Monty/Doyle

[ListerBlade]

Now the midfield partnership of McDonald and Doyle is flourishing, and Monty is being left out amid rumours of a transfer to various Championship clubs, and as ever, Weeds. Would we be happy to see him leave for a reasonable fee, relief on the wage bill (as he is a high earner) and the chance to either bring in a cheaper replacement or accelerate the progression of McCallister or even Harriott?

I would be happy to see Monty leave if the offer was right, not that I dislike him, but needs must and we seem to be coping without him. I'm not sure weather McCallister or Harriott would provide enough grit in the middle though, if for example they were to replace Doyle because of injury or suspension.

 

[mpjacko]

We've been looking for a midfield player to fill the role Brown did ever since he left. How many more chances do we need to give to Monty to fulfill that role? I think he time has come to move on. If we get some money for him that would be great but I guess it will be on a free , just to get him of the wage bill.

 

[SwissBlade]

Now the midfield partnership of McDonald and Doyle is flourishing, and Monty is being left out amid rumours of a transfer to various Championship clubs, and as ever, Weeds. Would we be happy to see him leave for a reasonable fee, relief on the wage bill (as he is a high earner) and the chance to either bring in a cheaper replacement or accelerate the progression of McCallister or even Harriott?

I would be happy to see Monty leave if the offer was right, not that I dislike him, but needs must and we seem to be coping without him. I'm not sure weather McCallister or Harriott would provide enough grit in the middle though, if for example they were to replace Doyle because of injury or suspension.

Doyle coming in shows that we have strength in depth in a key area, I wouldn't rush to sell him though as we'll need all the experience that we can get in the coming weeks/ months. Games come thick and fast in February - just when the weather and pitches are at their worst. It would make no sense (from a footballing persepctive) to sell anyone now - unless they no longer want to play for the club.

It was extremely unfortunate for Monty as he wasn't playing badly, just (if what I heard is correct) he had some family issues, which put football to the back of his mind.

The fact that Doyle has kept his place now that Monty is back is a real testement to how well he is playing. In the games I saw over Christmas, he really stood out and has improved (like Collins) from where he was last year.

McAllister is certainly a different player, not sure about Harriott, but both lack the experience of Monty/ Doyle/ Macca.

Keep Monty if we can afford it

 

[mickerz-blade]

We've been looking for a midfield player to fill the role Brown did ever since he left. How many more chances do we need to give to Monty to fulfill that role? I think he time has come to move on. If we get some money for him that would be great but I guess it will be on a free , just to get him of the wage bill.

Are you the only one who thought that we were giving Monty games so we could hopefully make him in to a Michael Brown replacement? I have never seen anyone express that thought on here or heard it anywhere.

Can we take bets on how long before Pinchy Posts

 

[sitwell]

Johnny Ertl or Williamson could be used as cover or even Lowton although I would like him to stay at right back ,I also think its time for Monty to move on.

 

[Balham]

Sadly, no club in the third tier can afford £10k+ per week for a bench warmer*. The fact is that our wage bill needs reducing and although it would be a shame to see our longest serving player depart, I'd rather we sold Monty than Quinn or Evans.

*This is a guess!

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

I said months ago that we didn't need Monty, Doyle and Macca in the squad in this Division and it seems as though the latter pairing are now finding their feet. As others have said, we have the players to work around either of them missing short term and whatever happens between now and May, we'll probably be changing things in the Summer.

Great servant, love him or hate him but best for both parties to move on now.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Johnny Ertl or Williamson could be used as cover or even Lowton although I would like him to stay at right back ,I also think its time for Monty to move on.

We have the following central midfield options in the squad:

McDonald
Doyle
Monty
Williamson
Ertl
Quinn
McAllister
Harriott
Conneely
Lowton
Whitehouse

If a club comes in for Monty it would make sense to let him go.

 

[Bladesway]

Get him off the wage list to reduce it. Thanks Monty but now we have a football manager in charge he isn't needed.

 

[Bergen Blade]

McAllister is certainly a different player, not sure about Harriott, but both lack the experience of Monty/ Doyle/ Macca.

My impression when I saw Harriott was that he's similar to Macca. Calm and composed on the ball, likes to dictate play from deep and has a decent range of passing. He'll go backwards if he doesn't get some match action soon though.

 

[Muttley]

Doyle is winning me over. i am eating lots of humble pie where Collins is concerned, I am quite happy to pile on the pounds with more slices with the improvement in Doyle.
I think the goal last night is another item packed in Monty's suitcase.

 

[Grecian2000]

We have now started winning AND dominating games from midfield due to having broken up the Monty/Doyle axis. Long may it continue.

If we can get Monty off the wage bill we should snatch someones hand off (although this has been the case for 5 years!).

 

[Houso]

Agreed. Thanks for the service Monty and get yourself a good payday in a league above.

He's a strange kind of luxury player, and we really don't need him.

 

[super_pig]

now that we play a more expansive style i don't think that monty fits into that style of play seeing as he breaks up attacks (ours).. like yesterday .. all he needed was a simple cushioned pass to put bt through on goal and totally overhit it.. that is as diplomatic as i am able to put it.
Pinchy??

 

[BexleyBlade]

Fair play to Monty for his service over the years but I'm struggling to see what he offers us. OK he's a fairly versatile player and could offer cover at RB, even CB where he's been used before but now Doyle is playing the way he is, he won't be getting a start very soon.

I'd rather let Monty go and relieve the wage bill in order to fund Ched/Willo's wages til the summer.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Doyle is winning me over. i am eating lots of humble pie where Collins is concerned, I am quite happy to pile on the pounds with more slices with the improvement in Doyle.
I think the goal last night is another item packed in Monty's suitcase.

When I was shot down in flames last season for suggesting that going down might actually do us good long term (may dig that thread out again ), I mentioned that Collins and Doyle may well be better players this season as they had done the business in this League previously when promoted with Leeds. Great credit to the pair of them for battling through the derision they've had from the stands although the whole atmosphere around the club and team seems a million miles away from 12 months ago which has undoubtedly helped.

Back to Monty, those who were at Tranmere this season will have the goal of the millenium to remember

 

[super_pig]

didn't realise that neymar was playing that day.. but if you say so..

 

[Bladesman]

Get rid we have better players than him in midfield.

He will be a high earner compared to the rest around him as well.

 

[Bladesway]

When I was shot down in flames last season for suggesting that going down might actually do us good long term (may dig that thread out again ),

Still don't think we are better off in League One rather than the Championship.

 

[Student Blade]

Personally I'd drive monty to whichever club, where ever they might be, wants him. I think someone will pay a fee for him. We have now got players playing better than he can ever play and we have plenty of cover for that position and roll if anything was to happen to Doyle.

 

[mpjacko]

Are you the only one who thought that we were giving Monty games so we could hopefully make him in to a Michael Brown replacement? I have never seen anyone express that thought on here or heard it anywhere.

Can we take bets on how long before Pinchy Posts

Just pointing out that we've not had a decent midfield since Brown and Monty has been given plenty of chances to make that position his (maybe not in the same way Brown played) yet years on, we are still in the same position looking for someone to play there (central Midfield who can pass) who can perform in the championship (the place where we should be). My worry is that if / when this team goes up, we will just come straight back down as the players are not good enough esp Monty. Time for him to move on and free up some wages. People may disagree with was Warnock does or has done but we can't forget the players he managed to bring in on the cheap. Apart from the Robson year (who was given money to buy JB etc) the quality of players has been terrible. Even warnock managed to bring a good quality PL loanee.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Still don't think we are better off in League One rather than the Championship.

Of course we'd be better of in the Chumpionship, my point was that going down would enforce changes which had to be made in terms of the squad, playing style etc etc. If we go up this season, you'd be hard to make a case for us not being in better shape than 12 months ago or even if we'd scraped enough points to stay up last season.

We needed a season to 're-light the fire' for a lot of fans and thus far, it seems to be working and it'll be interesting to see how high the crowds get if we stay on course in the next couple of months.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Of course we'd be better of in the Chumpionship, my point was that going down would enforce changes which had to be made in terms of the squad, playing style etc etc. If we go up this season, you'd be hard to make a case for us not being in better shape than 12 months ago or even if we'd scraped enough points to stay up last season.

We needed a season to 're-light the fire'

In terms of personell, is that what's happened? Nine of the players we used yesterday played a lot in the team that got relegated. Have Wilson, LJF and McDonald made such a difference, or are the players too good for League One, but not good enough for the Championship?

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

In terms of personell, is that what's happened? Nine of the players we used yesterday played a lot in the team that got relegated. Have Wilson, LJF and McDonald made such a difference, or are the players too good for League One, but not good enough for the Championship?

Different style, different attitude, different style and ability of opposition have all contributed. Consistency makes a big difference, last night's back 5 for example have probably started 20 of the 25 league games (without checking). I would imagine a combination of 4 of the 5 have probably started every game. The style of play and blend of the team seems much better, last season (and the season before) there was a conveyor belt of loanees and we never had any consistency or solid base to build on.

Ahead of the back four, Macca has certainly added something we didn't have, but of last season's players, Squinny has invariably been the player we know he can be, we've got more games out of Willo than in previous seasons and Chedwyn has remembered what a striker is supposed to do. Arguably, the last named three have made the difference in plenty of games this season. Throw in the youth players who may not have been given the chance if we'd stayed up and the blend is right at the moment, particularly at this level where you definitely get away with more mistakes and the opposition don't punish you anything like as much.

To me, the lack of loanees, selling of the likes of Hendo, playing of youth players etc wouldn't have happened if we'd stayed up.

 

[Sothall_Blade]

In terms of personell, is that what's happened? Nine of the players we used yesterday played a lot in the team that got relegated. Have Wilson, LJF and McDonald made such a difference, or are the players too good for League One, but not good enough for the Championship?

The main differences from last season have been:-

1) Consistency of team selection - E.g. Maguire, Collins, Simmo and Lowton have only missed 3 league matches between them.
2) Consistency of tactics - The players know and understand the game plan. We don't change personnel and tactics in deference to the oppostion.
3) Improved tactics - The main strategy is to work the ball to near the byline and cross from there, rather than from deep. Most recent goals have come from this.
4) Improved team spirit and confidence - A massive plus over last season. Simmo is a perfect example of how badly low confidence can effect a player/team.
5) Some key changes in personnel - Maguire only played 4 games last season. McDonald, LJF, Williams, Porter, Flynn, Phillips and Clarke have all made contributions.
6) Improved form in key players - Evans, Collins, Quinn, Lowton, Doyle, Creswell, Williamson and Simonsen (recently)

As mentioned previously most of our players have spent their whole career playing in The Championship or above.
They are good enough but need to be utilised in the right way as Wilson has been doing.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

7) We're playing crapper teams

 

[Sothall_Blade]

7) We're playing crapper teams

Obviously. That goes without saying.
Still, the team as it stands now would not have been relegated last season.
If this team went up and was kept together, they wouldn't go down next season.
Four managers in one season, all playing different tactics, was the main problem last season. Not the players.

 

[Pinchy]

Our improvement is far too significant to be attributed simply to a drop in class. We are playing properly for the first time in many years and it's getting better as we go. I'm loving it. This team would hold its own in the Championship and by the time Danny has finished will be promotion contenders. Last season's shambles never played the sort of exhilarating, effective football we are beginning to see and enjoy.

As for Monty, let others have the stage this time. I prefer to acknowledge Doyle's outstanding performances and admire the sublime footballer alongside him.

 

[stannyblade]

Obviously. That goes without saying.
Still, the team as it stands now would not have been relegated last season.
If this team went up and was kept together, they wouldn't go down next season.
Four managers in one season, all playing different tactics, was the main problem last season. Not the players.

Blackwell should have gone after the playoff final. Adams should not have been appointed.

 

[Balham]

The only caveat I would put on all this is that Wilson has yet to convince me that he's capable of tweaking the tactics mid-game if things aren't going to plan. There was a lot of commentary around Warnock's departure from QPR saying that he was an excellent motivator lacking tactical knowledge. They used Paul Lambert's Norwich as an example - Norwich did the double over QPR with both winners coming after Lambert altered the shape of the Norwich team.

We have the players to beat Charlton and if it's 0-0 at 70 minutes I'd say we might well be favourites. However, if Charlton go 1-0 up, I'm not sure that we'd be able to alter the approach to get a reward. Would Wilson be able to switch to 3 at the back (moving LJF inside and encouraging Lowton and Quinn, say, to get forward)?

I'd absolutely love to be proved wrong, by the way and I'm glad that we're all back supporting a football side which is, for the majority of the time, good to watch.