Stevens vs RND

[bakeblade]

Both are very average, but due to his better fitness I'd go RND for the rest of the season

 

[Chief14]

I’d go RND, I’d bin Stevens off now

 

[Deadbat]

Neither

 

[Webding]

Neither.

After a bit of promise that they’d upped their standards, both have both proved themselves to be mostly useless over a run of games.

If Hecky’s so desperate to involve Osborne, I’d be tempted to try him at LWB again. He’s a steady and predictable plodder… and while that’s not what we want in forward areas, it’d be a refreshing change at either wing back position.

 

[Roygbiv]

Think Deadbat said on Tufty Club a while back that the one on the bench always seems the better option because whichever one is in the team is usually playing crap.

I actually think Stevens has been pretty decent since he came back in but he's obviously gone as a top end Championship player. I suppose RND would be my first choice simply as he can improve but in reality it's a position we need to upgrade on next season.

 

[Roygbiv]

Neither.

After a bit of promise that they’d upped their standards, both have both proved themselves to be mostly useless over a run of games.

If Hecky’s so desperate to involve Osborne, I’d be tempted to try him at LWB again. He’s a steady and predictable plodder… and while that’s not what we want in forward areas, it’d be a refreshing change at either wing back position.

Absolutely no idea why Osborn hasn't had a shot at LWB when the other two have been so average and Heckingbottom clearly likes him.

 

[Webding]

.If Hecky’s so desperate to involve Osborne, I’d be tempted to try him at LWB again. He’s a steady and predictable plodder… and while that’s not what we want in forward areas, it’d be a refreshing change at either wing back position.

Apologies to Osborn (and blame to my autocorrect) for giving him an E. Though he certainly played like he was on something yesterday.

Absolutely no idea why Osborn hasn't had a shot at LWB when the other two have been so average and Heckingbottom clearly likes him.

Yep, especially given he tried him with reasonable success on the other side. The right I mean, not the afterlife. Though he certainly played like… etc

 

[Bladeloyal]

Rnd all day long

 

[robbiez666]

Osborn us probably worth a shot. I think Stevens is better than RND but neither have been good.

 

[Deadly_D'Jaffo]

Osborn cannot be any worse, he should be given a go.

It's amazing how we've managed to be encumbered with 4 LWB's and still be without a decent, championship option amongst them.

 

[bakeblade]

Neither

Osborn then or no one at all?

 

[blades14]

Stevens comes inside too much whilst RND runs the line. Stevens needs to realise no one is coming to overlap which is why our build up play is slow and ponderous, at least RND puts the ball in. 99.9% are shit but 1 will come off at some point

 

[Millhousesblade1889]

Absolutely no idea why Osborn hasn't had a shot at LWB when the other two have been so average and Heckingbottom clearly likes him.

From what I read of this you’re not recommending this approach you’re just surprised it’s not been used. What a bad choice of 3 we have. We need to look at Lowe pre-season & get Bogle back on the other side asap

 

[Maidenhead]

Stevens comes inside too much whilst RND runs the line. Stevens needs to realise no one is coming to overlap which is why our build up play is slow and ponderous, at least RND puts the ball in. 99.9% are shit but 1 will come off at some point

I'm not sure that one good ball in every thousand is a good argument for putting someone in the team.

If he hits five crosses a game then we can expect a good one once in every five seasons.

 

[Antonb]

Stevens is better than RND. Technically a better player I mean , maybe doesn’t have the energy of RND,

 

[UTB]

Tony kenworthy all day long even now. Both RND and stevens are shite. Osborn is a mangers scapegoat for some reason, he would get my nod however.

 

[Berkshire Blade]

Max Lowe

 

[Solihull Blade]

I think that Stevens is one of the worst footballers at the club. Several times this season, when faced with a hard driven bouncing ball, he’s failed to control it and the ball’s gone bobbling out of for a throw in. Not an easy skill, I’ll admit, but I would have thought controlling a ball is a must have skill for a pro footballer. He can’t beat a man and has been pointed out continually comes inside rather than getting a cross in. This is caused by his lack of pace. Perhaps he’s just too old. Yesterday for Joao’s goal he ambled back rather than busting a gut. He wasn’t the only one culpable for that goal but he’s certainly one of the culprits. RND isn’t brilliant by any means but he’s young and can improve. He’s got a few years on Stevens. For that reason I’d give him a go and see how he develops.

 

[bakeblade]

Max Lowe

I've seen Max Lowe a few times this season and not been impressed, I'd get some money for him and bring in another LWB

 

[Roygbiv]

From what I read of this you’re not recommending this approach you’re just surprised it’s not been used. What a bad choice of 3 we have. We need to look at Lowe pre-season & get Bogle back on the other side asap

Yeah it may very well not be any better but LWB is a clear weak point of the team and we surely may as well give it a go

 

[Deadbat]

4 options at left wing back. All rubbish sadly

 

[bakeblade]

4 options at left wing back. All rubbish sadly

Too true

 

[Bladesman]

RND shouldn't have been dropped really.

 

[bakeblade]

Stevens comes inside too much whilst RND runs the line. Stevens needs to realise no one is coming to overlap which is why our build up play is slow and ponderous, at least RND puts the ball in. 99.9% are shit but 1 will come off at some point

RND is also more aggressive than Stevens, almost at times Stuart Pearce pyscho like.
If the Ref let's him get away with it, he can intimidate the opposition.

 

[bakeblade]

RND shouldn't have been dropped really.

Hecky rested him as he had played loads of games in a short period of time.
Stevens did OK and deserved to keep the shirt until reverting to type yesterday.
I'd be surprised if RND doesn't come back in on Monday

 

[Lowen]

Osborn is small, slow and weak and would get absolutely pasted by any winger/wingback who’s athletic and/or good dribbler. He’d offer us the engine and good delivery when he’s got time and space but you have to be aware of who his matchup would be for every game so you could avoid playing him if the opposition had a threat there. Same to a certain extent goes for Stevens who plays like an old near retired player who’s technique is the only thing left, he couldn’t even handle Tom Ince. Both of these on the ball put RND to shame who has zero quality in the final third.

I would personally go with RND as he can actually defend 1v1, can carry the ball and has some recovery pace that might bail us out here and there. He’s also at a stage where he can improve although I don’t think he’ll ever get his final ball to the level it needs to be to play the position. Could be a LCB (in a back three) long term, he’d still need a lot of improvement to play there too but it seems more realistic that he can round out his defensive qualities more than his technical ones.

 

[ISZA ⚔️]

Stevens peaked in a left side that was as effective as the famed holy trinity of Duffy, Fleck & Norwood. O’Connell, Stevens & Fleck we’re outrageously good at building attacks down the left - JOC playing a huge part in that. Stevens was converted from a full back to a wing back and took to it like a duck to water. But was given the opportunity playing with two very good players.

Right now he’s nowhere near those levels. It’s no coincidence that he was and is less effective when attacks down that side feature Osborn (zero creativity) and Davies (traditional CB with lots of limitations) or Robinson (looks uneasy in possession and nervous). Ok, Fleck is sometimes LM but he’s been out of sorts for a while now.

The sooner people accept Stevens was at his best with two other players who were at the top of their game (one close to and England call-up), the quicker they see why Stevens just doesn’t look like Stevens.

The O’Connell injury is probably the biggest injury in the clubs history in terms of the effect it’s had.

 

[blades14]

RND has to play on Tuesday.

 

[LewishamBlade]

RND is better defensively these days. That's important against these. Also it was his presence of mind to let the ball which (I could've sworn was a goal kick...) go out for a corner rather than crossing it in. In essence if he wasn't on the pitch maybe it would still be 0-2... Game changing sub from Hecky

All our issues were coming down the left hand side and with Osborn at the right back spot we hadn't the defensive nous or ability to deal with the ball over.

RND & Baldock BOTH need to play to give us some semblance of a chance. If they don't and we decide to keep it as is we're done.

 

[Champagneblade]

RND is better defensively these days. That's important against these. Also it was his presence of mind to let the ball which (I could've sworn was a goal kick...) go out for a corner rather than crossing it in. In essence if he wasn't on the pitch maybe it would still be 0-2... Game changing sub from Hecky

All our issues were coming down the left hand side and with Osborn at the right back spot we hadn't the defensive nous or ability to deal with the ball over.

RND & Baldock BOTH need to play to give us some semblance of a chance. If they don't and we decide to keep it as is we're done.

There's a few obvious ways to change approach against Forest.

1. Samba will come for things but won't always get them. So balls into the box earlier and the occasional Gary Owen and someone to clatter him, preferably early. As mentioned elsewhere, less fannying around near the by line and more JLT piss missiles into the box.

2. Rough up the wide players. Spence seemed to get easily wound up by Robinson so maybe Norrington-Davies giving him some treatment early on and we know what a shithouse Baldock can be.

I know it sounds like suggesting the dark arts to get us through but we have to try something different and if it's being direct and giving them a bit of a kicking then so be it. All's fair in love and war.