Harding's Downfall?

Fox is probably better than Harding,but although Harding may have his limitations,he always works his wotsits off for the side,and for that fact alone doesnt deserve to be slagged off at matches by his own fans.
Lets put things into perspective here,Fox has just cost us 1.8 million,Harding cost us nothing and deserves credit for the amount of effort he has put in for our team,and also the amount he has improved in his time at St Marys.
 
RorSFC - Championship Detour said:
So is that why he picked Dickson for the last few games then? Harding is terrible and I'm absolutely made up that we've signed a quality replacement and I for one hope his days in a Saints shirt are numbered.
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Dickson was only picked for the Cup game, Harding was picked for the Leeds game, when they are on song there is little to chose between them, I think Harding has just a bit more enthusiasm for the club, but I could be wrong.
 
crusti said:
Jesus, some people, Harding is quality, he has done well for us, he may not be the best player in the world but Saints arent the best team in the world (yet)
do you all think we would have gotten promotion if we had donkeys in playing defence all the time?

If Adkins plays him then support him, support the TEAM.

if someone better comes along then thats life, Harding plays well and he plays his balls off, would you rather have a Primadonna that is gifted but only gives 50%
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I definitely agree that I'd rather have a hard working player that gives 100% than a prima donna however, we need good players in our team. Danny Fox seems to be both, so I am delighted Adkins has pulled this off. As said in other posts, Harding's positional sense is poor and was at fault for a lot of our goals last season. We need to improve our weaknesses all the time and as much as people may like Harding, he is one of them. If he does raise his game and improves his defensive positioning, then I'd be more than happy for him to keep his place.
 
SAINTDON13 said:
Dickson was only picked for the Cup game, Harding was picked for the Leeds game, when they are on song there is little to chose between them, I think Harding has just a bit more enthusiasm for the club, but I could be wrong.
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I know I meant at the end of last season when I wrote that. I would say from March onwards Adkins favoured Dickson over Harding, but I know he hasn't been quite fit in pre-season and have heard he hasn't played his best (I only saw the West Brom game this pre-season and I was on holiday for the Memorial Cup).
 
Also, I don't understand the knocking that Dickson gets. People always shout back at people that don't like Harding yet criticise Dickson :S It seems a bit hypocritical.
 
Another thing that Adkins has just said on the OS that I totally agree with. He said: I have no problem with honest mistakes but will come down like a ton of bricks on anyone that doesn't put in the graft. Everyone in our team tries their hardest. When was the last time you saw anyone saunter through a game. As I've said before if they are not good enough that's for Adkins to sort out. Our job is to support the team during a match, whatever our private thoughts might be. Do you work better with encouragement or with someone yelling you're useless in your ear.
 
I think some people are missing the point here. Fox has been bought in to compliment what he already has as LB. He is building a squad fit for the prem. Adkins is showing us the additions he is making is to improve the squad to move forward & to work with what quality ( Harding ) he already has. I don't think it matters whether you are a Dickson fan or prefer Harding I am sure Fox will slot into the squad alongside these players. Nothing to say Harding or Dickson won't start or hold onto their starts. It is a great addition for Saints as he seems to sound like a great player. Our squad is looking good
 
Saints Go Marching In said:
What has Harding done to tick off many Saints fans?

Team of the year in league one last term and a regular starter for us. Works hard for the team and in my opinion a good player who should be in the defence as much as possible.

Possible move for him to right back perhaps? I don't like the thought of having three good left backs and two of those losing morale through lack of games and disrupting team spirit...
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I think you make a really good point. There have been many comments by supporters remarking that we need a decent replacement LB, and I find myself wondering why. I think Wally Downes' jokey comment that Harding had something of the lavender about him backfired on poor old Harding. He's a bit slight, but he's bloody fast. He'll run and cover all day, and is good for a last second intervention. Where he is let down is exactly where you'd expect a slight defender to be let down, in being bullied out of the play. If he isn't bullied off the ball [I know the Leeds attack where he was roundly beaten to the ball] he's as sound as a bell. We don't need someone to replace Harding, If anything, we need someone in to select against the more physical teams. Harding's alright in my book.

Funnily enough, the same sort of situation goes for Joseph Mills. He's a pretty good LB, but Harding's better. He's a pretty good left sided midfielder, but others are better. Don't believe me..? Well, because of exclusions and injuries, Mills played in the JPT Final and had a cracking game. So he is perfectly capable.

Sorry for going off-topic.
 
TheSecondStain said:
I think you make a really good point. There have been many comments by supporters remarking that we need a decent replacement LB, and I find myself wondering why. I think Wally Downes' jokey comment that Harding had something of the lavender about him backfired on poor old Harding. He's a bit slight, but he's bloody fast. He'll run and cover all day, and is good for a last second intervention. Where he is let down is exactly where you'd expect a slight defender to be let down, in being bullied out of the play. If he isn't bullied off the ball [I know the Leeds attack where he was roundly beaten to the ball] he's as sound as a bell. We don't need someone to replace Harding, If anything, we need someone in to select against the more physical teams. Harding's alright in my book.

Funnily enough, the same sort of situation goes for Joseph Mills. He's a pretty good LB, but Harding's better. He's a pretty good left sided midfielder, but others are better. Don't believe me..? Well, because of exclusions and injuries, Mills played in the JPT Final and had a cracking game. So he is perfectly capable.

Sorry for going off-topic.
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I think Mills is a very good player. I'm actually surprised he's not going to get a chance considering he's had a year of first team football with Donny. I suppose it's because of numbers but I'd rather have Mills and Dickson in competition with Fox rather than Harding and Dickson. Just my opinion though and I don't want to be slated for stating it! <laugh>
 
Mills is a very good player. Did really well last season at Doncaster ? Why didn't they sign him ? As it sounded like he wanted to go & they wanted him ?
 
I'm surprised nobody has snapped up Mills. I thought he was a decent player and did well for Donny but we seem to have 3 LB ahead of him in the pecking order. I see a lot of clubs in the Championship and League One clubs that are on the look out for a LB but nobody wants Mills. Whoever gets him could be getting a bargain.
 
I dont think fox coming in means anyone is leaving. NA is strengthening the squad, and giving us cover in another area.
 
RorSFC - Championship Detour said:
Last few games of last season you idiot! I know who played on Saturday thanks and in my opinion Harding was, once again, our poorest player! Dickson hadn't been fit for much of pre-season so Adkins didn't have really have a choice.
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maybe because harding was injured? harding is a great player, shown by the fact he's been a mainstay in the team for 2 seasons now going into his 3rd, and the fact he's got into team of the year. harding in and dickson out is whats going to happen
 
Just because Harding is a good player doesn't mean he has to keep his place until we are playing in the champions league, he is an average championship full back.
 
Just looked at Burnley forums. At first outraged and disappointed at Fox leaving, then a few started saying he wasn't that good anyway. Mentioned him going forward and forgetting defensive duties..NA will have his jewels for earrings if he does that. Then realised that if Harding left, the views by our fans would be just as varied. It would be like we were talking about 2 different players. Interesting point was that apparently Howe refused to do a scheduled press conference, so he's not a happy bunny.
 
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