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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2018 18:33:56 GMT
Craid definitely improved the defence and is a leader unlike Lockyer. As regards defenders DC has over a period of time acquired too many players who are not League 1 top half players and have all been acquired from lower standard and now we are supposedly going for Top 5 we are left with a lot of plain average full backs,midfielders and centre backs that really are not good enough. Leadbitter, James Clarke, Partington, Broadbent, Ollie Clarke, Sam Matthews all fall within this Category. Matthews was comfortably our best player yesterday.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2018 18:34:18 GMT
Not a Craig fan myself, he tries but imo is past his best and should be playing lower again. Lockyer is at his level but needs that dominant partner, Broadbent to me isn’t a centre half and I’d try him despite his size at left wing back as I think he’d flourish. James Clarke is impressing me more and more after I wrote him off - I think he does both rb and cb well enough. Rollins only ever looked decent considering his experience not so sure what Swindon thought but we can’t rely on him as 1st choice that’s for sure. Lockyer needs a partner and with our options - I’d do this
Smith
Leadbitter - Clarke - Lockyer - Broadbent
O Clarke Lines
Rodman sercombe Bennett
Payne
UTG!
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Post by lastminutewinner on Aug 15, 2018 18:48:19 GMT
I said before I would have cashed in on Lockyer while his stock was high as I dont think he will play much for the international side again, and then build a new reliable defence with the money. In the meantime Jimmy Dunne looks a good CB prospect, currently at Burnley (ex Man Utd academy) and available on loan. Dunne not a bad shout. 6ft 3in and did well at Accrington last season. Another is Krystian Bielik on loan from Arsenal. Walsall had him on loan at the end of last season so no reason why we couldnt get him.
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pirate
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Post by pirate on Aug 15, 2018 18:55:44 GMT
Dunne not a bad shout. 6ft 3in and did well at Accrington last season. Another is Krystian Bielik on loan from Arsenal. Walsall had him on loan at the end of last season so no reason why we couldnt get him. He's going on loan to Charlton apparently.
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Post by paulpirate on Aug 15, 2018 18:56:18 GMT
Not a Craig fan myself, he tries but imo is past his best and should be playing lower again. Lockyer is at his level but needs that dominant partner, Broadbent to me isn’t a centre half and I’d try him despite his size at left wing back as I think he’d flourish. James Clarke is impressing me more and more after I wrote him off - I think he does both rb and cb well enough. Rollins only ever looked decent considering his experience not so sure what Swindon thought but we can’t rely on him as 1st choice that’s for sure. Lockyer needs a partner and with our options - I’d do this Smith Leadbitter - Clarke - Lockyer - Broadbent O Clarke Lines Rodman sercombe Bennett Payne UTG! i wouldn’t have Gordon up top with Payne he’s better on the wing
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pirate
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Post by pirate on Aug 15, 2018 19:28:07 GMT
Dunne not a bad shout. 6ft 3in and did well at Accrington last season. Another is Krystian Bielik on loan from Arsenal. Walsall had him on loan at the end of last season so no reason why we couldnt get him. Remie Streete still on a free. If we could get him fit what a signing he could be. A big 'if' of course. Would be worth a month-to-month, pay as you play type deal. 6ft 3in, dominant in the air with a goal in him, can play left or right sided CB and can run 100m in 11.9 seconds. Then Port Vale manager Bruno Ribeiro: "For me he is a top player and can play in the Premier League. He has the quality for that".
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Post by lastminutewinner on Aug 15, 2018 19:31:17 GMT
Another is Krystian Bielik on loan from Arsenal. Walsall had him on loan at the end of last season so no reason why we couldnt get him. Remie Streete still on a free. If we could get him fit what a signing he could be. A big 'if' of course. Would be worth a month-to-month, pay as you play type deal. 6ft 3in, dominant in the air with a goal in him, can play left or right sided CB and can run 100m in 11.9 seconds. I said about Streete when he left Port Vale, would be worried about his lack of matches since but like you say, month to month contract similar to Bodin would suit both parties
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2018 19:54:18 GMT
I wouldn't be averse to trying to get better in as we should always be looking to improve every position. However, I think there's a lot here who are premature in writing off Tony Craig and quite frankly, some of the comments on here just show a complete lack of respect for someone who has achieved a lot at this level.
I agree he's not a left back any more, except in exceptional circumstances, however he remains the best left sided centre half we have. Lack of height is an easy criticism, but then to be effective in the air isn't just about being tall. He is much better than Broadbent in the air, for example.
To me he's one of those defenders who does his job consistently with the minimal amount of fuss. A 7/10 àlmost every week. The times you see him stand his ground against a striker, allowing the ball to run harmlessly through to the keeper, shows me that he is a defender who knows how to defend. That approach contrasted with Broadbent's in the Exeter friendly. Broadbent tried to out jump Stockley and won nothing. Craig played him differently and won everything. Ideally, I'd want Broadbent to watch and learn from Craig about different ways to plat a centre forward. If Tom can add that to his game, we just might have a player who can then take in that role.
Lockyer's game improved in the second half of last season. Was that down in part to the organisational qualities that Craig shows? Maybe. Tom has always played well with an experienced partner and it may be that Craig's reading of the game helps him, in much the same way as it appeared to when paired with Mark McCrystal.
I think Craig still has plenty to offer us for a year or possibly two. It would of course be good to have the option of a big centre half who is dominant in the air, but lack of height isn't necessarily the problem every time a goal is scored by an attacker's head. Look at the full backs and the lack of protection they are afforded by their wide midfielders, thus enabling a cross to be put in. Neither Bennett nor Sercombe are remotely defensively minded - that is also a factor at times.
Let's not make the mistake of thinking every goal we concede is down to the defence. When we don't score, it's not just about the strikers - it's also about the supply. It follows then that stopping the supply is also a factor in conceding less goals.
Let's not write him off yet.
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Post by peterhooper57 on Aug 15, 2018 19:55:45 GMT
Play Lockyer or Craig l do not mind which, neither are outstanding, neither can get off the ground and head the ball away from centres coming into the box from the wings, the trouble is D.C. seems loathed to drop either player, consequently we are losing games and if things don’t change we could be in for a difficult season.
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Post by WeAreTheGas on Aug 16, 2018 6:57:09 GMT
I wouldn't be averse to trying to get better in as we should always be looking to improve every position. However, I think there's a lot here who are premature in writing off Tony Craig and quite frankly, some of the comments on here just show a complete lack of respect for someone who has achieved a lot at this level. I agree he's not a left back any more, except in exceptional circumstances, however he remains the best left sided centre half we have. Lack of height is an easy criticism, but then to be effective in the air isn't just about being tall. He is much better than Broadbent in the air, for example. To me he's one of those defenders who does his job consistently with the minimal amount of fuss. A 7/10 àlmost every week. The times you see him stand his ground against a striker, allowing the ball to run harmlessly through to the keeper, shows me that he is a defender who knows how to defend. That approach contrasted with Broadbent's in the Exeter friendly. Broadbent tried to out jump Stockley and won nothing. Craig played him differently and won everything. Ideally, I'd want Broadbent to watch and learn from Craig about different ways to plat a centre forward. If Tom can add that to his game, we just might have a player who can then take in that role. Lockyer's game improved in the second half of last season. Was that down in part to the organisational qualities that Craig shows? Maybe. Tom has always played well with an experienced partner and it may be that Craig's reading of the game helps him, in much the same way as it appeared to when paired with Mark McCrystal. I think Craig still has plenty to offer us for a year or possibly two. It would of course be good to have the option of a big centre half who is dominant in the air, but lack of height isn't necessarily the problem every time a goal is scored by an attacker's head. Look at the full backs and the lack of protection they are afforded by their wide midfielders, thus enabling a cross to be put in. Neither Bennett nor Sercombe are remotely defensively minded - that is also a factor at times. Let's not make the mistake of thinking every goal we concede is down to the defence. When we don't score, it's not just about the strikers - it's also about the supply. It follows then that stopping the supply is also a factor in conceding less goals. Let's not write him off yet. Good post and agree with a lot of it. As I said in my OP, I do think the Lockyer-Craig CB partnership makes us susceptible to crosses, but having keepers who are rooted to their line and our inability to stop crosses coming into our box in the first place also plays a big part. Other than getting a few loans in, I’m not sure what the answer is, as I don’t think our defensive issues can be solved by players already in the squad. A fit Partington and THD in the fullback positions would potentially help, but the defensive half of our spine is much weaker than the attacking half IMO.
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Post by Hugo the Elder on Aug 16, 2018 7:11:29 GMT
I wouldn't be averse to trying to get better in as we should always be looking to improve every position. However, I think there's a lot here who are premature in writing off Tony Craig and quite frankly, some of the comments on here just show a complete lack of respect for someone who has achieved a lot at this level. I agree he's not a left back any more, except in exceptional circumstances, however he remains the best left sided centre half we have. Lack of height is an easy criticism, but then to be effective in the air isn't just about being tall. He is much better than Broadbent in the air, for example. To me he's one of those defenders who does his job consistently with the minimal amount of fuss. A 7/10 àlmost every week. The times you see him stand his ground against a striker, allowing the ball to run harmlessly through to the keeper, shows me that he is a defender who knows how to defend. That approach contrasted with Broadbent's in the Exeter friendly. Broadbent tried to out jump Stockley and won nothing. Craig played him differently and won everything. Ideally, I'd want Broadbent to watch and learn from Craig about different ways to plat a centre forward. If Tom can add that to his game, we just might have a player who can then take in that role. Lockyer's game improved in the second half of last season. Was that down in part to the organisational qualities that Craig shows? Maybe. Tom has always played well with an experienced partner and it may be that Craig's reading of the game helps him, in much the same way as it appeared to when paired with Mark McCrystal. I think Craig still has plenty to offer us for a year or possibly two. It would of course be good to have the option of a big centre half who is dominant in the air, but lack of height isn't necessarily the problem every time a goal is scored by an attacker's head. Look at the full backs and the lack of protection they are afforded by their wide midfielders, thus enabling a cross to be put in. Neither Bennett nor Sercombe are remotely defensively minded - that is also a factor at times. Let's not make the mistake of thinking every goal we concede is down to the defence. When we don't score, it's not just about the strikers - it's also about the supply. It follows then that stopping the supply is also a factor in conceding less goals. Let's not write him off yet. I have the utmost respect for what Craig has achieved in his career but based on what I've seen he's past his best. Having him for 2 more years?? I hope not!
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Post by Rod1883 on Aug 16, 2018 14:45:46 GMT
Another is Krystian Bielik on loan from Arsenal. Walsall had him on loan at the end of last season so no reason why we couldnt get him. He's going on loan to Charlton apparently. Confirmed on BBC now www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45209306
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