Lies, Damned Lies and....

[Rethinking the future 0]

There has been a lot written over the past few days about who we do or don''t want to join our club all backed up by wild [mostly unsupported] claims or statistics.

There is the old joke going lies, damned lies and statistics so to illustrate this point, I thought that I would try balance the debate centred around Chris Brown.

Many have asked for a proven championship goal scorer. There is a striker in the championship with a goal ratio of 1 per 2.5 games having scored 46 goals in 116 games. Better still, this is not a one club wonder and scored 65 goals in 146 games which works out at 1 in 2.25 games at his previous club. Lets sign him up i hear you cry. Well we did! It''s Peter Thorne who has scored just 1 goal in 14 starts for us!

Sometimes, things just dont work out. The decision to sign a proven goal scorer was correct. Sadly, the outcome has not been what we thought.

So Chris Brown. Things have not worked out for him at Sunderland. Gets himself into a bit of trouble. Reminds me of another player we had at CR like that. I think Bellamy was his name.

Not all forwards are best as goal scorers. A forward to hold the ball up and create the chances for Earnshaw is what some have asked. If CB is able to perform that role, he would be an ideal player FOR US as we have a goal scorer. If he kept up his goal scoring ratio of 1 goal per 303 mins, that would mean scoring 6 goals between now and the end of the season. Thats more goals than Huckerby, Croft or Dublin.

At time of writing, CB has not joined us. Just because we are talking to him, does not mean that we will sign him. Anthony Stokes turned down Champions league football at Celtic, Premiership football at Charlton and eventually joined Sunderland. Charlton had even agreed personal terms with the player and had him pass a medical.

All anyone can ask is that players give their best. Background, history and reputation count for nothing. The 90 minutes on the pitch counts for everything. Thats where statistics are generated and reputations either made or destroyed.

[Evil Monkey 52]

Sums it up perfectly, I''d say.  Nothing more to add, other than another quality post, RTF, keep it up!

[mbncfc 1]

Thank you for spending some time covering the points I wanted to make... It''s only right to signal my agreement with this, as others seem to do the same with far more ridiculous threads... [;)]

[Cluck 0]

Statistics?....Ratios?.....Is that what the game is all about now?

I tend to err on the side of ball skills and attitude to judge players.......not numbers. I fear many on here have gone down the Sky Sports and computer game road when assessing who is good and who isn''t.....and by the looks of things our scouting network knows no better. Are there any "statistics" regarding the paint ball tally and porno commentary ability of available players?

Progress....my arse..........

 

[nutty nigel 7,506]

So, judging on ball skills and attitude, what did you make of Chris Brown when he played here in November?

 

[Kathy 733]

I tend to agree. I know the lack of transfer activity is disappointing when we have looked forward to the window for so long, but I would much rather not be in someone like Luton''s shoes watching all their good players move one. The future must be bleak for them

[Canary02 0]

I think he''s exactly what we need in terms of personnel. A 6ft 3in target man who is hard working, good in the air, not hugely priced and only 22. I''ve seen him play about three or four times on the telly and to be honest he''s never struck me as either a good or bad player, just as fairly anonymous. It''s probably not the best pedigree for a new player, but on paper he does what we need. I''d rather sign him for £400-500k than pay £1-2m for a 30 year old who has bounced around a few lower premiership clubs and never really done the business at any of them. At least there''s potential in him. And although Keane wants him out, who''s to say Keane''s opinion is any better tha Grant''s? Results would suggest there''s not much between the two rookies. Worth a punt considering the rarity of young target men I think.

[Ginja 26]

[quote user="Cluck"]

Statistics?....Ratios?.....Is that what the game is all about now?

I tend to err on the side of ball skills and attitude to judge players.......not numbers. I fear many on here have gone down the Sky Sports and computer game road when assessing who is good and who isn''t.....and by the looks of things our scouting network knows no better. Are there any "statistics" regarding the paint ball tally and porno commentary ability of available players?

Progress....my arse..........

[/quote]I thought the whole point of the post was to point out despite Chris Browns average stats does not necessarily mean just an average or bad player. We''ve all done stupid or immature things in our past (I still do!) but I think he deserves a chance.Anyway an excellent post btw RTF, sums the situation up perfectly for me, lets give the lad a chance. He''s young and no doubt enthusiastic to do well, so lets get behind him and give him a good welcome if he plays this weekend.

[Shack Attack 0]

[quote user="Cluck"]

Statistics?....Ratios?.....Is that what the game is all about now?

I tend to err on the side of ball skills and attitude to judge players.......not numbers. I fear many on here have gone down the Sky Sports and computer game road when assessing who is good and who isn''t.....and by the looks of things our scouting network knows no better. Are there any "statistics" regarding the paint ball tally and porno commentary ability of available players?

Progress....my arse..........

 

[/quote]

Considering not too many people have seen him play, statistics and ratios are about all we''ve got to go on.

If you can give us your opinion based on having actually seen him play a few time then please do so, just spare us the "things were better in my day" routine.

[Faded Jaded Semi Plastic SOB 1,017]

I agree with the sentiments but it ignores one important fact, if Thorne was so important to Cardiff why did they let him go, come to the end of his time perchance? I have no problem with the signing of Chris Brown as I believe everybody deserves to be cut some slack and given a chance to prove themselves, but I feel the alleged fee is excessive for a player that is out of contract at the end of the season and whose club clearly wants to get rid of him.  

[ronbol ronbol 0]

[quote user="Canary02"]I think he''s exactly what we need in terms of personnel. A 6ft 3in target man who is hard working, good in the air, not hugely priced and only 22. I''ve seen him play about three or four times on the telly and to be honest he''s never struck me as either a good or bad player, just as fairly anonymous. It''s probably not the best pedigree for a new player, but on paper he does what we need. I''d rather sign him for £400-500k than pay £1-2m for a 30 year old who has bounced around a few lower premiership clubs and never really done the business at any of them. At least there''s potential in him. And although Keane wants him out, who''s to say Keane''s opinion is any better tha Grant''s? Results would suggest there''s not much between the two rookies. Worth a punt considering the rarity of young target men I think.[/quote]think i have heard this description before - etuhu and jarrett (hard working and good in the air!)SACK THE MUPPET GRANT NOW - before he destroys this club.

[Temp the Revelator 0]

[quote user="Sons of Boadicea"]I agree with the sentiments but it ignores one important fact, if Thorne was so important to Cardiff why did they let him go, come to the end of his time perchance? I have no problem with the signing of Chris Brown as I believe everybody deserves to be cut some slack and given a chance to prove themselves, but I feel the alleged fee is excessive for a player that is out of contract at the end of the season and whose club clearly wants to get rid of him.  [/quote]

You see, he may be out of contract in the summer, but because he is under 24 he would still attract a fee regardless, so perhaps that''s all we are paying.......