Nigel Adkins publicly critised him in his post match comments on Solent/Saints Player which is very rare for Nigel. I can't remember the exact quote but he was asked as to why he didn't play De Ridder out wide and played him inside as part of a front three. Adkins said that De Ridders crossing ability was not up to standard. It's clear from this statement and the continued selection of Schneiderlin at right midfield since the injury to Chaplow that Nigel has a big question mark on De Ridder. I don't agree with the comments that he is **** as he clearly has ability on the football, but even coming off the bench he is proving inconsistent.
I think the problem lies with SDR's defensive abilities. It wouldn't matter so much if it was just that he couldn't cross accurately, because Frazer Richardson is more than capable of doing all the crossing from the right. Where this breaks down, though, is that De Ridder won't track back to cover Frazer when the move breaks down. Compare this with when Chaplow is playing, he and Richardson link up perfectly both defensively and in attack.
Tad different but Thierry Henry wasn't great when signed for arsenal then what did he go on and achieve! Give him a chance! It's completely new for him in this country it's rare a foreign player performs straight away! Fighting between fans is stupid but when it's youre own it's embarrassing!
Ok, he made a mistake, but how many clear goalscoring chances did others miss? I am dubious about him as a starter at present, but as an impact player he has performed well in the past and runs at tired defenders, which I think we don't do enough sometimes. On a side note, why do some have to be so abusive on here, when they have a difference of opinion with somebody that have never met?
Guys in another thread people were saying that we were too predictable and didn't change our style of play. Even Rickie apparently said this in a news paper article. Yet when a player does try something different, we slate him because it didn't come off!! Yes there were players better placed perhaps, we don't know however what would have happened had he done the obvious, no more than we do for what he tried. Playing football is all about making decisions on the field of play. Had it come off we would have been arguing what a brilliant piece of play, because it didn't, we are slating a guy who is still adjusting to our style of play. Surely you could argue the guys that didn't get a shot on target from the 6 yard line are just as useless as their particular efforts didn't come off either. Horses for courses guys and gals, it was one incident in many, not a disaster for goodness sake!
Nice intervention, Beddy. Totally agree. Everyone is looking for scapegoat after the recent poor run. If De Ridder scores the winner on Saturday having beaten 8 defenders and ignoring unmarked players he'll be a superhero!
Yeah, but what are the chances of that!! He can't shoot on target, he can't pass, he can't dribble properly - the only thing he's good at is running around like a headless chicken!] The guy's useless! It'd be better to get Forte back and ship De Ridder out.
sorry but i remember a player called Guly was similar to this once upon a time - you know, Guly? One of our key players staretd off ****, settled in and now we are where he is now - i have total faith that de ridder will come good
OK fair enough so by the way you are stating facts about can't shoot on target, can't dribble, and can't pass. All the players out there on Saturday had a bit of those problems during the game. A couple even managed to miss the goal when it was easier to score!! I think you are being a bit harsh, yes he did run around as a headless chicken. He was sent on to make something happen that is what an impact player is. He had about 33 minutes to do something. He may not have scored, he may not have contributed to the goal in injury time, but he was on the field of play when it happened so in effect he did have a part to play. I am not saying he is an outstanding player but you do have to ask what his instructions were when he came on. None of us know of course but it could be he was given license to actually put his wait about who knows? Sometimes you have to give them the benefit of the doubt, I really do not think he is as bad as you make out simply because of one incident. Or for that matter the amount of time he has had on the pitch.
Give him time. I reckon he will come good. As soon as he picks up the ball it looks like something could happen at any moment. He clearly has ability. Drogba was **** the first season in english football, as was dzeko, henry etc. etc. etc.
Lets encourage him...........not get on his back that wont help one bit and in time he will come good....as others have said look at Drogs,Henry etc...
