Injuries

It's not only the injuries, aren't we walking a yellow card tightrope too? I'm sure someone will have the stats.

Hoping for an amazing run of results over Xmas but sadly I'm sticking to 14th after Xmas. I just can't see it any other way and hope I am woefully mistaken.

 

But he’s barely figured, has he? So him being unavailable is not really an issue. You just put Marsh on the bench instead.

Roberts has been much better than I had anticipated. He’s played a lot of games. He’s a loss. But, we’ve Pines to plug into that role with little issue.

Earl is going to be the biggest miss. Because he’s a regular and offers balance on that side, with nobody at the club to fill in unless young Wilkinson gets a chance. Which I don’t think the staff will have the balls to do. They’ll stutter along with McCarthy no doubt, until January. Or, go to a back four which will only disrupt other areas of the team.

I don’t see this as anything but a season of transition now. So I’d give Wilkinson a run whilst the others return to fitness. He’s rated one of the best young players (at that age) in the entire country. No point having an academy if we never give them a chance. Same goes for Yoganathan who should be at least on the bench. Instead, we’ve two defensive options in Nwakali and Craig. Which baffles me.

 

Craig back to Spurs, Nwakali and Yoganathan at LEAST on the bench for me. I really rate Yoganathan and he needs games (IMHO).

 

Jalo should have just had the surgery sooner. He’s just now missed his biggest opportunity to break into the first team by delaying the op. Tough one but what is this the third time it’s happened now?

 

When you know you know I guess.

 

I think allowing Roberts to play 3 games in a week at his age, 2 of which were of high importance was a mistake. Even more of a load on him if you consider Reading and Wigan week before too.

For me, I’d have rested him in the Cup, so he was fresh for Wrexham and Brum. I think his game time has been poorly managed in that respect, and that lies with the Manager.

McCarthy should be played now, otherwise what’s the point in having him. I don’t think youth in defence is the right way to go just at the moment. So more then good. Bring the youth on as substitutes to build them up.

I’d also be happy to recall Shepherd too - but think he’s settled in that side at Bradford now.

 

Couldn't disagree more. When you play 3 centre backs which is the position that picks up most injuries statistically then in my opinion it's absolute madness not to have cover in that position. Especially when one of your first team defenders is pines.

Same up front. We're already playing an attacking midfielder up front through lack of options.

Our summer recruitment was awful, we seemed to put all our eggs into a luca Connell cloning basket and have a squad full of players who play that position with the same attributes and weaknesses. Connell, Russell, Craig, hourihane, Benson, nwakali. Ball playing midfielders, we've got a bloody squad full.

But any cover at the back? Nah send them all out on loan. Should we try signing a striker? No need lads, we'll keep making do.

 

Yes not really a miss just bad for him as he did more in 5 minutes from the bench at Wrexham than dkd and Humphrys did all game and looked set to be given a opportunity to start a few games. Now we will have Marsh on the bench who hasn't been in the squad for weeks and I think will be looking to move in Jan.

I think Roberts started the season poor but has come good and him and Earl will be big misses. Isn't Wilkinson a center midfielder?

 

Oliver Wilkinson isn't 16 until next month. I'd be amazed if we play him.

 

Captained England U15s and U16s. I was told by academy staff last year that he’s the best thing we’ve produced since Stones and he’s ahead of him in terms of ability (at that age). Can only assume he’s improved since then. Started in the trophy this season didn’t he?

 

So would I be. It’s definitely more likely that they muddle through until injuries clear up, or recall Shepherd.

I just think if he’s good enough to start a trophy game, captaining his country at U16 level, left footed, he could play a handful of games at L1 level.

 

As Reds fans I think we need more patience. At the start of the season there wasn`t many suggesting that we were going to be top 2 or even favourites for the play-offs.
Well, we find ourselves in 8th place and probably going to come out of the Christmas period with not a lot more than we have now (they may surprise us). So my question is - why are we now so dissatisfied with our lot?
Like everyone-else I want us to be continually challenging at the top of whichever league we are in and less than brilliant performances get me down a bit. But there has to be some realism in all this and maybe as was stated by more than a few this season might need to be one of consolidation and patience.
Just saying!

 

We can’t play a fifteen year old at centre back.

As good as he is and will be, there’s too much to lose and not much to gain. Stones wasn’t played at centre back for us at an older age.

 

Statistically forwards pick up more injuries than defenders?
The Goodman study showed attacking players were significantly more likely to pick up injuries mainly around their hamstring and groin areas due to the explosive nature of the role.
Attacking players were firstly forwards & wingers who are more likely and then attacking midfielders.

 

I remember the last time we brought a 15 year old into the team. And we destroyed his career. Think Wilkinson might end up on the bench out of necessity, but surely Conor Mac and Donny can do a job for us in the short term? Otherwise, what are they here for, when we’ve other options that we’ve loaned out for the season?

 

He’s probably had the same injury at some point previously & knew he had to come off

 

Time for big Don to step forward not made a fuss not publicly anyway about not playing. The left side is a massive problem not natural replacement in the club unless you count a 15yr old lad as good as he maybe it's a massive ask. That was a accident waiting to happen I'm afraid.

 

I’ve watched Wilkinson a few times & whilst he’s clearly a big talent which is made more evident by the amount of scouts talking about him I think he’s too young.

Every opponent would target him. I think it’s probably the hardest outfield position to come into at such a young age. I think it’s much more likely that we see more of James or Barratt.

 

That's not really our problem though - at the end of the day he's our player, and if we want to recall him in January and it's within the rules of the deal, then we should do exactly that.