Mattock

[dpjfox]

Has he been cleared to play on Saturday?(instead of joining England squad).
Hope so because we need him at left back, we have reasonable alternatives for left midfiield (ie Clemence, Hayes, Hellings or Newton), we do not want to start the season off with players out of position ie Chambers or Kenton at left back.

 

[PONTUS KAAMARK]

Has he been cleared to play on Saturday?(instead of joining England squad).
Hope so because we need him at left back, we have reasonable alternatives for left midfiield (ie Clemence, Hayes, Hellings or Newton), we do not want to start the season off with players out of position ie Chambers or Kenton at left back.

I think the choices at LW wing are just as weak. I really dont want our best midfielder and captain starting on the wing. I dont see Hellings or Newton as good choices ether.

Get a LB and a LW quick please Martin......

 

[dpjfox]

MA has said the training ground closes 10am Thursday to go through final preparations (with Saturdays team i assume) therefore if he plans to get someone in for the Blackpool game it will be tonight or tomorrow (but ive been saying that to myself everyday).

 

[fludie]

I would want him playing.

 

[Graz]

I think the choices at LW wing are just as weak. I really dont want our best midfielder and captain starting on the wing. I dont see Hellings or Newton as good choices ether.

Get a LB and a LW quick please Martin......

Completely agree, with how many players we've brought in and the money we're spending, then it seems a waste of all that good work if we don't top it off by signing a LB and LW. Quality in those 2 positions could make the difference between playoffs/promotion and mid-table obscurity.

Seems crazy with how many players we've brought in, the problem area we still have is probably the same area as we've had it in for a couple of seasons. Never should have sold Jordan Stewart


The only options we have for the left at the moment in my eyes are Mattock, Hayes, and possibly Sheehan, 2 of whom are possibly out injured for Saturday.

 

[indierich06]

I don't see why everyone's so bothered about this left back situation. We've got Chambers, Kenton and Sheehan who can play there, as well as Mattock when he's fit. What's the problem?

 

[Melton Fox]

MA has said the training ground closes 10am Thursday to go through final preparations (with Saturdays team i assume) therefore if he plans to get someone in for the Blackpool game it will be tonight or tomorrow (but ive been saying that to myself everyday).

I don't think the training ground is closed to players though, I'm sure any late comers will still be allowed in.

 

[Graz]

I don't see why everyone's so bothered about this left back situation. We've got Chambers, Kenton and Sheehan who can play there, as well as Mattock when he's fit. What's the problem?

Because Sheehan and Mattock are the only ones who play there naturally.


Saying Chambers and Kenton can play left back is pretty much the same as saying Hughes can play right wing (or like saying Elvis can play football!)...


They'll play there, but they won't play there well. No square pegs in round holes and all that... We shouldn't be going into a season with the plan of playing players out of their natural positions.

 

[Hazzman]

I don't see why everyone's so bothered about this left back situation. We've got Chambers, Kenton and Sheehan who can play there, as well as Mattock when he's fit. What's the problem?

Yes one of which is naturally left-foot. Chambers doesn't look as steady at left-back as he does across the pitch. Kenton is simply not a full-back. Sheehan sees scarlett all the time.

Mattock looks the best option and seem injured for a good 2 weeks to be fully fit. Left midfield for me is a concern also.

 

[PONTUS KAAMARK]

I don't see why everyone's so bothered about this left back situation. We've got Chambers, Kenton and Sheehan who can play there, as well as Mattock when he's fit. What's the problem?

Because we have spent the last three seasons playing people out of position and look where it got us.

You wouldnt play a left footer at right back would you? So why are we thinking its ok to play a right footer at left back? I dont get it.

I dont want to critiscise player who we havent really seen but Chambers looked far better at right back in the pre season game I saw. He looked woeful at Left back. (please dont get me wrong I do think this guy will be a good player for us but just not as a left back).

 

[PONTUS KAAMARK]

We shouldn't be going into a season with the plan of playing players out of their natural positions.

Especially not when we have the cash available to get players in with. It should have been sorted.

 

[Melton Fox]

Spot on Pontus. We have had too many managers trying to pick the 11 best players and finding positions for them.

IMO, you work on a formation and then choose the best player for each position.

It's also where I believe the England team suffers, trying to pick the 11 best players instead of the best available for each position.

 

[PONTUS KAAMARK]

I think we should have got Stephen Jordan who has gone to Burnley.

 

[Micky]

I think we should have got Stephen Jordan who has gone to Burnley.

Yes, I quite fancy Jordan.

 

[SJN-Fox]

Especially not when we have the cash available to get players in with. It should have been sorted.

Who do you recommend then PK ??

 

[PONTUS KAAMARK]

I think we should have got Stephen Jordan who has gone to Burnley.

 

[SJN-Fox]

Clearly the powers that be thought otherwise. No doubt it will come back to haunt us later in the year!

 

[dpjfox]

If Jordan plays instead of Harley we should go for him!

 

[indierich06]

Because we have spent the last three seasons playing people out of position and look where it got us.

You wouldnt play a left footer at right back would you? So why are we thinking its ok to play a right footer at left back? I dont get it.

I dont want to critiscise player who we havent really seen but Chambers looked far better at right back in the pre season game I saw. He looked woeful at Left back. (please dont get me wrong I do think this guy will be a good player for us but just not as a left back).

Just because people aren't naturally left footed, doesn't mean they can't play on the left side of the pitch. Joe Cole's right footed and so is Aaron Lennon, but they can both play on the left without any problems. I'm pretty sure Phil Neville is right footed but plays on the left most of the time. I know those players are a big step up in class, but there's no reason why someone who is right footed can't play, and play well, on the left.

I wouldn't be too worried if Chambers or Kenton played there as MA obviously doesn't seem too concerned about it at the moment - plus I'm sure he won't be pinning all his hopes on a kid just out of the academy. I would prefer that we signed a natural left back, but if we don't then it won't keep me up at night - after all, MA has been with the players for a couple of months now and as long as he's satisfied then he's got my full support.

 

[Mike - True Blue Tinter]

All the signs are that the last couple of players coming in might well be Prem loans. It may simply be a matter of time for the Prem club to finish buying in order to release the relevant player - in the same way we have just made Gradel and Logan available for loan. I am confident that a natural left-sided player is high on the priority list. You do not just 'grab' a player to make up the numbers. MM and MA may also have been hoping to 'offload' the likes of Douglas, Maybury and Hughes first to free-up some decent wages for a Prem player!