Slade attended the cup game v Wimbledon 3 weeks ago, commented then that Tex 'wasn't ready yet'! Some impressive CM play from Regan CC and Dijksteel, Kennedy playing in striker role with KAG and Umerah wide, Aribo also in attacking midfield. Wouldn't mind seeing Archie Edwards on the bench soon. The lady who got hit by the ball was standing sideways to the pitch and talking, got hit VERY HARD on the side of the head. The way the ball was hit, just as well she wasn't facing the pitch. She was knocked out cold, medics quickly attended, and the Bristol lad who kicked the ball (as a clearance) had the good grace to go and see if she had recovered OK and apologise. She was a bit wobbly at half-time, but recovered OK for 2nd half.
Interesting that Tex played another U23 match, is this a serious attempt to get him match fit for the first team?
Harry Lennon could have done with a game as well, as he's clearly rusty and well down the CB pecking order at the moment
Yeah something I keep reminding myself of is the fact that Lennon missed about six months (maybe a little less) through either not being fancied under Riga or being injured. I do think he's still quite rough around the edges, but he seemed to benefit from the run of games in the team last year, and could probably do with the same again this year.
Time like these are frustrating that the emergency loan window isn't open because a player like that, coming back from injury, could probably do with a loan to a lower league side to get match fit.
Interesting that Tex played another U23 match, is this a serious attempt to get him match fit for the first team?
Harry Lennon could have done with a game as well, as he's clearly rusty and well down the CB pecking order at the moment
I don't think your second point is quite right. I think Slade prefers a natural left sided CB on the left of CB. A certain Mr Powell was the same.
We have seen so far that Pearce is first choice on that left hand side and each game he has missed Harry has come in. On the other side we have had Johnson, Konsa and Bauer. And Tex now appearing on the bench (don't get your hopes up).
I know that with experience and a bit of practice a CB should be able to play both sides. But it is different your movements and turns are different. It would take a few training sessions to get used to the other side or at least make it natural. It's sensible by Slade. Certainly the sort of thing that's been ignored by previous managers. At this point in time I certainly wouldn't ask Konsa or Lennon and probably not Bauer to play on the 'wrong' side.
With the number of young strikers we have, it seems to me that the one picked to be with the first team - Hanlan at the moment - gets rusty as he hardly gets any matchtime, unlike the ones picked for the u23s...
I thought Tex played on the left side to good effect in the championship last season?
He did as I said an experienced players with a few training ing sessions on that side will be able to comfortably do both.
I agree, although to Canters point it seems to be "one of those things that people in the game appreciate" that there is real value in having a left footer on the left hand side of central defense, and vice versa. From what I've seen of him, Tex looks very tidy on the ball and I think could easily play on either side of central defense, but I know there is a conventional wisdom that pertaining to the former.
I thought Tex played on the left side to good effect in the championship last season?
He did as I said an experienced players with a few training ing sessions on that side will be able to comfortably do both.
I agree, although to Canters point it seems to be "one of those things that people in the game appreciate" that there is real value in having a left footer on the left hand side of central defense, and vice versa. From what I've seen of him, Tex looks very tidy on the ball and I think could easily play on either side of central defense, but I know there is a conventional wisdom that pertaining to the former.
Don't get me wrong I wasnt so much saying my view as saying goes what appears to be Slade's view and giving some thoughts that might back it up.
I agree Tex certainly could and has played on both sides. But I think it would be unwise to push one of the younger players, and I include Bauer in that, to do so.
For me I think it's more about building a relationship with your partner. Everything must be instinctive. You must know without seeing it where your partner is. That's key to cb.
I thought Tex played on the left side to good effect in the championship last season?
Yep, with Rod Fanni on the right, who covered Motta (whatever happened to him??) who stayed high.
PS...watched PSG v Marseille last night. Rod Fanni played right side of a back three/five as they held out for a 0-0 in Paris.
Still unsigned. Strange that, he definitely looked rusty when he played for us but there's clearly a lot of talent there.
I always thought Fanni looked a cut above last year. Glad to see he's back in football proper. He has such a natural reading of the game and of danger that I felt went unappreciated at times when he played for us.
How much did we pay for Yam Fam, can't get in the u23 team
I have vague memories of him being in the team just once this season. Maybe he's injured? We have some good attacking players for this level but it'd be a pretty damning indictment if he can't get in the team at all.
Comments
Harry Lennon could have done with a game as well, as he's clearly rusty and well down the CB pecking order at the moment
Time like these are frustrating that the emergency loan window isn't open because a player like that, coming back from injury, could probably do with a loan to a lower league side to get match fit.
We have seen so far that Pearce is first choice on that left hand side and each game he has missed Harry has come in.
On the other side we have had Johnson, Konsa and Bauer. And Tex now appearing on the bench (don't get your hopes up).
I know that with experience and a bit of practice a CB should be able to play both sides. But it is different your movements and turns are different. It would take a few training sessions to get used to the other side or at least make it natural. It's sensible by Slade. Certainly the sort of thing that's been ignored by previous managers. At this point in time I certainly wouldn't ask Konsa or Lennon and probably not Bauer to play on the 'wrong' side.
I agree Tex certainly could and has played on both sides. But I think it would be unwise to push one of the younger players, and I include Bauer in that, to do so.
For me I think it's more about building a relationship with your partner. Everything must be instinctive. You must know without seeing it where your partner is. That's key to cb.
PS...watched PSG v Marseille last night. Rod Fanni played right side of a back three/five as they held out for a 0-0 in Paris.
I always thought Fanni looked a cut above last year. Glad to see he's back in football proper. He has such a natural reading of the game and of danger that I felt went unappreciated at times when he played for us.
Or have I been Whooshed?