Rob Holding and his magical returning hairline

[joe casey]

Are we allowed to post positives from last night?

I thought Holding was excellent and whilst he understandably couldn't manage the full 90 - I do wonder if a fit Holding would've meant we see out the 1-0 a little more comfortably.

Won pretty much everything in the air (not Souttar esque but dealt with any aerial threat). Passed the ball well and never looked fazed.
As many have said I think him and Anel are probably our "best" pairing but can't see Wilder dropping Robinson (who I also thought played well up until the last 5 mins where he lets his man go and then sparks royal rumble).

Hope to see him feature more than just the last 5 mins from now on.

 

[Ndiayewillalwaysloveyou]

Are we allowed to post positives from last night?

I thought Holding was excellent and whilst he understandably couldn't manage the full 90 - I do wonder if a fit Holding would've meant we see out the 1-0 a little more comfortably.

Won pretty much everything in the air (not Souttar esque but dealt with any aerial threat). Passed the ball well and never looked fazed.
As many have said I think him and Anel are probably our "best" pairing but can't see Wilder dropping Robinson (who I also thought played well up until the last 5 mins where he lets his man go and then sparks royal rumble).

Hope to see him feature more than just the last 5 mins from now on.

Him and Anel need to start the last 9 games.

 

[Gimli]

If he can get fit enough to play 90 minutes, he should be definitely starting every game until the end of the season.

 

[Wards]

Yep, definite starter for me. Sorry JLT, your time is up (not that you've played terribly it's just that you're not as good as the other two).

Thought Holding was really good. Doesn't need the physicality of Souttar to be commanding as his knowhow shone through. Good on the ball and much calmer than anyone we've had in the backline for a long while.

I'd hope Wilder saw what most did and he starts the majority of games now.

 

[Barry Butlin]

Very calm and looked class on the ball, had a great game !!

 

[loyalblade95]

At the time I was surprised when we took him off for Anel rather than bringing Anel on alongside him and Robinson but if he isn't ready for 90 minutes it's not worth the risk of keeping him on and pushing him too hard.

He looked very good when he was on and worked hard to deal with Armstrong who himself looks like an absolute unit.

If he is available in the summer I would definitely consider signing him no matter what league we're in.

 

[ATL Recs]

Yep, definite starter for me. Sorry JLT, your time is up (not that you've played terribly it's just that you're not as good as the other two).

Thought Holding was really good. Doesn't need the physicality of Souttar to be commanding as his knowhow shone through. Good on the ball and much calmer than anyone we've had in the backline for a long while.

I'd hope Wilder saw what most did and he starts the majority of games now.

I’d be surprised ( very happily) if he dropped Robbo for Holding
But me thinks he will go three at the back

 

[Weasel]

At the time I was surprised when we took him off for Anel rather than bringing Anel on alongside him and Robinson but if he isn't ready for 90 minutes it's not worth the risk of keeping him on and pushing him too hard.

He looked very good when he was on and worked hard to deal with Armstrong who himself looks like an absolute unit.

If he is available in the summer I would definitely consider signing him no matter what league we're in.

Armstrong was the one i was hoping we would be in for (from QPR) in the summer before he went to Bristol City. I mentioned him in the thread about potential up and coming targets in the rumours thread. We probably just didnt have the readies then. Shame as you could tell he could be some player if he matured.

 

[mattbianco1]

Are we allowed to post positives from last night?

I thought Holding was excellent and whilst he understandably couldn't manage the full 90 - I do wonder if a fit Holding would've meant we see out the 1-0 a little more comfortably.

Won pretty much everything in the air (not Souttar esque but dealt with any aerial threat). Passed the ball well and never looked fazed.
As many have said I think him and Anel are probably our "best" pairing but can't see Wilder dropping Robinson (who I also thought played well up until the last 5 mins where he lets his man go and then sparks royal rumble).

Hope to see him feature more than just the last 5 mins from now on.

His distribution and composure on the ball are a level above.

You don't get to play that many games for Arsenal without decent attributes

 

[Nick Jansky]

I would start Holding for the rest of the games & make him captain.

 

[Silent Blade]

I would start Holding for the rest of the games & make him captain.

When was the last time we had a player on loan to us that was made captain? I think it is also unheard of at other clubs.

 

[Slim Man]

He won't drop golden boy Robinson. Forget about it

 

[mattbianco1]

When was the last time we had a player on loan to us that was made captain? I think it is also unheard of at other clubs.

Did Brayford captain us at all during his loan spell?

 

[Silent Blade]

Did Brayford captain us at all during his loan spell?

Dont remember.

 

[Boxer Blade]

Dont remember.

I've never heard you say that silent!
If you don't remember we are in real trouble.

 

[Berkshire Blade]

First start in literally years.

Granted we don't have many midweek rounds left now which might help but I don't see him starting EVERY game.

 

[Sizablade]

When was the last time we had a player on loan to us that was made captain? I think it is also unheard of at other clubs.

Didn't Soutter captain us against Wrexham in the cup this season?

 

[bladesince64]

Holding was outstanding. His calmness, vision, passing, positional play, cutting out threats, dealing with their giant striker, etc etc was really impressive.

He was a pleasure to watch in a game where we struggled to deal with their quick passing and movement.

Hes everything that Robbo isnt unfortunately. We all love the guy and he gives everything but, he does have many limitations.

Lost his man for the goal. Rush of blood again when he body-
slammed a player onto the floor (not the first time hes done this)

Most refs would have red carded him (dont think he saw it)

Like many have mentioned a CB pairing of Holding & Anel would be pretty decent maybe even if we do go up as well.

 

[Blademan89]

Great performance from him tonight, was pretty much in top 2 for man of the match for me, pretty much dealt with everything his way and won everything in the air, dealt with a strong awkward forward that was constantly grappling and wrestling. His distribution was very good and looked relaxed and calm on the ball.

As many said would love to see him & anel for rest of the season, I also wouldn't mind seeing us pick him up on a free at the end if the season for either division (back up in prem/starter in championship).

 

[joe casey]

Holding was outstanding. His calmness, vision, passing, positional play, cutting out threats, dealing with their giant striker, etc etc was really impressive.

He was a pleasure to watch in a game where we struggled to deal with their quick passing and movement.

Hes everything that Robbo isnt unfortunately. We all love the guy and he gives everything but, he does have many limitations.

Lost his man for the goal. Rush of blood again when he body-
slammed a player onto the floor (not the first time hes done this)

Most refs would have red carded him (dont think he saw it)

Like many have mentioned a CB pairing of Holding & Anel would be pretty decent maybe even if we do go up as well.

He was booked for his part in it

 

[Tazzy]

Did not put a foot wrong last night .Needs to start along side Anel Sunday

 

[Badger Blade]

Didn't Soutter captain us against Wrexham in the cup this season?

On his debut no less.

 

[Silent Blade]

Didn't Soutter captain us against Wrexham in the cup this season?

We had a second string team full of youngsters that night

 

[mattbianco1]

Didn't Soutter captain us against Wrexham in the cup this season?

Well done! Good memory

The only others i think may have would be Brayford, Coady, Tommy Doyle, Hourihane and Henderson

Just back of mind type guesses, no real substance

 

[Ron_Justice]

Thought he did really well. Once his fitness is there, him and Anel should be the preferred pair.

 

[Large Mendonca]

Unfortunately, we all know there is zero chance of Tufty dropping Robbo for Holding.

 

[Stretch]

Yes he was good last night.

Him and Anel should be the pairing for the run in, when both available.

 

[Greasy Chap Butty]

Amazing, because he's seem good every time he's come on, and good last night. But I have a look at the comments when he signed. More evidence of the mentality of some of our members.

 

[Whitby-Blade]

Robbo might wear the armband but it was clear Holding led the back 4 last night. His pedigree shone through, he was calm, composed, aware of runners and talking to the other defenders constantly. By far the biggest positive from the match, just hope he can stay fit.

 

[Nick Jansky]

Robbo might wear the armband but it was clear Holding led the back 4 last night. His pedigree shone through, he was calm, composed, aware of runners and talking to the other defenders constantly. By far the biggest positive from the match, just hope he can stay fit.

No reason why he shouldn’t stay fit. He had one bad injury (cruciate) as a youngster but hardly anything since then.