"Well played Billy"

[Silent Blade]

Would every team in this division give anything to have Billy in their side?

Yes, they would. I'm glad he's ours.

And pay the wages he is getting?

 

[Fjortoft's Aeroplane]

It must be hard to play well , when all you've heard all your life is "Billy don't be a hero".
A case of life imitating art?

 

[Silent Blade]

Here's a thought. Why not ask the only person in the fucking world who'll know the answer? You know, Gary Sinclair!
Do you think we spent the after match pint discussing the thoughts and idea's of the great man? Did we dissect his pre-match and half time playlist to find any hidden Satanist messages, or critique his birthday/mascot announcements?

For what it's worth I though Billy was below par. Was it bad enough for a thread giving him a going over? Nah, otherwise we might have got one without the "disguise".

On the whole it is bullshit OP's that end up causing fractious threads and this has become a very fractious thread!

I share the OP's view on what Gary had said "Well Done, Billy". Not very professional of him to say this as it could have been "a little dig" at Wilder for not playing the style of play that Billy enjoyed last season. Last season Atkins instructed his team to play the ball to Sharp's feet but I have noticed that Wilder prefers his players to pass the ball in front of the strikers than to their feet also making the strikers "defend from the front" more. I am all for Wilder to play a winning style to suit the team rather than play a style to suit Sinclair's pal!

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

When Billy got subbed, Gary Sinclair said "Well played Billy" over the tannoy.

In my opinion, Billy was shit today. Didn't chase down the opponents, Done did all of that, he fluffed a 1 on 1 chance with the keeper which he would've buried if it was last season (by that i mean he was miles better last season than this season) and he also played terrible ball down the line to Done and the ball went out for a throw.

Personally, Scougall had a much much better game than Sharp and he got subbed in 55th minute. No mention of "Well played Scougs"

Why does everyone love Billy, and praise him even when he has done absolutely nothing?

Apart from Lafferty, would say Billy was the worst player on the pitch so why did Gary praise him for his performance?

Like i've mentioned before, if Sharp does nothing all game and scores a 89th minute penalty to win us the game or to get us a draw, all i see is "Billy the man" "Billy our savior"

No. Billy hasn't done much at all this season, he's only got a few goals to his name because of penalties other team-mates have earnt and he takes all the credit.

Hoping others agree with how I feel about Billy and how much he is underperforming for us at the moment.

Last thing - I am happy with the win, and am relieved we did win

Wouldn't have said he was shit but he is not playing up to his usual high standard. Never gives less than 100% for the cause and is always a threat. Had Scougs down as MOM when he was subbed, but understood that he was feeling a bit under the weather according to CW. Lafferty was a bit better tonight than when I have seen him on previous occasions, but still think we will see an improvement. The only player who was not on his game for me last night was Freeman.

 

[Bayingblade]

Have you ever see Done score a penalty ? Just saying

Has he ever been a penalty taker at any of his clubs ? Just saying

Don't know

How do you know Done would have scored ? Just saying

I don't

Why is it a competition to slag off Sharp to praise Done ? Just saying

It's not, it's an observation on the way he's playing. He's not scoring, he's missing chances that he gets, he's not creating for others. I think everyone wants him to do well but just because he's a blade does not make him immune to critical observations.

Why do people say 'just saying' when they aren't really saying anything ? Just saying

Maybe to replicate what they may sometimes say in light hearted conversations, usually accompanied by a knowing smile. In northern climes, it's often followed with "like".

Just saying, like

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

Harsh. Not saying he should be beyond criticism, not at all. But we're getting a bit of a feelgood factor back &, clearly, Billy getting a bit of adulation as he went off was all part of that. Can't see the harm at all.

All I want to know is that Billy's not undroppable if he does go through a sustained dip, because we have now got proper options up front (especially when Clarke returns). Wilder says no-one's undroppable & I trust him on that.

Re: the atmosphere & the closening bond amongst players and between players & fans btw - the scenes at the end were great. It was a joy staying a bit after the end & applauding them off. Things really feel like they're starting to buzz.

Which is why it continues to baffle me seeing hundreds of fans streaming out five minutes before the end of the game, have you all got a bus to catch ?. Stay and applaud the lads when they deserve it. Christ you'd have thought we'd witnessed a re-run of the Southend game.

 

[bartman]

Don't know

I don't

It's not, it's an observation on the way he's playing. He's not scoring, he's missing chances that he gets, he's not creating for others. I think everyone wants him to do well but just because he's a blade does not make him immune to critical observations.

Maybe to replicate what they may sometimes say in light hearted conversations, usually accompanied by a knowing smile. In northern climes, it's often followed with "like".

Just saying, like

you are just a 'like' whore

 

[S5Blade]

He does it every time Billy is subbed. I remember it last season and thought it was weird.

Obviously Gary has a crush on him....

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Amazed to hear Sharp wasn't booed off by Sinclair, slapped in the face by Wilder, before being tarred & feathered by his squirrel-murdering assistant manager.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Billy was pretty poor. But he has credit in the bank for his performances last season, the fact he's top scorer, captain, a blade etc. I don't have a problem with people being "too kind" to him. I think people are probably too harsh on others by comparison but hey ho.

 

[blade too long]

funnily enough strikers have off days

 

[Worksop II]

Not worried about Billy running about, but he did have another one on one with the keeper early on

That going in would have opened up the game ....... he needs to get back to being a bit more clinical

 

[Tyler Durden]

We should hold a serious inquest and scrutinise Billys every move if he doesn't bang a goal in or destroy every defence in front of him every game.

Let's do this every week, it'll be fun.

 

[Bayingblade]

you are just a 'like' whore

I try, Bartman, I try

 

[Champagneblade]

Sharp's scored two penalties, not three.

So Done wouldn't be top scorer if he scored the pens, nor would anyone else.

But if you look at Billy's open play goals and the number of games he's played in all competitions, it's not good - 3 in 12 starts.

He needs to get going soon. Hopefully he'll go on one of his five game scoring runs.

Did you forget Done had scored 2 this year, Ricky?

Add 2 pens to Done's 2 goals from open play and you have 4.

Subtract 2 from Sharp's 5 goals and he has 3.

So Done would be top scorer.

Also agree Sharp has to get his skates on. Someone like Lavery will take his place if he doesn't. At least with pace you can create from open play yourself. Unless it's on a plate for Billy, then he doesn't create much himself out of nothing. If it's not going for him and he doesn't score, then his contribution is very little.

I'm sure Wilder will keep him and others on their toes. He's in no way protected as a Blade and skipper. Wilder has subbed him in 8 out of 12 outings, so he must know that.

 

[Iceybabey]

The quality we are lacking at the moment lies with Billy. I reckon once he gets going we'll go up another gear.

 

[bartman]

Not worried about Billy running about, but he did have another one on one with the keeper early on

That going in would have opened up the game ....... he needs to get back to being a bit more clinical

and so does Done...easy chance missed at Wimbledon, one against Peterborough and two yesterday. Yet this doesn't seem to get mentioned but Sharp's misses do.

Strikers miss chances sometimes simple ones but at the moment these two are easily our best pair up front. This may change when Clarke gets fit and Lavery gets more games. In the meantime, cant fans just get behind them both or is a scapegoat required at all times ?

 

[blade too long]

moaning about missing chances
Id imagine its an improvement on not making any last season

 

[GrayBlade]

Personally I never moan when players miss chances. It's the 'strikers' who hardly ever seem to be in a position to miss them that grind my gears.

 

[Chief_Froley]

That's a pointless argument, you may have well has banged a wok with a spoon as post that.

I rest my case.

 

[Darthblade]

I'm never sure why this sort of debate always seems to degenerate into "name-calling" and unpleasantness ?

We obviously have differences of opinion, despite watching the same game and that is unlikely to change.

For my part; I thought that we put in a hard-working performance considering that it was a team depleted by injuries and suspension, because if Wilson, Wright & Basham were available for selection we would probably have played two out of those three and lined up as 3 - 5 - 2. I think that we wouldn't have made such hard work of the game if that was the case.

We were also playing 14 men as the linesmen were poor and the referee was one of the worst I've seen for some time !! I would suggest that he was either instructed before the game to give us nothing and to make life difficult for us, or he was completely incompetent !!

On Billy ..... I don't think he's had one good game yet this season but he's scored some crucial goals. However; if others start scoring and contributing more to games then I think that Tufty will drop him and that should be the case. I wonder if the captaincy is affecting his game ?? Just a thought .......

Scougal showed why he cannot start games in this Division; he was fouled every 2 minutes but the referees at this level do not give the fouls so he is almost completely ineffective. That isn't going to change at this level of football and Chapman, who has a bit more strength made an improvement when he came on.

I thought that Lafferty had his best game for us last night, although some of his passing was wayward, however, several other players were guilty of that as well.

As usual ..... we were crap at playing against 10 men ...... perhaps we should have a cunning plan for if it happens again !!!!

But ...... I'm thankful for three points and hopeful that if we can remain around the top 6 by January, the board will wake up from their slumber and let Tufty have the funds to bring in the 3 / 4 players of decent quality that we need to give us a chance of promotion this year.

UTB & FTP

 

[GrayBlade]

Hey GB, good to see you, hope you are well. Fair points. And I'm sure you'll accept that I really want Billy to be the goalscoring star he has been. After all, there's nothing quite like seeing a fellow Blade do it on the pitch for us. But right now, I fear a little for him, he just doesn't look right and I'd be tempted to take you up on the bet if you take out the penalties. He mustered 21 (from memory) last season and 7 (again from memory) were penalties.

I'd keep yer money in yer pocket mate, I know how important it is to you old 'uns.

Especially with petrol bills like yours

Cheeky git! Old? Do you mean me or the car?

I don't think we're playing to Sharp's strengths BB, but we'll see how the season unfolds buddy. I'm just happy that we've finally got a proper keeper in our net who can win us a few points at the other end right now.

 

[Silent Blade]

I don't think we're playing to Sharp's strengths BB.

Which is more important? Playing to Sharp's strengths (didn't work for the team last season) or playing to the team's strengths?

 

[GrayBlade]

Sharp's late goal got us a point against Rochdale.
Sharp's goal got us back in level terms against Oxford and we go on to win it.
Sharp scores injury time pen that gave us the win at Gillingham.
Sharp scores our first goal at the Dons and helps set up Done's in the victory.
Sharp scores late pen to give us a point at Scunny.

So that's 11 of our 17 points that he's be directly involved with and he's not at his best? Just wait until he starts firing on all cylinders then. It's a bit like the Pork slagging Lee off, when truth be told they'd be sick as Pigs without him.

 

[Bladesman]

We should hold a serious inquest and scrutinise Billys every move if he doesn't bang a goal in or destroy every defence in front of him every game.

Let's do this every week, it'll be fun.

I say we chase him out of the ground with our pitchforks.

 

[bartman]

Which is more important? Playing to Sharp's strengths (didn't work for the team last season) or playing to the team's strengths?

I like your posts Silent but where have you got such a downer on Sharp ?

To answer your point,surely the team should be playing to each others strengths in a system the manager wants to play

 

[GrayBlade]

Which is more important? Playing to Sharp's strengths (didn't work for the team last season) or playing to the team's strengths?

I suppose that depends on whether or not playing to the rest of the team's strengths will get us better results than a proven goal scorers Silent. Currently with this seasons players, we seem to be doing ok results-wise, so I don't see any point in changing anything right now for Sharp's benefit or otherwise. That could of course change as the season progresses, other players like Lavery may step up to the mark.

 

[Silent Blade]

I like your posts Silent but where have you got such a downer on Sharp ?

To answer your point,surely the team should be playing to each others strengths in a system the manager wants to play

I didn't want him in the first place and did make a post in here before we signed him for the 3rd time. He was rather stroppy when he got subbed last night and I get the impression that he isn't happy with having to run more. With Brayford now at Burton, I believe he is the highest wage earner at the club and despite that I think he does work very hard but I do not think he is worth the wages we are paying him (yes, I blame Adkins) cos of his limited pace and lack of height

 

[Silent Blade]

I suppose that depends on whether or not playing to the rest of the team's strengths will get us better results than a proven goal scorers Silent. Currently with this seasons players, we seem to be doing ok results-wise, so I don't see any point in changing anything right now for Sharp's benefit or otherwise. That could of course change as the season progresses, other players like Lavery may step up to the mark.

Proven goalscorers don't always bring the club success. I prefer a team who work for each other and more players from midfield scoring goals

 

[s35blade]

Billy is our best player simple as, he's got little to no pace granted but what he's good at is popping up every so often with a goal to get us out the swamp.