I look for answers in the squad, rather than always looking for outside new signings to solve problems. Kain left, but was a really flexible player, able to play on wings, central midfield and in attack, so really progressed from his original role on joining as a winger, and scored 7 goals in 14 starts.
Antony has potential to make the same important scoring contribution if moved into a striking position. He is experienced as a keeper, that helps him be poacher turned into gamekeeper, as keeping will have taught him where goalies hate to have shots directed, and now as a striker he could place the ball in those places.
Last season Antony was loaned to Bowers and Pitsea, scored goals and assists that got them out of the relegation zone. Then he returned to us, they ended relegated. But that shows he can get goals in a relegation battle. I really hope we fully explore this potential.
It is frustrating to see Chi plays for Maidstone in central midfield, where I always said he should play but which we never did. It would be equally disappointing if we are too narrowminded with Antony and never use his striking skills, and he leaves to develop them and someone else benefits from them.
Listening to the Cheltenham commentary reminded me of a conversation I had with one of our very knowledgeable fans, who said he thought one of our strikers wasn't effective enough as his ball control was poor and the ball didnt stick to him. That interested me, I'd not noticed that myself, but why conversations with fans are so great, as one considers things from new angles as a result, so looked to make my own mind up. By the sound of commentary last night and how often that player lost control of the ball, that point made to me has some accuracy, but is the sort of thing that can improve over time for that player.
But it reemphasised the benefits of Antony in attack, as one thing I enjoy about watching him play is how he makes time and space for himself on the ball under pressure, as the sign of a good player is they have time on the ball, and I often tell my son to look and copy those things. Antony already has much better control than the guys we play up front.
I remember Dipo saying in an interview he loved aggro with defenders. A great strength of Antony is his competitive side, hating to be beaten, exactly the mindset strikers need. His shooting from distance isnt great, but I remember when he played a striker pre-season last season he scored well closer to goal. Good players play equally effectively in any position, he has already done well in goal, defence and midfield, no reason why he cant equally do well as a striker and the hero scoring the goals for a Great Escape.
So often midfielders successfully switch into striking roles and his hat trick against Dartford shows what he can do if let loose in forward positions. Bizarre the coaching team keep playing less effective guys in attack and didnt build on that revelation.
