Getting unfarily criticised on here. Started the season pretty well in my opinion for a lad that has never played Championship football before. He's getting better after each game and I don't remember a centre half who has won so many challenges in the air. Yes, he obviously has his faults as does every Championship player, or they'd be in the top flight. He's big, brilliant in the air and relaxed on the ball (maybe sometimes too much!) BUT if he was quick, he'd bein the top flight as he would be the perfect defender. Very unlikely you see someone as big and as strong as him with speed unless your in the top half of the Premier League. My opinion and I'm guessing some you disagree but once Nyatanga and Cranie are partnering him in that back three, defensive problems won't be an issue as such.
Steele has done many rights though. I understand fans get pissedoff with Steele at times but that save in the first half against Charlton last weekend stopped us from going 1-0 down early on and numerous of times got us points last season i.e that one on one save against Cardiff away before we scored plus half a dozen more
For me, Steele is a bit like "is my pint half full or half empty". Makes many great saves.....but has many very poor games and basic errors.....and his kicking is sh!te. That said, better than Alnwick.
Been culpable for at least 3 goals that I've seen, and many 'dodgy' moments. That's not to say I don't like the player. But I think it's a bit much to suggest he's done nowt wrong. Had McNulty played as M'Voto has thus far, he'd have been slated.
The snag is ..(I'm not a McNulty hater btw)I don't think Jim would have been as good overall.I think the lad's done reasonably well.
Still thinking Nyatanga, Cranie and Wiseman are our best central defensive three although M'Voto will improve, it took all the other lower league lads time to adjust and not many of them look out of place in this league now.
Cranie said that he had put the niggling injuries behind him (after a full per-season). At the moment, he isn't available for selection - crocked again. I'm not sure Flitcroft intended to play N'Voto very week, but he doesn't have much choice at the moment.
He's done nothing wrong, that cheating little knob was going into his dive before M'Voto touched him. He'll only miss the Southampton cup game & would be available for the Huddersfield game. (If Flickers picks him that is)
We're averaging three goals a game against but the centre halves and the keeper haven't done owt wrong? Dread to think what will happen if they have an off day.
Personally, I thought he had a poor game against Charlton. His positioning was poor, he looked a tad clumsy and he seemed to panic when he had the ball to his feet. Also, I thought he could have done better with the headers he won. I actually thought he played better against Wigan when we lost 4-0! Looking at yesterday's sending off, whilst it does appear that Rhodes played for it after his first touches had taken him too close to the other Reds defender (?TK), I don't think we would get it overturned. I thought Jennings sending off was far softer. If I was Flicker I would instead be asking the question as to why he let Rhodes get wrong side of him so easily.
Where he was at fault for at least one goal conceded, and played the awful pass into Jennings which led to his 'tackle' that warranted the red card - according to the ref.
I think he's done okay so far In what could hardly be called a settled defence. I, too, believe if he can build up an understanding with the likes of Cranie & Nyatanga we'll be okay. However, if someone's determined to find fault in every aspect of his play, then they'll do so. His heading & tackling has been sound without being perfect. I think there's room for improvement with his passing, but he'll be okay as long as he keeps it simple. Yesterday was only his fourth league game for us and hopefully he's now learnt just how 'cute' Championship strikers can be.
Re: I think he's done okay so far Yes, I think he has struggled a bit since Crainie got injured. He's suddenly been thrust into the position of being the number one centre back. It seems to me from seeing him so far that he hasn't yet got used to the step up in pace. I don't think he's done particularly well so far, but there's enough there to suggest he'll be okay with a more experienced player alongside him.
Capitalising the word fact doesn't make it factual, just makes it even more ridiculous a claim. Saw lots of criticism of Steele on here the last 24 hours, and it's understandable. OPINION.