LUNDSTRAM

[sitwell]

I thought Lundstrum was outstanding today.

Not a fan of Lundstrum but he did very well last night.

Have you ever been to Crich Trum museum ? No me neither.

 

[Woodwardfan]

True, the game is decided by goals and we did well on 37% at h'boro - but we played 3-5-2 for 75% of the game and the midfield was stiffened by Basham in the 5. I don't mind the less of the gung-ho, especially away from home. CW hasn't managed at this level and no matter how many games he may have watched on TV, it is different. Norwich at BDTBL showed how to do it, all be it with a boring, negative approach.

The pleasing thing yesterday was we left Billy out away, which in the end gave us more options up top and as explained by CW, they wanted to exploit space down the channels - so yes, he IS learning to adapt and is great to see. We dug in and ground out a point - but we still didn't have what is required to pick the lock in the final third.

UTB

Picked the lock twice,albeit one was a gift. Clarke missed a great chance.

According to BBC 10 shots, 4 on target.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

I agree with you - it is the best we can put out - doesn't mean to say that we can't do better come January.

Our results now and our league position is matching exactly what Barnsley did last season - good start, crap finish. We actually have a JTW that can ultimately change our season one way or another as against the dingles that sold 3 last JTW.

For me we need 2 x CM players that can make a difference in the final third.

Once again we had 39% of possession today when we were generally dominating games home and away previously.

The JTW will bring replacements - 4 in - 4 out according to CW - just hope it's in positions that can have an effect.

UTB

Beware of relying on the JTW. Who are the players fit and guaranteed to start at a high level from day 1? Coutts and Freeman took an age to impress. Fleck and JOC took several games, and that was after a summer preparing. Lundstram has gone from useless to OK in a handful of matches. Carruthers still hasn't got there, and there are doubts about whether we can risk giving him game time. Stearman is still settling in, and he cost good money in the summer. You can get players to come in and 'do a job', but it is very difficult to get a game-changer from day 1. Brayford on loan comes to mind; but beware the Jordan Rhodes syndrome.

 

[Tom Bott]

Given the length of time it can take for players to find their feet (take Coutts himself) then I’m pleased wiith him.

When Couttsy got injured he had the highest pass completion rate in the Champ. yet many think that 'someone' can just step into his role ???

 

[Tom Bott]

According to BBC 10 shots, 4 on target.

Our game last night ?

Or the Pigs total for the entire month ?

 

[Ihadadream]

Lundstram gets better each game I can see him and Regan Slater making a decent pairing in a couple of years time.

 

[Houston_Blade]

I refuse to comment on a Lundstram thread with his name spelt correctly in the title. Come on Woodwardfan sort it out.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Beware of relying on the JTW. Who are the players fit and guaranteed to start at a high level from day 1? Coutts and Freeman took an age to impress. Fleck and JOC took several games, and that was after a summer preparing. Lundstram has gone from useless to OK in a handful of matches. Carruthers still hasn't got there, and there are doubts about whether we can risk giving him game time. Stearman is still settling in, and he cost good money in the summer. You can get players to come in and 'do a job', but it is very difficult to get a game-changer from day 1. Brayford on loan comes to mind; but beware the Jordan Rhodes syndrome.

true, the JTW is always a gamble, unless you have a first class scouting team, so a lot is resting on Mr Mitchell. NW got the JTW horribly wrong in 2006.

If we go into the 2nd half of the season relying on our present midfield of Stevens/Fleck/Lundstram & Baldock we'll finish no where near 6th and upwards.
Lafferty seems so out of favour, he can't even oust a poorly performing Stevens. How long before Freeman is able to put pressure on Baldock. We presently have zero competition for centre midfield. At the very least the JTW should bring players in who are match ready and can put immediate pressure on the ones with the shirt or who can simply go virtually straight in the team.

The top 2 positions are almost certainly out of reach now, but we should not miss the opportunity of finishing in the playoff lottery positions. To do that we need, as CW says, 4 players to make an impact in some way. Without them we will fade into mid table.

As usual our management team are keeping cards close to their chest, but the leaking of the bid for Leonard suggests there will be action very quickly in January.

As well as the team have been trying recently - we haven't won a game since Burton and the Coutts injury. Something has to change.

UTB

 

[Ricky]

Lundstram's a strong character and will be a good player for us. I was always confident in that simply due to what we spent on him.

He had a good game yesterday, but although I've not watched it back yet, I wouldn't say he was outstanding like a lot seem to be saying. Maybe that's because I rate him higher than most and think he can do better. I think he's still a bit away from showing everyone how good he is and even what type of player he is. I expect him to get to a level where he's very consistent with his decisions and passing.

 

[SandyMcBlade]

Please father Christmas could we have another Chris Morgan......

 

[Silent Blade]

Rejoice and behold. The SUFC Simon Francis.

But. but . but...........no way did we respect and cherish the lad,

No way! Took him more than 10 years before he became decent!

 

[Davalon]

No way! Took him more than 10 years before he became decent!

I note Woody likes people to respond to his comments but has ignored my response to Francis. Well known Francis didn't take it seriously enough here and he's been big enough to admit it.

For some reason Woody thinks we're to blame.

 

[Woodwardfan]

I note Woody likes people to respond to his comments but has ignored my response to Francis. Well known Francis didn't take it seriously enough here and he's been big enough to admit it.

For some reason Woody thinks we're to blame.

Sorry Davalon, I didn't think your post was looking for a response, rather a statement.

I don't think we were entirely to blame but the point remains that the manager and the player messed up when we could have developed a proper player and leader for everybody's benefit.

The player had it there in him, that's for sure.

He has been a major personality in Bournemouth's rise to the top tier from tier 3. He has become more than a 'decent' player as Silent calls him; he has been captain and mainly first choice in a Premier League team for long enough and still is at the age of 30 plenty. When we signed him he had an International pedigree and a growing reputation but it didn't work out.

Let's hope Lundstram has some of those leadership qualities. When Wright left Oxford Lundstram took over the captaincy at the age of 22. He said he enjoyed it a lot rather than finding it a burden. Wilder chose to sign him with the benefit of his Oxford knowledge and both Wilder and particularly Knill were obviously absolutely delighted to secure his signing, seemingly more so than any other player last summer as I recall.

For these reasons I mentioned Francis in the O.P. and I think it was relevant. My but, but, but post was a touch OTT but not without some basis. He played 15 games for us in over 2 years and played not so many more out on loan. I don't think he was given a chance for whatever reason. If he was 'out on the lash' from Day 1 then I'd be astonished. I saw him play for us and IMO he looked 'decent' then, a cultured footballer for sure even then. These days he has more bulk and less mobility but he is an established Premier League player and his very good manager sticks with him to this day.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Lundstram's a strong character and will be a good player for us. I was always confident in that simply due to what we spent on him.

He had a good game yesterday, but although I've not watched it back yet, I wouldn't say he was outstanding like a lot seem to be saying. Maybe that's because I rate him higher than most and think he can do better. I think he's still a bit away from showing everyone how good he is and even what type of player he is. I expect him to get to a level where he's very consistent with his decisions and passing.

Yes Ricky I think your right he has the makings of a very good player and leader..
Wilder made a point of referring to his main weakness ( as well as praising him )
being caught in possession and occasionally giving the ball away.
This tells us he is a work in progress ( as most of the squad are ) Wilder and Knill obviously pushing him and others to improve there weaknesses, that is what coaching is all about. The players have to have the ability to improve and that is where the scouting is very important, ( Paul Mitchell ) picking out the ones who have the abilities to get better

 

[Pinchy]

I wonder if anyone will be enthusing about Simon Francis in the Championship next season?

I rate him by the way, but players have to make things happen for themselves, whether they are ‘respected and cherished’ or not.

 

[Woodwardfan]

I wonder if anyone will be enthusing about Simon Francis in the Championship next season?

I rate him by the way, but players have to make things happen for themselves, whether they are ‘respected and cherished’ or not.

Pinchy, we have reared and signed so many players and let them go when we should have kept them primarily for our own benefit and sometimes theirs.

Whatever it takes to help a lad reach his potential then surely that's what is necessary.

Howe has recognised qualities in Francis which were overlooked by others, including us perhaps.

For a number of years now Howe has reaped the benefits of his handling of his player, his relationship with that player and his appointment of the man as his captain in one of the most successful and meteoric rises of any football club in the history of football!!!! Howe and his football club have determined the success of a player we discarded. Made him into what he us today.

If the lad needs to be cherished then just do it FFS. Whatever it takes. Sometimes players need mentors, role models and even 'hard love', sometomes 'soft love', 'cherish' them if need be !!

None of the greats got by without a bit of this and a bit of that, no matter what you say.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

He was brilliant today, as he was at Villa. Seems dem Coutts shoes can be filled after all, quality deputy!!

 

[Snowman]

He was brilliant today, as he was at Villa. Seems dem Coutts shoes can be filled after all, quality deputy!!

Brilliant? Duffy was brilliant. Lundstram was adequate. IMHO of course.

 

[Jon Bon II]

Have you ever been to Crich Trum museum ? No me neither.

I once went with a friend called Ian. He got attacked by a wasp and dropped his Dandelion & Burdock...

 

[Pinchy]

Brilliant? Duffy was brilliant. Lundstram was adequate. IMHO of course.

He was excellent.

 

[Pinchy]

Pinchy, we have reared and signed so many players and let them go when we should have kept them primarily for our own benefit and sometimes theirs.

Whatever it takes to help a lad reach his potential then surely that's what is necessary.

Howe has recognised qualities in Francis which were overlooked by others, including us perhaps.

For a number of years now Howe has reaped the benefits of his handling of his player, his relationship with that player and his appointment of the man as his captain in one of the most successful and meteoric rises of any football club in the history of football!!!! Howe and his football club have determined the success of a player we discarded. Made him into what he us today.

If the lad needs to be cherished then just do it FFS. Whatever it takes. Sometimes players need mentors, role models and even 'hard love', sometomes 'soft love', 'cherish' them if need be !!

None of the greats got by without a bit of this and a bit of that, no matter what you say.

All clubs discard players who go on to achieve more than that club expected of them. That’s football; that’s life.

 

[Tyler Durden]

Blanche and Hyacinth trying to talk football....

Bless.

 

[Inter_blade83]

He was excellent.

He was good. A few good passes and tackles... And a few scary moments once again. I didn't think he was as good as he has been recently. He's still young though and has progressed well so far.

Duffy MOM for me today.

 

[Pinchy]

He was good. A few good passes and tackles... And a few scary moments once again. I didn't think he was as good as he has been recently. He's still young though and has progressed well so far.

Duffy MOM for me today.

It was his best game for us and he’s improving all the time. He looked more comfortable in his role than at any time previously. Yes Duff was MoM by a long way. He’s a magician.

 

[Sheffsteel]

Kuwait- Today Lundstrum was better than “good”
Pinchy- Today Lundstrum wasn’t quite up to being “excellent”

So maybe a more accurate discription is that Lundstrum was VERY good today.

He made a few mistakes but doesn’t hide, calls for the ball and tries to drive the game with long and short passing.
He’s slowly but steadily starting to show signs that he could become one of our key players.

He was playing very defensive in his early matches and seemed to be off the pace both mentally and physically but he’s now adjusted quite well to the quicker/ higher quality and he’s playing in a more advanced position (which suits him).

Feel confident he’ll be an asset for SU, especially when you consider that he’s still young and learning his trade.

 

[tomtheblade]

It's always key to have players who link defence to midfield and midfield to attack. Coutts being particularly effective at the former and Duffy at the latter, though our entire midfield are proper footballers, so they know what they're doing. I think it's fair to say we have missed these links in the past few weeks, which has contributed to our downturn in form.

They will come back though, it's just a matter of forging some new partnerships across the pitch.

 

[Edinblade]

I still can’t believe folk were judging Lunstram after his first couple of games following Coutts injury. He’s a young lad, who had never played at this level, yet folk expected him to immediately step up to the plate. For me he has been a revelation. He showed potential from day one, and like Coutts before him has made so many people eat humble pie.

 

[TTMeysh]

He looks like he's lost a bit of timber.

After the last two days I wish I could say the same.

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

I will just echo what the gaffer said about him.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Kuwait- Today Lundstrum was better than “good”
Pinchy- Today Lundstrum wasn’t quite up to being “excellent”

So maybe a more accurate discription is that Lundstrum was VERY good today.

He made a few mistakes but doesn’t hide, calls for the ball and tries to drive the game with long and short passing.
He’s slowly but steadily starting to show signs that he could become one of our key players.

He was playing very defensive in his early matches and seemed to be off the pace both mentally and physically but he’s now adjusted quite well to the quicker/ higher quality and he’s playing in a more advanced position (which suits him).

Feel confident he’ll be an asset for SU, especially when you consider that he’s still young and learning his trade.

It helps that he's been able to take charge of central midfield in the others' absence.

Filling in around Coutts and Fleck and later Fleck and Carruthers/ Basham was always going to be hard as they naturally dictated play.