Ertl

[LoughboroBlade]

Played the full 90 in the middle of defence for the reserves today. Anyone manage to see it?

I thought he looked fairly solid in defence when called upon last year. Should he come straight back in? Obviously he could come in for Maguire if we wanted to give him a rest. Alternatively, stick him at right back and Lowton could move into midfield.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Would be glad to see Lowton tried in midfield, but I think people said Ertl was poor when he was played at right back last season?

 

[alcoblade]

Would be glad to see Lowton tried in midfield, but I think people said Ertl was poor when he was played at right back last season?

You should've seen Collins as center half last season, and for me he's been a top performer this year. You never nkow....

UTB

 

[DuncDisorderly]

This is good news. Centre half is one of the key positions where we are short of options, and Ertl is plenty good enough for this league...

 

[Ollessendro]

Ertl is definately good enough for this league. He was steady last season (without being fantastic) and would be good at 3rd tier level. Palace fans rave about him and this makes me think the team dragged him down a bit last year. In fact, early doors under Speed he had a decent (again not fantastic) spell. With Maguire and Collins keeping a clean sheet last game, then I'd keep it as it is. However it is an option. Also Ertl needs to earn his place. Personally I would like to see him come in at RB and push Lowton forward. This is definately a good thing. It should put Maguire (and Collins) on their toes and gives us more options as Ertl is versatile and we can shift people around.

 

[Robbie]

Ertl and Parrino both looked 'ok' at centre back yesterday.
Although, Long had a fair bit to do in the first half.

Both were eager to get forward, but they were only up against a lacklustre pairing for Derby.

 

[Rudders]

Ertl was ripped a new one when he played right back v QPR last season. Having said that he was up against Ephraim and Taraabt, 2 of the fastest and most skilful wingers you could face.

He also offers heading ability from midfield, something we have lacked since Gary Speed.

 

[sheffielder]

Would be glad to see Lowton tried in midfield, but I think people said Ertl was poor when he was played at right back last season?

QPR 3-0. I bet he still has nightmares about that one game alone

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Ertl did OK in midfield at the start of last season and certainly gives us a bit of height. I'd be surprised if he's not involved by Xmas.

 

[Balham]

Ertl did OK in midfield at the start of last season and certainly gives us a bit of height. I'd be surprised if he's not involved by Xmas.

With Monty and Doyle in the middle of the park, do we really want another destroyer in the shape of Ertl?

For my money, although he's limited in the middle of the park he's got enough ability on the ball to be a calming influence at centre half. Playing him at right back would be a step backwards, he's not attacking enough.

 

[diplomat]

He was an awful full back, decent back up as a centre half considering it isn't his first position and he's okay as a physical midfield prescence. He's a player who makes up part of a good team by bringing certain attributes to the team without ever exciting anyone about the fact that he is actually there.

A welcome addition to the squad but not someone I'm particularly excited about.

 

[Grecian2000]

My God, how bad have we been this season if we are creaming ourselves over Ertl coming back?

He was appalling on a number of accasions last season and played a full part in our relegation. The QPR game at RB was as bad a full back performance as I've ever seen by a United player (and yes, I saw every game Tony "Oh no, it's going in Moores direction" Moores, showed up for).

 

[Sothall_Blade]

Would be glad to see Lowton tried in midfield, but I think people said Ertl was poor when he was played at right back last season?

Given the lack of other options at right back, it might be worth trying Maguire there rather than Ertl.
He's better defensively than Lowton and has showed a fair bit of skill when occasionally bringing it out from the back.
I remember him skipping past a defender and delivering a perfect cross in the Youth Cup Semi against Villa, so he can do that.
His occasional mistakes probably wouldn't be punished so easily from that position either.

 

[Ollessendro]

QPR 3-0. I bet he still has nightmares about that one game alone

I have nightmare's about that game. A truly shit night and a horrible experience for me and the 300 or so other united-ites who had turned up.

My God, how bad have we been this season if we are creaming ourselves over Ertl coming back?

He was appalling on a number of accasions last season and played a full part in our relegation. The QPR game at RB was as bad a full back performance as I've ever seen by a United player (and yes, I saw every game Tony "Oh no, it's going in Moores direction" Moores, showed up for).

We're in the third tier behind Huddersfield Grecian. That is how bad it is got. Despite Ertl being slow, average on the ball and not really having a position .... he is still better than many we have got!!?

 

[Mendi]

hope he gets fully fit soon.

 

[Mousey]

With Monty and Doyle in the middle of the park, do we really want another destroyer in the shape of Ertl?

For my money, although he's limited in the middle of the park he's got enough ability on the ball to be a calming influence at centre half. Playing him at right back would be a step backwards, he's not attacking enough.

I'd like him to replace Doyle.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Given the lack of other options at right back, it might be worth trying Maguire there rather than Ertl.
He's better defensively than Lowton and has showed a fair bit of skill when occasionally bringing it out from the back.
I remember him skipping past a defender and delivering a perfect cross in the Youth Cup Semi against Villa, so he can do that.
His occasional mistakes probably wouldn't be punished so easily from that position either.

I think he'd be too slow and could struggle against nippy wingers like Parrino did in the cup. We have a former irish u-21 right back in our squad. I've heard Conneely is better in midfield, but he could be worth a go? People mention trying Ertl in midfield for his physical presence. I think Lowton would add that (he's very good in the air) AND much more going forward.

 

[Balham]

We have an former irish u-21 right back in our squad. I've heard Conneely is better in midfield, but he could be worth a go?

That's a good point but has Seamus Conneely played for the first team at all yet? Thinking about it, I can't even recall him being in the squad.

 

[Come from away]

Seamus did look like one of the stronger players in the reserves, sure he will come through sometime.

 

[Sothall_Blade]

Seamus did look like one of the stronger players in the reserves, sure he will come through sometime.

The problem is at 23 he's not one of the kids. He's older than Lowton who's ahead of him in the pecking order.
His contract expires in the Summer and if he hasn't broken through into the first team by then it's unlikely to be renewed.

 

[Ollessendro]

Why use hungry, young players with ability when we have got overpaid, average players that are past it or never been? It pains me that Coneely, McAllister, Philiskirk, Harriot etc are nowhere in sight, but we persisyt with out of form or crap like Monty, Doyle, Porter, Quinn etc.