Well with the season well and truly under way and with Millwall not exactly in the place we want, especially after such good wins at Peterborough, then 'boro and a great display against Sheffield Wednesday. So I thought I'd chip in my 2 cents and see what my fellow 'Wall think. Firstly I think that going forward we have shown real promise, Henry, Trotter, Keogh, Wood and even Henderson have all caused the opposition problems we have missed some real sitters though. Henry has gone missing in games but it is obvious he will be a key man for us if we are to do well this season. Keogh has shown a lot of verve and promise and was rewarded with an international call up. Henderson has bagged a few and looks like he'll keep his place in the starting line up. We have been unlucky with injuries to be honest and without Robbo leading from the back our defence has been below par, putting it politely, a settled back four is what is needed and I'm starting to wonder if letting Ward, TC and Barron all go was the best move. I'm sure we'd all agree that they may not be the best defenders in the league but their experience counts for a lot and would have surely settled the side. Surely recalling Ward would have made more sense than bringing in Beevers, however I have heard good things about him but at 22 will he have enough experience at this level. Vice captaincy. Its obvious that Trotter is one of our more talented players but I don't see him as a leader, it looks like Robbo will be out for a few months now so giving ****tu the armband may be a stroke of genius. He is experienced, solid and very vocal. However, his lack of fitness concerns me. I like Lowry at CB as well and will certainly be one for the future. The headache of midfield. This is probably our strongest area of the team which is slightly alien to most 'wall fans but its a headache KJ must surely enjoy. He has found a dynamic central midfielder in Josh Wright and an excellent Winger in Taylor who has been on his radar for some time. Couple this with Trotter, Henry and Abdou who are already 'Wall favourites and you have a 5 man midfield that's as impressive as any in the Championship. However, Kenny hasn't found the right combination yet. Trotter doesn't look comfortable on the left of a 3 man midfield and 5 in the middle leaves us short up top. This is without mentioning Batt who I'd like to see play, not sure where yet, and Feeney who again through injury from an awful challenge we wont see for 8 weeks. We also miss Tam who was probably another one of KJ's master signings, I know he's only just come back from injury and KJ feels he's off the pace but surely he's worth a run out? The Goalie. What's happened, Maik Taylor was an inspiration in the backend of last season and the season before Forde was one of the league's best stoppers but now they are both shipping goals and have yet to keep a clean sheet. I'm guessing this is the lack of stability in defence although that is no excuse as we've seen keepers rise to the occasion and save teams which neither has done. I'm not to worried yet there's still 111 points to play for and once we have settled at the back and have a few players back from injury I'm sure the points will start coming.
Grant i think you summed up what we ALL feel especially about letting TC go. I believe we will turn this corner very quickly and when we do get our defence sorted we will be very difficult to beat. we need Tam back ASAP
Who is farce? Or does your name say it all? I asked for Millwall opinions not those of gravy swilling, coal mining, bitter loving melts...
Grant - good analysis....'even' Henderson seems harsh - star player at present and he and ****tu were the stars today. As you say, once the defence is settled the focus comes off the GK. I prefer Taylor to Fordey - but if the back 4 are settled and play as a team - which has not happened because they keep changing - then the GK is insulated. I think ****tu as v captain is a good move. It confirms his standing in the team and he's grown with the role. But who gets dropped when Lowry comes back? (think he's been lucky to avoid a red this season - and again its part of the defence problem) And btw.......Parsley is one of us - I have proof!
5 points from our last 3 games is a great return seeing as 2 of them were away from home and had we had a little slice of luck at both them away games it could have been more, we hit the bar 3 times in one but thats football. We have goals in us this season and we are playing as a team which is nice. and what about Keogh what a player he is. Agree with above making ****tu v.capt a stroke of genius i wouldnt ****ing argue with him, international break now, lets hope we return better than after the last one and beat the Nigels that will really kick start our season,, COYL.
