Rob Holding and his magical returning hairline

[bladesince64]

I did see him talking to Femi Seriki quite a lot.

Not in an aggressive way but encouraging him and telling him where to be positionally.

Great when experienced players do this and really a captain should be able to do this on the pitch all game and lead by example of course.

 

[Bladesman]

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.

A cup winner who has played most of his career at the highest level since leaving Bolton. It shows on the pitch and I want to see him and Anel starting games.

 

[Chimpan-A]

I turned to my son and said he reminded of me of Souttar, the way he attacked the ball. I was surprised he went off but maybe he just tired.

 

[Bladesman]

I turned to my son and said he reminded of me of Souttar, the way he attacked the ball. I was surprised he went off but maybe he just tired.

He came off bang on the 75 minute mark. So I reckon that was a pre planned sub given his lack of game time.

 

[Houston_Blade]

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

Wilder, like a lot of our fans is a sucker for a slide tackle obviously.

 

[Sheffsteel]

I turned to my son and said he reminded of me of Souttar, the way he attacked the ball. I was surprised he went off but maybe he just tired.

I thought the same too.

Noticed he always seemed to be jogging… his positioning and anticipation was so good that he didn’t need to sprint.

Looks calm and composed, was impressed.

 

[DifferentClass]

Dr. Cinik doing a reyt job.

 

[brownblade]

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

Didn't he freeze Robinson out of the squad for a few months circa 2021? How do you figure he's Wilder's golden boy?

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

It's not understandable that he 'couldn't manage' the full 90

 

[Slim Man]

Didn't he freeze Robinson out of the squad for a few months circa 2021? How do you figure he's Wilder's golden boy?

Something he did... 4 years ago?

 

[brownblade]

Something he did... 4 years ago?

He also replaced Robinson with Souttar for the first half of the season. If that helps.

 

[Badger Blade]

A Robinson red card at the end of the Bristol City game could have been the blessing we needed to get our two best centre backs together for the run in.

 

[Slim Man]

He also replaced Robinson with Souttar for the first half of the season. If that helps.

Robinson got injured. He then couldn't bring him straight back in as we were winning and keeping clean sheets.

If that helps.

 

[brownblade]

Robinson got injured. He then couldn't bring him straight back in as we were winning and keeping clean sheets.

If that helps.

Are you suggesting Souttar would have been on the bench all season?

 

[Slim Man]

Are you suggesting Souttar would have been on the bench all season?

I'm suggesting that without doubt Robinson wouldn't have been dropped without a mistake or injury

 

[brownblade]

I'm suggesting that without doubt Robinson wouldn't have been dropped without a mistake or injury

Without doubt!?
Well I fully doubt that. But okay.

 

[Bladesman]

A Robinson red card at the end of the Bristol City game could have been the blessing we needed to get our two best centre backs together for the run in.

Exactly, why didn't Robbo go for a kung fu kick?

 

[Slim Man]

Without doubt!?
Well I fully doubt that. But okay.

He never has been in the past. Why would that change for Souttar?

 

[brownblade]

He never has been in the past. Why would that change for Souttar?

Why would he have been replaced with Souttar...?

Previously who should we have played instead of Robinson? We've not been blessed with options.

 

[Slim Man]

Why would he have been replaced with Souttar...?

Previously who should we have played instead of Robinson? We've not been blessed with options.

What?

 

[loveWalrusDaveTheBlade]

Wilder has benched Robinson five times this season, when fit, in preference for Souttar. These facts dismiss the idea that Robinson is undroppable.
Holding is a class act. Everybody can see that. The issue for him is that he's building up fitness and match speed, having not played at first team level for a very long time. He will be starting for the team very soon, either at the expense of Robinson, or as part of a five at the back set up. If the latter, it will be for tactical reasons, not because Wilder is afraid to bench Robinson ( he's done this 5 times already this season). The delay in getting Holding into the starting 11 is for the reasons described above, not because Wilder is afraid or unwilling to drop Robinson. Same reason as to why he was subbed on 75.
It's not difficult to understand, really, if you're prepared to look beyond an entrenched agenda.
As for people wishing that Robinson had been sent off against Bristol City, let's hope for their sake that Anel or Holding don't pick up an injury in training this week. Mindless and blinkered stupidity, preferring to risk damage to the team in favour of their own personal views.

 

[Balham]

Wilder has benched Robinson five times this season, when fit, in preference for Souttar. These facts dismiss the idea that Robinson is undroppable.

Not sure that's quite correct.

Souttar joined on August 6th. He was an unused sub at Preston on the 9th with Wilder preferring a Robinson-Ahmedhodzic central defensive duo. Souttar made his first start against Wrexham alongside Auston Trusty before we reverted to the Robinson-Ahmedhodzic duo for QPR. Robinson then picked up an injury and was out for 5 matches by which stage the Ahmedhodzic-Souttar partnership was rock solid.

Robinson was restored to the first team twice, first when Ahmedhodzic picked up a 1-match suspension (Blackburn) and then again when he got sent off at Coventry and subsequently picked up an injury (6 matches). Ahmedhodzic was the one benched at the end of that spell but the first game back was Boxing Day and that was Souttar's last appearance for us.

In short, Robinson was dropped for Ahmedhodzic or Souttar once: after the Blackburn game.

 

[mattbianco1]

I think the reason Robinson hasn't been dropped is because since Holding came in he's not actually done anything of significant note wrong.

His last big mistake I remember was at Sunderland, but Holding wasn't here then.

His performances alone don't warrant a drop.

The problem for me is that it's clear a Holding/Anel partnership would be fantastic but because Robinson is doing OK, he's not getting dropped.

Had we got Holding at the start of Jan, he'd have been starting earlier. Robinson had an unchallenged place in the team for a full Month before Holding was signed.

You have to play your better players
I'd we only had Oné and Campbell for up front, Campbell starts every time so I don't get why he is treating defence differently

 

[Selly]

I think the reason Robinson hasn't been dropped is because since Holding came in he's not actually done anything of significant note wrong.

His last big mistake I remember was at Sunderland, but Holding wasn't here then.

Not a big mistake but he was definitely a yard too deep for Bristol C equaliser - and therefore the player who scored was a yard deeper than he should have been. he was also turned a little too easily.

I would say he also appeared to be a hairs breadth from blocking the shot. Fine margins.

I'm sure if we looked back we could find similar levels of "transgressions" (or worse) from most of the defence/midfield/attack (BBD not tracking his man vs Leeds for instance)

 

[loveWalrusDaveTheBlade]

Not sure that's quite correct.

Souttar joined on August 6th. He was an unused sub at Preston on the 9th with Wilder preferring a Robinson-Ahmedhodzic central defensive duo. Souttar made his first start against Wrexham alongside Auston Trusty before we reverted to the Robinson-Ahmedhodzic duo for QPR. Robinson then picked up an injury and was out for 5 matches by which stage the Ahmedhodzic-Souttar partnership was rock solid.

Robinson was restored to the first team twice, first when Ahmedhodzic picked up a 1-match suspension (Blackburn) and then again when he got sent off at Coventry and subsequently picked up an injury (6 matches). Ahmedhodzic was the one benched at the end of that spell but the first game back was Boxing Day and that was Souttar's last appearance for us.

In short, Robinson was dropped for Ahmedhodzic or Souttar once: after the Blackburn game.

I was going by the stats on transfermkt, which lists him being on the bench in the following games:
Luton (H)
Leeds (A)
Boro (A)
Stoke (H)
Bristol City (A).

If that's true, then he's been benched five times, as I stated, in favour of starting other people. That to me challenges his "undroppable" status, asserted by some.

We can argue the toss about the difference between being dropped or not picked, but in either case Wilder has preferred somebody else ahead of Robinson on five occasions. This gives me confidence that he will do the same when Holding is properly ready, if he judges Holding to be the better option. That was my point.

From what you say, I was wrong about stating the preference for Souttar on each occasion - my apologies for that. I should have said that in each case, Robinson was benched in preference for another player. Still consistent with the point that I was making.

 

[Blademan89]

Not a big mistake but he was definitely a yard too deep for Bristol C equaliser - and therefore the player who scored was a yard deeper than he should have been. he was also turned a little too easily.

I would say he also appeared to be a hairs breadth from blocking the shot. Fine margins.

I'm sure if we looked back we could find similar levels of "transgressions" (or worse) from most of the defence/midfield/attack (BBD not tracking his man vs Leeds for instance)

I believe another mistake was the free header in the first half, which Cooper somehow produced save of the season to deny. Robinsons man and he got caught ball watching and left him totally un marked.

 

[Slim Man]

He literally gave their striker a free header at the back stick, made the mistake for their goal, and people are telling me he's not playing poorly and doesn't warrant dropping...

 

[loveWalrusDaveTheBlade]

Robbo made some great blocks and tackles. Fought to the end

Cooper made that absolute howler when he dropped the ball - could easily have cost us the game. Lucky to get away with it. Time to give Davies a chance on Sunday.

A bit daft, isn't it.

I just don't get this idea that somebody has to make a mistake in order to be replaced in the starting line up by somebody who is better.

Wilder should be picking his best eleven to win each match ( I believe he is, by the way). It's absolutely fine to replace somebody who has played to the best of their abilities with somebody who is a better player. He doesn't need to wait for current 'shirt holders' to make a mistake, and none of the players should assume automatic selection.

There's no need for the pile-on on Robinson. It's clearly obvious that Holding is a much better player than Robinson, and so he should replace him as soon as he's properly fit and ready. I believe and expect that this is Wilders plan. If he doesn't, and he can't offer a sensible reason, then I will criticise him for it.

 

[Sithblade]

Getting deja vu vibes, in the Warnock promotion it was restoring Shipperley into the team. Then with Hecky it was replacing Norwood with Doyle which got us over the line.
Unless we go to three at the back, can't see Wilder doing this so far into the season. Then Holding and Anel should be the centre back partnership till the end of the season.

 

[Shadota]

Holding is, categorically, a better defender than Robinson. So he should start ahead of Robinson, even if he is not yet capable of completing 90 minutes. We already do the same thing with Campbell up front, so why should this be any different?

It's shameful that we are still having to start Jack Robinson at centre half, having had so much time to replace him. He simply is not good enough for the standard we want to be playing at. I don't care if he makes one tasty tackle per game that wakes up John Street - he's League 1 standard, and we've been frequently starting him for 4 years.

I'm totally on board with a Holding-Anel partnership at the back to the end of the season. We should be looking to the future, and if Holding can perform anywhere close to the standards that we were delivering with Souttar in the side, we should then give serious thought to signing Holding permanently.