v SSB's Saturday

[BackRowArab]

Booth was a better option than Robson and we let him go, he kept him out the side long enough too

No, just no.

Booth is/was not a better option than anyone.

[BudMill90]

My opinion on Robson is that he is an OK left back in this league. He is better in some areas than Calum Booth (for example) and weaker in others. Compare him to most other left backs in the Premiership and he is fairly similar. Can't think of many outside the top 4 that are miles ahead of him.

He has a number of areas he needs to improve on, thats a fact, no one can disagree with that, but he also has areas that he shows real promise in.

The reality is that nearly every player in our squad bar a small handful could be replaced for 'better', but what does that really mean?

If our squad stays the same in the summer (with out of contract players leaving) then there are number of positions we'll need to strengthen before a left back becomes a priority in my eyes. I feel we need:

1 winger (highest priority)
1 centre back (with Reynolds ageing and the youngsters not there yet, we need 1 more)
1 central midfielder (similar to Butcher/Fuchs)
1 attacking central midfielder who can link the play (basically not Harkes or Clark)

These are 4 areas I feel we need to strengthen before left back. You could say its more important that we sign a striker as McNulty will be away. If Shankland goes then a striker is a top priority, but right now we have Shankland, Appere and Clark for next season, so its further down the list in my eyes.

So yeah, we maybe could do with a new left back, but only if we have enough budget to get one on top of the areas above.

[tHeArAb]

My opinion on Robson is that he is an OK left back in this league. He is better in some areas than Calum Booth (for example) and weaker in others. Compare him to most other left backs in the Premiership and he is fairly similar. Can't think of many outside the top 4 that are miles ahead of him.

He has a number of areas he needs to improve on, thats a fact, no one can disagree with that, but he also has areas that he shows real promise in.

The reality is that nearly every player in our squad bar a small handful could be replaced for 'better', but what does that really mean?

If our squad stays the same in the summer (with out of contract players leaving) then there are number of positions we'll need to strengthen before a left back becomes a priority in my eyes. I feel we need:

1 winger (highest priority)
1 centre back (with Reynolds ageing and the youngsters not there yet, we need 1 more)
1 central midfielder (similar to Butcher/Fuchs)
1 attacking central midfielder who can link the play (basically not Harkes or Clark)

These are 4 areas I feel we need to strengthen before left back. You could say its more important that we sign a striker as McNulty will be away. If Shankland goes then a striker is a top priority, but right now we have Shankland, Appere and Clark for next season, so its further down the list in my eyes.

So yeah, we maybe could do with a new left back, but only if we have enough budget to get one on top of the areas above.

Good post mate. Out of interest where do you think he is showing real promise? I genuinely struggle to see it. He's poor in the air, poor positionally (forever getting ragdolled as GB puts it) and he's a bit of a liability at set pieces as we've seen numerous times this season. He makes the odd great run now & then but 9/10 makes a complete arse of the end product.

[darrenshedtastic]

I do get why people think Robson isn't the greatest but look at where he was just a few years ago. He was very bad in our championship seasons. Remember we've had 4years of Robson being a main stay in the squad rather than being on loan which would have happened if we were in the prem at the time. So all the mistakes he made were ones that most players would have been making it just so happens it was in our first team rather than on loan somewhere.

He has improved a lot pretty much once Neilson started playing him more. This season was another jump up in level and hes dealt with if fairly well. He does still need to improve aspects of his game but all things considering he is still developing and could be a very good player for us in the future.

Not every left back will be Andy Robertson. Most players need a period of adapting if they are still young or not played in the division before. If he has some competition next season then i reckon Robson will be very good next season.

[cybershed]

I think Robson has shown improvement in the last couple seasons.

Still room for improvement, but he still has time on his side. With someone brought in to challenge him for the LB shirt, that is something that could really help push him on.

Generally speaking, I'm on Jamie's side and still see him as a work in progress.

[stokearab]

Interesting debate on Jamie Robson. I thought he was more than decent on Saturday. People need to remember it's a step up to the Premiership this season and he's playing against better players. He was exposed by manager formations many times but when he has a player like Sporle in front of him it's noticeable that he plays much better.

As to the match itself, by half time I was underwhelmed. Stray passes, little cohesion and I was thinking the worst Sheep side in years might actually beat us.

Second half we really improved, Fuchs hit his game and we started to click at times. But here's the thing, it's just at times. When we hit top gear we look really dangerous but it's just not often enough over a full 90. Yet.
When we do somebody's going to get a 5-0 hammering off us. A little more poise, a bit more patience and better pass selection in the final third please.

I thought Liam Smith was outstanding, to me he's really impressed with his defending and his foraging up the line with good distribution on the end of it.

Was also impressed by Reynolds, kept tight on their attackers but never fouled them, great game from him.
Harkes, a player I've criticised a lot played an important pass in for the goal so credit where it's due.

Interesting that Mellon gave McNulty big
hug and smiles at the final whistle, McNulty was better than previously but seems to me provides less for LS than others do.

The most impressive thing is our collective energy, fitness, press and work rate right through the whole 90.

A good 3 points. Up ya Stephen Craigan Tom English Willie Miller Notso and any other doubters. Well done Magic Micky and the boys.

[A. J]

I think Robson has shown improvement in the last couple seasons.

Still room for improvement, but he still has time on his side. With someone brought in to challenge him for the LB shirt, that is something that could really help push him on.

Generally speaking, I'm on Jamie's side and still see him as a work in progress.

All Arabs support all those on the pitch trying to get us success
Re Robson I grew up collecting thon cards which had ratings in various categories, I can't think of a meaningful one where Jamie would score above 5 out of 10.
He is weak in the tackle, weak in the air and can't cross consistently, add to that he has no composure on the ball and his decision making both in terms of positional sense and distribution is poor.
As far as I can see his only contributions are to stand up and shove opposition players who dive and to hoof the ball up the line.

Asides from that he seems a good keen lad but imo not good enough

[offshore_arab83]

No, just no.

Booth is/was not a better option than anyone.

just kissed silver and cemented top 6...

[BackRowArab]

just kissed silver and cemented top 6...

Played less than 900 minutes for them this season, not exactly first choice

[offshore_arab83]

Played less than 900 minutes for them this season, not exactly first choice

started in the cup final, thats one winners medal more than any of our players this season.

I never got the dislike for Booth when he was with us?