Our Defence

[Ric Flair]

After reading recent interviews with Craig Levein, it appears that he isn't too happy with our defence and that will be the first area that will be strengthened. I do agree with him to a certain extent, but what I do strongly believe is that we have two centre halves at the club that could play together for many years to come - Richard Stearman and Matt Heath. Now is this indication Levein doesn't think Stearman is ready or up to it? He hasn't been anywhere near the first team since he arrived, which surprises me. Heath has been binned, which i'm not overly surprised about but he was having his best spell recently.

Nikos Dabizas and Dion Dublin aren't any better than these two and with Levein stating he wants to see more home grown players in the team I find it odd these two haven't played a bigger role yet. I still can't relax regarding the old guard until they leave, the Adams legacy is still carrying on and it's hard to have faith in Levein to get rid of these journeymen and giving the kids a chance.

Stearman has got to be a better bet that Dublin or Dabizas, got to be. He got young player of the year last year, he gets rave reviews in the reserve matches and Dublin and Dabizas get nothing but criticism because they are playing badly. So where's the fairness in that? Players not getting picked on merit, on reputation and experience. Our demise this season is down to the lacklustre displays from players who quite rightly are past it, when will managers realise this? Chris Makin walks back in to the team and puts in two disgusting displays, but will he get dropped? I doubt it.

I just can't wait till the summer, please Craig get rid of every player out of contract other than Nalis, please.

[Guest]

I think most football managers are unwilling, or scared to use younger players like this.

Stearman was Young Player of the Year, has been playing well for the reserves by all accounts, but most of those sides will be fielding players of similar age and experience, so what judgements can the likes of CL make?

Whilst I would rather see an eager young player in the side than some of the senior players we have, I can understand the managements reluctance to throw them in there.

Hopefully, we will draw a lower division team in the FA Cup, and CL will use this opportunity to assess the likes of Stearman, Wright et al.

[Babylon]

He will play whoever he thinks is best.... get over it for gods sake. If you can't get over it become a bloody football manager.

[Oli]

Why are we moaning already? CL might not think he has seen enough of Stearman to give him a chance. Give the bloke time for christs sake.

[Ric Flair]

He will play whoever he thinks is best.... get over it for gods sake. If you can't get over it become a bloody football manager.

41578[/snapback]

I'm not having this argument with you again. This is where you and me differ son, you seem to be happy to see players playing badly and continue to play where as I don't.

I live in a world where I think people should be chosen on merit and not on reputation and experience. If Dabizas and Dublin are better players than Stearman on current form then i'll pierce my own helmet.

I'm not slating Levein, I think Levein is the business. I couldn't think of another manager who i'd rather have at this club. I just can't let go of all the shit we suffered under Adams until his regime is completely banished. I am sure Levein will look to play the youngsters at some point, but the Adams factor just makes it hard for me to believe.

I'm sorry, i'm a bad man. I have issues.

[Ric Flair]

I think most football managers are unwilling, or scared to use younger players like this.

Stearman was Young Player of the Year, has been playing well for the reserves by all accounts, but most of those sides will be fielding players of similar age and experience, so what judgements can the likes of CL make?

Whilst I would rather see an eager young player in the side than some of the senior players we have, I can understand the managements reluctance to throw them in there.

Hopefully, we will draw a lower division team in the FA Cup, and CL will use this opportunity to assess the likes of Stearman, Wright et al.

41571[/snapback]

Well he's made judgements on Gemmill, Makin, Williams, Blake and Morris from watching them in reserves and Stearman often gets man of the match in the reserves so where's the consistency in that?

[Babylon]

He will play whoever he thinks is best.... get over it for gods sake. If you can't get over it become a bloody football manager.

41578[/snapback]

I'm not having this argument with you again. This is where you and me differ son, you seem to be happy to see players playing badly and continue to play where as I don't.

I live in a world where I think people should be chosen on merit and not on reputation and experience. If Dabizas and Dublin are better players than Stearman on current form then i'll pierce my own helmet.

I'm not slating Levein, I think Levein is the business. I couldn't think of another manager who i'd rather have at this club. I just can't let go of all the shit we suffered under Adams until his regime is completely banished. I am sure Levein will look to play the youngsters at some point, but the Adams factor just makes it hard for me to believe.

I'm sorry, i'm a bad man. I have issues.

41582[/snapback]

IF stearman WAS better and COULD offer more then CL would play him. Craig has shown he isn't afraid of any decision, Dabizas and dublin may be dodgy... but he must feel they offer more.

[shen]

Maybe Stearman is having an unimpressive spell at the moment?... he COULD also play Dublin and hope he impresses, to get rid of him in January and free up some dosh . I can't understand why Dabizas doesn't get dropped though. Yes, he's played up at the top, but it seems he doesn't take his stay here seriously, which is, I'm afraid, a typically Greek attitude

[Cobbo]

Maybe Stearman is having an unimpressive spell at the moment?... he COULD also play Dublin and hope he impresses, to get rid of him in January and free up some dosh . I can't understand why Dabizas doesn't get dropped though. Yes, he's played up at the top, but it seems he doesn't take his stay here seriously, which is, I'm afraid, a typically Greek attitude

41590[/snapback]

Getting rid of Dion in January would suggest a Prem club would bid for him?

Surely not...

[Craig]

Maybe Stearman is having an unimpressive spell at the moment?... he COULD also play Dublin and hope he impresses, to get rid of him in January and free up some dosh . I can't understand why Dabizas doesn't get dropped though. Yes, he's played up at the top, but it seems he doesn't take his stay here seriously, which is, I'm afraid, a typically Greek attitude

41590[/snapback]

Getting rid of Dion in January would suggest a Prem club would bid for him?

Surely not...

41591[/snapback]

Stranger things have happened...

[Cobbo]

Maybe Stearman is having an unimpressive spell at the moment?... he COULD also play Dublin and hope he impresses, to get rid of him in January and free up some dosh . I can't understand why Dabizas doesn't get dropped though. Yes, he's played up at the top, but it seems he doesn't take his stay here seriously, which is, I'm afraid, a typically Greek attitude

41590[/snapback]

Getting rid of Dion in January would suggest a Prem club would bid for him?

Surely not...

41591[/snapback]

Stranger things have happened...

41592[/snapback]

Like making a profit on Lee Marshall?

I see what you mean

[Craig]

Maybe Stearman is having an unimpressive spell at the moment?... he COULD also play Dublin and hope he impresses, to get rid of him in January and free up some dosh . I can't understand why Dabizas doesn't get dropped though. Yes, he's played up at the top, but it seems he doesn't take his stay here seriously, which is, I'm afraid, a typically Greek attitude

41590[/snapback]

Getting rid of Dion in January would suggest a Prem club would bid for him?

Surely not...

41591[/snapback]

Stranger things have happened...

41592[/snapback]

Like making a profit on Lee Marshall?

I see what you mean

41593[/snapback]

I didn't mean that strange though

[breadandcheese]

Why are people complaining about Levein's policy on young players? I don't understand. Levein has only been here five minutes. In that time, I believe he has seen, what we have, and agrees with us that certain players like Dublin and Dabizas are not good enough. However, he does not have the money to go and replace these players, and so unfortunately, we have to attempt to get the best out of a bad bunch until we can free up some money.

Now whilst Hoof's original point was why not play players like Stearman, I think it would be a mistake to blood someone like Stearman in so soon. I have always felt that players who come into the team too young, have not had a chance for their bodies to develop properly, and are risking injury and damage to their potential (Think Owen and his perennial hamstring problem). Stearman, whilst he has the necessary qualities, is still very skinny, which indicates he is still not fully developed and able to cope with the rigours of week in week out championship football, which could damage his potential.

My only question is where's Canero gone and why would Levein choose Dabizas/Dublin over Heath at the back? I think Heath has improved no-end this season, and Canero, when he's started has looked a tremendous right-back. Eitherway, I believe Levein is a good manager, and trust his judgement. In any case, we can't really start judging him until next season when he has had a chance to clear out the deadwood and bring in his own personnel.

[Ric Flair]

He will play whoever he thinks is best.... get over it for gods sake. If you can't get over it become a bloody football manager.

41578[/snapback]

I'm not having this argument with you again. This is where you and me differ son, you seem to be happy to see players playing badly and continue to play where as I don't.

I live in a world where I think people should be chosen on merit and not on reputation and experience. If Dabizas and Dublin are better players than Stearman on current form then i'll pierce my own helmet.

I'm not slating Levein, I think Levein is the business. I couldn't think of another manager who i'd rather have at this club. I just can't let go of all the shit we suffered under Adams until his regime is completely banished. I am sure Levein will look to play the youngsters at some point, but the Adams factor just makes it hard for me to believe.

I'm sorry, i'm a bad man. I have issues.

41582[/snapback]

IF stearman WAS better and COULD offer more then CL would play him. Craig has shown he isn't afraid of any decision, Dabizas and dublin may be dodgy... but he must feel they offer more.

41585[/snapback]

I agree with you actually!! The only reason why I keep getting frustrated by the youngsters not getting a chance is because under Adams it wasn't a case of the youngsters not being good enough it was a case of he preferred experienced players and he admitted that. Levein has stated he wants to bring the home grown players through, I just still can't truely believe that because of the Adams days. I know that's crazy but when Dabizas, Makin and Dublin put in displays like they did in the first half and will probably not get dropped on saturday it makes me angry and I wonder why we can't play Stearman when almost every week the mercury or the official site wank over how impressive he's been.

The bottom line is Dabizas and Dublin are terrible footballers, if 32,000 fans can see that why can't the manager? Are managers signed up to the secret underworld that we don't see and it shows the true colours of Dabizas and Dublin? I doubt that very much and again I am prepared to pierce my own helmet if on current form you can prove Dabizas and Dublin warrant a first team place over Richard Stearman who even Micky Adams had to admit he was the most talented youngster he'd worked with in a long time.

[Mark]

Well he's made judgements on Gemmill, Makin, Williams, Blake and Morris from watching them in reserves and Stearman often gets man of the match in the reserves so where's the consistency in that?

41583[/snapback]

He also signed Gemmill on for another 3 months, even though, in the same position, Stephen Dawson has impresed in the reserves far more than he has. But he decided to follow the Adams tradition in holding youth back, they've been held back for years Craig come on now.

[Stuliasz]

Do people think Heath should be in the back two?

[Cobbo]

Do people think Heath should be in the back two?

41603[/snapback]

Don't rate the lad at all I'm afraid. Can't pass and isn't commanding enough for me. So that's a no

Levein obviously thinks the same, leaving him out for Dion

[Ric Flair]

Why are people complaining about Levein's policy on young players?  I don't understand.  Levein has only been here five minutes.  In that time, I believe he has seen, what we have, and agrees with us that certain players like Dublin and Dabizas are not good enough.  However, he does not have the money to go and replace these players, and so unfortunately, we have to attempt to get the best out of a bad bunch until we can free up some money.

Now whilst Hoof's original point was why not play players like Stearman, I think it would be a mistake to blood someone like Stearman in so soon.  I have always felt that players who come into the team too young, have not had a chance for their bodies to develop properly, and are risking injury and damage to their potential (Think Owen and his perennial hamstring problem).  Stearman, whilst he has the necessary qualities, is still very skinny, which indicates he is still not fully developed and able to cope with the rigours of week in week out championship football, which could damage his potential.

My only question is where's Canero gone and why would Levein choose Dabizas/Dublin over Heath at the back?  I think Heath has improved no-end this season, and Canero, when he's started has looked a tremendous right-back.  Eitherway, I believe Levein is a good manager, and trust his judgement.  In any case, we can't really start judging him until next season when he has had a chance to clear out the deadwood and bring in his own personnel.

41596[/snapback]

You might be right there, but then again you could say if a player is good enough they are old enough. Lots of players have burst on the scene at 17 and not all of them have suffered bad injuries. Stearman might be skinny, but that might be his natural physique. Changing someone's physique through certains things like special drinks, etc could be just as harmful as the body might struggle to cope. He hardly looks the sort of lad who is far from developed considering he's 6ft 3!! Rio Ferdinand is hardly built like a brick shit house, that is the stereotype of traditional centre backs. Times have changed and if Stearman continues to play well for the reserves he deserves the chance, Heath is hardly well built either. Stearman is very agile and his game isn't just about using his phsyical presence to gain advantage against the opposition. He likes to play the ball out of defance more and he also has a quick footballing brain, so he doesn't have to kick shit out of strikers.

There is two ways you can look at younger players, I just think considering all footballers start out as young players then we should be looking to develop as many as possible as we aren't in the position to go and sign million pound players. You've seen how horrible it is having a team full of mis-fits like we've got, we haven't got many players that are worth any money and we must be one of the only teams in the championship/premiership like that. The likes of Stearman and Dawson are playing so well in the reserves that it is pretty clear that they could well go on to play premiership football and whilst we are in the championship where the level of football isn't as strong we should be giving them some first team football. Because I can guarantee that if we get promoted they are less likely to get a chance and then what happens? They slip out the back door and pop up a few years later at a lower league club and get bought by a big team, possibly even ourselves a few years back. It doesn't make sense.

Stearman and Dawson are ready for the first team I don't care what anyone says, i'd put my life on them holding their own in the championship. I've watched them quite alot in the reserves last season and a few times this season and they have never failed to amaze me, where as some of the experienced players who were given a run-out in the reserves didn't. Give them a chance please.

[Oli]

Do people think Heath should be in the back two?

41603[/snapback]

No I don't think he should. His only strong point is in the air. He can't pass at all. I would rather have Dabizas over him.

[Stuliasz]

Do people think Heath should be in the back two?

41603[/snapback]

No I don't think he should. His only strong point is in the air. He can't pass at all. I would rather have Dabizas over him.

41606[/snapback]

Interesting...

[Ash]

The back i would personally pick would be

Canero-Stearman-Keown-Stewart

That offers youth,pace,experience,passing abilty,aerial ability

[Hullfox]

Do people think Heath should be in the back two?

41603[/snapback]

Don't rate the lad at all I'm afraid. Can't pass and isn't commanding enough for me. So that's a no

Levein obviously thinks the same, leaving him out for Dion

41604[/snapback]

I reckon Levein chose Dublin because he knew that we'd get an aerial bombardment from the long throw. If nothing else, he can head a ball and he's strong.

Wouldn't fancy him keeping the role for too long though.

[Scow]

The back i would personally pick would be

Canero-Stearman-Keown-Stewart

That offers youth,pace,experience,passing abilty,aerial ability

41611[/snapback]

That's a good back four.

[Anish]

Do people think Heath should be in the back two?

41603[/snapback]

Don't rate the lad at all I'm afraid. Can't pass and isn't commanding enough for me. So that's a no

Levein obviously thinks the same, leaving him out for Dion

41604[/snapback]

I reckon Levein chose Dublin because he knew that we'd get an aerial bombardment from the long throw. If nothing else, he can head a ball and he's strong.

Wouldn't fancy him keeping the role for too long though.

41614[/snapback]

He didn't seem strong or good at heading when he played up front though

[Hullfox]

Do people think Heath should be in the back two?

41603[/snapback]

Don't rate the lad at all I'm afraid. Can't pass and isn't commanding enough for me. So that's a no

Levein obviously thinks the same, leaving him out for Dion

41604[/snapback]

I reckon Levein chose Dublin because he knew that we'd get an aerial bombardment from the long throw. If nothing else, he can head a ball and he's strong.

Wouldn't fancy him keeping the role for too long though.

41614[/snapback]

He didn't seem strong or good at heading when he played up front though

41774[/snapback]

Wrong again Anish. He didn't look mobile hence he didn't get to any headers and have a chance to look strong. He was along for the ride.

He will hopefully do more for us now