He's a good player and has been under rated for a while. I'd like to hope people will give him a chance now.
I'll be totally honest. When I saw his name on the bench and not Simpson's I thought "Oh God... offsides galore" and actually he had a cracking spell! Was really impressive, along with (another name I'm surprised I'm saying) Josh King when he came on! Daft question though, where was Robbie Brady? MOM had to be Vito though, McKenna again close AND didn't get a yellow card! Looking forward to tuesday now big time!
I thought he did ok when he came on against Crawley. He recieved plenty of plaudits in the premier league and good to see he put a good performance in tonight. Could be a useful player to have around in the closing weeks of the season as its another option up front.
Aye albeit for 15 mins he looked like a first team player for the first time in a while. Still managed his requisite offside though
King and Cullen certainly did more in their limited time than McLean or Stewart did. I'd like to see King given 90 minutes now.
when we went 3 up front we looked good. Fryatt will always be a poacher, a 5 yard type of player... I've lost hope with Mclean, I like the guy but he's an absolute donkey. Takes too long to react, he seem half a second slow when the ball comes to him, making him slice passes or miscue attempts, his decision making is very poor (although the team's also). King showed some promise finally. The lad needs more of a chance. He sliced their back four like butter on a couple of occasions and he needs more playing to adjust. He will be important in last few games. Cullen looked decent. No worse than what we've seen before. He could be useful. Not sure what the hell is up with Simpson, the guy's career is going to disappear. He obviously doesn't want to be back here after a nice spell in London.
We need to drop this offside thing with Cullen now. There were 7 or 8 times today that Fryatt or McLean were offside when dropping back for the ball, not even making a forward run but dropping deep. Cullen is offside because he's adventurous making those runs; it's also how he scorer his goals.
After tonight I totally agree. Once he was "offside" and that was a bloody close run thing. If he can keep playing like that; then he'll be a good option for us; as Barmby said (again) he keeps banging in the goals for the reserves and in training so let's hope this is the start of a good spell for him.
I'd like to see him played properly up front. To be fair tonight he did seem to be more centrally based. I know that sounds daft because he kept getting the ball on the touchline, but he also cropped up a few times in the middle which he hasn't tended to do when I've seen him for us up to now, and I don't think it's a coincidence that people were more impressed when he's done that than they have been in the past. 60 minutes on Tuesday, being replaced by McLean or Brady would be my prediction.
He was actually in his own half, and there was another one with Phillips at the other end when he was in his own half. Weird refereeing.
One of McLean's cost us a 2 on 1 with the keeper as well. It was like watching a replay of Brady's goal at Reading, only who ever broke through with him let him go for the ball.
I wondered about that but I'm not sure Fryatt was close enough to catch the ball. The keeper beat McLean to it even though he was offside, so if he left it for Fryatt I don't think he'd have got there either. Might be wrong though; I was watching it in the pub and it wasn't particularly clear at times.
Agreed - I was maybe getting carried away when I said 90 minutes when what I meant was 'a starting place'
Feel harsh saying this but he has to still be on the bench for me. Brady HAS to be in the team; because on their game Stewart and him on the pitch together could be unstoppable. Impact sub again for me on Tuesday.
Cullen has earned his place back in the first team the old fashioned way, by scoring plenty of goals for the ressies. I'm not totally convinced he will make it for us, but he put on a decent showing and deserves a bit of a run. As for Mclean, the guy is a total liability in front of goal. As likeable as his attitude and endeavour is, we cant afford to have him **** things up like that any longer.
Cullen was offside his foot was in their half and that means he was offside. However how many times was Kevin Phillips offside and he is still one of the best in the division, if your offside to me it just means your looking to run beyond the defence, and his movement is good, if he can add some composure and keep making them runs he will score goals.
I'm not sure if it was Fryatt on the occassion I'm talking about, who ever it was was close enough that it looked like he was going to run into McLean. I don't think he'd have scored, I think the keeper would have taken him out first, so it'd be a case of whether he could knock the ball past him just enough for it to be a penalty and a red card. I've considered it further on the other thread and gone with King and Brady starting, Stewart and McLean on the bench. Resting them before they're burnt out is the best way to avoid an injury problem.
I agree with this, but it depends on the situation. Cullen's are generally because he is making runs which I have no problem with, but when the striker is offside coming deep for the ball that's just stupid.
He looked better tonight than any other time I've seen him, I thought. Hope he keeps it up, goals are needed.
