Cuthbert
Well-known member
I think he is a real opportunity; waiting to happen. Being an old fart, I remember the bags of abuse Dave Bamber got (he didnt look like a footballer) but my god he came good; just need to play through his strengths.
Carey
- Thread starter Richo
- Start date
Eternaloptimist
Well-known member
Of course they are all wrong!
I mean come on, they are only professionals who have spent their whole lives in the game.
How on earth can you compare their opinions with those of the know it alls on this forum.
FY4Representer
Well-known member
Work rate is decent but he doesn’t offer much else. He’s not a tough tackler, isn’t creative, doesn’t score goals, isn’t pacey enough to be a winger. I don’t think League One is his standard at all and will eventually drop down to League Two. Shame because he’s a likeable lad, just doesn’t offer much in terms of ability.
tangysider
Well-known member
Hit the crossbar twice in recent games, if those had been 6 inches lower would people think differently.
voyeur
Well-known member
We seem to have a general problem in terms of that third midfield player. Only once has the whole midfield three played well, in the Reading game, and that was against Reading's youngsters. Jensen Weir had a good season in a struggling L1 team last season, but somehow we seem unable to fashion the same kind if effectiveness in a supposedly stronger side.
So I am loathe to blame individuals. Carey hasn't nailed it by any stretch but neither have Weir, Dembele or Morgan. And Virtue isn't that kind of player really. So Critch needs to work out the role and how to get those players functioning to their potential there. The Kenny improvement is a step towards it. In fact the rest of the side is working pretty well. It's just that AM position. Tried 4 players and none have looked right yet.
So I am loathe to blame individuals. Carey hasn't nailed it by any stretch but neither have Weir, Dembele or Morgan. And Virtue isn't that kind of player really. So Critch needs to work out the role and how to get those players functioning to their potential there. The Kenny improvement is a step towards it. In fact the rest of the side is working pretty well. It's just that AM position. Tried 4 players and none have looked right yet.
Wilburrabbit
Well-known member
Our defence is looking like a unit and the forward line potent but the midfield is still not right. On Saturday we struggled first half to control the game first half and Norburn dropped really deep meaning the burden was on Dougall and Carey to be combative and support the attack.
Dougall got a grip on the game in the second half but Carey floated through it seeming overawed. I really hope he finds his way to becoming more imposing but so far I am not seeing it. That has been the case all season so far.
Dougall got a grip on the game in the second half but Carey floated through it seeming overawed. I really hope he finds his way to becoming more imposing but so far I am not seeing it. That has been the case all season so far.
Voy I completely agree with this. If it's right to call it the "10" position - get that player right and we're looking close to a very competitive team.
Of the four candidates I think Morgan is the least likely, in that he's come across as more a link between the midfield areas rather than an attacking 10. A decent player there and a present looks between him and Kenny Dougall to partner Norburn.
Sonny Carey is pushing further forward now that he's not part of a central midfield pair, as he was in Critch's first go. You really want him to drive on and unleash, he's got a hell of a shot on him. He has cost us momentum in some promising situations where, if he'd grasp the nettle as some are saying above, he could create good chances for us. But he's taken the option of a safer pass, quite a lot actually, so I get the comment above that he's taking part in games rather than influencing them - a good description. If he is our AM, then the harder option has to be taken at 50% of the time, because it's successful those that hurt their defence. For what it's worth I think his confidence is very low, and if he's heard some of the crap that gets talked behind me I don't blame him. What's the solution? No idea. Maybe give him 2-3 Dev Squad games where he's told to do nothing but look for the attacking pass, and shoot more.
Jen Weir does try to drive more than Carey, hasn't quite come off for him yet. Dembele, in the little we've seen, is a box of tricks and is the obvious candidate to unlock defences. Just needs the ball to feet - which isn't always our first choice pass up to press. Maybe with him receiving more it might become so.
One thing about both Weir and Dembele. Critch needs to choose one the options and give them a run of 3-4 starts, whoever it is. Only then is he going to find out the best one of the choices. Only Carey so far has had that - we'll learn nothing from the others making a sub appearance every other week.
Tangolanding
Well-known member
I really want him to be successful for us - in the right place at the right time he can be dangerous. He just doesn't seem to make enough space for himself on the pitch so he rarely gets the ball in good areas. I was watching him on Saturday and more often than not he was alongside or behind a Stevenage player when we had the ball. Would love him to make himself more available for the ball when we are in possession, as I genuinely believe that if he gets more space with the ball he has the capability to create a lot of chances
southshore
Well-known member
Always thought his best position is behind a front two. Rarely gets the chance to play there, so doesn't shine.
voyeur
Well-known member
We started the season with two AMs and Norburn holding and it just didn't work, at the time at least. Kenny is now closer to Norburn, it seems to me, and they are gaining an understanding. Kenny is getting forward more than he did during Critch 1.0 but has gravitated towards helping Norburn out more.
My feeling has been that Weir would nail down the other position but the understanding hasn't been there when he has played. With a run of games now it might come, with Kenny playing better and the wide positions working much better. And Rhodes and KK developing an understanding.
I see Dembele more as a wide player, an alternative to CJ maybe, but he may succeed as a 10. He's got to learn it though. Morgan came to us as an AM, a creator. I'm not sure where he'll settle down. I think he's an attack minded player though, myself. He, Carey and Weir should be getting goals. Why aren't they? Not one between them yet. The midfield is still in development.
My feeling has been that Weir would nail down the other position but the understanding hasn't been there when he has played. With a run of games now it might come, with Kenny playing better and the wide positions working much better. And Rhodes and KK developing an understanding.
I see Dembele more as a wide player, an alternative to CJ maybe, but he may succeed as a 10. He's got to learn it though. Morgan came to us as an AM, a creator. I'm not sure where he'll settle down. I think he's an attack minded player though, myself. He, Carey and Weir should be getting goals. Why aren't they? Not one between them yet. The midfield is still in development.
voyeur
Well-known member
I remember Morgan slipping a shot just wide v Burton! He scored v Liverpool U21s of course too so he's got a good strike in him. And I'm sure Weir has had the odd shot here and there. He seemed to get plenty of shots at goal for Morecambe who looked like they had a more fluid system than us, with a much leakier defence and no Jordan Rhodes!