP level I would point to Peterborough's Aaron McLeanwho has proved pacy enough but almost impossible to shake off the ball once he gets the bit between his teeth and he was certainly different class during his time of rehabilitation at Aldershot and Grays following his release by Orient early in his career. |
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Dave
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Post by Dave on May 31, 2008 20:46:58 GMT
The thing about Stevens Merse, is that at his best, his size has not mattered. Look at the game on Boxing day, he was the difference when he came on. While I agree being well built and physical is a big plus, skill with the ball at your feet and the ability to beat your man,is equally important.
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merse
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Post by merse on May 31, 2008 21:00:06 GMT
The thing about Stevens Merse, is that at his best, his size has not mattered. I wouldn't dispute that at his best he is very good, but would stress that a player's average level of performance has to the benchmark on which he is judged; as that is what one generally gets from him - or any other player for that matter. For me, his average effect on the team is minimal and that I believe is why the manager has recruited Carlisle in particular and it is the former Greek that the little man will need to win favour over. Good luck to him, I have nothing against his effort and pluck; but I do believe he starts with a huge disadvantage yet it is to his eternal credit that he continues to earn a living at this level. I would put Benyon in the same category as regards effort and bravery, but again his lack of physical presence severely hampers his chances of regularly cutting it in our team. |
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Dave
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Post by Dave on May 31, 2008 21:30:42 GMT
Talking about Mr Carlisle, it makes you realize how even as fans we are sometimes fickle. While I have always felt he was a good player, I just simply took a dislike to him, as a city player and not because he played for them.
Now he will be doing is stuff for our team and I'll be singing his name and almost feel I love him.
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Post by andygulls on May 31, 2008 21:38:01 GMT
My view is that Benyon, (and Stevens for that matter) are little better than promising with a huge question mark over their physical deficiencies to cut the mustard in a very demanding BSP environment.............more physically demanding than League 2 in my opinion. Merse, I agree with your view. Both players have talent and work hard. Is it, will it be enough? Do you think that they would be more likely to succeed in league 2 and so may have some future value (assuming the promise is maintained)? |
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Post by andygulls on May 31, 2008 21:40:47 GMT
Talking about Mr Carlisle, I'll be singing his name and almost feel I love him. Steady on Dave!  |
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merse
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Post by merse on May 31, 2008 21:54:37 GMT
Do you think that they would be more likely to succeed in league 2 and so may have some future value (assuming the promise is maintained)? I believe it is much harder to rely on skill over physical strength in the BSP than it is in League 2 as the "only one up rule" concentrates manager's minds much more on achievement than developing talent. There always seemed to be a good smattering of failed Premiershite and Championship starlets trying to fight their way back in Leage 2 who would sink without trace in the more cut throat BSP, so that (in my opinion) anyone who does indeed make it back up from the BSP (such as Aaron McLean) will be much better equipped than those who graduate back up from League 2. I'm not saying one league is better than the other, just different; and in my opinion again - there is little to choose between them. So would Benyon and Stevens be a good investment to nurture for the eventuality of League 2? Yes, I think they would. |
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merse
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Post by merse on May 31, 2008 21:58:36 GMT
There always seemed to be a good smattering of failed Premier nutse Hey, I never wrote that.................clever gizmo though! ;D |
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Dave
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Post by Dave on May 31, 2008 22:28:10 GMT
There always seemed to be a good smattering of failed Premier nutse Hey, I never wrote that.................clever gizmo though! ;D Yes Merse there is a filter on this site, don't want those naughty words do we. Bet your going to test it to its limits now ;D ;D ;D |
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Post by the92ndfish on May 31, 2008 22:40:43 GMT
The reaction to his signing over on the Oxford forums is just insane, aside from their belitting of us acting like they are on some different sort of level to little old Torquay, it's a great little read.
I get the feeling as Merse says that Benyon will play another peripheral role this season, for all his potential I just don't feel as though he fits into Buck's plans, I don't think he's incapable of putting on muscle (look at Robinho, weighed just shy of 10 stones when he joined Real) but I don't think he will sufficiently to shed the doubts about his stature.
10/17 is a great little record, lets hope his continues this kind of form into next season, does rather beg the question of who out of Green or D'sane will be first choice along Sills next season though and torpedos my cheerleading for David Graham, ha.
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Dave
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Post by Dave on May 31, 2008 22:46:40 GMT
The reaction to his signing over on the Oxford forums is just insane, aside from their belitting of us[glow=red,2,300] acting like they are on some different sort of level to little old Torquay,[/glow] it's a great little read. I get the feeling as Merse says that Benyon will play another peripheral role this season, for all his potential I just don't feel as though he fits into Buck's plans, I don't think he's incapable of putting on muscle (look at Robinho, weighed just shy of 10 stones when he joined Real) but I don't think he will sufficiently to shed the doubts about his stature. 10/17 is a great little record, lets hope his continues this kind of form into next season, does rather beg the question of who out of Green or D'sane will be first choice along Sills next season though and torpedos my cheerleading for David Graham, ha. As a young man working as a milkman, I was always able to get tickets to the Milk Cup Final( well that was its name then). Q.P.R v Oxford was the first one I watched. Oxford then a team in the top flight. I can understand how some of their fans may feel we are just a little club. They need a reality check, they are now a B.S.P. team. |
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My view is that Benyon, (and Stevens for that matter) are little better than promising with a huge question mark over their physical deficiencies to cut the mustard in a very demanding BSP environment.............more physically demanding than League 2 in my opinion.
