Just been watching our game at Watford. I usually go to that one, but as I now live in Yorkshire it seemed a yellow brick road too far. Never mind....see you at Huddersfield etc My thoughts are The Good We are strong in the full back positions, even without our maestro GC Baldock is class, and we have depth in other attacking positions Adomah is back to his best and improving Heaton is a sound Keeper, one of our better ones Elliot will soon be back to his best of 4 years ago by playing in this side However he will not be a better option than an inform Scuse or Pearson (who are both superior footballers), just a great guy to have on the bench Woolford is a class act. He can think himself unlucky not to have bagged a couple at Watford The bad Fontaine looks overwhelmed in defence, and looks in need of a rethink. James Wilson looks more like Private Wilson at the moment, and needs to up his game considerably to play at this level. Not to say he wont, but getting the games to improve might just cost us a promotion. Our central defence currently looks non-existent. If Del can work his magic and buy 2 new central defenders in January then we may have a realistic chance of making the play-offs. If not then we have little chance of getting above half way (something we knew before the season began) because our conceding goals will inevitably cost us Killer will never be a top player until he rethinks his attitude to his career and his game (Its not a rehearsal fella). Put him in the January sales with Pitman and get us a defence !
sorry can't agree on woolford and kilkenny, for the 3rd game in a row he didn't do anything and missed an absoloute sitter. Kilkenny when he came on dictated play and changed the game. Even though he did miss a golden chance
BRR - agree and disagree. Agree that we desperately need another in central defence, but McInnes is correctly taking time until the right player becomes available. Also agree about Kilkenny, his attitude to others stinks - he's a right pain in the ass and must be a nightmare to play with. It's a shame as he's able to play in the kind of passes Baldock would relish. Elliot 'just a great guy to have on the bench' - disagree, Scores a header in one box and a fantastic 'save' in our box. Football's about balance and Elliot is the only player in our squad who excels in both boxes as well as the 'ugly' stuff. Elliot also is just back from a long term injury and he's the 'type' who needs games to come back to his best. 'Woolford is a class act' - Works hard but class he isn't. Rather than take the p*ss out of 'Private Wilson' have a look who didn't track his runner for the cross. 'unlucky not to have bagged a couple at Watford' - shoots straight at their keeper for the first and misses an open goal from 8 yards with their keeper beaten. 'Unlucky' - Profligate would be more accurate.
While respecting your opinions lads, I will stick by my opinions of Wooly and Elliot. I think the latter is a very useful player to have in the squad to do a job, but not comfortable on the ball. Truth is I've noticed the Championship is changing - has changed over the last 5 years from hoofball teams to ball retention, from Stoke to Swansea in fact. I suspect this is probably because the foreign players who cant get signed for the Prem, and the umberella payments which have tempted relegated Prem players to stay with their clubs. Also lessons learned in this country generally from continental clubs where ball skill, retention and expression is given priority. To compete with this higher standard requires less box to box and more balance, poise and ability. Elliot may have had an eventful match at Watford, but I am looking at the player as we know him. Fact is the 3 midfield players McDel has used thus far to good effect this season, at their best, are all more effective than Marv. That does not make him redundant, just used when needed.
'Fact is the 3 midfield players McDel has used thus far to good effect this season, at their best, are all more effective than Marv' Fact is without Elliot we lost our first 2 away matches. Fact is we've gained 4 away points with Elliot. He is the only midfielder who can defend. The rest are girls. 'Truth is I've noticed the Championship is changing' - you are not alone. But 'basics' are still the same. Being able to defend, head, go box to box, and pressure others are midfield 'basics' that only Elliot has in abundance. And you need one such player in any team - Balance.
Fact because I was there Elliott played in the second half against Barnsley, he came on for Albert at half time. And correct me if I was wrong but they scored in the second half!! I saw a better display against Watford, but his passing is still blind and as I have said many times 50p head. Woolford will get knocked because he shot from 20 yards which Almunia pulled of a decent save. The miss against an open goal was at pace and he was only 2 inches away. But then again I don't know anything as someone put the other day.
Good to see we are having an intelligent, adult conversation lads. Everyone's opinions count, we are all supporting the same club for pete sakes
