Our most important player...

[Houso]

...between now and the end of the season?

For me, it's this man.

We are simply so much better with him in the side than with him out. I know we lost against Cov with him in there, but that was his first game back after his layoff. His influence on Harry in particular is huge.

 

[bartman]

Harry has noticeably upped his game since Collins' return.

However for me it is Danny Higginbotham who will be key for us in the run in.

 

[Pragmatic Blade]

In fairness, the spine of our team is vital. Kitson is key, hopefully he will remain fit, as well as McDonald and Doyle, Collins and Maguire.

Question - do we still need to sign cover for Long or is Howard closer to full fitness to challenge him for the no.1 jersey?

 

[Houso]

We definitely don't need to. That's why Coyne has been retained.

 

[Jehovah]

...between now and the end of the season?

For me, it's this man.

We are simply so much better with him in the side than with him out. I know we lost against Cov with him in there, but that was his first game back after his layoff. His influence on Harry in particular is huge.

I opened this thread expecting to see kitson, Maquire or kmac. In my mind, it is collins so was a pleasant surprise.

 

[Pedro Verde]

Me and my mate were talking about Collins last night and how is abscence from the side caused a dip in results.
It was the same last seasom when he was absent from the side

 

[Pinchy]

I say Kitson. Irreplaceable - please don't say Ironside!

 

[sheffielder]

With Howard unlikely to be fully fit this season I think it's Long. 1 goal conceded in 4 games now and his confidence will grow.

Collins as you say makes a huge difference and I still can't believe I can say this!

 

[blade too long]

Ill say it again , we are winning games since the steadying experience of Robson has given us balance from back to front and across the park , he shield Harry and Collins and gives McDonald more freedom , a master stroke of a signing .Hes visibly getting more up to game pace every passing game and talks to the younger players ( which is all of them) putting a calm aura across the midfield.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Ill say it again , we are winning games since the steadying experience of Robson has given us balance from back to front and across the park , he shield Harry and Collins and gives McDonald more freedom , a master stroke of a signing .Hes visibly getting more up to game pace every passing game and talks to the younger players ( which is all of them) putting a calm aura across the midfield.

Sorry, but while I agree he's got experience of use to us and no doubt he's had a useful presence off the pitch too, he was one of our poorer performers yesterday. I'm not sure him losing possession due to him not being up to the pace of the game putting immediate pressure on the defence (happened a couple of times yesterday) 'puts a calm aura' on anyone. It put quite the opposite on me, and I'm sure Long would rather not be forced into action needlessly.

 

[TopBoy]

Collins for me. He's a rock at the back, never stops talking and should really be made captain.

 

[Pedro Verde]

Ill say it again , we are winning games since the steadying experience of Robson has given us balance from back to front and across the park , he shield Harry and Collins and gives McDonald more freedom , a master stroke of a signing .Hes visibly getting more up to game pace every passing game and talks to the younger players ( which is all of them) putting a calm aura across the midfield.

Our upturn in form has nothing to with Robson actually playing, it might have given Doyle and KMac a kick up the arse as there is some competition in the midfield. Collins is the difference

 

[Bergen Blade]

Collins is important to us, but when he last got injured there were a few more changes to the team, some enforced, others just weird, and for the games against Hartlepool, Notts County and Yeovil we just didn't look up for it. Maybe Collins is important in that sense, but by pushing Higginbotham inside and playing Hill at left back we'd maintain a highly experienced defence.

If McDonald was injured we'd really struggle. And while Forte is out and we don't know yet if Poleon is the new O'Halloran, Murphy is a key player now. I also wonder what we'd do if Doyle was injured or suspended, as I don't think Robson has the fitness to play there.

 

[Jehovah]

With Howard unlikely to be fully fit this season I think it's Long. 1 goal conceded in 4 games now and his confidence will grow.

Collins as you say makes a huge difference and I still can't believe I can say this!

The only reason he is not conceding is because the defence has tightened up with the return of collins. how many chances have other sides had in the last 4 games?

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Collins is important to us, but when he last got injured there were a few more changes to the team, some enforced, others just weird, and for the games against Hartlepool, Notts County and Yeovil we just didn't look up for it. Maybe Collins is important in that sense, but by pushing Higginbotham inside and playing Hill at left back we'd maintain a highly experienced defence.

If McDonald was injured we'd really struggle. And while Forte is out and we don't know yet if Poleon is the new O'Halloran, Murphy is a key player now. I also wonder what we'd do if Doyle was injured or suspended, as I don't think Robson has the fitness to play there.

I know he's not the same player but I think we could cope with the absence of KMac with Robson as that's actually his favoured role. If Forte can regain fitness we do have options now and can fill 'gaps' providing we don't get 3 or 4 injuries / suspensions all at once.

Going back to the original post, it was interesting to hear Murphy saying how vocal the team is behind him and how much certain players help. Aside from Harry, all the current back four are 'talkers' and we've definitely missed that at times.

 

[sheffielder]

The only reason he is not conceding is because the defence has tightened up with the return of collins. how many chances have other sides had in the last 4 games?

I think you're missing the point probably because you have red mist when it comes to George. It is irrelevant to me how many shots or saves he has had etc; his confidence will go up and still over those 4 games he has not made a mistake. For us to go up with George Long in net this must continue so give the lad a chance mate.

 

[Jehovah]

I think you're missing the point probably because you have red mist when it comes to George. It is irrelevant to me how many shots or saves he has had etc; his confidence will go up and still over those 4 games he has not made a mistake. For us to go up with George Long in net this must continue so give the lad a chance mate.

I totally agree his confidence will go up, which of course is a good thing. I'm simply saying I don't think our recent upturn is down to him,I think collins is the reason.

 

[WYorksblade]

Porter

 

[stannyblade]

Porter

He could well be. As Shrewsbury play Donny soon and I think one or two others around us

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

All eleven that are on the pitch! But for the purpose of this discussion I would place particular importance on two men:-

Collins and Kitson.

Those two are the difference makers.

 

[Torrix1889]

If we play every game with the following in the line-up every time we will do it;

Maguire
Collins
Higginbotham
Robson
K-Mac
Kitson

The rest we would not miss half as much as the above and have ample cover for...

 

[drinksmat]

Collins for me. He's a rock at the back, never stops talking and should really be made captain.

The new Morgan?

 

[Torrix1889]

The new Morgan?

Never in a million years.....IF we get promoted, Collins would be one of the first OUT of the door for me. Awful at a higher level.

 

[Houso]

Never in a million years.....IF we get promoted, Collins would be one of the first OUT of the door for me. Awful at a higher level.

That would be wonderful for team morale.

He WAS awful, that's not to say that he definitely will be. Tony McMahon was a very good Championship defender, but he's been remarkably average in this league thus far. Kevin McDonald struggled in the Championship and indeed at Notts County before coming to us, but he's intrinsic to our success going forward no matter the league.

If we somehow manage to get promotion, then everyone deserves a chance.

 

[TopBoy]

Never in a million years.....IF we get promoted, Collins would be one of the first OUT of the door for me. Awful at a higher level.

He was awful last time we were in that league agreed but the starting back 4 changed on a weekly basis and if we go up needs to be given a chance.

 

[Bradford Blade]

All eleven that are on the pitch! But for the purpose of this discussion I would place particular importance on two men:-

Collins and Kitson.

Those two are the difference makers.

Summed up my thoughts too mate! Must admit, when Collins re-signed earlier on this season I was well chuffed, for obvious reasons as this thread demonstrates!

UTB!

 

[Torrix1889]

He was awful last time we were in that league agreed but the starting back 4 changed on a weekly basis and if we go up needs to be given a chance.

Give him a chance by all means but the standard hasn't dropped in the Championship....anyway, got to get there first!

 

[Pinchy]

If we play every game with the following in the line-up every time we will do it;

Maguire
Collins
Higginbotham
Robson
K-Mac
Kitson

The rest we would not miss half as much as the above and have ample cover for...

And if any of us know about ample cover it has to be..........

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Summed up my thoughts too mate! Must admit, when Collins re-signed earlier on this season I was well chuffed, for obvious reasons as this thread demonstrates!

UTB!

He's very important to us. Has good leadership qualities. It's true as some are saying that he wasn't great for us last time we were in the Championship but I've seen him play very well for other teams at that level so he can do it. When his confidence is high he's fine for that level.

It's worth remembering that he hadn't played a lot prior to joining us and came into a bad side that had really low morale. He wasn't the only one that played poorly.....you could probably excuse about two players from that team!

 

[Bradford Blade]

He's very important to us. Has good leadership qualities. It's true as some are saying that he wasn't great for us last time we were in the Championship but I've seen him play very well for other teams at that level so he can do it. When his confidence is high he's fine for that level.

It's worth remembering that he hadn't played a lot prior to joining us and came into a bad side that had really low morale. He wasn't the only one that played poorly.....you could probably excuse about two players from that team!

Exactly, I'd hazard a guess there's a heck of a lot more player in Collins now than that last Championship escapade. I reckon he'll be fairly solid for us IF we get there - now (as Torrix says) to get there.....

COYRAWW!