Howard & Collins

[CopenhagenBlade]

So will Howard get his place back when he is fit and should Collins wait? 1 goal in 3 games is a pretty strong statement of intent from Hill & Long and personally I hope that DW keeps it as it is. Long must really be growing in confidence and by the sounds of it has made some good and important saves and hopefully is saving us money on a short term loan. UTB

 

[GAZBLADE]

Collins and Howard have to wait. Nowt wrong with things at present. Long may it continue.
UTB
COYRWW

 

[snb69]

Don't change a winning team. It's unfortunate for Collins, but we're winning at the moment, so no changes unless you have to

 

[blader]

Howard absolutely should not get his place back, I feel much more confident with Long in goal so that's a no-brainer. As for Hill, he deserves to retain his place also, but I'd put him back at left back and revert to the classic Maguire/Collins central partnership for me.

 

[Superblades]

Howard absolutely should not get his place back, I feel much more confident with Long in goal so that's a no-brainer. As for Hill, he deserves to retain his place also, but I'd put him back at left back and revert to the classic Maguire/Collins central partnership for me.

100% agree with this.

 

[dannycorker]

Howard absolutely should not get his place back, I feel much more confident with Long in goal so that's a no-brainer. As for Hill, he deserves to retain his place also, but I'd put him back at left back and revert to the classic Maguire/Collins central partnership for me.

I'd agree if it weren't for the fact that Williams was the only player on the pitch who looked interested in attacking tonight.

 

[Latters]

I'd agree if it weren't for the fact that Williams was the only player on the pitch who looked interested in attacking tonight.

Thought Williams was probably our best player tonight.

I wouldn't play Hill at left back. I don't rate him there at all. He doesn't get forward well, he is very slow, his positioning as a full back is poor and he looks very dodgy defensively. Conversely, he's looked sound at centre half though so I'd stick with it for now. Williams has proved he's our best available left back for me.

If we were to change anything, I'd have to give Westlake a go instead of the perennially poor McMahon. I have seen nothing at all from him to back up any of the hype that surrounded his signing.

 

[KenMcnaughtsNuts]

dunt matter. theyre all similar stannit. as long as someone is fit, were ok. if long gets injured, panic then. more concerning is what do we do when kitson leaves in a few months. and will we ever find someone better than mcallister/cofie. those two positions could wreck our season. not that im trying to be a doom merchant! any signs of kitson being signed up for the season?

 

[stannyblade]

Send Cofie back and bring in an out and out winger or play Chappel. I dont see the point in having Cofie unless we arent paying his wage. Hill played very well again last night as did Williams

 

[Houso]

I'm thinking Daz, Foxy etc... has McFadzean been poor in the under 21s this season? He's looked really promising on the occasions I've seen him and he must be worth a go instead of McAllister (with Flynn switching to the right).

 

[stannyblade]

I'm thinking Daz, Foxy etc... has McFadzean been poor in the under 21s this season? He's looked really promising on the occasions I've seen him and he must be worth a go instead of McAllister (with Flynn switching to the right).

Then tell them both you are wingers stay out wide as much as possible. Last night we just didnt have the outlet ball. Didnt help that Doyle was absolute shite last night.

 

[broomhillblade]

Tonne seems to have slipped right down the pecking order.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Hill as a full back is poor and looks very dodgy defensively.

Unbelievable comment. He was excellent towards the end of last season defensively, and has continued that into this season. Yes, he offers less going forward than both Lecs and Williams, but defensively he's clearly the most comfortable out of the three.

I would be concerned about having him as a long-term centre-half. He has been largely fine in that position so far, but in amongst a generally assured performance there are the odd lapses - generally from aerial balls pumped forward at the defence from deep - where he misjudges them. This happened at Orient and nearly cost us (luckily someone, Maguire I think, was alert enough to cover).

I'm all for playing people in good form, but as much as possible that needs to be balanced with playing the best XI available. Our defence is better in my view with a four of McMahon, Maguire, Collins and Hill than it is with McMahon, Maguire, Hill and Williams. Collins also offers us more at set-pieces up the other end of the pitch.

 

[Latters]

Unbelievable comment. He was excellent towards the end of last season defensively, and has continued that into this season. Yes, he offers less going forward than both Lecs and Williams, but defensively he's clearly the most comfortable out of the three.

On the contrary it's quite believable.

When he plays at full back he does get caught out of position quite often and he doesn't have the pace to recover. His poor technique seems to be more exposed at full back, with a good proportion of his clearances or attempted passes being sliced out for throw-ins. Lecsinel is better as a full back than Hill, and that includes defensively, because he has more pace and strength.

I also prefer Williams to Hill at left back but acknowledge that Hill is a competent centre half. His positional sense is far better at CB and I would imagine this is preferred position and the one he's played most of his football in.