Kyle Reid

[Oreyt]

Anyone think he'll get a chance this season? Seemed to get OK reviews from the Mansfield game. I had heard that he was off to Charlton, but we're hardly overstaffed at the moment. How long is left on his contract?

 

[Foxy]

Anyone think he'll get a chance this season? Seemed to get OK reviews from the Mansfield game. I had heard that he was off to Charlton, but we're hardly overstaffed at the moment. How long is left on his contract?

He did put in a positive performance at Mansfield, but then again, I was raving about him during his last pre-season too.

Last year he didn't settle and also had some off-the-field issues, I'd hope he can put them behind him this year and at least have a crack at the first team.

 

[jpblade]

Anyone think he'll get a chance this season? Seemed to get OK reviews from the Mansfield game. I had heard that he was off to Charlton, but we're hardly overstaffed at the moment. How long is left on his contract?

Thought he did really well on saturday when he came on for the second half. The only one with a bit of pace. Mind you Blackwell doesn't like pace so that's his chance shot.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Being released apparantly. To me indicates that my hope for more width, pace and movement was in vain. We can argue all day whether he was good enough to be given a chance in the team, but I think we've got enough of mediocre players at this club, and the fact that a young out and out winger with pace is the one to be kicked out shows a bit about what our management's preferences are.

Please note that the above is a statement primarily about our expected playing style next season. Let's debate that, rather than the individual being released - he's finished with us and his ability has already been discussed to death on here.

 

[DuncDisorderly]

Disappointing news. I hope its not for footballing reasons. We know he had all kinds of problems settling up North last year. Maybe everyone involved decided it would be better to cut and run...

 

[Latters]

Being released apparantly. To me indicates that my hope for more width, pace and movement was in vain. We can argue all day whether he was good enough to be given a chance in the team, but I think we've got enough of mediocre players at this club, and the fact that a young out and out winger with pace is the one to be kicked out shows a bit about what our management's preferences are.

Please note that the above is a statement primarily about our expected playing style next season. Let's debate that, rather than the individual being released - he's finished with us and his ability has already been discussed to death on here.

Why would we discuss that rather than the individual on a thread entitled "Kyel Reid"?

I didn't see much of him but he had more than an air of Shelton MkII to him.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Why would we discuss that rather than the individual on a thread entitled "Kyel Reid"?

I didn't see much of him but he had more than an air of Shelton MkII to him.

Feel free to discuss whatever you like Latters, I just wanted to take the debate one step futher and get other people's opinion on what this transfer indicated about our managment's preferences. I think we have one of the slowest squads in the league now and very few players excites me.

 

[raul]

Go on then Bergs...

I think the concept of managements preferences or playing philosophy has long been abandoned in favour of a more pragmatic approach. Now, we get players in based on affordability rather than any sense of being a piece in a jigsaw and at the start of a season sit down and work out how best to deploy them. As regular defeats=the sack, the primary instinct is to avoid defeat, so it's strength, discipline, organisation first and foremost - particlualrly away from home - and look to grind teams down or overpower them at home with heavy emphasis on set-pieces (except free-kicks it seems). Sadly, as we know, this in itself is enough to get you "there or thereabouts" - which means nothing of the sort anymore, it merely means in touch with 6th place - so the Board will be happy to have a "competitive" team, the Management are not therefore under pressure from above to change anything (they might want money) and the fans are mollified because they can think we're only a couple of wins from glory and will turn up in sufficient numbers to keep the circle turning.

 

[DuncDisorderly]

Remove the relegated sides who need to get back to the promised land before the cash runs out and I think this logic applies to half the teams in the league. I also think you can change the words "in touch with 6th place" with "safely clear of the relegation zone" and you've covered the rest.

It would be nice if it wasn't like this, but hey-ho...

 

[Bergen Blade]

Go on then Bergs...

I think the concept of managements preferences or playing philosophy has long been abandoned in favour of a more pragmatic approach. Now, we get players in based on affordability rather than any sense of being a piece in a jigsaw and at the start of a season sit down and work out how best to deploy them. As regular defeats=the sack, the primary instinct is to avoid defeat, so it's strength, discipline, organisation first and foremost - particlualrly away from home - and look to grind teams down or overpower them at home with heavy emphasis on set-pieces (except free-kicks it seems). Sadly, as we know, this in itself is enough to get you "there or thereabouts" - which means nothing of the sort anymore, it merely means in touch with 6th place - so the Board will be happy to have a "competitive" team, the Management are not therefore under pressure from above to change anything (they might want money) and the fans are mollified because they can think we're only a couple of wins from glory and will turn up in sufficient numbers to keep the circle turning.

Well said. I've thought the pressure on Blackwell to keep us within a chance of 6th has meant he's more or less been forced to go for short term solutions and 'safe', experienced signings to plug suddenly appearing gaps. "They were the only ones available at the time" shows that we haven't exactly been carefully building a squad that is to be ready to take on the Premiership when we are good and ready to go up.

I'd been willing to accept a mediocre season or two to allow us to build a young, exciting team and squad that plays modern and effective football, if the performances showed we were heading in the right direction. However there doesn't seem to be many indications that things are about to change in terms of playing style, and the way you describe it is the way I fear we'll continue to be next season as well.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Remove the relegated sides who need to get back to the promised land before the cash runs out and I think this logic applies to half the teams in the league. I also think you can change the words "in touch with 6th place" with "safely clear of the relegation zone" and you've covered the rest.

It would be nice if it wasn't like this, but hey-ho...

There is something funny about this division, it takes certain qualities to get out of it, and you have to be big and strong enough to avoid being bullied.

Having said that I definitely think it's possible to find a success formula that is more advanced than what Raul described. It's well worth studying and learning from teams that have been over-achieving, teams that have found their style, something that they are good at, maybe a little bit better than most, although they don't have the funds to compete with the biggest teams. Teams to learn from could include Fulham, Aston Villa, Stoke, Everton and any team that have been promoted from the Championship the last few years.

 

[Latters]

Feel free to discuss whatever you like Latters, I just wanted to take the debate one step futher and get other people's opinion on what this transfer indicated about our managment's preferences. I think we have one of the slowest squads in the league now and very few players excites me.

Ah, very well. Whilst I don't disagree about us having a slow, unexciting squad, I'm not sure that players like Reid would do much to alter that. To me it just says that the management signed this young kid who was billed as a pacy, skillful winger but once they had a closer look at him in friendlies and training, he obviously didn't impress for whatever reason. Perhaps that says they should take a closer look before jumping in and signing these players, but at least he was a freeby. As I mentioned previously I've only seen him on very few occasions and he didn't particularly impress. He looked quick but not that technically able.

The fact that we have so little pace in the squad may be more indicative of what's available rather than what the management are looking for. We did sign Ward who's not really slow and tried to sign Dyer who chose Swansea over us. We also weren't averse to playing Naughton who was rather quick.

Like you, I would like to see some pace in the line-up, but not at the expense of ability. I'd much rather we sign another Vass or even a Martin Smith type player who could beat a man and had a good end product, despite a monumental lack of pace, than a Shelton or a Reid who are little more than sprinters.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Ah, very well. Whilst I don't disagree about us having a slow, unexciting squad, I'm not sure that players like Reid would do much to alter that. To me it just says that the management signed this young kid who was billed as a pacy, skillful winger but once they had a closer look at him in friendlies and training, he obviously didn't impress for whatever reason. Perhaps that says they should take a closer look before jumping in and signing these players, but at least he was a freeby. As I mentioned previously I've only seen him on very few occasions and he didn't particularly impress. He looked quick but not that technically able.

The fact that we have so little pace in the squad may be more indicative of what's available rather than what the management are looking for. We did sign Ward who's not really slow and tried to sign Dyer who chose Swansea over us. We also weren't averse to playing Naughton who was rather quick.

Like you, I would like to see some pace in the line-up, but not at the expense of ability. I'd much rather we sign another Vass or even a Martin Smith type player who could beat a man and had a good end product, despite a monumental lack of pace, than a Shelton or a Reid who are little more than sprinters.

Well, I want it all. Pace, skill, height, strength covered at any time - complementary skills combined into an effective unit. As we're not loaded I accept that the pacey guys may not be great in the air for examle, and I don't expect Beckenbauers at the back, but I strongly believe it is possible to put together a squad that has a bit of everything, one that allows us to pick teams without obvious and embarrassing weaknesses.

 

[cooperblade]

"They were the only ones available at the time" shows that we haven't exactly been carefully building a squad that is to be ready to take on the Premiership when we are good and ready to go up.

I think there's a lot more short-term thinking in football now and the vast majority of sides will only be concerned with getting out of the section they're in. I don't see anyone making signings with one eye on the next tier up. I remember Wenger commenting in 06/07 that he felt sides hit a level of 'maturity' when they became ready for the top flight, he thought we'd hit that level in 02/03 and was surprised it took us so long to gain promotion. I wonder how many sides at our level he'd consider to be ready now?

Most sides who go into the Premier League go up horribly short in terms of quality and then make a desperate attempt to make up the gap in the summer. Luckily for everyone, a number of poor teams have retained their place in the Premier League and it's now easier than ever to find 3 teams to finish above.

One of the many frustrations with 2006/07 was that we actually went up with a few players who had a decent chance of holding their own at that level and were very fortunate in that regard (or had planned very well).

I agree with your overall point about the physical attributes required. I think we're well covered in terms of height and strength now (although the loss of Walton is a blow for the midfield in this regard). We're frighteningly short of pace though. Having said that, it was interesting to hear Roy Keane say at the end of last season that he thought the Championship was about physical strength and size and that he wanted to recruit a team that, physically at least, was similar to ours.

Other than the defensive additions we need, I'd like us to sign 2 quick players (one wide man, one striker) and a tall, strong central midfielder. However with the back 4 being the priority and money tight, I don't expect us to sign anyone in those positions unless we loan a young player perhaps.

 

[Micalijo]

I think there's a lot more short-term thinking in football now and the vast majority of sides will only be concerned with getting out of the section they're in. I don't see anyone making signings with one eye on the next tier up. I remember Wenger commenting in 06/07 that he felt sides hit a level of 'maturity' when they became ready for the top flight, he thought we'd hit that level in 02/03 and was surprised it took us so long to gain promotion. I wonder how many sides at our level he'd consider to be ready now?

Most sides who go into the Premier League go up horribly short in terms of quality and then make a desperate attempt to make up the gap in the summer. Luckily for everyone, a number of poor teams have retained their place in the Premier League and it's now easier than ever to find 3 teams to finish above.

One of the many frustrations with 2006/07 was that we actually went up with a few players who had a decent chance of holding their own at that level and were very fortunate in that regard (or had planned very well).

I agree with your overall point about the physical attributes required. I think we're well covered in terms of height and strength now (although the loss of Walton is a blow for the midfield in this regard). We're frighteningly short of pace though. Having said that, it was interesting to hear Roy Keane say at the end of last season that he thought the Championship was about physical strength and size and that he wanted to recruit a team that, physically at least, was similar to ours.

Other than the defensive additions we need, I'd like us to sign 2 quick players (one wide man, one striker) and a tall, strong central midfielder. However with the back 4 being the priority and money tight, I don't expect us to sign anyone in those positions unless we loan a young player perhaps.

You'd like us to sign a 'tall, strong central midfielder' - I assume that is as close as you will get to saying you want Monty out of the side. Long winded way of saying it but you're raving about Britton and the other acquisitions, want to play 442 so it is the only conclusion I can reach.

 

[cooperblade]

You'd like us to sign a 'tall, strong central midfielder' - I assume that is as close as you will get to saying you want Monty out of the side. Long winded way of saying it but you're raving about Britton and the other acquisitions, want to play 442 so it is the only conclusion I can reach.

If we've got central midfield options good enough to mean we can leave Monty out then I'd be delighted. Same with any of our players, if we could afford to have Morgs on the bench then we'd be in great shape.

If Britton does well and Williamson gets back to full fitness then I think we've got a decent group of central midfielders. We're possibly lacking a bit of height in there although I suppose Ertl gives us that option if he's not in the back 4.

 

[Ollessendro]

Reid never stood a chance. What on earth would an attacking player with some flair and pace be oing out on the wing under Kevin Blackwells Sheffield United. Reid can't defend and doesn't work hard enough and hence shouldn't warrant a place as a winger. Jordan Stewart was a much better option on the wing ..... oh he's gone now, how about Kozluk?

 

[alcoblade]

Reid never stood a chance. What on earth would an attacking player with some flair and pace be oing out on the wing under Kevin Blackwells Sheffield United. Reid can't defend and doesn't work hard enough and hence shouldn't warrant a place as a winger. Jordan Stewart was a much better option on the wing ..... oh he's gone now, how about Kozluk?

Don't you wonder why a host of championship sides, the ones who've got it right, weren't queueing up for him?

UTB

 

[Houso]

Reid - not good enough, no risk signing

Yeates & Ward - pacey and skillful

Blackwell - shit manager nevertheless

 

[lenners]

Reid never stood a chance. What on earth would an attacking player with some flair and pace be oing out on the wing under Kevin Blackwells Sheffield United. Reid can't defend and doesn't work hard enough and hence shouldn't warrant a place as a winger. Jordan Stewart was a much better option on the wing ..... oh he's gone now, how about Kozluk?

Sadly Reid didn't stand a chance because he wasn't good enough, not because he didn't work hard enough.
League One will be his level. Snippets I saw of the play-offs he looked a steady league one winger.

 

[alcoblade]

Sadly Reid didn't stand a chance because he wasn't good enough, not because he didn't work hard enough.
League One will be his level. Snippets I saw of the play-offs he looked a steady league one winger.

Steady on Len, the goal was gaping there and you missed it.

"pointless signing, waste of wages, poorly planned"

There, done it for you.

UTB

 

[lenners]

Steady on Len, the goal was gaping there and you missed it.

"pointless signing, waste of wages, poorly planned"

There, done it for you.

UTB

I probably said it at the time, based on the fact that Barnsley etc weren't interested after having him on loan.
Back then though, we knew less of our £50m debt and it mattered less.
Chucking money away on Walton in the current financial situation really is dumb.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Reid - not good enough, no risk signing

Yeates & Ward - pacey and skillful

Blackwell - shit manager nevertheless

Yeates isn't really quick though.

 

[Ollessendro]

Don't you wonder why a host of championship sides, the ones who've got it right, weren't queueing up for him?

UTB

what was the point in signing him in the 1st place only to never give him a chance?

Sadly Reid didn't stand a chance because he wasn't good enough, not because he didn't work hard enough.
League One will be his level. Snippets I saw of the play-offs he looked a steady league one winger.

How do you know if you didn't see him? Your basing your judgement on 10 mins here or there of a few games. By all accounts he looked half decent last pre season, but that never materialised into a chance in the 1st team. Yet we still played Jordan Stewart out on the wing on occassions. I don't actually rate Reid very highlight, but why blackwell never gave him a chance (his own 'big' signing) is a myth to me.

 

[alcoblade]

what was the point in signing him in the 1st place only to never give him a chance?

Well it has to go down as a poor signing, agreed. But as for not playing him you have to remember that the management see them in training 5 days a week. If he can't go past the 16 years old full back, they'd be right to conclude he's not up to it in the Championship. Once you've made the mistake, there's no point compounding it by playing them regardless.

I do have some sympathy with your point that, generally, skillfull wingers will be hard pushed to oust full backs who can attack a bit in Blackwell's teams of last season. Let's hope for a change this season......

UTB

 

[lenners]

what was the point in signing him in the 1st place only to never give him a chance?



How do you know if you didn't see him? Your basing your judgement on 10 mins here or there of a few games. By all accounts he looked half decent last pre season, but that never materialised into a chance in the 1st team. Yet we still played Jordan Stewart out on the wing on occassions. I don't actually rate Reid very highlight, but why blackwell never gave him a chance (his own 'big' signing) is a myth to me.

I did see him and he looked terrible - exactly what I thought he'd be, quick and a headless chicken. Barnsley fans recalled exactly the same thing.
He looked more comfortable at league one level and I fully expect that's where he'll end up.
Ryan France didn't get much of a chance either and I could tell he wasn't very good as well.
The reason players tend not to be play, unless they're kids, is usually because they don't deserve to.

 

[Houso]

Yeates isn't really quick though.

I disagree. He's not Adie Littlejohn, but he's still got a good turn of pace.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

The reason players tend not to be play, unless they're kids, is usually because they don't deserve to.

like Billy, Cotterill, Nade, Shelton etc etc

 

[Bergen Blade]

I disagree. He's not Adie Littlejohn, but he's still got a good turn of pace.

I've always felt he relies on skill and being clever and creative, rather than pace? What do other people think?

 

[Grecian2000]

I've always felt he relies on skill and being clever and creative, rather than pace? What do other people think?

Didn't think he looked at all pacy, but then again I don't think he dazzled with skill either.

He played his best football right at the end of the season and I'm hoping this was because he'd taken time to settle in rather than that the pressure was off and there was nothing on it and therefore he was free to play.