Southampton Gull wrote:I don't doubt Lavercombe as a genuine prospect but as was shown against Bromley, if he's thrown into the team we have right now then he is too exposed and you know as well as I do how that can dent the confidence of a young keeper.
Lavercombe was not at fault for the 3-7 defeat it was the two people running the side they did not have a clue. The formation allowed McDonald look an idiot as he ended up at right back causing the problems. Dean should have altered this after twenty minutes but did nothing. Lavercombe is a confident young man and believes in himself.
Can I ask at what age did you started playing at this level, Jack Butland was playing for Clevedon and played against us for Cheltenham age only matters if maturityis not there Dan has shewn he is ready.
Nobody seemed to criticise when Lavercombe played the last 7 games last season as No.1 keeper; in fact he was praised for his performances, so much so that Liverpool were interested.
Lavercombe played in the last 5 games, of which our squad was a lot stronger and more confident, it was in a period of games when our squad finishing the season strongly, unlike right now.
I didn't blame him at the time, and still don't, he should never of played, Lavercombe's performance v Bromley was nothing short of embarrassing.
forevertufc wrote:Lavercombe played in the last 5 games, of which our squad was a lot stronger and more confident, it was in a period of games when our squad finishing the season strongly, unlike right now.
I didn't blame him at the time, and still don't, he should never of played, Lavercombe's performance v Bromley was nothing short of embarrassing.
I would not fault him for the defeat and maybe only blame him for one of the goals I don't know what game you were watching. I know this conversation with you will go know where but as I've said before Hargreaves gave Lavercombe his chance and he took it with both hands.
arcadia wrote:
Lavercombe was not at fault for the 3-7 defeat it was the two people running the side they did not have a clue. The formation allowed McDonald look an idiot as he ended up at right back causing the problems. Dean should have altered this after twenty minutes but did nothing. Lavercombe is a confident young man and believes in himself.
Can I ask at what age did you started playing at this level, Jack Butland was playing for Clevedon and played against us for Cheltenham age only matters if maturityis not there Dan has shewn he is ready.
I didn't say he was at fault I said he was left exposed. Speiss had a poor game at Basingstoke and I'm pretty sure he'll be rested on Saturday giving Lavercombe a chance to stake a claim for a regular place in the starting eleven.
To take this back to our current goalkeeping situation, last season it has to be remembered, Lavercombe came in for the last 5 games and had a very experienced centre back partnership in front of him (Pearce/Downes) the importance of this for a very young inexperienced goalkeeper should not be underestimated, to have players who've been through the game at a much higher level, been there done it, worn the tee-shirt in the game would have been a massive plus for Lavercombe, two defenders who would have found it comfortable talking and helping Dan through the game.
Now with MacDonald and Smith, we're talking about two relative babies as far as the game is concerned. Football is a game of opinions, do I, personally think Lavercombe has the potential to go on, and enjoy a successful career in the game, yes I, very much do believe that . Do I, personally think Lavercombe is ready to take the no 1 shirt at Torquay, no, not at the moment, the evidence was there for all see during and especially after the Bromley game, when the young lad looked distressed.
For Lavercombe to develop in the game, what he doesn't need is putting back in the first team and chucked to the lions again, it will do him more harm than good, what he does need is for an opportunity to move to a club further up the food chain as said, for development football, such an opportunity was nearly found a couple of weeks ago (apparently) I'm led to believe a new opportunity for Lavercombe to move may be on the horizon, if gets such a move I will only wish him well, I'm for youngsters making it in the game, I worked with lads up to 18 years old who were in academies and didn't make it, seen first hand just what an effect it can have on some of these lads.
