Always said wasn't impressed with Lees, but seen a couple of games this year where he has looked great. Byram made some real howlers while at right back last year and best position was right midfield. That brings Pelts back into the picture at rightback. Not seen Mariusz yet but he could bring that steel and solidity to the CBs thorgh his knowledge and talking. Pearce could partner him without any trouble and they could build up a good relationship one-to-one, while any of the others will be loking up to him, and he will bring them on hopefully. Even Lees! But he can't head the ball properly - never seen so many slices. He needs some serious jump-timing coaching and to bulk up. Pearce could be the natural choice, but Wootton could run him close. If we want a Lee Chapman, we need a midfield with Strachan and McAllister, with Batty behind. We don't have that. If Austin could pass the ball with the success rate of Batty, even sideways, we could have something to build on. Murphy, from what I've seen, is no Speed or McAllister and is starting to remind me of Clayton, rather than Howson. Although both disappeared from games for long spells. Up front? I still thnk Varney is probably a better target player than Smith, certainly better with his head and runs all day. But it's not really clicked with Rossco - more serious coaching practice needed again.
Sorry mate, can just about go with most everything else but IMO Varney is just useless. He hass not the vaguest clue where his headers are going, and confuses work rate with ability. Watching him week in week out it is glaringly obvious.
Can't go with Byram better in midfield He's good coming from full back and helping attacks But he's not creative enough or fast enough to play wide right. Different ball game when you've got to create things
Many different opinions about many different players on this thread, just what this forum is built on, I like it . Firstly, I think Lees is a half decent defender and is still improving. I wouldn't just jump Zaliukas above him because he has just been signed, I haven't seen him play yet and I doubt most on here have. Yes he was wanted by a fair few clubs that are probably stronger than us at the minute but probably only as cover, BMD only signed him till the end of the season so he obviously wasn't completely sold on him. Personally I would have to say at the moment, on form at least Wootton and Pearce are our best CBs. I would still hand with Lees for the moment at least until Zaliukas forces his way into the team. And for those suggesting Peltier, seriously the guy is useless imo. He does well in a tackle admittedly but loses his man too much at CB and is sometimes caught wanting positionally which gives away goals and he has nothing going forward to be a full back. When he was playing fullback he was often open but always got tackled or passed to the oppostion, think we should be looking at getting rid to be honest. About Murphy, I'm yet to see his worth. Early season he was playing on the left side of the diamond and I thought that didn't suit him as it wasn't really the same as playing CM, he needed to cover the ground of a left sided midfielder also. He has since gone into CM and still not proved his worth. Mowatt looks the much better player at the minute but is probably worth more money to reflect that anyway. I think a fairer comparison is Tonge and theres not much difference between the two really. I would persevere with Murphy but wouldn't be a guaranteed starter, needs to up his game because like LiW says I'm not seeing any out and out strengths to his game. Not sure what he adds.
If Lees hasn't made the grade by now, he won't ever do it now. 23 and many are calling him crap maybe it's time for him to move on to a new club. Regarding Varney he shouldn't have come in the first place. What a terrible move for him. He's scored 4 goals in 2 years it's simply not good enough. If we can't get rid of him in January thank god his contract runs out in the summer and we can finally get shunt of him.
I wouldn't say Lees hasn't been making the grade at all though. Before this season he has been our best centre back since our promotion to the league and consistently so. Warnock laid blame to him last season in situations where I thought it was quite harsh to lay blame at Lees feet (most of the time it was Kenny's fault but you know Warnock can't publicly say anything bad about one of his "mates"). Its quite harsh for people to be so negative about him, early season he was playing well as well, hes made a few mistakes in a few games and now its get rid of him, that'd be a stupid thing to do imo. On form, I stick by saying Wootton and Pearce are our best centre backs but form changes all the time and its good to have all these options for different positions, we now have 3 really good centre backs for this level with Zaliukas possibly making it 4. What a good position it is for the club to be in defensively speaking. And also I agree with your comments about Varney, the guy is useless. The work rate is there but thats just not enough.
Lees is or was an England u21 international. As such, he can't be that bad. His last couple of years have been spent playng with a mixed bag of partners, as well as occasionally being played out of position. Therefore some of the opinions on here, thoughtful or brainless, have to bear that in mind. He's now playing with two other CBs and two wingbacks. To my mind, that will help. If we continue to play with 3 CBs, he will also have serious competition for his place, rather than what has hitherto been the case. If push came to shove, Peltier could also be included in that group of CBs, although I think I would prefer to see him continuing to challenge Byram for the RB/RWB position. On Varney, he hasn't so far had the luxury of playing in this revised formation. Trouble is, with Ross, Smith, Blackstock and Poleon all ahead of him in the pecking order, there isn't much chance of him getting a look in anytime soon. Oh the luxury of having decent and genuine competition throught the squad.
Lees is or was an England u21 international. As such, he can't be bad -------------------------------- Is the the u21's that didn't get a point at the last championships and were beaten by 3rd rate nations Which lees couldn't get in the side I've watched him mate for years and he's poor, i judge with my eyes
Lees might be good if he could learn to head it, kick it in a straight line, control it and tackle. Once he learns that (in maybe another 200 games) he will be world class haha
In my opinion Lees isn't good enough. I think a good way to judge a player as best as possible without bias is to consider 'if he was playing for another team - in the same form, would you sign him?'. Also take into account finances and realistic alternative options. For me, this rules out lees but our finances and possibly the fact he's an academy boy has granted him an extended run out that others may not have been so lucky to have. For me, he has the same trait as Lubo Michalik who on his day was outstanding but as Richard Naylor said 'once his concentration goes - that's it, he's gone for the game'. Focus and Mentality is so important, especially in a division as psychologically demanding as the championship and increased spotlight that comes with being a leeds united player. I believe it's the same with Aidy White. I've never personally taken to him as a left back, although initially I thought he had the capability to develop into a good winger if he improved on his footballing quality. I hope he has a fantastic extended run of games at his preferred lb at a good club in Sheffield United and comes back to us wiser and full of confidence. If not though, I believe for the good of both him and us we would need to part ways and I see this as being the case.
Just read an interview with Marius and also Redfearns thoughts about Marius. Marius mentiones the speed of the game and players in England being a massive upgrade on Scottish football. Redfearn said of Marius it was like watching a Rolls Royce play the other night, he was cool, calm and efficient with skill and nerve. he said a lot of other stuff but I thouyght I was reading about Rio or Woody again. Can it be that we've unearthed another star. We're not that lucky Anyway he preffered Brian to Harry and thats why we got him instead of QPR
Wakey Redfearn said none of those goals was down to Marius and he was completley innocent and not on that side os the pitch. If Poleon had have scored the penalty and the 4 simple chances he had we would have trounced Barnsley and not conceded 4 goals.
Doc Redfearn says a lot of things, likeable guy, but you've always got to take what he says with a pinch of salt. We've signed someone who's been playing at a low level, only there because of the owner, and hasn't had a club for 5 months And he's 29, we haven't signed the new rio
Surely though, you can understand fans wanting to believe every signing will be something magical. We've been starved of quality for so long. I'm trying to believe Blackstock will be an awesome signing while knowing damn well he won't
Eire In the past five years who do you think the success rate of our signing aee 20% ???? 10 % ????? Am not saying it's a shocker, but I've learnt along time ago, more times than not, these end up bad
Agree, but this is a different manager doing the signings. He's no dinosaur and has had recent success. His budget may be non existent but at least he hasn't bates holding him back. God knows Im as sceptical as anyone but Im trying not to compare McDs dealings with whats gone before. Ill admit its difficult LIW
