Chambers call up

[Thracian]

Desperate times call for desperate measures and seeing as Stephen has assured us that Ashley Chambers CAN be selected then it's time we used him as a striker.

The point about Chambers is that he is simply that - an out-and-out oredatory goalscorer.

He hovers on the danger zone, appears inconsequential, a few runs here and there, a few almost disinterested challenges then suddenly ....a genuine chance.

In a flash he sums up the situation, moves like a cheetah, locates the target and bang.

Hammond is fast and clever enough to get chances but is not a clinical, ruthless finisher. Hume the same. Sometimes they come off, sometimes they don't.

I'm not saying Chambers never misses but he seems to work three or four chances a game and he DOES take a decent proportion of em. What have we got to lose in this situation?

Like Sheehan at left back he is better (as an out and out striker) than anything else we've got. And like his schoolmate elsewhere on this forum. I reckon he'd get one (at least) on his full debut.

[Gené and Tonic]

We must be careful, playing him too early in his career could either:

A) Burn him out

B) Let big clubs get wise to him

C) Turn him into "fancy dan"

[lenny06]

Desperate times call for desperate measures and seeing as Stephen has assured us that Ashley Chambers CAN be selected then it's time we used him as a striker.

The point about Chambers is that he is simply that - an out-and-out oredatory goalscorer.

He hovers on the danger zone, appears inconsequential, a few runs here and there, a few almost disinterested challenges then suddenly ....a genuine chance.

In a flash he sums up the situation, moves like a cheetah, locates the target and bang. Hammond is fast and clever enough to get chances but is not a clinical, ruthless finisher. Hume the same. Sometimes they come off, sometimes they don't.

I'm not saying Chambers never misses but he seems to work three or four chances a game and he DOES take a decent proportion of em. What have we got to lose in this situation?

Like Sheehan at left back he is better (as an out and out striker) than anything else we've got. And like his schoolmate elsewhere on this forum. I reckon he'd get one (at least) on his full debut.

LMAO!! David Attenbrough eat your heart out

[lenny06]

We must be careful, playing him too early in his career could either:

A) Burn him out

B) Let big clubs get wise to him

C) Turn him into "fancy dan"

100% agree... I don't think Chambers is the answer right now.

[Ric Flair]

100% agree... I don't think Chambers is the answer right now.

You don't think Smudger is either, it's a good job your not a manager

[lenny06]

You don't think Smudger is either, it's a good job your not a manager

No Ric you misunderstood, all I said was that its asking a bit much to pin all our hopes on an 18 year old. And now your talking about a 16 year old!!

Its a good job your not the manager!

[frenchy_lcfc]

All i know with Chambers playing along side him at school and all that!! Is that he will always give a 100% to his game play even more. Plus when you see him play for the reserves he always tries to put everything for the club so bring on Chambers!!

But i do agree with LCFC_826 that he might burn him out!! But what the Heck he's a strong lad and very DETERMINED!!! :thumbsup:

[Ric Flair]

No Ric you misunderstood, all I said was that its asking a bit much to pin all our hopes on an 18 year old. And now your talking about a 16 year old!!

Its a good job your not the manager!

[Thracian]

No Ric you misunderstood, all I said was that its asking a bit much to pin all our hopes on an 18 year old. And now your talking about a 16 year old!!

Its a good job your not the manager!

Trevor Francis, Wayne Rooney .... loads of young kids survive an early introduction to professional football. Chambers and Gold-Smith will relish it.

[lenny06]

Trevor Francis, Wayne Rooney .... loads of young kids survive an early introduction to professional football. Chambers and Gold-Smith will relish it.

LMFAO!! Now your comparing them to Wayne Rooney and Trevor Francis! These players were/are exceptional cases. Loads of kids do not fulfill their early promise only some do!

I've no doubts that these two have talent because I've seen it for myself I just wanted to make the point that its a sorry story for us to be pinning our hopes on an 18 year old who's played half a game and on loan and a schoolboy.

Chambers needs to be nurtured through not just stuck in the side because we are in the shit!

[Ric Flair]

LMFAO!! Now your comparing them to Wayne Rooney and Trevor Francis! These players were/are exceptional cases. Loads of kids do not fulfill their early promise only some do!

I've no doubts that these two have talent because I've seen it for myself I just wanted to make the point that its a sorry story for us to be pinning our hopes on an 18 year old who's played half a game and on loan and a schoolboy.

Chambers needs to be nurtured through not just stuck in the side because we are in the shit!

It is a sorry story, but I don't understand what you are saying. Thracian and myself haven't said all our prayers will be answered with these two but we've purely said that from what we've seen of them they are fearless and have no respect for anybody on the pitch and could give us some conviction. It's a sorry story that we are pinning our hopes on anything, but from purely ability wise these two look like they could spring a few surprises on the championship.

[Thracian]

LMFAO!! Now your comparing them to Wayne Rooney and Trevor Francis! These players were/are exceptional cases. Loads of kids do not fulfill their early promise only some do!

I've no doubts that these two have talent because I've seen it for myself I just wanted to make the point that its a sorry story for us to be pinning our hopes on an 18 year old who's played half a game and on loan and a schoolboy.

Chambers needs to be nurtured through not just stuck in the side because we are in the shit!

Can't see that I'm comparing them to anyone except age wise. I am saying that we are not scoring enough goals and in our club, representing our staff, Chambers appears to be the best alternative we have. He is a natural striker who is in form and confident. This "nurturing" thing does nothing for me. I've seen him play week in, week out against big, fast defenders and it hasn't bothered him one little bit.

This is not some kid out on his first date. He's regularly away on England duty, has been a regular in the Reserves and has an abundance of confidence because he keeps on scoring.

I would remind you that loads of players make their breakthrough when given a chance because the club was "in the shit" so to speak. If we were scoring three goals a week we wouldn't be discussing alternative strikers and no-one would be getting a breakthrough chance, whatever age he was.

[BenFilbert]

Can't see that I'm comparing them to anyone except age wise. I am saying that we are not scoring enough goals and in our club, representing our staff, Chambers appears to be the best alternative we have. He is a natural striker who is in form and confident. This "nurturing" thing does nothing for me. I've seen him play week in, week out against big, fast defenders and it hasn't bothered him one little bit.

This is not some kid out on his first date. He's regularly away on England duty, has been a regular in the Reserves and has an abundance of confidence because he keeps on scoring.

I would remind you that loads of players make their breakthrough when given a chance because the club was "in the shit" so to speak. If we were scoring three goals a week we wouldn't be discussing alternative strikers and no-one would be getting a breakthrough chance, whatever age he was.

It's not very often that i disagree with you. I don't this time either! Maybe not start the game but he should get a chance to show himself. I really do believe in "if you're good enough, you're old enough."

[lenny06]

Can't see that I'm comparing them to anyone except age wise. I am saying that we are not scoring enough goals and in our club, representing our staff, Chambers appears to be the best alternative we have. He is a natural striker who is in form and confident. This "nurturing" thing does nothing for me. I've seen him play week in, week out against big, fast defenders and it hasn't bothered him one little bit.

This is not some kid out on his first date. He's regularly away on England duty, has been a regular in the Reserves and has an abundance of confidence because he keeps on scoring.

I would remind you that loads of players make their breakthrough when given a chance because the club was "in the shit" so to speak. If we were scoring three goals a week we wouldn't be discussing alternative strikers and no-one would be getting a breakthrough chance, whatever age he was.

Opinions eh!

Well getting in the first team is a major step up for any player, it makes no difference if you've seen him play against big centre halfs, he's inform and he's confident. Simply because playing in the first team is a different level.

Chucking a fifteen year old school boy in the first team in its current state would probably do more harm than good and I wouldn't say we are that desparate quite yet.

Levein won't play Sheehan who I think even now is our best left back by a country mile so Chambers will not feature much at all this season.. end of.

[Jonbluefox9]

So we play Chambers, he starts three games for the 1st team and doesn't manage to score a goal. What are we left with then? A 15 year old lad with no confidence in his own ability anymore and a long list of other strikers that are older and have more experience than Chambers who have even less confidence than they did before because they've been left out of the team for a schoolboy. I agree he's talented etc but I think it'll be better for us long term if we let Chambers progress at his own time. Let him show what he can do at reserve team level, maybe even send him on loan to a lower division side at some stage and then let him show what he can do for us. I think if we were to play Chambers now we'd be risking damaging him as a player in the future just on the off chance that he'd improve us at present.

[Gené and Tonic]

Exactly right jon

[Thracian]

So we play Chambers, he starts three games for the 1st team and doesn't manage to score a goal. What are we left with then? A 15 year old lad with no confidence in his own ability anymore and a long list of other strikers that are older and have more experience than Chambers who have even less confidence than they did before because they've been left out of the team for a schoolboy. I agree he's talented etc but I think it'll be better for us long term if we let Chambers progress at his own time. Let him show what he can do at reserve team level, maybe even send him on loan to a lower division side at some stage and then let him show what he can do for us. I think if we were to play Chambers now we'd be risking damaging him as a player in the future just on the off chance that he'd improve us at present.

Don't think you can know Chambers. Ending up as a lad with no confidence? I don't think so. He's already shown me what he can do in the reserves and in his England team and while most human beings are made up of mostly water, he's just about filled to overflowing with confidence.

When he misses a chance he just waits, and waits and takes the next one. He just loves the stage that football provides.

If he goes three games without a goal where are we left? In pretty well the same state as we are or have been with our other strikers and loads more before.

But if you're a betting person ... and you fancy a wager on Chambers not scoring in his first 270 minutes of football with the City first team please let me know. That straight £100 I was going to bet with Chandler is still available. But I should make sure you watch him play a bit first. Wouldn't wanna feel I'd taken advantage.

Don't know for sure but I've a feeling RicFlair might back the youngster with a few bob over three games too.

[Parsons]

fecking great if chambers was given his chance in the championship and not just for a few minitues either. same applys to Weso. They need to be given first team action. so, Levein either play them or let them go out on loan.

does anyone think that Weso will be given another chance in the championship this season when he comes back from injury?

[Thracian]

fecking great if chambers was given his chance in the championship and not just for a few minitues either. same applys to Weso. They need to be given first team action. so, Levein either play them or let them go out on loan.

does anyone think that Weso will be given another chance in the championship this season when he comes back from injury?

What a mouth on that avatar. Loads of times I go to read what you've written and just can't concentrate. No matter...keep writing.

[Nationwider]

Chambers on the bench. Use him as a last 20 minute explosion, carefully detonated to cause maximum damage. Those worried that the little darling might get burn-out needn't be with this solution for the next few matches.

On a linked matter....

On Tuesday, our bench consisted of a goalie, a centre-back, two defensive midfielders and one striker. As a contrast, on Monday, Fulham had Radlinski, McBride and Helgusson (all strikers) on their bench.

My point?

At home, there is no excuse for being so defensively minded - this smacks of hanging on. Why do we need to do this???? No team in this division should be so frightened as to employ such a negative bench at home.

Only if you are San Marino and find yourself 1-0 up to Brazil at HT, and down to 9 men do should you be hanging on at home.

Surely a bench of goalie, a defensive midfielder, Chambers, Hume and Wright/O'Grady/A.Newstriker would have offer us more options when, surprise, surprise, we go 1-0 down and haven't got a clue what to do???

I find the need for 3 defensive players on the bench at home to that Brazil of the North, Burnley, a little confusing.

[The People's Hero]

Levein is Mr Cautious though, isn't he?

So frustrating.

[Jonbluefox9]

Don't think you can know Chambers. Ending up as a lad with no confidence? I don't think so. He's already shown me what he can do in the reserves and in his England team and while most human beings are made up of mostly water, he's just about filled to overflowing with confidence.

When he misses a chance he just waits, and waits and takes the next one. He just loves the stage that football provides.

If he goes three games without a goal where are we left? In pretty well the same state as we are or have been with our other strikers and loads more before.

But if you're a betting person ... and you fancy a wager on Chambers not scoring in his first 270 minutes of football with the City first team please let me know. That straight £100 I was going to bet with Chandler is still available. But I should make sure you watch him play a bit first. Wouldn't wanna feel I'd taken advantage.

Don't know for sure but I've a feeling RicFlair might back the youngster with a few bob over three games too.

I'm 15, the closest I get to gambling is the 2p machines by the seaside in Norfolk!

Anyway, maybe it wouldn't knock his confidence completely but if you were put in the first team for three games at any age and you didn't score, were subsequently dropped and had to go back to playing for the reserves and/or youth teams again I think your confidence would have taken a severe battering even if you were an ultra cocky person.

And tbh if I was a betting man I may well bet that he wouldn't score in his first 270 minutes of football for the City first team. I have seen Chambers play in the past, I know many people that have played football with Chambers at different local clubs and for Leicester City too. One thing that stands out for me is that he does miss his fair share of good chances. I think you'd agree with me on that. At reserve team level he's missed good opportunities and then, maybe his third or fourth chance in a match, he's scored usually a more difficult chance. Now according to the Mercury today we had 5 shots on target. 2 of those shots may have been from MDV, 2 from Hammond and 1 from someone else. Judging by that, Chambers won't get many opportunities to shoot at goal and if he does what I've seen him do at reserve team level, he may well have wasted those chances and won't get the chance to finish the third or fourth chance well. It's all ifs and buts really but I don't think our lack of goals at home is completely down to our strikers. The service from midfield must improve otherwise no-one will score. Unless Chambers can create a goal for himself then he will also rely on a good supply.

After all I've said, I'm totally behind Chambers. We all know he's talented but as I said in another thread, player's ratings can go up by not playing. Because the current strikers aren't scoring then Chambers all of a sudden looks even more exciting. I think we should perservere with the more senior strikers and try to play a way that creates more chances for them.

[Thracian]

Chambers on the bench. Use him as a last 20 minute explosion, carefully detonated to cause maximum damage. Those worried that the little darling might get burn-out needn't be with this solution for the next few matches.

On a linked matter....

On Tuesday, our bench consisted of a goalie, a centre-back, two defensive midfielders and one striker. As a contrast, on Monday, Fulham had Radlinski, McBride and Helgusson (all strikers) on their bench.

My point?

At home, there is no excuse for being so defensively minded - this smacks of hanging on. Why do we need to do this???? No team in this division should be so frightened as to employ such a negative bench at home.

Only if you are San Marino and find yourself 1-0 up to Brazil at HT, and down to 9 men do should you be hanging on at home.

Surely a bench of goalie, a defensive midfielder, Chambers, Hume and Wright/O'Grady/A.Newstriker would have offer us more options when, surprise, surprise, we go 1-0 down and haven't got a clue what to do???

I find the need for 3 defensive players on the bench at home to that Brazil of the North, Burnley, a little confusing.

Be interesting to hear what CL had to say about that.

[cisono]

CL is cautious, but he could have used someone like Chambers last night... there was nothing much left to lose!

[Thracian]

I'm 15, the closest I get to gambling is the 2p machines by the seaside in Norfolk!

Anyway, maybe it wouldn't knock his confidence completely but if you were put in the first team for three games at any age and you didn't score, were subsequently dropped and had to go back to playing for the reserves and/or youth teams again I think your confidence would have taken a severe battering even if you were an ultra cocky person.

And tbh if I was a betting man I may well bet that he wouldn't score in his first 270 minutes of football for the City first team. I have seen Chambers play in the past, I know many people that have played football with Chambers at different local clubs and for Leicester City too. One thing that stands out for me is that he does miss his fair share of good chances. I think you'd agree with me on that. At reserve team level he's missed good opportunities and then, maybe his third or fourth chance in a match, he's scored usually a more difficult chance. Now according to the Mercury today we had 5 shots on target. 2 of those shots may have been from MDV, 2 from Hammond and 1 from someone else. Judging by that, Chambers won't get many opportunities to shoot at goal and if he does what I've seen him do at reserve team level, he may well have wasted those chances and won't get the chance to finish the third or fourth chance well. It's all ifs and buts really but I don't think our lack of goals at home is completely down to our strikers. The service from midfield must improve otherwise no-one will score. Unless Chambers can create a goal for himself then he will also rely on a good supply.

After all I've said, I'm totally behind Chambers. We all know he's talented but as I said in another thread, player's ratings can go up by not playing. Because the current strikers aren't scoring then Chambers all of a sudden looks even more exciting. I think we should perservere with the more senior strikers and try to play a way that creates more chances for them.

First of all my apologies for suggesting we had a bet - I often forget how young some of you posters are - and would happily have bet you one of those 2p's you mentioned anyway cos I was simply making a point really.

Secondly congratulations on some really good points and analysis. I enjoyed reading it.

And I certainly agree with you that Chambers misses his share of chances. Point is though he has an uncanny knack of somehow contriving three or four chances every match and quite often taking at least one of em.

Having Chambers around, playing him in shortish spells, would focus the attention of strikers who haven't got much competition just now. Gold-Smith's return will ensure more chances are created - as will Hume's inevitable presence in the side and Sheehan's equality inevitable involvement.

When that happens the ratio of chance conversions NEEDS to go up and Chambers is one of the men to do it in my view. If not, we'll have to think again but right now its a decent throw of the dice (sorry, off I go down the wrong road again... .