It seems that everyone has had a decent 'run-out' so far but since the Hertha Berlin game he hasn't featured (even Francomb featured v MK Duds). Is he injured or just not part of CH's future plans?
I always thought he had the potential to be a cracking right-back, wonder if we've ever tried working on it on the training ground?
I always thought he had the potential to be a cracking right-back, wonder if we've ever tried working on it on the training ground?
I always thought he had the potential to be a cracking right-back, wonder if we've ever tried working on it on the training ground?
Sorry Munky - I don't usually disagree with you but do we really need another RB with Whittaker, Martin and Francomb especially as Elliott Bennett can play wing back if we play a central 3 and also bearing in mind the clamour for Naughton to be signed.
Have to say 1950canary I think Francomb will probably be loaned out again, he was good against MK and if Ayala has been loaned out I would probably see him also loaned out, as well as that I don't like idea of Bennett playing right back often because he is so effective on the right wing. It would be a good idea because if Martin had to cover at centreback, Bennett played on the right wing. Than we would only have Whittaker.
Using your arguement - Why would we want to loan out a youngish specialist right back and at the same time try and convert a youngish surplus to requirements midfielder to provide cover for Whittaker at right back. My views on Russell Martin are quite simple - he is a right back who can play CB IN AN EMERGENCY and as Whittaker is injured he will start the season in that position. I also never suggested that Bennett was a right back - I said he could play wing back IF we played a back 3. I also cannot understand this continual idea of loaning out especially when players are nearing the end of their contracts. By all means loan out 18 year olds to lower league sides to get experience or slightly older players to Premiership or top Championship sides whilst you are waiting for a place to open up in your own squad but Smith, Adeyemi, Francomb and Chris Martin do not fit into either category. If they are not good enough to push for a place in our squad at 21 years of age they are not going to justify a new contract following another year on loan at Barnet, Oldham, Bradford etc. Either put them in the squad or let them go and try and get a few bob for them now rather than pay part of their wages to play in a lower league and then walk away on a free.
I was also against Ayala going out on loan and generally am against the current use of the loan system. I can understand Arsenal loaning out 17 and 18 year old youngsters like Wiltshire to Bolton for the season but I am firmly of the view that if you are not good enough to be in the squad at 20 or 21 years of age you never will be and should move on as a loan spell to a lower league club will only prove that you can play at that lower level but not prove that you can play in the Premiership. I stand by that point of view in relation to Korey Smith, Francomb, Adeyemi and Chris Martin.
My God Munky, two in a day