Londonlatics

Pace is all well and good but neither Taylor nor Smalley can consistantly put decent balls into the box and that is what wingers are there for. Liddell is better starting the game and then if things want changing either put him up front of take him off and put Smalley/Taylor both of whom will be able to exploit tired legs with their pace. A lot of people were saying at the game that Liddell gives it back to Eardley too much but thats because it seems to take an eternity for the ball to get out to him and if Eardley doesn't then go on the overlap that leaves Liddell with two players stood in front of him to block any crosses he attempts. We need to get the ball out to him earlier

Again correct. Liddell isn't the problem, Eardley is. Liddell needs the ball to feet earlier and Eardley needs to bring it forward more; he's been sending it when hismarker is 20yrds off him. Get closer and send it into feet and then overlap more; I can hardly remember Eardley overlapping in first four matches.

Liddell like Ricketts is getting so much unfair criticism - very good player who is needed this season.

100% Bertrand. Has real quality. He WAS at fault not getting tighter to Pipe in first half; which allowed the goal, however got better and better and looks for forwards along the ground. Looks to have pace and we need players that can find front two.

Very impressed with him.

I think we have two main problems.

Firstly the main issue is the amount of new players that Shez has to integrate and it can't be easy. The starting 11 on Saturday had 7 of the 11 being new to the club at the start of this season.

Secondly with such new players its important that we play to a standard formation early on that all the guys can get used too. Obviously there are times when that needs to be changed but to start with we need some consistency and this is where I think Shez has shot himself in foot a little.

I'm not a 100% convinced that Shez knows his best team or formation and changing things around in virtually every match hasn't helped settle the team.

For me looking at the current players I'd probably set the team up in the following way: presuming all fit players:

CROSSLEY, LOMAX, STAM, THOMPSON, BERTRAND, LIDDELL, GREGAN, RICKETTS, KILKENNY, DAVIES, HUGHES.

FOR ME I THINK THAT WE NEED TO STRENGTH MIDFIELD CONSIDERABLY. i'D PLAY A NARROW DIAMOND FORMATION WHICH REQUIRES BOTH LOMAX AND BERTRAND TO GET FORWARD MORE. I'D HAVE GREGAN HOLDING AS A DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER; BUT ONE WHO CAN PASS FORWARD TO RICKETTS AT THE FRONT OF THE DIAMOND; PLAYING JUST BEHIND THE FRONT TWO. I'D HAVE LIDDELL AND RIGHT WORKING WITH LOMAX AND KILKENNY ON THE LEFT SIDE DROPPING WHEN OPPOSITION ARE IN POSSESSION AND SUPPORTING BERTRAND BUT WITH FREEDOM TO COME INSIDE WHEN WE HAVE POSSESSSION AND PLAY MORE CLOSELY WITH RICKETTS.

UP FRONT i'D HAVE DAVIES RUNNING IN BEHIND WITH HUGHES A CENTRAL FIXTURE RIGHT UP TOP.

AT THE BACK i HOPE THAT STAM AND THOMPSON CAN PROVE TO BE GOOD ENOUGH AND THIS IS MY ONLY AREA OF WORRY BUT THE REST OF THE TEAM WOULD HAVE ALOT BETTER BALANCE; AND WOULD PLAY TO WHAT I BELIEVE ARE THE SQUADS STRENGTHS. WE'D ALSO HAVE TO PLAY ALOT MORE PASSING GAME WITH THIS FORMATION AND HAVE SOME REAL CREATIVITY.

ALSO ANSWERS A PREVIOUS CONTRIBUTORS WORRIES THAT TEAMS WILL SIT DEEP AGAINST US. WITH THIS TEAM/FORMATION LOTS OF OPTIONS TO COUNTERRACT THOSE PROBLEMS.

A couple of comments...

 

Fistly... KK was miles off the pace yesterday, an obvious symptom of his now reveale injury and his long distance travels, get him rested and back when he is fully fit... what he is not doing, and what we desperately need him to do, is take players out of the game, viua skill or passing, all he is doing at the moment is giving it simple - allott and JP can do this, and they add far more energy to the team.... I want KK to be in the team, and I hope that he is just carrying a niggle, and the flair and skill we saw 3 years agao has not been coached out of him by premiership coaches wanting him to do the simple things in the prem/champ....

 

The striker issue - for me, Rovers although not as good a team as us, got thier tactics spot on, and outsmarted shez... our game is made on pace and getting behind teams, however, rovers played sooo soooo deep that this was impossible... and absolutely stumped us... they had obviously watched the first half hour of swansea and realised that that was the last thing they wanted... Ricketts and davies got very frustrated, as every time they got the ball there was 8 players between themselves and the net - an with our continuing adversion to long shots, this was a big problem...

 

This worries me, as think we will do well against teams attacking us - ie Swansea... but the lower teams (as always) who defend deep could continue to cause us problems.... shez needs to sort this out tactically... and the simple solution is we need someone who has skill, can pass , and will run with the ball at thier feet in attacking positions... step forward a fully fit KK, who is not playing uselessly infornt of the defence...

 

Davies was ok today but his touch was terrible, Ricketts was ok, but needs better service - he is not a target man, and supporters need to stop being so deluded and unterstand he needs balls to his feet... we also need a box based sriker... who can sniff out chances in apcked boxes.... step forward Mr Hughes....

 

we will get it right... i'm still sure of that...

100% AGREE - couldn't have put it better myself.

Comments in capitals next to yours:

I guess then we will have to expect your opinions to be vastly different to most every week since Shez is moulding a team to play around the best player. Craig Davies, not Michael Ricketts. I THINK DAVIES IS A GOOD PLAYER AND WILL CERTAINLY PLAY HIGHER; HOPEFULLY WITH OAFC IN CHAMPIONSHIP AS OPPOSED TO SELLING HIM TO A CHAMPIONSHIP CLUB. I DONT' THINK HE'S THE BEST PLAYER HOWEVER

Can't see myself where Htc is advocating that 100mph football is what he wants to see. I'd love to see us playing total football but as a realist, I get my "fix" by watching La Liga on Sky. IF WE WERE PLAYING TOTAL FOOTBALL WE'D HAVE RONALDINHO UP FRONT AND DECO IN THE MIDDLE; SO THATS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN; BUT ALOT OF TEAMS PLAY GOOD FOOTBALL; CREWE HAVE BEEN DOING IT FOR YEARS UNDER GRADI AND UNTIL RECENTLY HOLDING THEIR OWN REGULARLY IN CHAMPIONSHIP WITH LITTLE MONEY. BLACKPOOL UNDER MCMAHON DID IT REGULARLY AT THIS LEVEL SO IT IS ACHIEVEABLE. LAST YEAR WE PLAYED SCUNTHORPE OFF THE PITCH AT THEIR PATCH BY PLAYING TO FEET FOR 90MINS HOWEVER THIS SEASON

You've made your mind up that Ricketts is untouchable. I agree he shows glimpses of class and played very well at Carlisle. He was less effective on Saturday. Now why was that? Oh yes, we were playing lots of nice triangular football and playing to create openings. Unfortunately, Ricketts didn't do what you laud him for since he was rarely available for the ball to be played into his feet. He didn't have a bad game but nor was he the World-beater that you seem to have created in your head. Because he wasn't available, the ball was sent out wide and was lumped in. As Htc has pointed out, Eardley got some good crosses in. More than our right winger anyway.

RICKETTS WAS AVERAGE ON SATURDAY; YOU ARE RIGHT IN SAYING THAT I RATE HIM HIGHLY BUT I'M NOT DELUDED; HE WAS OK VS BRISTOL; MAINLY BECAUSE HE NEVER GOT ON THE BALL BECAUSE IT WAS FLYING AROUND ABOVE HIS HEAD FOR 90MINS; KK HAD A POOR GAME FOR VARIOUS REASONS AND EARDLEY WAS POOR. YOU SEEM TO BE SAYING THAT HE WAS BETTER THAN LIDDELL BUT AGAIN i DISAGREE; I THOUGHT LIDDELL WAS STRONG AND UNLUCKY TO BE SUBSTITUTED.

Contrary to what you are saying, Ricketts is excellent in the air and has the class to time his jumps to get the necessary flick-ons. On Saturday though, he chose more to cry "foul" as opposed to breaking free and winning the ball. MY POINT WASN'T THAT RICKETTS ISN'T GOOD IN THE AIR; MY POINT WAS THAT IS ONLY A SMALL PART OF HIS GAME; YOU CAN SIGNED PLENTY OF BEAN POLES IN LOWER LEAGUES THAT CAN BACK IN AND FLICK ON; WHY BUY RICKETTS IF ALL YOU WANT FOR A FORWARD IS THAT - YOU BUY/TAKE RICKETTS TO OPEN UP DEFENCES AND THE WAY THE TEAM WAS PLAYING SAT HE CAN'T DO THAT BECAUSE HE WASN'T GOT ON THE BALL ENOUGH.

SO YOU HAVE A CHOICE. YOU EITHER IMPROVE YOUR PLAY TO HIM. DECIDE YOU WANT TO PLAY A DIFFERENT WAY AND DROP HIM, OR YOU DROP HIM DEEPER IN AN ATTACKING MIDFIELD POSITION AND ALLOW HIM TO CONTROL THINGS THERE. FOR ME I WANT HIM UP FRONT BUT PRESTON PLAYED HIM BEHIND FRONT TWO LAST SEASON AND THAT WORKED FOR A PERIOD.

I like the guy. I think he has class and has the potential to be great. Unfortunately, you are seeing him through rose-tinted spectacles and you are building your opinion of the game solely on the basis of one man and what you think he can do. Largely because he did it in the past when he played well enough to represent England.

You are welcome to the view but as I've said, you were on your own last week and also this. LAST WEEK HE WAS M OF MATCH NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT; BECAUSE HE WAS BROUGHT ONTO THE BALL ALOT MORE; AND IF IT WASN'T FOR YOUR BEST PLAYER DAVIES MISSING A SITTER AT CARLISLE WE WOULD HAVE PROBABLY WON THAT GAME. Consequently, when I see your quote "I respect your right to have a view but find your comments so far off the mark its embarrassing", it does make me laugh. THAT STATEMENT WASN'T RELATED SOLEY TO RICKETTS BY THE WAY; THE CONTRIBUTOR IN QUESTION ALSO SAID HE THOUGHT BERTRAND WAS POOR ( A POSITION i COMPLETELY DISAGREE WITH) AND THOUGHT EARDLEY WAS MAN OF MATCH - AND IF THATS A VIEW SHARED BY MOST FANS i'LL GET STEVIE WONDER TO COME AND TAKE MY TICKETS COS HE WILL SEE A BETTER GAME THAN ME

We are both entitled to our opinions and thats what these sites are all about.

You are right your opinions are the direct opposite of everything I said but having read your comments against mine I've got to say I stand by everything I said in my original post.

 

My opinions on Ricketts will be subject to change when he does something to change them:-

He isn't scoring goals (bar one penalty).

He isn't making goals.

He isn't winning the ball.

For a big man he isn't even putting himself about in games and being a handful for defenders to cope with.

His lack of self control (getting booked in every game, and should have been sent off against Swansea when he quite clearly pushed the referee away).

He is also a lazy player who does not put massive effort or enthusiasm into his game (he chased back once against Bristol Rovers).

It's along while since he showed his "good" form playing for Bolton and has had numerous clubs since (Leeds, Burnley and more) since who have also decided not to retain his services.

I would love him to come good and prove me wrong but he just isn't doing that at the moment, I just dont rate him even at League 1 level.

Having said all that I would never boo him or slag him off during a game as above all else I'm a Latics fan and will always support the team no matter what.

 

How you can think Bertrand was MoM is amazing to me, he gave the ball straight to Bristol players at least 3 or 4 times, the goal came from a cross after their player had turned him inside out before crossing unchallenged, the header they had against the post also came from a cross from his wing again after their player had beaten him.

Given these facts what must he have done in your eyes to warrent the MoM.

I did state in my original post that he was just a young lad playing his first game for us and would improve.

 

I still also stand by my comments about Eardley, best game for us this season he put some great crosses over including the one Chris Taylor ballooned over the bar with a header.

 

How you thought Eardley had stinker and yet Bertrand was MoM I will never know.

 

Anyway thats my twopenneth and my defence of my original post, which was based purely on my thoughts and my summary of the Bristol Rovers game.

I'm sure you will stand by your comments too, but thats what football and opinions are all about.

I guess its a question of styles - you like your football 100 MPH, blood sweat and tears being given out; pumping the balls constantly into the box in the odd hope that someone will get a lucky knockdown and we will score - Dave Bassett/Allardyce and the like will love you.

for me I look for technical quality in a player and HATE to see the ball in the air full stop - save for high quality crosses and the occasional ball into space over the top.

I have a worry thats how shez likes to play having seen the long punts from the back so far this season. Personally I like to see football played the way Swansea and Bristol have played it so far this year at BP. Balls being played to feet and not just from one side of pitch to the other but in triangles going down the pitch.

Eardley hasn't got the quality, from what I've seen so far to do this. Kalala, Allott haven't either.

In fact the only three players that have that level of technical ability are Kilkenny, Ricketts, and Bertrand from what I've seen - so for me everything should be buiit around them.

Davies is great - gives you the get out ball 'occasionally' over the top and has the pace and industry to lead the line all day.

Ricketts biggest weakness is his size because everyone expects him to be a leading the line traditional front man centre forward and he ISN'T!!

He's a technically strong player that can make things happen that others cannot. Great vision; good with both feet, good with back to goal - which Davies isn't, can hold ball up (IF its played into feet or chest ).

the sooner we play to our best players strengths the sooner the fans will see a coehesive unit.

If Shez expects MR to be a front man flicking ball on all day; he should have signed a bean pole like Brian Deane or the like.

but your right; have your opinion; but ultimately I think its down to the type of football you like to see - and remember you get the players you deserve ultimately!!!

I thought we were poor yesterday against what I'm sure will be mid-table opposition. AGREED

I have no complaints about the defeat they created fewer chances than us but took one and were very unlucky when they hit the post as well.

We had more possession overall but in the final third we had no cutting edge. AGREED BUT THE PROBLEM WASN'T WITH FORWARDS IT WAS WITH SERVICE TO THEM

 

I thought Davies had another good game, he has real quality and single handedly created an open goal for Smalley to somehow miss from 1 yard, you really can't afford to miss chances like that at any level. AGREED

 

nOW WE HAVE THE DISAGREEMENTS

 

I thought Eardley put some great crosses over today and had easily his best game of the season. I THOUGHT HE WAS POSSIBLY WORST PLAYER ON PITCH. DEFENSIVELY HE LOOKS NERVOUS, BUT THE MAIN PROBLEM IS GOING FORWARD. HIS CROSSES ARE LONG PUNTS INTO BOX THAT ARE EASILY DEFENDED AND HE DOESN'T COME TO HELP LIDDELL AT ALL DOWN RIGHT HAND SIDE OR OVERLAP EVER. HIS DELIVERY FROM DEEP IS ATROCIOUS AND ALWAYS AT HEAD HEIGHT LEVEL TO FORWARDS MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLY TO CONTROL OR DO ANYTHING WITH. NEVER SEEMS ABLE TO FIND FEET OR EVEN CHEST HEIGHT SO FORWARD CAN HOLD UP - HE'S YOUNG AND HOPEFULLY GET BETTER BUT HE WAS AGAIN V. POOR YESTERDAY

 

I do not and never will boo players or the team ever, but people are seeing something in Michael Ricketts that is quite clearly escaping me. I'm not convinced that his apparent lack of fitness is the reason either, the player I have seen playing for us this season and pre-season just doesn't have the quality some seem to think he has/had.

 

YOU MUST BE COMPLETELY BLIND BUT THEN AGAIN YOUR VIEW IS SHARED BY OTHERS - BUT NOT ME. I THINK HE HAS MORE TALENT THAN MOST OF THE TEAM PUT TOGETHER BUT DOESN'T GO CHARGING AROUND ALL DAY AND CAN AT TIMES LOOKS UNINTERESTED BUT I THINK THIS IS MISLEADING. HIS TOUCH IS EXCELLENT; AND HIS MOVEMENT IS FAR ABOVE THIS LEVEL - THE PROBLEM I SEE IS GETTING QUALITY IN MIDFIELD TO SLIP IT INTO HIS FEET OR DOWN THE CHANNELS. IF YOU LOOKED AT MATCH AT CARLILSE THE ONLY AVENUE THAT LOOKED LIKED OPENING UP THEIR DEFENSE WAS THRO RICKETTS WHO IS SHERINGHAM LIKE IN THE HOLE BEHIND FORWARDS WHERE HE LIKES TO GO. IN QUALITY HE IS TWICE THE PLAYER DAVIES IS; BUT I THINK THEY WORK WELL TOGETHER AND COULD BE A VERY GOOD PARTNERSHIP - TRY WATCHING THE MOVEMENT AND TOUCH AND YOU MIGHT SEE WHY HE SINGLE HANDEDLY GOT BOLTON PROMOTED TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE

 

We really missed Allott, I don't know what was wrong with him but I hope its nothing serious and that he will be back very soon, I dont think we would have lost yesterday had he played.

 

CAN'T MAKE MY MIND UP WHO IS MORE AVERAGE - KALALA OR ALLOTT - COME BACK WELLENS ALL IS FORGIVEN!!

 

Kilkenny had a very poor game for me he looked tired and largely ineffective. AGREED

 

Defensively I'm still very worried about us, we have two big centre halfs who are good in the air and yet we conceded the goal and another very unlucky effort which came back off a post to headers from crosses. GREGAN LACKS PACE BUT APART FROM THAT VERY GOOD PLAYER/THOMPSON; JURY OUT

 

I thought the young on loan left back Bertrand looked out of his depth at this level, he failed several times to stop crosses coming over including for the goal and the other near miss both from his wing although I appreciate he is not solely to blame. His distribution was awful and he repeatedly gave the ball away, he is just a young lad playing his first game for us so I'm sure he can/will improve, but quite frankly on that performance he will need to.

 

UNBELIEVEABLY OPINION; HE WAS MY MAN OF MATCH; i DONT' KNOW WHAT YOU LOOK FOR IN PLAYERS BUT BERTRAND AND RICKETTS ARE HEAD AND SHOULDERS ABOVE THE OTHERS IN NATURAL ABILITY. HE HAD A VERY GOOD DEBUT. ADMITTEDLY FOR FIRST 10MINS OR SO; HE WASN'T TIGHT ENOUGH TO PIPE ON THEIR RIGHT HAND SIDE BUT HE SOON SORTED THIS OUT. HIS TOUCH WAS EXCELLENT; HE PLAYED SOME GREAT INSIDE BALLS TO FRONT TWO (SOMETHING EARDLEY IS LOST TRYING TO DO) LOOKED TO GET FORWARD AND DELIVERED SOME OF BEST CROSSES INTO BOX (MOST CROSSES WERE VERY POOR YESTERDAY - WHEREAS HIS HAD WHIP ON THEM AND GOOD). DEFINATELY MAN OF MATCH . AND ALOT BETTER THAN GIDDINGS;

 

I think Liddell this season will be better used off the bench, he does have quality in his game but as the Swansea game showed he can be very effective when introduced from the bench, I dont think his legs are up to 90 mins anymore.

 

AGAIN LIDDELL, PLAYED WELL AND I THINK NEEDS TO STAY IN TEAM IN 442 FROM START; THE PROBLEM IS CENTRAL PAIRING; NOT CONVINCED THAT KK IS THE ANSWER TO ALL OUR PRAYS AND THEN YOU HAVE THE AVERAGE TWINS - ALLOTT AND KALALA?? TAKE YOUR PICK?

 

The young lads Smalley and Wolfy are both good prospects for the future but I think we need to get Hughes up to match fitness ASAP in order to give us something more from the bench in games like yesterday. HUGHES? DONT' START ME THERE - HASN'T PLAYED IN YEARS; YOU BETTER GET YOUR BOOTS ON

I can honestly say that I opinion is pretty much the direct opposite of everything you have said above (with few exceptions where I do agree). I respect your right to have a view but find your comments so far off the mark its embarrassing. I've added my comments to yours in capitals

Forgiveness doesnt come in to it, he doesn't need anyones forgiveness to allow him to go on with his life

Hi Gemma,

I agree with you he shouldn't want my forgiveness; he should lead his own life. I was making a very subject comment about my own opinions; not that I felt he should be waiting for my approval.

Sometimes you think with your head and sometimes more emotionally. In my head there's not problem; he's served his sentence. But, I keep rightly or wrongly going back to the position of what if it had been my father that he'd killed and left on road to die? how would I feel then. I know thats probably not right way to look at it but difficult to avoid.

Emotionally I don't feel right him playing for Latics and its as simple as that. But I respect other ppls views; they just aren't mine!!

As a member you are perfectly entitled to put a poll up, it doesn't have to be a Mod. Reply and click on the bit above the text section. I think there was one when the news first broke, IIRC it was cautiously in favour. Re the analogy, I am convinced that there is no moral difference between what Hughes and Adams did up until the point where Hughes did a runner, whereas you seemed to imply that there was and it was then increased by his runner. Adams did nothing morally to earn his get out of jail card, he won the lottery. I do agree that leaving the scene was a disgraceful thing to do, and I have no doubt that it was reflected in the length of sentence. Most people who cause death by criminal negligence don't get sentenced to 6 years.

 

As for how Hughes will do as a player, who knows? I refuse to discount the three years of his career prior to going down as you seem to, he was playing better then than many the forward we've seen at BP in recent years. If he is fully focused and determined I think he will be able to get back to a good level, if not not. I've said before I'd be suprised to see him as first choice this side of Christmas, and with Ricketts signing and Davies looking very useful maybe he never will be. It's a gamble, like Ricketts and Davies were.

its seems most of us agree on most things about the Hughest situation and I respect your position.

I support Oldham Athletic not Man U or Bury or any other club; therefore my bias opinion is what is right and wrong for the Latics - if I was the owner of Latics - if only - I would never condone the signing of this guy; regardless of the fact that he has served half his sentence as layed down. I just think that somethings in life you can't forgive regardless of whether you've served your legal sentence. Where do we draw the line; if a child molester had played football and was just let out would be sign him? 100% no way. This guy has terminated the life of two ppl and ruined that lives of the family of the victims and he didn't have the nerve to stand up and take the heat; he tried to run away and avoid it. It wasn't even that he ran away and then came to his senses when he sobered up...he still didn't present himself to the police - just Bang out of order and because I'm thinking about this more which I now urge all fans to do; I'm becoming more and more disturbed by the whole idea of having this guy wearing the colours of the club I love.

Forget the fact that his football is unlikely to be up to it - it just doesn't sit right. What does everyone else think? should we be more proactive to the club in our dissatisfaction about this decision???

The correct analogy would be that you could have bought a ticket, not that you could have won the lottery, that is all you have agency over. Likewise Hughes and Adams either did or didn't drink drive and crash as a consequence. Running after the accident would equate with how you spent the money IF you had won.

incorrect - the analogy was the Adams and Hughes both bought a ticket by drinking (like I bought a lottery ticket); Adams crashed into a wall and therefore got a get out of jail card (literally) whereas Hughes killed someones father and didn't......So far I have Some sympathy but only like 1% .....what reduces it to ZERO is the fact that he ran off and allowed what was a dying man (wasn't dead immediately) to die; for that there is no excuse and most ppl 'morally' , including myself, would not be able to forgive him for that

BY the way; as Moderator I challenge the site to do a Poll of members opinions on this signing because I dont' feel that I'm in minority I would guess over 50% of board would rather we hadn't have signed this person.

Further you didn't respond to my second point which is the guy hasn't played football in over 3 yrs and last played it to any sort of level over 6yrs ago; therefore even on footballing terms not the best decision!!

Hughes wasn't unlucky, he put himself in the position where he might lose control of his car. Just like Adams. When you lose control of a car, it can hit anything. Adams was lucky in that he hit a wall, he could just as well have hit a whole class full of schoolkids. Adams captained England, yet you want to ban Hughes from 3rd division football. The comparison is perfectly valid. Why the witch-hunt against Hughes and not Adams? Because one plays for Oldham?

My position is somewhere in the middle. Firstly i don't think he should be playing for us for two reasons:

A. he hasn't played football in 3 years in any way and whatever Anybody says he won't be match fit for a long long time. Therefore why are we contracting him straight away (can't see there would be much competition to sign him) take him on a short contract till 1st Jan on very low money just paying his expenses etc and then have option to take him on longer one after that. I have a feeling that a big risk has been taken here. Remember he hasn't played well for well over 6 yrs when he was first at WBA.

B. I disagree with comparison saying that Adams could have done the same - FACT - he didn't...and thats the point. its a mute point; I could have won the lottery last week and done this and that; but I didn't and I haven't.....Hughest DID - he killed someones father and ruined their life AND he then like a coward and THIS is the bit that most fans find unforgiveable; he ran away and tried to hide.....disgraceful

For what its worth I'd never have him in the club if I had a choice....NEVER.

Fact is; he wont' see light of day in first team if its selected on ability anyway!!

He's having a week off to get used to things again and see his family etc but he is due to link up with the squad for training next week i think. I can't see him making the match day squad for a few weeks at least though

A few weeks?????????? he hasn't played football in 3 years Gemma; I'd be amazed if he steps foot on pitch before November earliest (1st team that is). hence reason I've always been of the opinion that this is a mistake waiting to happen

Just wait til you all see Smalley's sitter!

 

 

 

 

 

Crossley. Did ok, not really tested defence stood up really well to protect him. BETTER ON CROSSES TONIGHT BUT NEEDS TO SORT OUT HIS KICKING!!

 

Eardley. Seems to have lost form recently, think he needs a stint on the sidelines when Lomax gets fit, didnt do too bad, but had nothing drastic to do. ANOTHER POOR MATCH AND DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE POWER TO PLAY LONG BALLS DOWN THE LINE; RICKETTS WAS SPINNING INTO SPACE ON 3/4 OCCASIONS AND ON ONE ATTEMPT EARDLEY GOT NOWHERE NEAR HIM AND THE REST HE SEEMED TO LACK CONFIDENCE TO PLAY THE PASS

 

Thompson. Seems to get better, has a great awareness of where the ball is going, and cut out many through balls. SOLID

 

Gregan. Worked hard and kept Crossley safe, had a few rash moments, but controlled the defence well. GOOD AGAIN

 

Giddings. Very impressed, got forward well should we keep him longer than a month i will be very happy. GOOD GOING FORWARD SO FAR SO GOOD

 

Lidds. Showed what we needed for the second half on Sat, kept the left back busy. MUCH BETTER BET THAN TAYLOR IN THIS FORMATION BUT STILL PREFER 442

 

Kilkenny. Never seems to lose the ball, and finished well for the goal through a packed area. ALTHOUGH ONE CRITICISM IS HE DIDN'T RELEASE IT AT TIMES WHEN RICKETTS WAS MAKING GOOD RUNS IN FIRST HALF

 

Kalala. Covers well and can get up for headers well, i still prefer Allott to him BETTER THAN ALLOTT BUT STILL UNABLE TO PLAY FORWARD BALLS; TO FORWARDS;

 

Allott. Fantastic tackles even though he lost a few ball and passed to the oppo, he chased them down to get them back. OK PERFORMANCE BUT AGAIN JUST PASSES FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHICH IS GOOD IN THAT WE KEEP POSSESSION BUT STILL NEEDS TO BE LOOKING FOR RUNS OF STRIKERS WHICH HE MISSED AGAIN AND AGAIN TONIGHT

 

Ricketts. Worked hard for the team, gets into good positions but didnt seem to get fed the ball. I THOUGHT HE WAS BEST PLAYER; REALLY SHOWED CLASS WAS WATCHING HIM CLOSELY TONIGHT BUT THE NUMBER OF RUNS HE MADE ESPECIALLY IN FIRST HALF THAT THE GUYS WEREN'T SEEING OR DIDN'T HAVE QUALITY TO PASS TOO; HE MUST BE GETTING FRUSTRATED. DAVIES IS ALOT MORE SUITED TO THE TYPICAL 1ST DIVISION PLAY OVER THE TOP; INTO CORNERS ETC; RICKETTS IS MAKING RUNS ACROSS BACKLINE AND NOT BEING GIVEN THE PLAY; HOPEFULLY KILKENNY CAN START PLAYING THESE BALLS BUT SO FAR SEEMS MORE KEEN TO JUST KEEP IT HIMSELF

 

Davies. MOM runs and runs and runs, took their defence on superbly and was unlucky on numerous occasions and when he finally scored it must have been a weight off his shoulder. THOUGHT HE DID WELL BUT NOT BRILLIANT AS EVERYONE SEEMS TO BE SAYING. THE BALL BOUNCED OFF HIM ALOT TONIGHT ESPECIALLY IN SECOND HALF BUT CAN RUN FOR ENGLAND (OR WALES..LOL)

 

Subs.

 

Taylor. Made a few good runs, nowt special. DITTO

 

Smalley. HAHA davies ripped the defence to shreds, and when it was easier to score from 6-8 yards he put it wide, made up for it a couple of minutes later when Davies did exactly the same. DITTO

 

Macca. Erm he was on a few minutes didnt do much.

1. Crossley: overall solid performance and great to have his experience at this level; But very much a LINE keeper and causes problems by not commanding his 6yd box enough 6/10

2. Eardley: Poor but didn't have protection 4/10

3. Giddings: Solid again; didn't impress going forward and that was probably our main problem. with the diamond to work effectively you NEED your wing backs to get forward to provide width; neither Giddings or Eardley managed to do that and were permanently on back foot. Score 7/10

4. Thompson: lacked pace at times and was turned far too easily for goal: 5/10

5. Gregan: lacks pace but good football brain MOM 8/10

6. Kalala: Good defensively and worked very hard but found it difficult to play simple balls to feet to Ricketts when he was dropping deep etc; too keen to pump it long etc and give ball away

7. Allott: Poor; worked hard but not great quality or final product 5/10

8. Taylor: Potential all there but not one of his best performances on Sat 5/10

9. Kilkenny: First half gave ball away in v. dangerous positions in our half; but second half even though he tired looked dangerous 7/10

10. Ricketts: Great signing and disappointed he only got 60mins; because he lacks matches and we really do need to get what I believe is our BEST player match fit and asap. 7/10

11. Davies: Did what he does extremely well; worked hard; good pace, strong, etc etc; 8/10

Name? Steve Jarvis

Location? London originally from Middleton

How Long Supporting the Tics? 20yrs

Best away match you've been to? Man Utd vs Latics semi at Main Road if that counts

All Time Greatest Player? Andy Ritchie

Biggest Rivals (in your eyes)? Bolton (we should be at level they are currently playing)

Hi All,

Name: Steve Jarvis

Location: London - originally from Middleton

Great site and great way to keep in touch. Should be a good season. If Ricketts can rediscover his form and get goals then we have best striker outside Premier League.