National Highlights Show on BT Sport

[Scott Brehaut]

Hargreaves is just looking out for himself like anyone in his position would, he can talk a good game but can't manage Shearers just as bad.

You were calling for Courtney Richards to be dropped a few games ago.
He's been in almost everybody's top five lists all season (in fact, you're one of the few people not to have named him the last game you attended and voted on). I realise we all view games differently, but there are also times when we simply get it wrong - I notice you've not yet thought that about him.....how many more games will he need to play before you realise you have got it wrong. You're fortunate Tomo isn't a poster who likes saying I told you so, because he certainly did, and you refused to accept it then

[Kit_robin]

You were calling for Courtney Richards to be dropped a few games ago.
He's been in almost everybody's top five lists all season (in fact, you're one of the few people not to have named him the last game you attended and voted on). I realise we all view games differently, but there are also times when we simply get it wrong - I notice you've not yet thought that about him.....how many more games will he need to play before you realise you have got it wrong. You're fortunate Tomo isn't a poster who likes saying I told you so, because he certainly did, and you refused to accept it then

I know we are now getting off topic but I have to say I don't really rate Richards either. Can't fault his effort or desire, but his positioning is awful (no one ever wondered why he has to run around so much?), his passing is poor, his shooting is weak and his game management is non existent. Imagine what a player like Young would have done with all that space, time, and shooting opportunity Richards found himself with on Saturday? Mind boggles.

I did name him in my top five once or twice this season, but that says more about the rest of the squad than it does about him.

EDIT: prime example eastleigh's first goal, which I watched after typing the above. Due to Richards poor positioning Hurst has to come inside to press the ball, leaving space for the winger. When Hurst challenged the younger Richards just watches the ball (a very bad habit of his) and does not try and cover runners I to the box where odubade pops up in some space. This is classic Richards play, and puts loads of added pressure on our back five.

[Dave]

Just maintain the off topic nature for a minute here, when it comes to Richards ability to pass and distribute the ball, I'm in full agreement it is lacking there's no doubt.

I can not be critical of his positioning, because what I/we do not know is what position/job he's told maintain/do by the manager, had this discussion Saturday, one of the lads I was with, who kept saying why doesn't Richards get forward, why doesn't he attack that space, my reply was; what happens if the manager has told him to take up and maintain defensive position, he would then being doing the job given to him.

I've put Richards as motm for the last two games for a reason, Saturday Richards was the only player 0-90 minutes that worked his nuts off, he attempted to and at times did succeed to break up play v Cheltenham and Eastleigh, Saturday he was the only who kept his head held high and constantly encouraged others to step there game up, again Monday, he's the only player form 0-90 minutes in both games that looked like the score line was hurting him, if all the others players had played with that passion, energy and commitment for the full games, instead of bits of the games both Saturday and Monday, we might just have nicked a couple of points.

When you lack a bit of quality as our team does, no point denying it, then passion, energy and commitment can and will go a long way to narrowing the gap.

[Kit_robin]

I agree forever, and that is exactly why I have picked him recently as one of the better players on the day. Richards seems to have a fantastic attitude and always grafts, it's the other areas that are the problem!

Disagree slightly a out the positioning aspect. I agree we don't always know what job has been given to a player,but I severely doubt Cox has ever told him to "jog quite slowly while watching the ball, don't bother looking around you" for example, or "don't bother tracking runners Courteney, even if you're 30 yards out from our own goal".

He is still young and can learn, but I hope for our sake (and his) that he learns quickly, as I can't see a manager like Cox putting up with it forever.

[Dave]

I agree forever, and that is exactly why I have picked him recently as one of the better players on the day. Richards seems to have a fantastic attitude and always grafts, it's the other areas that are the problem!

Disagree slightly a out the positioning aspect. I agree we don't always know what job has been given to a player,but I severely doubt Cox has ever told him to "jog quite slowly while watching the ball, don't bother looking around you" for example, or "don't bother tracking runners Courteney, even if you're 30 yards out from our own goal".

He is still young and can learn, but I hope for our sake (and his) that he learns quickly, as I can't see a manager like Cox putting up with it forever.

Some fair points made in your post, which I fully accept.