Gullscorer wrote:There are players in the team who are not the players they were last season, and others who've lost form over the course of this campaign. I wouldn't knock Downes, who has consistently played well. But if Kevin Nicholson 'lost his legs', other players have also lost something, even Lee Mansell, whose error led to Downes' dismissal last night.
With regards to these 2 players in particular; I wonder how much of their 'averageness' this year is due to comparisons with just how great a season they both had last season. In statistics this is known as 'reverting to the mean' - returning to a previously expected level following a period of either over- or under-performance.
Although it has to be said that it could just be they're getting older.
CP Gull wrote:What may change Knill's thinking is that unfortunately Downes will serve a TWO match suspension as it is his second straight red of the season (h v Rochdale) and so he will miss both the Southend (a) and the Chesterfield (h) games. For that reason, I think Knill may try and bring in another centre half before Saturday ... IF he can.
It's clear, judging by his post match tweets, that he (Downes) feels like he has let himself and everyone else at the club down, and he came in for some over the top stick last night, in the "heat of the moment" on twitter from one "fan" in particular. Extremely harsh on Downes, yes he has been poor the last couple of games and cost us goals and quite possibly points but as far as I am concerned he has been head and shoulders our best and most consistent performer this season and he deserves to be cut a bit of slack.
I am sure Downes will be absolutely gutted to be missing two vitally important games in our run in and in particular the home match against his old team Chesterfield, where (in the away) game he seemingly gave one of his best performances earlier in he season.
Like I say, with only one (Saah) experienced centre half and one inexperienced (MacDonald - who has it must be said never let us down) one and one totally untried one (Hutchings) I think Knill will try and fetch another one in.
totall agree - particularly the highlighted bit.
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I would look to loan a centre back who can play right back. In a relegation battle we need fullbacks who are gonna stay back. Leadbitters positional sense is zero. Speedy yes but way too raw to be in the side, and Oastler has been abysmal all season, lets get someone in to cover Downes. MacDonald is ok but we dont seem physically strong enough with only Saah who is a physical at the back without Downes.
supergulls wrote:If you were the gaffer what would you do for the game with Southend on Saturday regarding Aaron Downes one match suspension.
Scenario 1. You try to get someone in on loan which will be extremely difficult for 1 match.
Scenario 2. We start with Brian and Angus and have no back up center back on the bench.
Scenario 3. Again we start with Brian and Angus but take 1st year pro center back Jake Hutchings to sit on the bench as cover.
I added the last scenario as I'm not sure if kirtys can be recalled from his loan move and I've heard that although young Hutchings needs to fill out a little he is a better prospect.
I've got some abysmal news for you, Super.. Downer is banned for TWO matches for being sent off for the second time this season.
supergulls wrote:With regards to Nico he's going to be 33 this year so I would say the latter, that time has caught him up.
To agree with Scott, 33 is in now way old! Even for a footballer, most can manage until they are 34 or 5.
Wasn't is last summer when Nicho came back for training 'fitter than he's ever been'?
Gary Johnson's Yellow Army! Yellow Army! Yellow Army!
He may have been fitter, but being fitter doesn't make you faster... He's got no pace !! He stands off a player so he has a head start in case he gets skinned. Allowing the winger too much time and too much space to do as he wants.
33 isn't old for a footballer, but his currently ability isn't good enough for league 2 anymore.
Maybe still would be a good handy sub or maybe not i don't know. What doesn't help is that he tries to much, like to often trying a big switch and losing the ball after the side have passed the ball about.
I think the problem with Nicho apart from his obvious lack of pace is confidence, Ever since the Cheltenham playoff game where McGlashen frightened him to death he has been a shadow of his former self. Fullbacks need to boss the winger pushing them in the direction they want. As Supergulls says , He stands off too far which allows the wingers too much time on the ball. You need to restrict space so to limit options. Even when they don’t beat him they have so much room they have so many options to bring others into play. I think Gurneygibbs23s criticism of Oastler is a bit unfair. I watched Joe early in the season and until his sending off at Bristol Rovers I thought he looked our best player. Seems to be another lacking belief in their own ability.
