Oh dear, seems I disagree

[ruocul]

For the previous 2 games we had changed our midfield by putting Perry NG and Harry Pickering in the centre. Resulting in a good away win against Morecambe, and a credible performance against Luton. Certainly a 75% improvement on our virtually non-existent midfield. Would not want to repeat on here my words when I heard the team announced on RS.

Utter astonishment, the midfield that had looked so promising broken up and sent back into defence. Have to confess I was not aware that Lowery was injured. I had presumed that our management had finally come to their senses and dropped him. Oh how wrong can you be. Looks like he is first choice for CM. For me he is the principal reason we have had a non-existent midfield for most of the season. Lacks any discipline and runs round like a headless chicken with minimum contribution. Was not surprised when we were 3-0 down after 20 minutes.

So we ended up getting a 3-3 result. Was the comeback down to the management or the players. Not for me in any way. Two people IMO were to be credited with that. First our undisputed MOM the referee. Secondly the Blackburn manager. Why he elected to go negative and defensive when they went down to 10 men was a big surprise. No sound reason for that. They could and should have carried on attacking us. Up to that point we had no midfield and our forwards therefore were as usual isolated. He virtually handed us the replay on a plate.

Regretably I have to say that after that team selection and first 30 minute display I have very little confidence in Dave Artell. Lovely man but feel he is not ready to manage at this level. Leaves me very concerned for the rest of the season.

[jimmyboldon]

Lowery could score a hat trick, save. 3 on the line and you would still criisise. Note who pressured the Blackburn defender!

[somersetcrewe]

Are you height-ist?
Have a look at the highlights.
He was at the centre of anything good yesterday.
Just be thankful we have someone who is comfortable on the ball so that we dont just resort to hoofing the ball forwards - or is that the style you prefer?
I hope he's there in the middle on Saturday.

By the sounds of things, the worst decision DA made yesterday was taking Ainley off.
Sounds like both he and George had their defence (ok, what was left of it ;) ) on toast!

[ruocul]

Jimmy you really are a total laugh. Would be interested in what you drink before the games, really must be potent stuff.
Wow score 3 and save 3 could that possibly be fantasy football. It would appear you are a great admirer of the headless chicken type player.

The young boy may have potential for all I know, but someone really should start to coach him and show him how football should be played.

[ruocul]

No Somerset I am not biased against players below 5`9". No I do not like hoofball, it is totally unproductive. Do I like the way Lowery plays? Most certainly not, he is a total liability. This brilliant passing you talk about. I presume you have clips of them, and I would so love to see them.

Take it Somerset that you totally dislike Perry NG and Harry Pickering in midfield. What have you got against them? Were you aware that Perry NG is recognised a one of the most accurate passers of the ball in our whole squad. Were you aware that NG and Pickering are considered the two with the most attacking attitude, as well as the strongest tacklers?

Best to stick with the headless chicken type. You can so relate to.

[somersetcrewe]

Take it Somerset that you totally dislike Perry NG and Harry Pickering in midfield. What have you got against them?



Nothing at all.
Never said I did.
I just haven't seen them in that role, and I can only go on what I see - which will resume at Whaddon Road on Saturday!

I'm one of the few remaining strong advocates of the academy so Perry and Harry get my vote for a 1st XI berth every time. And what I will say, about Perry especially, is that he seems to have quashed that theory that all our youngsters are soft. I like him, he looks like he can handle himself out there and give as good as he gets.

But you always need a player who can thread a pass.
We had it with Kenny in our heyday, and we have it with Tommy now.
They have a lot in common - the grief they get for not completing a pass, but the chances are always greater for that type of player because passing is what they do, that is their game. The law of averages say the more you try something the more times you will succeed and fail. That's just the maths!!

[ruocul]

Wow Somerset you really are keen on our young Tommy. Really impressed if he can thread a pass like Kenny. You must be aware of the incredible amount of assists Kenny achieved in his career.

In the stats how many assists has our young Tommy got to his name? A great big fat ZERO.

[Timmy58]

I feel I must chip in to defend our young midfielder. Personally, I think Lowery is going to be a very good player. He may be rather on the small side but he is happy to make tackles and is not intimidated by some of the big hairy arsed midfielders he comes up against. He may not have too many assists right now but we shouldn't forget that Kenny Lunt himself was not prolifically assisting from day one on the team. I think it is somewhat disrespectful to consider Lowery a headless chicken. He is a good young prospect learning the game. He has had a bit more football than I thought he would have but I guess that is down to the injury situation with Jones and Wintle.

[MikeSB]

I have no comment on the player himself as haven't see him play but my general observation of this sport is very few small players make the grade. Some do of course. George Best and Maradonna but these were exceptional players. My second point is the usual that we start to coach young boys for ten or more years which cost a few million pounds without knowing how they are going to develop, physically or mentally even with perceived footballing skills. And that begs the question. Given all that, are there better players out there in their late ****s or mid twenties in other academies and in non league that we can see now without too much risk or money?

My judgement is to look at all the other teams we play and ask that very simple question. Is he better or worse and its no good saying we have no alternative to play these 'kids' as there are plenty.

I know its a different game to when I was playing but ANY player playing in a midfield role that does not score goals or assist in them should not be on the pitch, or are being badly coached and/or are playing in the wrong position. Just my opinion folks!

[ruocul]

Very good point Mike. No he is not playing in the wrong position. The problem is he is playing in every position. He is supposed to be in cerntral midfield but he is never there. He is all over the place getting in the way of all the other players/. That is why we are shipping all these goals

Mike ypu must have heard Terry on RS the other week talking about Lowery "He cannot score, he cannot attack, and he cannot defend" Unfortunately that is absolutely accurate. I know you are not keen on coaching, but boy does that young boy need it.

[MikeSB]

Very good point Mike. No he is not playing in the wrong position. The problem is he is playing in every position. He is supposed to be in cerntral midfield but he is never there. He is all over the place getting in the way of all the other players/. That is why we are shipping all these goals

Mike ypu must have heard Terry on RS the other week talking about Lowery "He cannot score, he cannot attack, and he cannot defend" Unfortunately that is absolutely accurate. I know you are not keen on coaching, but boy does that young boy need it.

Haha, really, made me laugh that, thanks and maybe just maybe why some fans think he catches the eye ie chasing the ball....Mind you I remember another diminutive midfield player of yesteryear that did that and he was everywhere, took the throw ins and the corners and all the free kicks and his name? Alan Ball..Height 5'6" scored 180 goals and played for England too..so who knows?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Ball_Jr.

[Me For Crewe]

Wow Somerset you really are keen on our young Tommy. Really impressed if he can thread a pass like Kenny. You must be aware of the incredible amount of assists Kenny achieved in his career.

In the stats how many assists has our young Tommy got to his name? A great big fat ZERO.

Give the lad a break. For what its worth I think that he is doing okay and going in the right direction. On Sunday he always seemed to be in the correct position when we were passing the ball from one wing to the other when Blackburn were on the ropes, certainly not running around like a headless chicken. As for stats, I might be out by one or two games, but I remember when Powell came into our team it took him something like twenty eight games before he found the back of the net. Its a good job that we didn't give up on him.

[somersetcrewe]

Wow Somerset you really are keen on our young Tommy.



I think the lad's got great potential if that's what you mean.
I certainly don't think he is the reason why we get over-run in midfield, as you seem to be suggesting.
That's a collective responsibility.

As for assists, I couldn't give a damn who gets them, so long as we score.
People can read too much into stats.
From what I see, Tommy tends to lie deeper than Kenny ever did, so the chances of his pass being the final one is less.
So long as he finds a red shirt (which some DO find difficult), then that will do for me.

The "headless chicken" comment is an interesting one, I'll look out for that on Saturday because I'm certain he will start.
What it does suggest is that he is a 100%-er and that ain't a bad thing.

I'm not sure it is helpful though to bring the likes of Best, Ball ...........and Maradona!!! ..........into the conversation. I'm not sure anyone rates Tommy quite that highly .................yet!!! ;)

[gazan]

To me the problem with Lowery is not the lad himself but the tactics employed when he plays. He should be playing in a midfield which includes Walker alongside him. Most of the time he plays in a literally lightweight midfield 3 who are easily bypassed when we haven't got the ball.
As for headless chicken in my opinion he is someone who puts in the mileage.
As for the. ' can't score idea, he reminds me of Sorvel, only more talented.

[MikeSB]

Any player that does not give 100% should not be on the pitch when there are 5 subs.

I think that is the least best argument for a player imo...If there is such a thing as 110% which of course there isn't but we know it means playing over and above what is expected then if we are not doing that with our league position, then I don't know what will? Apart from being paid by results may help that is..100% effort = 100% pay.....50% effort, 50% pay...and so on!

[out0lunch]

Well roucul you don’t seem to like Lowery. You have either got a relative who he is keeping out of the team or you are on a wind up
From your recent comments about him you were obviously at Blackburn and other games to base your opinion on him.

I could not make the game but I have just looked at the video of the game approx. 2.22 minutes long and saw 3 passes he made including the one to Porter for the penalty. I suppose that doesn’t count as an assist though. However in the short clip he makes 3 excellent passes.
I have watched him in the youth games and was not surprised when he made the first team. He certainly can tackle and gets a lot of stick from the opposition
You are entitled to your opinion about him but it certainly varies from the majority on here

Mike you missed out Messi for small players lol
Your point about bringing in non-league players is valid to a degree but by their early to mid-twenties they are playing part time with jobs
I know of one player recently playing in the 8th tier who turned down an offer of a contract from Derby as he was in a very good and well paying job as well as £600 pw playing part time.
It is harder to get them to sign from non-league

[ruocul]

Well I will stick to my views based on what I have seen this season. If as you say the majority disagree me. so be it. One small point if this absolute gem, this mega star of the future is that good how come we are only 3 points above the relegation slots? Would seem to me that your arguments do not hold much water.. the relegation zone in crappy league2.

I am extremely concerned about our current position. I feel that if we do not change our midfield immediately we are going to be one of the hot favourites for the drop. We have to return to Perry NG and Harry Pickering or something similar. At least then we were competitive and balanced, something we have not been all season. Also find it hard to understand why Brad Walker is not in our midfield.

Oh blast I have been caught out at last. I only have 4 relatives in the first team squad, and 6 nephews in the Academy. And here I was trying to keep it secret

[gazan]

The point is, ruocul, I agree that Perry and Harry did a good job in midfield and added a bit of bite and I was also surprised when these two were pushed back into being full-backs. However, what I do disagree with is your view of Lowery- the lad has talent, which is NOT the same as saying he is the next Lionel Messi!
And...Nick Powell was playing for us when we were 18th in League 2. Does this mean he was crap???

[ruocul]

A true comedian comparing him with Nick Powell. Please, Nick was a joy to watch, such balance strength, vision, and amazing runs. Seems the young lad went wrong somewhere, but have seen him recently a few times and he looks like he has got his appetite back. I really hope so.

The only talent I have seen so far for your young boy is giving stupid goals away. He is really good at that. His running all over the pitch actually leaves us with only ONE midfielder in our half of the pitch. A good question for you Mike, if you only have one midfielder in our half are you going to win or lose the match? Remember that Cooper and Ainley are not known for their defending abilities.

And that is exactly why he should not be in the team.

[MikeSB]

A true comedian comparing him with Nick Powell. Please, Nick was a joy to watch, such balance strength, vision, and amazing runs. Seems the young lad went wrong somewhere, but have seen him recently a few times and he looks like he has got his appetite back. I really hope so.

The only talent I have seen so far for your young boy is giving stupid goals away. He is really good at that. His running all over the pitch actually leaves us with only ONE midfielder in our half of the pitch. A good question for you Mike, if you only have one midfielder in our half are you going to win or lose the match? Remember that Cooper and Ainley are not known for their defending abilities.

And that is exactly why he should not be in the team.

Does the adverts and video adverts on this site get on your nerves but even newspapers are doing the same now.

In answer to your question Luckour, It depends on what the tactics are. Some fans think that football tactics only started when Dario took over but I saw some really great teams in the past even of the 1960's when I saw the great Spurs playing when they had away matches nearby and they had what was called the 'push and run' tactics back then which meant that when the team was in possession of the ball, all the outfield players moved up the pitch together and so pushed back the other team and the opposite when defending. It seems pretty obvious right? Well how do we account for players being so static nowadays and then can't make a simple pass and it needs ten years coaching? However if Lowery is getting in the way of everyone in order to please, then he needs some more guidance as you said...

[somersetcrewe]

One small point if this absolute gem, this mega star of the future is that good how come we are only 3 points above the relegation slots?



I've often thought about this.
What difference would a Messi or Ronaldo-type make to this team, how much higher would we be?
Higher for sure, but top of the league? in the automatic promotion spots? play-offs? Who knows!?!
It takes more than one player to make a team.

But that's all beside the point.
Lowery isn't one of those, no-one has ever said he is but neither is anyone else in our squad.
Lowery has as much potential as anyone else we have and until he drops a clanger, he deserves to keep his place.
I'm assuming you think he drops one (if you pardon the pun!) every time he takes the field. I tend to disagree.

I'm curious to know where else you think we could improve - because our current plight cannot be down to one young lad!!!

[ruocul]

I think we would definitely improve if we had Perry NG, Harry Pickering, and Brad Walker in our midfield. We would be more competitive, better balanced, and physically stronger. I would also include Cooper and Ainley but give them each a portion of the game.

My first 3 names would also provide far greater cover for our defence than the current selection. Plus our forwards would not be isolated as they are now. With the proper service Porter, Bowery, and Dagnall have the potential for a lot of goals.

I also feel we would improve if Kenny Lunt was left on his own on the touchline. Think Dave Artell shouts far too many varying instructions and it makes a lot of players unsure of what to do for the best.

[MikeSB]

I think we would definitely improve if we had Perry NG, Harry Pickering, and Brad Walker in our midfield. We would be more competitive, better balanced, and physically stronger. I would also include Cooper and Ainley but give them each a portion of the game.

My first 3 names would also provide far greater cover for our defence than the current selection. Plus our forwards would not be isolated as they are now. With the proper service Porter, Bowery, and Dagnall have the potential for a lot of goals.

I also feel we would improve if Kenny Lunt was left on his own on the touchline. Think Dave Artell shouts far too many varying instructions and it makes a lot of players unsure of what to do for the best.

I was watching some old footage of some Spurs games and it showed the manager Bill Nicholson sitting in the Stands with the rest of the Directors and having manager/coaches on the touchline in technical areas is relatively new. I think its counter productive when you should let the players get on with and the tactics should be decided before hand and that is why you have a Captain to gee up players and to convey instructions to them but that should only be a rarity. These changes are not necessarily for the best imo of course...

[gazan]

Ruocul please leave my last again....carefully! I did not compare Lowery with Powell. I was drawing a comparison to your. 'logic' re: how can Lowery be so good if we are so low in the league.
There is no way he is anywhere near the finished product. However, he is talented. The big problem for us is that we do not have a stable midfield. That is where we need to be stronger. For me, we shouldn't be persevering with Cooper just on his potential. He is clearly a major provider of assists but we shouldn't be so reliant on him.
We do not have a settled team and DA doesn't know his best team. Too many lightweight attack-minded players.
This post wanders a bit - sorry about that

[gazan]

I definitely wrote 'read' but my phone decided it knew better and replaced it with 'leave' in the first line.