Bobby Harris

[bobby ford]

Jury's still out on him, I think. Looked a breath of fresh air at first and certainly offers a lot more going forward than Hill ever could, but I thought he was poor on Sunday & may cost us a goal or two in the future.

What are people's thoughts on extending his contract? - Or should we look around in the summer for a new left back?

I'd leave him in the squad for now, because as mentioned, he's got a bit of pace about him and can offer good support to Murphy at times. But he does seem to lack the robustness of Hill and appears prone to a miskick/daft challenge (Then again I suppose Hill is also).

One for the future or a stop gap 'til we find someone better?

 

[itsinyerblood]

Jury's still out on him, I think. Looked a breath of fresh air at first and certainly offers a lot more going forward than Hill ever could, but I thought he was poor on Sunday & may cost us a goal or two in the future.

What are people's thoughts on extending his contract? - Or should we look around in the summer for a new left back?

I'd leave him in the squad for now, because as mentioned, he's got a bit of pace about him and can offer good support to Murphy at times. But he does seem to lack the robustness of Hill and appears prone to a miskick/daft challenge (Then again I suppose Hill is also).

One for the future or a stop gap 'til we find someone better?

Think he contributes more than Hill, although saying that Matt has provided decent cover at C/H. Harris seems to have a short fuse, but that's Cloughie's job to deal with this. Otherwise I'd say Harris has contributed to a more solid defence, pity he's not of the same standard as our superb right back. UTB

 

[madeinsheffield]

I don't think he's match sharp yet, the daft challenges look mis-timed to me rather than the nasty ones McMahon was putting in.

Seems to be picking yellow cards up though

 

[Grecian2000]

Have we actually conceded a goal from "his side" since he came? I suspect not.

I think Brayers is exceptional but I'm liking Harris in his own way as well.

Full back (both) were our weakest areas earlier in the season, now they aren't. Other areas to attend to long before we look at changing LB again.

 

[Deadly_D'Jaffo]

I thought against Shrewsbury he looked a player above this division. Very assured in possession and quite similar to Lecsinal JF in that his better work is done when attacking instead of defending. But he is quick and covers his position reasonably well. I'd sign him up on a 2 year deal definitely.

 

[bobby ford]

Have we actually conceded a goal from "his side" since he came? I suspect not.

I think Brayers is exceptional but I'm liking Harris in his own way as well.

Full back (both) were our weakest areas earlier in the season, now they aren't. Other areas to attend to long before we look at changing LB again.

I'm referring to the summer, when the club will decide whether to keep him for 2014-2015.

As stated, better than anything we have or have had for a while. But do you envisage him being a constant next season, after Clough has had chance to rebuild his squad?

 

[Grecian2000]

Yes I do.

How many players can we realistically expect to sign in the Summer? Four maybe five I would think. Too many and you're more or less starting from scratch.

Lets say we need to replace Brayford because he's simply too good for this division. So a RB for No 1.
Perhaps Harry has done enough "shop window" work to get him a move up the League, even if he hasn't I would be looking at CB to either replace Collins or fight him and Harry for a slot. So a CB as No2.
Everyone is calling for a striker of some description. So CF as No3.
A replacement for Doyle? I would, so CM for No4.

That might be all we get, so my point is, we may find a better LB somewhere but it won't be a priority. In my view anyway.

 

[BerksBlade]

On the evidence so far, I'd definitely keep him. Big improvement on anyone we've played at LB for 2-3 years. He is prone to a rash challenge, but rather that than not being able to defend.
As Grecian says, we have other areas to improve first.
If only we could persuade "the beard to be feared" on the other flank to stay!

 

[LSF]

Bob appears a little rash at times and over commits in certain situations. Bit of a 'bomb scare' merchant so far, but I'm happy to give him time to rein it back and settle down. It may well be over enthusiasm and a desire to impress.

 

[itsinyerblood]

Yes I do.

How many players can we realistically expect to sign in the Summer? Four maybe five I would think. Too many and you're more or less starting from scratch.

Lets say we need to replace Brayford because he's simply too good for this division. So a RB for No 1.
Perhaps Harry has done enough "shop window" work to get him a move up the League, even if he hasn't I would be looking at CB to either replace Collins or fight him and Harry for a slot. So a CB as No2.
Everyone is calling for a striker of some description. So CF as No3.
A replacement for Doyle? I would, so CM for No4.

That might be all we get, so my point is, we may find a better LB somewhere but it won't be a priority. In my view anyway.

I'd add to that, we need to consider the possibility of Maguire being sold. There are a stream of stories about him being looked at by the top clubs, and I wonder if he'd fancy another season in this division (assuming we stay up)? He's been consistent for us, and with super Brayford and Harris being introduced as the missing parts of our defence, seeing Harry sold may be something we have to expect. Realististically, yes, Brayford would probably move on. Other clubs will have noted his performances which will muddy the waters of him staying. Thing is though, if we stay up, and if Cloughie can persuade him to stay, that would be a real coup. He's quality and we'd miss him, end of.

Harris I'm liking the more I see him. As for who we buy, well at least two forwards, another midfielder, and then there's the question of defence if Brayford and Harry were to move on. I recall there was a unanimous opinion about the Shrewsbury R/B, Woods I think was his name. Nigel and his team will be well aware of all these issues, and the quality of player he's brought in suggests he sets his stall high.

 

[Houso]

I didn't realise we'd only got him on a contract until the end of the season.

Would definitely keep him on.

 

[Dkc]

Reminds me of Jamie Ward - enthusiastic and a bit rash at times

 

[bobby ford]

Yes I do.

Lets say we need to replace Brayford because he's simply too good for this division. So a RB for No 1.
Perhaps Harry has done enough "shop window" work to get him a move up the League, even if he hasn't I would be looking at CB to either replace Collins or fight him and Harry for a slot. So a CB as No2.
Everyone is calling for a striker of some description. So CF as No3.
A replacement for Doyle? I would, so CM for No4.

That might be all we get, so my point is, we may find a better LB somewhere but it won't be a priority. In my view anyway.

All fair points. Unfortunately, Brayford seems destined to leave, all interviews I've seen regarding him tend to mention his relationship with Clough & quotes such as 'just coming to enjoy some football''. It would be an incredible coup if Clough/the board can convince him to stay.

I wouldn't be disappointed if Harris remains as LB for next season. I think one of the most positive changes under NC has been the introduction of overlapping full backs. Hopefully he'll settle a bit more defensively & Clough will iron out any minor disciplinary issues. Interesting to gauge opinion on him, though.

PS - Might help if he changed his name to something a bit more exciting - Bob Harris is a name fit for a kit man, not an attacking wing back!

 

[raul]

Vassillis Bobharris. Says it like that and it'll be all right.

 

[Rossb123]

Bit harsh only played 4 games and has been injured most of the season, takes players a good few months to get back to full fitness. Look at Miller he is still trying to get fit

 

[bobby ford]

Bit harsh only played 4 games and has been injured most of the season, takes players a good few months to get back to full fitness. Look at Miller he is still trying to get fit

Unaware of his previous injury problems but I don't think anyone's being harsh. Pointed out that he's got some defensive weaknesses but makes up for it with his play going forward. Don't think he had a great game Sunday and seeking opinions on the lad.

 

[Captain]

Prefer Harris to Hill at LB, defence looks a better unit now.Hills deficiencies in evidence at Notts County and it cost is the game.

 

[Rossb123]

Unaware of his previous injury problems but I don't think anyone's being harsh. Pointed out that he's got some defensive weaknesses but makes up for it with his play going forward. Don't think he had a great game Sunday and seeking opinions on the lad.

Ino Ino and I agree with the majority you put as well about him and his performance on Sunday. Everyone's allowed an off day lets just hope its not a regular thing but he does need time to settle in.

 

[sitwell]

Unaware of his previous injury problems but I don't think anyone's being harsh. Pointed out that he's got some defensive weaknesses but makes up for it with his play going forward. Don't think he had a great game Sunday and seeking opinions on the lad.

What are these defensive weaknesses ? We have looked like conceding down our left since he came. Typical bladeyness looking for a negative which isn't there.

 

[blade too long]

One for the future or a stop gap 'til we find someone better?

doesn't that cover our entire squad ,

 

[DazBlade88]

Unless something goes dramatically wrong over the next couple of months I'd expect us to use the option to extend by a year. He makes some rash challenges but he's looked solid defensively and isn't afraid to overlap. To pick him up on a free is good business and as Grecian2000 says, other areas are a priority now.

 

[bobby ford]

What are these defensive weaknesses ? We have looked like conceding down our left since he came. Typical bladeyness looking for a negative which isn't there.

Not looking for negatives. Personally rate him higher than any other option at the club & just said I'd be happy with him next season. There have been a few poor clearances/touches and a couple of mistimed challenges. Again, the original post was more of a nod to the fact that his contract ends in the summer and whether we should renew it for next season.

 

[bobby ford]

To pick him up on a free is good business and as Grecian2000 says, other areas are a priority now.

Agree.

 

[JohnDenver]

If he's fit and wants to stay then sign him. He's a far better footballer than his predecessors at left back.

The measure I'm applying to all future signings is could they be a regular in a promotion team? While Harris (or 99% of left backs) won't be a game changer, he's comfortably good enough to do his bit. The mach winners will come from elsewhere.

 

[Mack]

He's by far the best left-back we've had since LJF and a definite upgrade on Hill/Williams/McGinty, but I think the jury is still out to some extent. He seems decent enough both going forward and defending but there are serious questions over his temperament and he does seem prone to a rash tackle or 5, he could quite easily have been sent off in half the games he's played for us.

He'll be more than adequate in a side (hopefully) aiming for promotion next year, but as pointed out above I can't see him being a Brayford/Scougall/Murphy/Flynn 'match winning' type.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

I've been fairly pleased with Chopper - his erratic style mixes a desire to press forward with a generally solid ability to defend, sprinkled with a dose of horrendous tackling. In both the Fulham away game and Sunday I thought he was going to get sent off. He's the sort of lovable wreckless left back we haven't seen since Unsworth. Yes, he'll get a number of bookings, but so long as he's not a liability I rate him as a general improvement on Hill. He'll perhaps become less yellow-card fodder as he gets more game time.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

The more games he plays, the fitter he will get, the more game-aware he will get and the better he will get. The issues he has at the moment (the odd poorly timed challenge, a few mis-placed passes) will lessen with time on the pitch. I see nothing but a bit of rustiness with him, rather than deep-seated flaws.

 

[Kenilworth]

He's got a bit of the "Joe Bolton" about him.
I like what Bob Harris has done with the place - but shhhshhh - just whisper it.

 

[secretchief]

He is definitely an improvement on Hill in that posistion. A far more balanced player.

Nonetheless, at the risk of stating the obvious, he is due a sending off sooner rather than later. Could easily have gone twice already. Don't know that this is fitness. Just seems rash.

 

[Deadly_D'Jaffo]

For me, he is the most underrated player in the team at the moment. Similar to Naysmith in that respect but a different player. Dependable enough at the back, comfortable in possession and offers something going forward.