Left Back

[Small Mendonca]

Quite concerned that Williams was picked today as first choice left back; I know Westlake isn't a left back but surely he's better than Williams? Westlake did well at Rotherham at left back. Williams was at fault for Burton's 2nd goal and looked quite bad for most of the game. I think even Hill would be a better alternative.

 

[Large Mendonca]

Agreed

 

[Blackheath Blade]

Quite concerned that Williams was picked today as first choice left back; I know Westlake isn't a left back but surely he's better than Williams? Westlake did well at Rotherham at left back. Williams was at fault for Burton's 2nd goal and looked quite bad for most of the game. I think even Hill would be a better alternative.

Not seen Westlake yet but agree that Williams didnt have his best game today. Burton were quite clever in that they played on him more and more as the game went on, their winger turned him inside out for their second goal. Overall, I thought we played well, some lovely passing moves and we created some decent chances.
Referee (our old mate Trevor Kettle) was pants though, no wonder Warnock always use to go off on one when he reffed on our games.

 

[UnitedBlade]

I can't see why Williams should ever be in the squad of 18.

Westlake on the bench, Hill sat in the stand. McFadzean and Tonne, there's 4 players I'd pick before Williams

 

[Bradford Blade]

Must be said, I didn't rate Williams yesterday, made a number of gaffs, one I believe giving way to their first goal. Anyone know why Hill/Westlake weren't playing/benched? Rested for the League?

Just struggling to understand why Williams?

 

[Come from away]

I would think it was his chance to show his stuff as DW wanted to give some of the new guys a run.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Despite Williams's selection yesterday, I fully expect Hill to be the first choice in the league. It wouldn't surprise me if DW tries to ship Williams out before the window closes - when Lecs is back fit (expected to be September according to the man himself) Williams will arguably be the 4th most competent for that position.

 

[Maidenhead]

Agreed, Williams had a shocker but I have yet to see anyone having a go at McDonald for giving the ball away cheaply in his own half for the first goal, or their guy completely "doing" Collins to put it away.

They're all entitled to a bad game now and again but maybe not quite as bad as Williams yesterday if they want to play in the next game.

 

[UnitedBlade]

Of course everyone can have a bad game but if he was trying to stake a claim, he failed miserably.

I doubt anyone noticed he was limping at the end and from the gestures was withdrawn from taking a penalty if required.

I think Wilson will try and offload him.

Doubt we'll see him again, too many ahead of him

 

[Bradford Blade]

Of course everyone can have a bad game but if he was trying to stake a claim, he failed miserably...

Indeed, can't disagree there...'shot himself in the foot' - maybe that's the reason for the limp

 

[Zlatan]

It wouldn't surprise me if DW tries to ship Williams out before the window closes

He'd look a right plank considering we only signed him permanently a few months ago.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

He'd look a right plank considering we only signed him permanently a few months ago.

It's not as though other managers haven't quickly shipped out players they've signed after it's clear it hasn't worked or they haven't fitted in. Barry Hayles was a classic example of that.

 

[Fiery Blade]

It's not as though other managers haven't quickly shipped out players they've signed after it's clear it hasn't worked or they haven't fitted in. Barry Hayles was a classic example of that.

But Wilson is now adding to the list:
Signed Williams after loan spell - clearly not good enough
Signed Hill after loan spell - not good enough in many peoples eyes
Offered Porter a new two year deal after a less than impressive first season
Made Howard first choice keeper yet he wasn't good enough to displace Simonsen

Over the summer we have signed:

1. An untried youngster from Man Utd with pace but very little experience
2. A Crewe forward who couldn't get into the first team
3. A Walsall right full back who lost his place in the first team
4. A Blackburn striker who spent most of the last year sitting on his arse

Hill, Williams,Porter and co are lower division journeyman - the jury is out on the new signings but to be honest only the ex Middlesboro full back looks of any reasonable quality

Wilson has consistantly failed in his second year - hopefully this year may change that trend -however failing to beat lowly and injury hit Burton at home does not bode well for the future

 

[metalblade]

But Wilson is now adding to the list:
Signed Williams after loan spell - clearly not good enough
Signed Hill after loan spell - not good enough in many peoples eyes
Offered Porter a new two year deal after a less than impressive first season
Made Howard first choice keeper yet he wasn't good enough to displace Simonsen

Over the summer we have signed:

1. An untried youngster from Man Utd with pace but very little experience
2. A Crewe forward who couldn't get into the first team
3. A Walsall right full back who lost his place in the first team
4. A Blackburn striker who spent most of the last year sitting on his arse

Hill, Williams,Porter and co are lower division journeyman - the jury is out on the new signings but to be honest only the ex Middlesboro full back looks of any reasonable quality

Wilson has consistantly failed in his second year - hopefully this year may change that trend -however failing to beat lowly and injury hit Burton at home does not bode well for the future

You can't say that fella the locals get upset with post's that suggest things might not be all sweetness and light

 

[stannyblade]

Williams was terrible on Sat and like already said I would play westlake or hill instead.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

But Wilson is now adding to the list:
Signed Williams after loan spell - clearly not good enough
Signed Hill after loan spell - not good enough in many peoples eyes
Offered Porter a new two year deal after a less than impressive first season
Made Howard first choice keeper yet he wasn't good enough to displace Simonsen

Over the summer we have signed:

1. An untried youngster from Man Utd with pace but very little experience
2. A Crewe forward who couldn't get into the first team
3. A Walsall right full back who lost his place in the first team
4. A Blackburn striker who spent most of the last year sitting on his arse

Hill, Williams,Porter and co are lower division journeyman - the jury is out on the new signings but to be honest only the ex Middlesboro full back looks of any reasonable quality

Wilson has consistantly failed in his second year - hopefully this year may change that trend -however failing to beat lowly and injury hit Burton at home does not bode well for the future

I accept the Williams criticism, but Hill showed last year he was a decent defender and Porter has had spells where he has contributed well. Howard hasn't had an opportunity, so hard to consider him a bad signing (when he came in Simmo had improved from his early season issues).

As for the signings, Cofie had bags of experience last year scoring for Royal Antwerp - I'd hazard a guess that they might do quite well if they played in League 1. The early signs on his ability are good. Blackman's lack of football will make him hungry to be involved - there were similar concerns about McDonald last year as I recall. Westlake and Miller are reasonable squad options for this league - who knows, they might surprise a few too.

The reality of the situation we're in means we're limited in terms of players we can bring in. We've added some quality in defence in McMahon, and two players that I think will turn out to be quality players in Cofie and Blackman. The big question for me is whether we have enough quality going forward on the wings - the rest of the starting XI I'm encouraged by.

 

[chipsncake]

I accept the Williams criticism, but Hill showed last year he was a decent defender and Porter has had spells where he has contributed well. Howard hasn't had an opportunity, so hard to consider him a bad signing (when he came in Simmo had improved from his early season issues).

As for the signings, Cofie had bags of experience last year scoring for Royal Antwerp - I'd hazard a guess that they might do quite well if they played in League 1. The early signs on his ability are good. Blackman's lack of football will make him hungry to be involved - there were similar concerns about McDonald last year as I recall. Westlake and Miller are reasonable squad options for this league - who knows, they might surprise a few too.

The reality of the situation we're in means we're limited in terms of players we can bring in. We've added some quality in defence in McMahon, and two players that I think will turn out to be quality players in Cofie and Blackman. The big question for me is whether we have enough quality going forward on the wings - the rest of the starting XI I'm encouraged by.

Your optimism is admirable but I think Fiery's interpretation of the situation is much more realistic. Wilson's acquisitions overall have been nowhere near good enough, and in the case of Williams inexcusable. Hope he proves me wrong but I can see us coming up short again and there can be no excuses this time round.

 

[Bladesman]

Despite Williams's selection yesterday, I fully expect Hill to be the first choice in the league. It wouldn't surprise me if DW tries to ship Williams out before the window closes - when Lecs is back fit (expected to be September according to the man himself) Williams will arguably be the 4th most competent for that position.

We didn't need to sign Williams on a permanent basis yet we did.

 

[robbie11]

We didn't need to sign Williams on a permanent basis yet we did.

Hill was sat in the stands injured and presumably will be back on Saturday. Agree Williams was poor. I thought we looked ok overall but lacked pace in midfield. If we had a right winger similar to Burton's I think we'd look a different team. As it was we had loads of possession but were predictable. What else did we learn? Flynn and Porter weren't good enough last season and won't be this.

 

[Fiery Blade]

Having seen all the left backs last year Williams, Hill and LJF you couldn't make a decent one out of all three yet Mr Wilson signed them all!
Full Backs have to have good positional sense, pace, the ability to tackle, ball control, good distribution and some attacking flair - take a long hard look at them in training Mr Wilson
No excuses now Mr Wilson - Having seen Porter, Flynn and the guy on loan from Bolton I am afraid we are in for a long hard season

 

[alcoblade]

Of all Wilson's dealings, the Williams one baffled me the most. He's either got photo's, or does something in training that he can't transfer onto the pitch. And we had the loan spell to work this out. Makes his signature less excusable that the waste of resource on Flynn.

I think LJF is decent enough at this level, with ability and age to improve. Hill can also defend, if not pass.

UTB

 

[Apperknowle Blade]

Taking in to consideration the opposition Saturday, I thought that Williams' performance was very poor to say the least. Probably the worst left back performance I have seen for ages!!

It was a very strange decision signing him permanently in January surely a loan extension would have been a better option for the club??? He didnt really pull up any trees whilst on loan.

Matt Hill would be my first choice LB then LJF (when fit hopefully Sept).

For a squad being run on a tight budget do we really need three LB's???

 

[Balham]

I would guess that in our desperation to sign a left back we agreed to a deal with Reading where we'd sign Williams permanently once the loan period was up.

Quite why we didn't go for someone like Ezekiel Fryers instead I've no idea. Or offer Williams terms he'd never accept. Anything prudent to avoid having him on the books now, to be honest.

 

[Coily]

Over the summer we have signed:

1. An untried youngster from Man Utd with pace but very little experience
2. A Crewe forward who couldn't get into the first team
3. A Walsall right full back who lost his place in the first team
4. A Blackburn striker who spent most of the last year sitting on his arse

Not unfair descriptions, but sadly that is where we presently are right now.

We don't seem to have transfer fees to pay, so that would exclude any up and coming player who has impressed over the last year or two, even from League 2. So what Wilson has had to do is scout for potential, be it via youth in Cofie or those who have shown something but perhaps not been consistently outstanding in their careers to date.

Danny now has to prove his managerial worth by getting more out of these (still young) players which he has shown he can do, Evans being the most obvious example. I'm cautiously optimistic that we will be around the top of the league, but as ever we need to have a good start to get everyone believing again.

 

[DeepcarBlade]

I would like to have seen Erik Tonne given a chance at left back, as I believe that's the position he was playing in Norway. I could imagine him being very similar to Lowton, but on the opposite flank. I.e. not a fantastic defender, but good going forwards.

 

[Fiery Blade]

It appears that most people contributing to this thread are in agreement - Williams is a complete and utter waste of wages
Hill is not much better and LJFis a disaster waiting to happen - why waste what little resource we have on such utter garbage - we even had them on loan before we bought!!!
On that evidence would you entrust Mr Wilson with the purse - even as small as it is!

 

[LoughboroBlade]

On that evidence would you entrust Mr Wilson with the purse - even as small as it is!

On that evidence alone, no. I wouldn't trust Sir Alex Ferguson with a penny either if you based his transfer dealings just on Massimo Taibi.

Wilson signed some decent players last year, and one or two less decent signings. Williams was for a nominal fee. It's tough to say that just because he signed one left back for peanuts that hasn't worked out at all, he shouldn't be trusted with any cash at all.

Worth also saying that early on into his loan spell he did very well - plenty were saying he looked like a quality player. His performances progressively dipped, but at worse he was adequate by the end of the loan spell. He has been worse as a permanent player certainly.