Adkins.....land of the Giants !!

[Tezza1889]

It's hard to post this while we are on a run, in fact I've waited a few days and mulled it over.. But here goes...there'll be bigger stories today..

We know Adkins has aluded before to having a team of big lads, " you need at least 4 big lads in for set pieces" is a quote we all remember, but what has been the impact on the players sub 6ft tall..?

Look a the players who were and have been decent performers for us who are under 6ft tall, and look at where they are now, I haven't gone into to much depth because as soon as I started looking I quickly saw that they'd been frozen out or sent out on loan ( let go...Doyle), having said that I prefer a team full of big lads who can mix it when needed and can play, so I'm not criticising.. But here's the catch...

We can look forward to any of the 6 footers being retained as is Adkins clear bias toward them in contrast to the smaller lads, mcnults, jcr, scougs, (loads more) frozen out or loaned, Sammon, Woolford, Hammond, playing crap and still around the first team...(recent performances are turning opinion on Hammond btw)

Feel free to add what you want, somebody more passionate may want to look at all the players heights and do a comparison on where the midgets are in the scheme of things..

Regardless of talent, potential, or anything, It's the land of the Giants, so when we look at prospects, we need to filter them out on thier height... How tall was Sam morsey? Just being curious there...


I realise there's exceptions like sharp,Done, and Flynn (Adams wiki page gives no height) but stick with me here.... That could be a reason he will be moved on easier..seriously..

This might seem a stupid post to some....but it's been created as I mulled over something I've been told by somebody who knows first hand.. It's likely he'll go to Chesterfield in the summer..

 

[Rodley]

 

[Pollingtonblade]

Sorry I don't get the point?

The players he's frozen out have been fucking shit.

 

[Gin&Juice]

If this was the first issue that came into your mind when you woke up then I wish I had your life!

 

[Kev Gee]

We will be looking for tall athletic players in the summer no doubt. Anyone under the 6ft mark would probably not be joining.

How tall were the recent trialists?

 

[PeteBlade]

Sorry I don't get the point?

The players he's frozen out have been fucking shit.

I agree. He's clearly biased towards players who aren't shit, Connor Sammon excluded.

 

[DazBlade88]

Last year, I would say virtually everyone on this forum bemoaned the lack of height and strength in this team. He seems to have addressed that, so I don't see the issue?

 

[Bladesince59]

A good big'un allas beats a good little-un. A good big'un knocks the shit out of a crap little'un.

 

[coaxingstar71]

Didn't Tony Pulis create his Stoke team around the same philosophy?

It makes perfect sense in theory, especially in the lower leagues where there are a high percentage of set piece goals. Thinking back, Bassett's teams usually had a fair number of big lads and there are a few sides in this league who have too, the likes of Gillingham and Peterboro spring to mind. Looking ahead and assuming we don't pull off the miraculous, we'll likely be playing MK Dons again next season and I hope we kick them off the park in the same way they did to us the previous season - I've never left a game so angry as I did that night. I particularly hope that someone breaks Carl Baker's legs in the same way he tried to break Bob Harris' in that game.

 

[Ricky]

A word he's used a number of times is 'robust', and hopefully that comes before height, as long as we do have 4+ tall players in the team. I think it will too, as he wanted Sam Morsy, who's not tall but is as robust as they come. You'll never have a team of 6 footers after all.

 

[bertieblade]

Which player is likely to go to Chesterfield?

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

We will be looking for tall athletic players in the summer no doubt. Anyone under the 6ft mark would probably not be joining.

How tall were the recent trialists?

If targets I've heard are right and they are signed, they will not all be above the small target of 6ft you've mentioned. I'm 6ft 4in so I might give +Nige a ring. Reckon we could do with a paunchy, balding 50+ centre forward.

 

[Esablade]

I'll keep posting this until it sinks in...

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

A good big'un allas beats a good little-un. A good big'un knocks the shit out of a crap little'un.

You'd think all these coaches and managers would've thought of that to combat Messi.

 

[Esablade]

If targets I've heard are right and they are signed, they will not all be above the small target of 6ft you've mentioned. I'm 6ft 4in so I might give +Nige a ring. Reckon we could do with a paunchy, balding 50+ centre forward.

Come on lad..ee's got Sammon..

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

Come on lad..ee's got Sammon..

He controls it further than I can kick it.

 

[mosbolad]

You'd think all these coaches and managers would've thought of that to combat Messi.

Even Messi himself is better as the biggest version he can be and took daily growth hormone injection to combat a natural deficit.

A good big(ger) Messi is better than a good little Messi.....

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

Even Messi himself is better as the biggest version he can be and took daily growth hormone injection to combat a natural deficit.

A good big(ger) Messi is better than a good little Messi.....

A bigger Messi, with a higher centre of gravity, wider turning circle, bigger less nimble feet would not be as effective!

 

[billyblademan]

Reckon we could do with a paunchy, balding 50+ centre forward.

Stop flattering yourself SEB...

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

Stop flattering yourself SEB...

You want to see my description for cricket purposes

 

[billyblademan]

You want to see my description for cricket purposes

Right arm slow, happy to stand at slips all day?

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

Right arm slow, happy to stand at slips all day?

SLOW!!

Ball delivered like a fucking exocet, panther like in the field, bludgeoning left-hand bat!

 

[mosbolad]

A bigger Messi, with a higher centre of gravity, wider turning circle, bigger less nimble feet would not be as effective!

Ah but Essex, it would appear that he is better than the smaller version of himself had he not been given the injections paid for by Newells Old Boy and subsequently Barca.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

Ah but Essex, it would appear that he is better than the smaller version of himself had he not been given the injections paid for by Newells Old Boy and subsequently Barca.

O, I totally agree. Just as there's a taller height at which his effectiveness as a player is diminished, so there is the equal for a smaller height.

 

[mosbolad]

O, I totally agree. Just as there's a taller height at which his effectiveness as a player is diminished, so there is the equal for a smaller height.

Agree SEB Messi is an exception just as Maradonna, 2 of the most gifted player ever to have someone lace up their boots for them. Then there's big Ronny, Christiano Ronaldo now he is a specimen, and of course the likes of Ibrahimovic.

It does appear that size/physical presence is an advantage in certain positions, central defenence, goalkeeper being the obvious. But even then you don't get huge players say by basketball standards. Say for a keeper if the bigger the better we would be seeing 7 foot keepers and we don't, the optimum appearing to be 6'2 - 6'5. Beyond that as you rightly point out maneuverability is lost and the player begins to become less effective.

On balance though, size, strength, power 'a good biggun' etc.

 

[alcoblade]

If this was the first issue that came into your mind when you woke up then I wish I had your life!

Well, it goes without saying (assuming he's male) that his first thought was "I wish I could get a hard on like this when it actually matters".

UTB

 

[Grappler]

Didn't Tony Pulis create his Stoke team around the same philosophy?

It makes perfect sense in theory, especially in the lower leagues where there are a high percentage of set piece goals. Thinking back, Bassett's teams usually had a fair number of big lads and there are a few sides in this league who have too, the likes of Gillingham and Peterboro spring to mind. Looking ahead and assuming we don't pull off the miraculous, we'll likely be playing MK Dons again next season and I hope we kick them off the park in the same way they did to us the previous season - I've never left a game so angry as I did that night. I particularly hope that someone breaks Carl Baker's legs in the same way he tried to break Bob Harris' in that game.

Do you remember the last time we played them at the Lane, the season Stoke went up, when the team lined up, it looked like Dads playing Lads!

Not one of them under six foot from memory, and knocked us all over the place.

A permanent fixture in the Premiership now, might never be jostling for top place, but usually do ok.

 

[Bladesince59]

A bigger Messi, with a higher centre of gravity, wider turning circle, bigger less nimble feet would not be as effective!

He'd be OK at BDTBL though...whatever the size.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

It's hard to post this while we are on a run, in fact I've waited a few days and mulled it over.. But here goes...there'll be bigger stories today..

We know Adkins has aluded before to having a team of big lads, " you need at least 4 big lads in for set pieces" is a quote we all remember, but what has been the impact on the players sub 6ft tall..?

Look a the players who were and have been decent performers for us who are under 6ft tall, and look at where they are now, I haven't gone into to much depth because as soon as I started looking I quickly saw that they'd been frozen out or sent out on loan ( let go...Doyle), having said that I prefer a team full of big lads who can mix it when needed and can play, so I'm not criticising.. But here's the catch...

We can look forward to any of the 6 footers being retained as is Adkins clear bias toward them in contrast to the smaller lads, mcnults, jcr, scougs, (loads more) frozen out or loaned, Sammon, Woolford, Hammond, playing crap and still around the first team...(recent performances are turning opinion on Hammond btw)

Feel free to add what you want, somebody more passionate may want to look at all the players heights and do a comparison on where the midgets are in the scheme of things..

Regardless of talent, potential, or anything, It's the land of the Giants, so when we look at prospects, we need to filter them out on thier height... How tall was Sam morsey? Just being curious there...


I realise there's exceptions like sharp,Done, and Flynn (Adams wiki page gives no height) but stick with me here.... That could be a reason he will be moved on easier..seriously..

This might seem a stupid post to some....but it's been created as I mulled over something I've been told by somebody who knows first hand.. It's likely he'll go to Chesterfield in the summer..

Lack of height was definitely an issue last season and I think it’s right that Adkins has addressed that. The pitfall is only having players based on size and not giving enough credence to footballing ability. But as mentioned, we have Sharp, Done, Flynn and Adams in the team that are under 6 foot (think Adams is about 5”11). That shows there is room for these players if they perform well enough. I think the balance is about right at the moment to be honest. A bit more pace would be nice. In fact, I’d like another big forward to replace Sammon and offer a different option. I’d also like someone better than Flynn or Coutts long term in that midfield 3 with those two fighting it out for the third spot.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

If targets I've heard are right and they are signed, they will not all be above the small target of 6ft you've mentioned. I'm 6ft 4in so I might give +Nige a ring. Reckon we could do with a paunchy, balding 50+ centre forward.

Same here but I combine Hammond's finesse, Baxter's dedication, Higdon's athleticism and Kennedy's knees.