Cbr

[gazan]

What's the current verdict? He's joint top scorer and.......what else? Is his goal tally sufficient to warrant his place in the team? I don't know I'm just putting it out there for people's opinions.
He doesn't achieve many knock downs, he can't hold the ball up, he can't beat a man with the ball at his feet. Or maybe I'm missing something.
Last season (well the start of it) he was a nuisance factor, rough-housing the opposition defence and unsettling them and generally causing havoc. This season, it seems, blowing on your opposite number is a cardable offence. This situation robs him of his main asset.
So has he become a luxury or, as mentioned earlier, are his goals enough? Is it a luxury to have 3 upfront when our midfield is a bit thin? Would we need to rejig the formation if he was dropped or would Nevitt just move in?
A question also needs to be asked of Long recently but that's surely another thread.

[Timmy58]

What's the current verdict? He's joint top scorer and.......what else? Is his goal tally sufficient to warrant his place in the team? I don't know I'm just putting it out there for people's opinions.
He doesn't achieve many knock downs, he can't hold the ball up, he can't beat a man with the ball at his feet. Or maybe I'm missing something.
Last season (well the start of it) he was a nuisance factor, rough-housing the opposition defence and unsettling them and generally causing havoc. This season, it seems, blowing on your opposite number is a cardable offence. This situation robs him of his main asset.
So has he become a luxury or, as mentioned earlier, are his goals enough? Is it a luxury to have 3 upfront when our midfield is a bit thin? Would we need to rejig the formation if he was dropped or would Nevitt just move in?
A question also needs to be asked of Long recently but that's surely another thread.

CBR adds height at both ends of the pitch. And his goals have contributed to our excellent start to the season. Last night our front three were well managed by the opposition and it is easy to criticise them for the lack of opportunities taken. Sometimes we have to give credit to the opposition and last night was one of those occasions. That said, CBR's work rate is not at the same level of Nev, Tracey or Long. It is a fine balance really as I suspect he is more of a goal threat than Nev.

Not sure what questions need to be asked of Long though.

[frogpole]

CBR adds height at both ends of the pitch. And his goals have contributed to our excellent start to the season. Last night our front three were well managed by the opposition and it is easy to criticise them for the lack of opportunities taken. Sometimes we have to give credit to the opposition and last night was one of those occasions. That said, CBR's work rate is not at the same level of Nev, Tracey or Long. It is a fine balance really as I suspect he is more of a goal threat than Nev.

Not sure what questions need to be asked of Long though.

Might be a good idea to start Nev on Saturday.

Always tend to think of either Nev or CBR - bit like Ashton or Hulse back in the day, BUT how about playing both together (?)

[gazan]

Might be a good idea to start Nev on Saturday.

Always tend to think of either Nev or CBR - bit like Ashton or Hulse back in the day, BUT how about playing both together (?)

How would you rearrange the team to accommodate that idea?

[frogpole]

How would you rearrange the team to accommodate that idea?

Loadsa ways to fit them both in, 4-4-2 would be a good starter for ten

Been done pretty successfully in the past - eg Clark/Jones (Leeds) Toshack/Keegan (Liverpool) Cole/Yorke (Man U)

[gazan]

Loadsa ways to fit them both in, 4-4-2 would be a good starter for ten

Been done pretty successfully in the past - eg Clark/Jones (Leeds) Toshack/Keegan (Liverpool) Cole/Yorke (Man U)

But I meant who would you drop?

[gazan]

I wasn't directly criticising CBR in starting this thread (though by starting it I suppose there could be an implicit suggestion of this!). I was sort of thinking aloud and wondered how other people see him. Of course his height and strength certainly help when defending.
Re; questions about Long - it was certainly not intended as any personal criticism but more about how he is deployed as the last 2 games have seen little impact from him.

[Timmy58]

Long has had two quiet games but I do think he is the best footballer on our books.

[frogpole]

Thought he put in a shift and a half today, was absolutely shattered before the end of the game.

Good to see Nev and CBR playing together - thought it 'sort of' worked (?)

[whosbrianwilson]

Agree with Frogpole. CBR worked his nuts off today...seemingly wound up by the handbags clash with their no 5. Needs something to wind him up.