Hector’s cameo was critical to keeping the 3 points IMHO. He is renowned for being a ball playing centre half, but last night his wise head told him to go back to basics and buy time/run down the clock (as others also recognised) and it worked a treat. His style will little doubt change in full game mode, but talking style anybody else notice his Chris Perry ‘rash’ like defending style. He gets very tight to his man.
I’m excited to see him playing from the start and can see him displacing Inniss within then next 2-3 weeks.
Spoke to my Fulham supporting fan who thinks he should be playing in The Championship, not League One, if and when he gets his fitness back. He told me to look for long diagonal passes, most of which go straight into touch but when they come of they can really create an attack.
Spoke to my Fulham supporting fan who thinks he should be playing in The Championship, not League One, if and when he gets his fitness back. He told me to look for long diagonal passes, most of which go straight into touch but when they come of they can really create an attack.
Makes a change from the dithering uncertainty often served up by some players.
You know IMO the greatest problem with our side is lack of concentration and mental strength when things don't go to plan.
That and the experience to know what to do and when. This squad needs, amongst a lot of things, some players who have played 300 odd games and who's legs haven't gone.
I hope we potentially have some sort of option for him next season. I mentioned him a few times on the free agent thread. If he can be secured medium term then the EOC departure becomes more understandable. I feel Hector is a better player and Eoghan wouldn't stay to be 4th choice.
I hope as a London based player that playing for us might appeal even in L1 if we built a new squad.
Best to reserve judgement on Michael Hector until he plays longer than a short cameo when we are on the back foot and just clearing our lines as the passing has disappeared. I feel he has a chance to be a born again footballer if he still has fire in his belly.
Hector can be a cult hero or a disaster was my first impression on this signing. If an upwardly mobile team like Sheffield Wednesday were prepared to give him a trial, then a mid table League 1 team like Cafc should be an easier transition despite the rust.
A talker, which is much needed as Innis doesn't have that in his game and Ness, Sess and Clare need that instruction. We sit very deep almost inviting pressure, hopefully he will get us further up the field, as long as his fitness holds.
Exactly - I need to judge him on more than a cameo against the bottom team who were specialists in booting the ball over their stands when they had the chance!
Best to reserve judgement on Michael Hector until he plays longer than a short cameo when we are on the back foot and just clearing our lines as the passing has disappeared. I fill he has a chance to be a born again footballer if he still has fire in his belly.
Hector can be a cult hero or a disaster was my first impression on this signing. If an upwardly mobile team like Sheffield Wednesday were prepared to give him a trial, then a mid table League 1 team like Cafc should be an easier transition despite the rust.
If he plays in the next two games we'll soon get an indication of his ability.
Best to reserve judgement on Michael Hector until he plays longer than a short cameo when we are on the back foot and just clearing our lines as the passing has disappeared. I fill he has a chance to be a born again footballer if he still has fire in his belly.
Hector can be a cult hero or a disaster was my first impression on this signing. If an upwardly mobile team like Sheffield Wednesday were prepared to give him a trial, then a mid table League 1 team like Cafc should be an easier transition despite the rust.
If he plays in the next two games we'll soon get an indication of his ability.
A talker, which is much needed as Innis doesn't have that in his game and Ness, Sess and Clare need that instruction. We sit very deep almost inviting pressure, hopefully he will get us further up the field, as long as his fitness holds.
We did end up playing deep against FGR as the game unfolded but under Holden that's not always the case. Big units like Inniss are vulnerable when they have to turn and chase back. Is that the case with a rusty Hector ?
Play a low block or high line depending on the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition. Inviting pressure is such a strange concept in football. A good CB leader should be able to make sure that it doesn't become the Alamo. From corners it understandable but from open play it's just giving over any momentum gained.
If a team is going to sit and park the bus, it's best not to sit on the 18 yard line. That's shooting distance, inviting pot shots and the occasional worldie.
Holding the line too high can also make a back line vulnerable to the long ball over the top or killer through ball. You need quick footed CBs and a sweeper-keeper quickly off his line, to combat that.
So holding the line mid-distance, say 10 yards outside the box can perhaps generally be optimal.
Had to go back a way to find the thread but thought he's looked pretty good so far. Seems to have the right mentality and experience.
I'd not object to seeing him get longer terms even if not as first choice, certainly a better back up option than the likes of Thomas or Lavelle - even with time against him.
Hector, along with Innis and Ness has strengthened our defence, and I will say that he has looked settled and strong which goes against what was thought would happen due to his apparent lack of match fitness on joining us, and think we would benefit from him getting a contract extension...
I’d keep him and release Inniss. Feel like it’s probably one or the other as otherwise we’re going to end up with the same defence again next season when it has already proved to not be good enough.
Hector, Ness and 2/3 others depending on formation choice. Hopefully we will finally get a left footed centre back
Like many on here I browse our free agent options.
Hector stood out for me on those lists,but he wasn't ready to sign for us until it became clear he couldn't get a Championship gig having spent time at Luton and Reading on trial as well as the massives.
I suspect had he signed in the summer instead of EOC there wouldn't have been many complaints. A CV of Chelsea, Frankfurt, Fulham and Wednesday would be more impressive than Bury, Oldham, Rochdale and Walsall.
Like many on here I brouse our free agent options.
Hector stood out for me on those lists,but he wasn't ready to sign for us until it became clear he couldn't get a Championship gig having spent time at Luton and Reading on trial as well as the massives.
I suspect had he signed in the summer instead of EOC there wouldn't have been many complaints. A CV of Chelsea, Frankfurt, Fulham and Wednesday would be more impressive than Bury, Oldham, Rochdale and Walsall.
I'm assuming that it was a short term deal with no clause either way.
If we offer him a 2 year deal now, he might be interested. Wait until the summer and he'll probably find a better club elsewhere
Comments
We can bill the MOD for saving them a few hundred grand on sidewinders!
Makes a change from the dithering uncertainty often served up by some players.
You know IMO the greatest problem with our side is lack of concentration and mental strength when things don't go to plan.
I immediately thought of Naby Sarr.
I hope as a London based player that playing for us might appeal even in L1 if we built a new squad.
Need a character like that.
I feel he has a chance to be a born again footballer if he still has fire in his belly.
Hector can be a cult hero or a disaster was my first impression on this signing.
If an upwardly mobile team like Sheffield Wednesday were prepared to give him a trial, then a mid table League 1 team like Cafc should be an easier transition despite the rust.
We did end up playing deep against FGR as the game unfolded but under Holden that's not always the case. Big units like Inniss are vulnerable when they have to turn and chase back. Is that the case with a rusty Hector ?
Play a low block or high line depending on the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition. Inviting pressure is such a strange concept in football. A good CB leader should be able to make sure that it doesn't become the Alamo. From corners it understandable but from open play it's just giving over any momentum gained.
That's shooting distance, inviting pot shots and the occasional worldie.
Holding the line too high can also make a back line vulnerable to the long ball over the top or killer through ball.
You need quick footed CBs and a sweeper-keeper quickly off his line, to combat that.
So holding the line mid-distance, say 10 yards outside the box can perhaps generally be optimal.
But I liked his general play overall today, especially his distribution.
Could be useful in securing our mid-table spot this season.
I'd not object to seeing him get longer terms even if not as first choice, certainly a better back up option than the likes of Thomas or Lavelle - even with time against him.
Like many on here I browse our free agent options.
Hector stood out for me on those lists,but he wasn't ready to sign for us until it became clear he couldn't get a Championship gig having spent time at Luton and Reading on trial as well as the massives.
I suspect had he signed in the summer instead of EOC there wouldn't have been many complaints. A CV of Chelsea, Frankfurt, Fulham and Wednesday would be more impressive than Bury, Oldham, Rochdale and Walsall.
If we offer him a 2 year deal now, he might be interested. Wait until the summer and he'll probably find a better club elsewhere