Deadbat
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2009
- Messages
- 6,327
- Reaction score
- 35,712
Playing Squad
Goalkeepers
Mark Howard Howard was brought in at the back end of the previous season and did not play. He must have known as he walked around the Wembley pitch at the end that he may be replacing Steve Simonsen as he patted him on the back. So it proved as cut backs meant United opted to go with the unproven Howard who had been fairly well travelled but never really established himself anywhere. The season began for Howard at home to Burton and then Shrewsbury and I felt he was less than convincing in the early games. He had a decent kick and did come off his line more than Simonsen (not hard) but was still indecisive and another keeper that seemed to not control his area. He did seem to improve and made a few decent save v Donny and Bury at the Lane. We had not conceded that many goals and maybe he and the defence were starting to gel when disaster struck at Orient when he pulled a hamstring. After scans it showed up it was not a straightforward injury and he would be out well until Christmas at the earliest. As Long came in and took his place we did not really miss Howard in the end. Any criticism (not that there has been much) of Long certainly was not used with the phrase, ‘Howard was better at this or that…’ As it turned out a few aborted come backs meant Howard never really got back fit and was not even on the bench nor did he play more than a couple of games for the u21’s (reserves). Worrying that he still was not back in contention some 7 months after what was a routine injury.
Grade C-
George Long
Long has shown real promise in the Youth Team and had dipped his toes into the first team at the back end of the relegation season. He played a few games last season but there was mixed success with a poor game versus Exeter and Simonsen came back and stayed in despite some pretty awful performances overall. When he came on at Orient he was excellent and made one really good save. He let in a late goal versus Oldham but then he then impressed on TV at Notts County drawing rave reviews with some of his stops. He then kept four clean sheets on the bounce in the league and was only denied 5 by a late goal at MK Dons from the spot. He had a poor game against Crewe when he was at fault for a couple of goals and a few questions started to be posed about his form around td his time. It was accepted there were some moments of hesitancy and he did not always perhaps communicate that well with the back line, United did keep plenty of clean sheets. The defence did a good job of protecting him. As United’s form started to dip Long had a few dodgy moments as he conceded a horror goal v Yeovil at the Lane when he tried to dribble out and then also spilt a few shots (Coventry winner at the Lane) and let in a soft header at Notts County. However he recovered and we went on another decent run and another considerable number of clean sheets. In the last season fade out, he could not be blamed for that many goals and the hammerings at Stevenage and Portsmouth were not down to him.
He continued to make excellent reaction saves and some of his saves in some games were superb where he got across and somehow saved (made a number of worldy saves that prevented certain goals where he clawed the ball out). His kickng was mixed. He could clearly hit it a long way but at times he was not always sure but sometimes was put under unnecessary pressure.
He like Simonsen could be at times indecisive coming off his line and he conceded a few penalties by not getting there when coming off his line (Donny – latterly v Brentford at the Lane too) but his handling overall was pretty sound and yes he shovelled a few shots out centrally but most of the time he was quite solid and as I say had the tendency to make those wonder saves that not many keepers in the lower league can make. He kept 19 clean sheets in total out of 37 (league/play offs) so an almost 50% record and contributed to our best record for clean sheets in a league season; 21.
He still has things to work on in terms of communication, knowing when to come and his taking of high balls/crosses. He also need to command the box better but overall all the tools are there for him to become a top keeper. He is 6’2’’ and is athletic and looks the part (probably still growing) and is still only 19. I would not be surprised to see a Premiership club take a chance on him as a developing number 2/3 and then loan him out to a club lower down (Champ or League One) until he is ready. He would be better staying here and developing of course but the reality is if he keeps improving he won’t be here that much longer in my opinion.
Grade B-
The rest
Danny Coyne Coyne came in on a short term contract but this turned into him staying for the whole season. He never actually played but it was good to have some experienced cover.
George Willis Willis was on the bench earlier in the season but with a young keeper already in the side, you could understand why United signed an experienced back up. Hoopefully Willis can kick on and maybe get some experience in the non league next season as he plays regularly for the u21’s.
Next season I cannot see that United will change things next season in this area barring Long going. If they keep those two (Coyne will depart) and Howard gets fit; Long will remain as the number one and Howard will have to try and oust him but it would take a series of poor games for that to happen I feel. Of course if someone comes for Long then Howard is back to number one and we probably have to sign another keeper to compete or as back up.
Returning players;
Player / Position Years remaining (contract expires)
Goalkeepers
Mark Howard 1 year (2014)
George Long 3 years(2016)
Danny Coyne Out of contract (2013)
George Willis 2 years (2015)
Defenders
Neill Collins
Collins was excellent in 2011/12 and one of the most consistent players. I felt he had a dip at the end of the year but was good in the playoffs. As this season started he was a little shaky at the start of the season but did score three goals including a vital one at Scunthorpe and he soon got back to the solid form he had shown. He picked up an injury and was out for a spell but we did ok without him with Hill filling in. He came back and we kept a number of clean sheets. Along with Maguire and Long behind him, we had a pretty solid defence most of the season aside from a few shocking away games later in the season (incidentally his man Lopez scored a hat trick and he was at fault for 2 goals v Portsmouth). He did start to slip off in form and awful mistakes v Crawley at home and letting in Wright Phillips cost us badly. He made a number of other ricks towards the end of the season and his solid form was not quite there.
He is a solid-ish defender who heads and kicks the ball away. He is not a bad footballer actually but often struggles to clear ball other than straight our or even worryingly more towards our own goal rather than getting it further away down the line (even if kicking it out surely he can get it further away before it exits the field). He reads game fairly well and tries to come out of defence but his lack of pace and athleticism means quicker and more nimble players can cause him real problems.
He has been a decent servant to the club and been one of our more consistent players but that is on one of the worst United teams I have ever seen. That is the problem. He will always be remember as part of the team that went down, failed to come up and then failed to come up again in a shocking division. He is part of the losing mentality of this group and sadly you would not call him a winner. Inevitably when the games come to the end, his performances dip and errors creep in. I personally would not have given him another contract. He is now approaching 30 and is not going to improve. He is steady at this level and probably it is certainly not his fault we have not gone up again but I want my players in top form when we get to the end of the season not jittery as Collins often is, when it really matters.
Grade C
Harry Maguire
Maguire overall had an excellent season in 2011/12; his first full season in football and surprised many he played so many games and was so consistent. He remained in the side this year and was ever present apart from 2 games he missed due to suspension (we failed to win either). Once again he was one of our better players. He also got more goals this time out (5) and contributed to a number of clean sheets and our excellent defensive record. He seemed even stronger physically and was very good at reading the game once again. He did make mistakes and at times was too nonchalant with the ball (Crawley at home for instance). He picked up some daft bookings and was crude at times (Brentford away – could have been sent off) but overall he was fairly consistent. He has improved certain parts of his game and no longer do big centre forwards bully him and he actually shows a lot of confidence that he will win his battle with the centre forward both challenges within the game and also the overall contest over 90 mins.
He does try and go long too much and the Hollywood ball is over done which is a shame as when he uses the ball he can clearly pass it well.
His main weakness of course apart from overplaying at times is his lack of speed and the fact if he is turned he struggles to get back and this would be even more of an issue at a higher level and he would need someone with more pace/covering ability than Collins and McMahon at either side of him.
There is no doubt if he had a smidgeon more pace/mobility he would not be with us and someone would have snapped him up. I do believe he can play at a higher level (PFA selection/Player of Year etc confirms that) and would be ok in the Championship but unsure whether he could do it at the top level unless he had a lot of pace and cover around him. The difference between Lowton, Walker, Naughton, Jagielka is they all had that speed and were great athletes. However whatever happens Maguire is set to have a 15 + year career in the game as a very solid centre back who is a very good footballer for someone of his size/build. I think he may remain for a bit longer but again, like Long, he could still play higher than he currently is.
Grade B-
Tony McMahon
McMahon’s capture was reckoned to be a bit of a coup as he was well liked at ‘Boro. He was seen as an aggressive full back that attacked with intent and somewhat of a dead ball specialist. The season began and I have to say I was not that impressed with him and we realised how good Lowton actually was. He barely got over half way and was erratic in his defensive work. He was argumentative with the officials and committed silly fouls leading to a number of bookings totting up and two separate suspensions. He did improve around the Autumn and had some better games after Westlake had been brought in for a spell. His game at Crawley was his best as he scored two tremendous free kicks (followed up with one at Oxford) and he also scored via a deflection an important goal at Tranmere. In the games v Swindon and Brentford he hit the post 4 times but he also missed a crucial penalty. Overall I have to say I had expected better. Our defence was solid but I cannot say it was down to him and out of the 5 main players he was probably the weakest. Other than the spell of free kicks he had; he did not offer much going forward and in many games never got over half way. I would have no issue with this if his defensive work was so solid but he did make mistakes and was sloppy at times. We have him another season so I expect he will remain at right back but it is not an area of the side I feel entirely secure with. Sadly there are many more even more of concern and with no funds/lack of depth and his potential replacement Westlake no better, will remain in the side
Grade D+
Darryl Westlake
Westlake came in from Walsall where he had not even been a regular at the Bescot and was seen as someone who could develop and a prospect. The reaction of Walsall fans should have concerned us when we signed him and when McMahon arrived soon after, it was clear he may not be a regular just yet and only had a few games early on including a bizarre one in midfield where he looked out of his depth. He had a spell of games in the side around November with some success and showed he got forward more than McMahon. He was perhaps harshly left out at Brentford after a decent game the week before but after this he never really played much other than the odd game. He got back in more at the end of the season as McMahon was suspended and then injured but never totally convinced. He never really actually did that much when he did advance but many fans seemed happy that he at least offered us some width and a different dimension where a full back got above the winger. Sadly he looked pretty hopeless at times defensively with some poor positional play and inability to get tight enough on the winger. His control and touch was never the best and I was always concerned when the ball went towards him that he actually did not have the poise let alone ability to even do the basics. Cannot see that he is ever going to really make it much higher than the lower division for me. He does not look like someone that is going to improve as things like touch, intelligence and positioning is often down to instinct and football smarts as much as coaching.
Grade D-[color]
Goalkeepers
Mark Howard Howard was brought in at the back end of the previous season and did not play. He must have known as he walked around the Wembley pitch at the end that he may be replacing Steve Simonsen as he patted him on the back. So it proved as cut backs meant United opted to go with the unproven Howard who had been fairly well travelled but never really established himself anywhere. The season began for Howard at home to Burton and then Shrewsbury and I felt he was less than convincing in the early games. He had a decent kick and did come off his line more than Simonsen (not hard) but was still indecisive and another keeper that seemed to not control his area. He did seem to improve and made a few decent save v Donny and Bury at the Lane. We had not conceded that many goals and maybe he and the defence were starting to gel when disaster struck at Orient when he pulled a hamstring. After scans it showed up it was not a straightforward injury and he would be out well until Christmas at the earliest. As Long came in and took his place we did not really miss Howard in the end. Any criticism (not that there has been much) of Long certainly was not used with the phrase, ‘Howard was better at this or that…’ As it turned out a few aborted come backs meant Howard never really got back fit and was not even on the bench nor did he play more than a couple of games for the u21’s (reserves). Worrying that he still was not back in contention some 7 months after what was a routine injury.
Grade C-
George Long
Long has shown real promise in the Youth Team and had dipped his toes into the first team at the back end of the relegation season. He played a few games last season but there was mixed success with a poor game versus Exeter and Simonsen came back and stayed in despite some pretty awful performances overall. When he came on at Orient he was excellent and made one really good save. He let in a late goal versus Oldham but then he then impressed on TV at Notts County drawing rave reviews with some of his stops. He then kept four clean sheets on the bounce in the league and was only denied 5 by a late goal at MK Dons from the spot. He had a poor game against Crewe when he was at fault for a couple of goals and a few questions started to be posed about his form around td his time. It was accepted there were some moments of hesitancy and he did not always perhaps communicate that well with the back line, United did keep plenty of clean sheets. The defence did a good job of protecting him. As United’s form started to dip Long had a few dodgy moments as he conceded a horror goal v Yeovil at the Lane when he tried to dribble out and then also spilt a few shots (Coventry winner at the Lane) and let in a soft header at Notts County. However he recovered and we went on another decent run and another considerable number of clean sheets. In the last season fade out, he could not be blamed for that many goals and the hammerings at Stevenage and Portsmouth were not down to him.
He continued to make excellent reaction saves and some of his saves in some games were superb where he got across and somehow saved (made a number of worldy saves that prevented certain goals where he clawed the ball out). His kickng was mixed. He could clearly hit it a long way but at times he was not always sure but sometimes was put under unnecessary pressure.
He like Simonsen could be at times indecisive coming off his line and he conceded a few penalties by not getting there when coming off his line (Donny – latterly v Brentford at the Lane too) but his handling overall was pretty sound and yes he shovelled a few shots out centrally but most of the time he was quite solid and as I say had the tendency to make those wonder saves that not many keepers in the lower league can make. He kept 19 clean sheets in total out of 37 (league/play offs) so an almost 50% record and contributed to our best record for clean sheets in a league season; 21.
He still has things to work on in terms of communication, knowing when to come and his taking of high balls/crosses. He also need to command the box better but overall all the tools are there for him to become a top keeper. He is 6’2’’ and is athletic and looks the part (probably still growing) and is still only 19. I would not be surprised to see a Premiership club take a chance on him as a developing number 2/3 and then loan him out to a club lower down (Champ or League One) until he is ready. He would be better staying here and developing of course but the reality is if he keeps improving he won’t be here that much longer in my opinion.
Grade B-
The rest
Danny Coyne Coyne came in on a short term contract but this turned into him staying for the whole season. He never actually played but it was good to have some experienced cover.
George Willis Willis was on the bench earlier in the season but with a young keeper already in the side, you could understand why United signed an experienced back up. Hoopefully Willis can kick on and maybe get some experience in the non league next season as he plays regularly for the u21’s.
Next season I cannot see that United will change things next season in this area barring Long going. If they keep those two (Coyne will depart) and Howard gets fit; Long will remain as the number one and Howard will have to try and oust him but it would take a series of poor games for that to happen I feel. Of course if someone comes for Long then Howard is back to number one and we probably have to sign another keeper to compete or as back up.
Returning players;
Player / Position Years remaining (contract expires)
Goalkeepers
Mark Howard 1 year (2014)
George Long 3 years(2016)
Danny Coyne Out of contract (2013)
George Willis 2 years (2015)
Defenders
Neill Collins
Collins was excellent in 2011/12 and one of the most consistent players. I felt he had a dip at the end of the year but was good in the playoffs. As this season started he was a little shaky at the start of the season but did score three goals including a vital one at Scunthorpe and he soon got back to the solid form he had shown. He picked up an injury and was out for a spell but we did ok without him with Hill filling in. He came back and we kept a number of clean sheets. Along with Maguire and Long behind him, we had a pretty solid defence most of the season aside from a few shocking away games later in the season (incidentally his man Lopez scored a hat trick and he was at fault for 2 goals v Portsmouth). He did start to slip off in form and awful mistakes v Crawley at home and letting in Wright Phillips cost us badly. He made a number of other ricks towards the end of the season and his solid form was not quite there.
He is a solid-ish defender who heads and kicks the ball away. He is not a bad footballer actually but often struggles to clear ball other than straight our or even worryingly more towards our own goal rather than getting it further away down the line (even if kicking it out surely he can get it further away before it exits the field). He reads game fairly well and tries to come out of defence but his lack of pace and athleticism means quicker and more nimble players can cause him real problems.
He has been a decent servant to the club and been one of our more consistent players but that is on one of the worst United teams I have ever seen. That is the problem. He will always be remember as part of the team that went down, failed to come up and then failed to come up again in a shocking division. He is part of the losing mentality of this group and sadly you would not call him a winner. Inevitably when the games come to the end, his performances dip and errors creep in. I personally would not have given him another contract. He is now approaching 30 and is not going to improve. He is steady at this level and probably it is certainly not his fault we have not gone up again but I want my players in top form when we get to the end of the season not jittery as Collins often is, when it really matters.
Grade C
Harry Maguire
Maguire overall had an excellent season in 2011/12; his first full season in football and surprised many he played so many games and was so consistent. He remained in the side this year and was ever present apart from 2 games he missed due to suspension (we failed to win either). Once again he was one of our better players. He also got more goals this time out (5) and contributed to a number of clean sheets and our excellent defensive record. He seemed even stronger physically and was very good at reading the game once again. He did make mistakes and at times was too nonchalant with the ball (Crawley at home for instance). He picked up some daft bookings and was crude at times (Brentford away – could have been sent off) but overall he was fairly consistent. He has improved certain parts of his game and no longer do big centre forwards bully him and he actually shows a lot of confidence that he will win his battle with the centre forward both challenges within the game and also the overall contest over 90 mins.
He does try and go long too much and the Hollywood ball is over done which is a shame as when he uses the ball he can clearly pass it well.
His main weakness of course apart from overplaying at times is his lack of speed and the fact if he is turned he struggles to get back and this would be even more of an issue at a higher level and he would need someone with more pace/covering ability than Collins and McMahon at either side of him.
There is no doubt if he had a smidgeon more pace/mobility he would not be with us and someone would have snapped him up. I do believe he can play at a higher level (PFA selection/Player of Year etc confirms that) and would be ok in the Championship but unsure whether he could do it at the top level unless he had a lot of pace and cover around him. The difference between Lowton, Walker, Naughton, Jagielka is they all had that speed and were great athletes. However whatever happens Maguire is set to have a 15 + year career in the game as a very solid centre back who is a very good footballer for someone of his size/build. I think he may remain for a bit longer but again, like Long, he could still play higher than he currently is.
Grade B-
Tony McMahon
McMahon’s capture was reckoned to be a bit of a coup as he was well liked at ‘Boro. He was seen as an aggressive full back that attacked with intent and somewhat of a dead ball specialist. The season began and I have to say I was not that impressed with him and we realised how good Lowton actually was. He barely got over half way and was erratic in his defensive work. He was argumentative with the officials and committed silly fouls leading to a number of bookings totting up and two separate suspensions. He did improve around the Autumn and had some better games after Westlake had been brought in for a spell. His game at Crawley was his best as he scored two tremendous free kicks (followed up with one at Oxford) and he also scored via a deflection an important goal at Tranmere. In the games v Swindon and Brentford he hit the post 4 times but he also missed a crucial penalty. Overall I have to say I had expected better. Our defence was solid but I cannot say it was down to him and out of the 5 main players he was probably the weakest. Other than the spell of free kicks he had; he did not offer much going forward and in many games never got over half way. I would have no issue with this if his defensive work was so solid but he did make mistakes and was sloppy at times. We have him another season so I expect he will remain at right back but it is not an area of the side I feel entirely secure with. Sadly there are many more even more of concern and with no funds/lack of depth and his potential replacement Westlake no better, will remain in the side
Grade D+
Darryl Westlake
Westlake came in from Walsall where he had not even been a regular at the Bescot and was seen as someone who could develop and a prospect. The reaction of Walsall fans should have concerned us when we signed him and when McMahon arrived soon after, it was clear he may not be a regular just yet and only had a few games early on including a bizarre one in midfield where he looked out of his depth. He had a spell of games in the side around November with some success and showed he got forward more than McMahon. He was perhaps harshly left out at Brentford after a decent game the week before but after this he never really played much other than the odd game. He got back in more at the end of the season as McMahon was suspended and then injured but never totally convinced. He never really actually did that much when he did advance but many fans seemed happy that he at least offered us some width and a different dimension where a full back got above the winger. Sadly he looked pretty hopeless at times defensively with some poor positional play and inability to get tight enough on the winger. His control and touch was never the best and I was always concerned when the ball went towards him that he actually did not have the poise let alone ability to even do the basics. Cannot see that he is ever going to really make it much higher than the lower division for me. He does not look like someone that is going to improve as things like touch, intelligence and positioning is often down to instinct and football smarts as much as coaching.
Grade D-[color]
