Harper Available To Play Tonight

[Jim Chimmerney]

According to McDermott;

"He is permitted to play under the terms of his loan agreement. When the loan went through, there was consideration for a permanent deal and so therefore no clause was added at that late stage"

still leaves more questions than answers as to what exactly his contract / loan situation is but he's free to play anyway. Presume the same applies to Howard although he's been sub recently.

 

[LouTheBlade]

Well we sold Howard permanently so we cant really stop him playing anyway. Managers only normally agree to that by 'gentleman's agreement' if the fixture is coming up shortly.

Glad Harper is playing. Surprised Reading didnt add a clause but their loss. I think he will sign for United beyond the season if we make a decent fist of this one. At his age (nearly 30) the lower PL teams probably wont find him as attractive an option anymore IMO.

 

[the magic man]

I do hope Harper signs at the end of the season - an excellent addition in my opinion. His partnership with Sidwell for Reading was one of the best i've seen. Admitedly he hasn't been on top form for us, but I can see him and Willo being an excellent pairing in the middle - the few times they've had the chance to play together filled me with a lot of confidence. Harper is also a good character to have around as well - I like him shaking everybodies hand before kick off, and the few interviews ive seen with him show him to be a 'right geezer'! We need characters like that around to give the lads a lift

 

[LouTheBlade]

I do hope Harper signs at the end of the season - an excellent addition in my opinion. His partnership with Sidwell for Reading was one of the best i've seen. Admitedly he hasn't been on top form for us, but I can see him and Willo being an excellent pairing in the middle - the few times they've had the chance to play together filled me with a lot of confidence. Harper is also a good character to have around as well - I like him shaking everybodies hand before kick off, and the few interviews ive seen with him show him to be a 'right geezer'! We need characters like that around to give the lads a lift

I agree with you. He does have a very positive attitude and seems to get on well with the rest of the lads. I thought his form early on for United was below par but I disagree with those that say he hasnt played well for us. He's a very polished centre mid, does his job quietly and effectively.

Since Willo and Monty have become fully fit he has had a little help as well. There was too much work on his shoulders when we had loads of injuries.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

I think he's certainly been more involved in the last few games and more like his old self, started to slot a few killer passes through as well which is something we rarely see.

 

[Grecian2000]

Well we sold Howard permanently so we cant really stop him playing anyway.

Stick him in a red and white stripey shirt. That always stopped him in the past.

 

[86Blade]

Harper has been doing well recently so hopefully a big performance from him tonight will drive us onto a great win.

 

[LouTheBlade]

Stick him in a red and white stripey shirt. That always stopped him in the past.

:lol: Yeh he was a bit of an enigma while at the lane. Can only think of 3 or 4 games where I can honestly say he played to his full potential.

I wouldnt put it past him to stick one to us tonight though - heaven forbid.

 

[LouTheBlade]

What team would you guys pick tonight then? Considering injuries most of it picks itself but I would go with;

Bunn
Walker
Morgan
Fortune
Stewart
Ward
Harper
Montgomery
Yeates
Evans
Cresswell

Subs;
Bennett (is he available?)
Geary
Quinn
Reid (is he fit?)
Glen Little (see brackets above?)
Henderson
Camara

*Note Taylor is never to be included

I put Quinn on the bench because I thought he was poor saturday (bless his little ginger socks). Fortune isnt fit enough but we dont have anyone else.

 

[Latters]

GK) Bunn
RB) Geary
LB) Stewart
CB) Morgan
CB) Walker (as long as he doesn't go bombing up the pitch and get caught out of position like he tends to at RB)
RM/LM) Ward
RM/LM) Yeates
CM) Harper
CM) Quinn
CF) Camara
CF) Cresswell

Subs;
Bennett
Monty
Reid
Glen Little
Henderson
Evans

I've got Wardy and Yeates as RM/LM as I'm not sure which side Yeates prefers and think we could switch them around during the game to keep the oppo on their toes.

 

[Ollessendro]

Glad Harper is playing. Surprised Reading didnt add a clause but their loss. I think he will sign for United beyond the season if we make a decent fist of this one. At his age (nearly 30) the lower PL teams probably wont find him as attractive an option anymore IMO.

I do hope Harper signs at the end of the season - an excellent addition in my opinion. His partnership with Sidwell for Reading was one of the best i've seen. Admitedly he hasn't been on top form for us, but I can see him and Willo being an excellent pairing in the middle - the few times they've had the chance to play together filled me with a lot of confidence. Harper is also a good character to have around as well - I like him shaking everybodies hand before kick off, and the few interviews ive seen with him show him to be a 'right geezer'! We need characters like that around to give the lads a lift

Fully agree with both of you. It's really important that we sign him permanently. He is a good footballer. Full stop. With a better manager, better tactics and a decent partner in CM (Willo fits the bill) he could be very good again.

You make some excellent points about his motivational skills Magic. He is a gobby cockney, but he is always talking. He is always supporting players and helping them out. He does a lot of unsung stuff as well. He is not Zidane and we shouldn't expect it. But he's getting stronger and fitter every week. Will he do the defensive job of Makalele, cross like Beckham, beat people like Ronaldo, pass Like Zidane??? No! Will he keep the ball, always be an option, stick his foot in, create a few goals and pop up with the odd goal?? Yes!

What team would you guys pick tonight then? Considering injuries most of it picks itself but I would go with;

Bunn
Walker
Morgan
Fortune
Stewart
Ward
Harper
Montgomery
Yeates
Evans
Cresswell

Subs;
Bennett (is he available?) Yes
Geary
Quinn
Reid (is he fit?) Who?
Glen Little (see brackets above?)
Henderson
Camara

*Note Taylor is never to be included

I put Quinn on the bench because I thought he was poor saturday (bless his little ginger socks). Fortune isnt fit enough but we dont have anyone else.

Can't argue with that Lou.