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!!

[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