Some Player Observations (and Manager)

LeeJay had a difficult task yesterday following the departure of Pearson and Toney and the injuries to Scowen and Watkins. I totally get that he didn't want to use Fletcher from the start given that he had never played a senior game before. And you can't argue with the impact he made - coming on and levelling the match within minutes. We wouldn't have wanted to go gung ho and find ourselves exposed yesterday as that might have given us a lot more to do in the second game. And if we'd gotten a lead - what do we do? Would you fancy us to defend solidly for 90 minutes to secure a Wembley place? I think the set-up is perfect for us now. Big away support, expectation on Fleetwood (let's face it - they will be the story going in to the second leg). OK, the performance was a bit below Blackpool and Millwall, but given the difficulties pre-match, I think Johnson and the team did reasonably OK.

Williams
LeeJay could reasonably have expected more from this lad. He ought to be champing at the bit given how long he's been out. Such was his lack of effect that some on other threads on here can't decide whether he was the '1' in a 4-4-1-1 or one of the '2' in a 4-4-2. Either way it makes no difference. He had little impact on the game. His effort when presented with that chance on the edge later in the game was bordering on unprofessional. For me, he needs to show something in the next 2-3 games or we ought to be cutting our losses.

Abbott
There were aspects of this lad's performance that were worryingly Digby-esque. You'd think that some of the younger lads might have looked at how Pearson and Scowen operate, and have picked something up. Instead his positioning was poor, his demeanour casual, and one howler in the second half reminiscent of the goal Digby gave away earlier in the season with a misplaced pass. Early days, but he needs to pick up quite quickly because at the moment he has something to prove.

Mawson
I believe in this lad. Although he gets a fair bit of stick on here I think he has real potential. He certainly shows a lot more interest than Nyatanga. I think his development needs a more experienced player such as Long beside him, but I think he has a lot of potential. I think he can go on to become a very solid player for us.

Winnall and Hourihane
Widely (or Whitey) regarded as two of our best players. And they are - when they have the right support and things are going well. But Sam was well off it yesterday, and had to resort to persistent fouling to try and make an impact. I look forward to him getting a partner again - although I don't blame Johnson for Williams not fulfilling that role yesterday (if indeed that was what Williams was attempting to do). Hourihane is a talented lad, but he doesn't always get as involved in open play as I'd like. We can't afford that luxury when we're missing Pearson and Scowen - although I admit he's still the best we've got for that position. If the quality of his delivery dips (as it did yesterday) then his impact is further reduced. Again, I look forward to him having appropriate midfield partners again soon.

White, Hammill, Isgrove
Players who really make a difference. Maybe not any of their best games for us yesterday, but they all merit continued support. Redfearn's crown has slipped a little for me over the way he has dealt with Aidy White. Do Rotherham really have two better full backs? Come on! Hammill is an out and out crowd pleaser, and very wily and street-wise. His cross for Fletcher was a moment of real quality (as was Fletcher's finish). Lloyd Isgrove is steadily improving and I'd like to see his deal extended. A winning appearance (as substitute) in last year's JPT Trophy Final is no bad thing for us at this stage either.

Davies, Wabara, Long
Steady, if unspectacular games. Is Wabara's mind on the job? I'd like to see Long's deal extended, and I think Davies is steadily growing in confidence.

All in all, more positives for me yesterday than some have made out. And with Scowen back soon and hopefully a couple more signings, I think further progress can be reasonably expected.

COYR!

 

Enjoyable read. Loads to agree with in there.

 

Brilliant read first thing on a Sunday.....

Absolutely 100% bang on with everything you put there sir!

 

I agree with most of this. To add some comments.

The White & Hammill relationships works very well. Two good players complimenting each other. White can overlap, while defends well and can use his pace to allow Hammill the freedom to perform.

Watkins was a miss for me yesterday. Williams needs more match fitness / sharpness. His approach play was ok but he had 3 chances all wasted.

Defensively we look to have a better shape. Davies shot stopping is great but he needs to talk more. Wabbara is a conundrum. He has played ok, but I'm not sure LJ sees him as the man he wants. He came in given a chance to prove his commitment. We don't seem to have attempted to nail a season deal earlier and he now seems uncommitted. This can only destabilise us. Let's make OUR decision and sign him up or cut him loose. Bree can handle this role but the experience across the back four has turned things recently.

I can't help think that the way we have managed our squad has been poor, we knew the situation with Pearson, Wabbara. Few loanees have turned to sign up. We have White and Hammill only until the end of the season. Never solved the striker roles. So here we are midst Jan window, and it's more like rebuilding than strengthening.

 

There's been some well considered opinions on here following yesterday's game and this is another one. I agree wholeheartedly.

What I don't get is that these young lads (Abbott, Digby, Maris, etc.) get the chance they've been working towards for the past 10 years or whatever and don't "go for it". Fair enough, they're nervous and we shouldn't expect anything like a finished article but they always look like over-coached automatons, lacking any spark of individuality, and often lacking basic control and passing skills. The only crumb of comfort I can find is that I thought the same about Butterfield for his first 10-15 games and then suddenly something seemed to click for him.

 

Good write up that . We need more players in again , that's the problem with building a team from loans and short term deals

 

Good write up and pretty accurate. For my part I think Fletcher should have started he could have always been subbed. Seemed unfair to play a player like Williams who is coming back from injury in a totally unfamiliar position. He looked lost and played poorly.

 

It is really good to see that you are posting positively, especially after such a poor performance. I wish that I could see the same things as you see. However, unless we have an exceptionally good transfer window, I see us struggling for the rest of this season. What I saw yesterday depressed me.

After the game, Johnson said that it is 80/20 against Wabara staying and I am not convinced that Bree gives us the height that we need to defend corners and free kicks. Long is improving, but could return to Burnley at any moment. From what I saw yesterday, Abbott has gone backwards and I do not think that Scowen is the answer. Winnall is desperate for a partner, and although Watkins has played better recently, he is not the target man that Winnall needs. So we still need a centre back, a centre midfield player and a target man. We probably also need a full back. I am fed up of watching us get bullied by physical third tier teams containing very fit , very strong players with little skill. The positions that I have listed need to provide that strong core to our team that will allow us to compete physically. As I said, we need a very good window and I worry that we may not have the cash to deliver it.

 

I like Williams, he was dogshit yesterday but thereev approves of him and thinks he will come good.

If not he is an Aussie TW.at and it is all Mr Johnson's fault.

Hth

 

Very good that OK, simple opinion, and not with the underlying, pompous self righteous tone of some other over analyser's .

 

Agreed!

Can always rely on Mr O for accurate forthright views!

Top Man

 

Bit harsh on Abbott for the mistake?...it was a real hospital pass to him from Matson.

 

And if Abbott and Digby had played the 50 odd games that we gave to Pearson surely they would have settled in and progressed?

 

Good post.

You've come a long way since ceasing go be thereevs foil..
Agree with pretty much all you've put and in my opinion if wabara isn't fully committed to bfc whilst a deal is being considered then he is not the man for us IMO .he should be going all out to make our minds up or attracting other offers.
Too much throwing out of teddies by professional footballers IMO.
That is on condition of course that is what wabaras problem is

Or indeed he has a problem at all.

 

No - because you still need to have the ability.