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Post by madgas on May 13, 2016 6:54:27 GMT
With a lot of people discussing 'the' turning point of the season I thought I'd add another contender to the pot. 'The return to form of Chris Lines' At the start of the season CL had been in the team, but his performances were off. I questioned 'did he still have it at league level. With Mansell out there was little opportunity to drop him. In fact, I felt the 3-5-2 formation was played to congest that middle ground and cover up our midfield softness. Then Lines got injured and spent a period away from the first team. Over the Christmas period and after the arrival of Gaffney we began to pick up. We signed Lawrence in January and I wasn't sure how many more times we'd see Chris in the quarters. More injuries followed and at one point we only had the two Bristol boys: Clarke and Lines left. Since returning however he has been fantastic. In the past I've always thought that lines lacked consistency but not anymore. If his form over the last 10/12 matches of the season had been from the very start he would have been a contender for player of the season. I have been very impressed, I am confident he can make the step up next year. What has impressed me most during this run of good performances is how vital it was. We were down to the bare bones playing away at in form Newport, we could have easily skid back. They are all heroes, but I think over the last 10 games or so Mr lines has been a tad 'unsung'
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Post by BishopstonBRFC on May 13, 2016 9:28:58 GMT
He stood out for me particularly in some of the latter away games. You could see defenders were nervous of him when he drove forward. Some of his passes to switch the play were sublime as well. He seems to have added an edge to his game too which was lacking during his first spell here. Hopefully he'll get on the score sheet a few times next season as he deserved to this time around.
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Post by madgas on May 13, 2016 20:48:04 GMT
Infact, has anyone achieved more promotions with us than Chris Lines?
I have him on 3. Certainly doubt it's beaten but tied?
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Post by Dirt Dogg on May 13, 2016 21:01:20 GMT
Notts County away he was unplayable. Unfortunately for him for he's one of those players who could have a great game and go unnoticed. He's never going to be one of those players who will go hard into a 50/50 challenge or flying into challenges. But he'll receive the ball and switch it to a winger within seconds.
If he can maintain consistency next season I think we'll do alright.
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Post by Deleted on May 13, 2016 22:52:58 GMT
hes a top player who needs managing sometimes,ie being kicked out of the team as was the case earlier in the season but what an asset with his ability,love watching him at his best
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Post by holderz on May 13, 2016 23:41:06 GMT
Our best player over the last third of the season. His upping of his game is what took us from the play offs to automatic promotion.
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Post by long john silver on May 13, 2016 23:50:18 GMT
Chris lines has 9 assists this year , the highest at the club and 3 above lee brown who is in second so fair play to him.
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Post by WeAreTheGas on May 14, 2016 0:10:01 GMT
He could play in the Conference with his eyes shut and was a class above in L2 when he was on his game as well.
If he gets a new contract (which I really hope he does) then he'll be a big player for us again next season. I would say upper end of L1 is his level, and he's a much more rounded player than he was when he left us under Buckle.
Think we'll see a few goals from his again next season too.
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Post by Dr Gas on May 14, 2016 2:24:42 GMT
Notts County away he was unplayable. Unfortunately for him for he's one of those players who could have a great game and go unnoticed. He's never going to be one of those players who will go hard into a 50/50 challenge or flying into challenges. But he'll receive the ball and switch it to a winger within seconds. If he can maintain consistency next season I think we'll do alright. I agree! My favourite player of all time is Martin Peters: He could not tackle to save his life but he certainly saw passes that no others saw. Chris is a somewhat similar player, albeit at not so high a level; he may not tackle as much as some would like, although I think he has definitely increased his application to that this season, but his vision is far above 2nd division standard.
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Post by gaseous on May 14, 2016 2:35:21 GMT
Our best player over the last third of the season. His upping of his game is what took us from the play offs to automatic promotion. Much the same of last season, I believe he was the difference of quality that got us almost the title. Let's not forget his goal in the semis and playing through the pain at Wembley to get us to pens. I firmly believe that it is not just one player but it's about the team, but to be far his quality has been of the highest when on his game.
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Post by garygas on May 14, 2016 5:33:12 GMT
DC again showed what a great man manager he is again with his treatment of Lines. Very brave of the manager to drop the fans favorite. Lines frustrates me more than any player in the squad because when he drives at teams he can be devastating but does not do it no where near what he should. Run with the Dam ball linesey !!!
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Post by RD on May 14, 2016 6:15:00 GMT
He certainly seems to have matured since his first stint at the club.
When we re-signed him, I was terrified it would be the champagne downing, arrogant, loves-the-lifestyle, overrated midfielder who was with us as a youngster. But he isn't. He has matured a great deal and what really impressed me was how he got on with things when he was dropped. I semi-expected him to throw his toys out of the pram in a "I've played for Sheffield Wednesday don't you know!" type rant; but he didn't.
As someone else posted, he was a different class in the conference. He didn't stand out quite as regularly this season, but he still ended up with our most assists (quite impressive given he was dropped for a reasonably large period of time) and, when he was truly on his game, he was unplayable once more.
Fair play to him.
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Post by gashead1981 on May 14, 2016 7:27:53 GMT
All players have form that dips, no member of the squad had a perfect 46 games. Linesy had a dip in form just after the start of the season and then got injured but he came back a different player.
He still has the legs just about to make surging runs but his vision has improved greatly, he is less selfish and is now better at making space for himself.
Family life seems to have settled him down too.
I think he will be an important player for us next year and DC can certainly build the midfield around him for the next 2 years.
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Post by Blackbeard on May 14, 2016 15:50:33 GMT
Yep he was mint in the annexe on promotion day
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