Yesterday's line-up

[Tommeh]

I think RK made 2 big mistakes yesterday in the line - up.

1) we kept allowing Southend onto us and had nobody who was willing to put a challenge in ie. Hughes and Johnson. The ball kept bypassing them and it wasn't until the ball got to the edge of our area that paddy Mac/K wont the ball back/ Put in challenges. We need ball winners in midfield and we don't have that atm with those 2. We need Wesolowski in I think to beef up the midfield and get stuck into the opposition.

Far too often the crown were singing "Get into em, Fuk em up"

2) Although I don't hink Tiattohad an awful game yesterday we certainly looked much better with porter. This guy simply has to play now. The idea of wingers is that they go at people Tiatto simply doesn't do that. Porter also gives us an excellant outlet when we're defending, again which Tiatto doesn't.

People can't argue that Tiatto's dead balls we're excellant and he supplied the Kisnorbo's goal and that we need him for his deliveryfrom dead balls because that's the argument people had for keeping Beckham in the England team and look what's happened to him.

However the result was the important thing which we got, I just hope these points can be looked at over the international break and corrected

Discuss...

[C-man]

You are right about Tiatto. Although I dont really like him, i thought his dead balls were very good yesterday. Having said that i was pleased RK put Levi on because he is not only useful for the reasons you mentioned, he also gets the crowd going too.

[Loake]

I thought Porter's corners were good when he came on, so I can't see any benefits of Tiatto playing instead to be honest, it's not that he's played poorly this season, its just that Porter has worked hard and is the better option.

[Mark]

Must point out that whilst he is useful, Josh Low at right wing is simply not going to be good enough, we need to come to terms with this soon to progress further. It might be worth trying out Hume/O'Grady there, to give us more of an attacking threat, or even Stearman who put in a better cross than anyone did all game in the 5 minutes he was on for.

[Wils]

I thought Porter's corners were good when he came on, so I can't see any benefits of Tiatto playing instead to be honest, it's not that he's played poorly this season, its just that Porter has worked hard and is the better option.

No he hasnt,hes played shite.

[shen]

Must point out that whilst he is useful, Josh Low at right wing is simply not going to be good enough, we need to come to terms with this soon to progress further. It might be worth trying out Hume/O'Grady there, to give us more of an attacking threat, or even Stearman who put in a better cross than anyone did all game in the 5 minutes he was on for.

Wingers often blow hot and cold, and Low is no different. He's still loads better than either Maybury, Hughes or Sylla. And you can't possibly judge Stearman on 5 minutes in that position.

[Mark]

Wingers often blow hot and cold, and Low is no different. He's still loads better than either Maybury, Hughes or Sylla. And you can't possibly judge Stearman on 5 minutes in that position.

Very true, he is better than those 3 players but I'm yet to be impressed with him like I have been with Porter. I'm not stupid enough to judge Stearman on that. I know he was brought on for added security in the last couple of minutes but I know he can come up with goals/assists when given a more attacking role which so far Low hasn't done.

Our strikers need more service so the midfield has to be changed in some way or other.

[Thracian]

Must point out that whilst he is useful, Josh Low at right wing is simply not going to be good enough, we need to come to terms with this soon to progress further. It might be worth trying out Hume/O'Grady there, to give us more of an attacking threat, or even Stearman who put in a better cross than anyone did all game in the 5 minutes he was on for.

I'd try Max Gradel first. Porter's already creating a bit of a buzz in the team and, make no mistake, young Gradel is an exciting prospect too.

He's a different type of player, very much an individual. Whereas Porter is primarily a passer and a terrific team player, Gradel is fast and very direct. He takes people on and looks for goals, scores em too, all the time. In fact I've rarely seen a winger get into the penalty box a much as he does.

It isn't that I don't think O'Grady or Hume can play wide, more that their strength and energy is needed in the middle and I'd rather see people in their natural positions.

If Gradel's not ready fair enough - his temperament can be a bit suspect as with most "individuals" - but I wouldn't bet on it. The boy's got talent and lots of it.

However I do think he might find it harder that Porter. Anyone who takes players on risks losing the ball and it is the sort of risk that can get the crowd on your back whereas Porter's stock-in-trade is the short pass and he'll only normally take risks when he feels comfortable and has already pocketed a few brownie points.

[Mark]

I'd try Max Gradel first. Porter's already creating a bit of a buzz in the team and, make no mistake, young Gradel is an exciting prospect too.

As would I, just not very likely to happen after he wasn't given a chance even against Macclesfield. His and Porter's directness would be so refreshing to see, and he will only improve the chances we're able to create. Defensively Low is probably the better option, but Kenton has proved reliable enough so far.

Gradel is definitely worth a place as a substitute at the very least as he has the ability to change a game.

Thinking about it now, Kelly doesn't seem keen to play any player where their temperament is a bit "suspect". We've already seen him get rid of Smith, and Sheehan and Gradel haven't featured at all. I don't know about O'Grady but he dissapeared for some unknown reason until the last couple of games. Just a bit of a concern when we've been leaving out players because of possibly this and playing players that don't offer half as much in there positions - Elvis, Nils, Low/Maybury. It comes with some youngsters and I'd have thought with Kelly being an ex academy manager he could manage them. Of course, they may just not be good enough but I have my doubts about that.

[shen]

Very true, he is better than those 3 players but I'm yet to be impressed with him like I have been with Porter. I'm not stupid enough to judge Stearman on that. I know he was brought on for added security in the last couple of minutes but I know he can come up with goals/assists when given a more attacking role which so far Low hasn't done.

Our strikers need more service so the midfield has to be changed in some way or other.

I have to admit, I've got a bit of sympathy for our wingers, because it can't be easy being them. With the appalling lack of service from our central midfield, our wingers have to carry the whole burden. Not only that, but we lack any kind of genuine aerial threat up front, and it's not bloody easy crossing low balls from the sideline/byline.

Low is a useful player and he deserves a run in the side for the time being at least. The things he does, like retaining his position and keeping the width while providing a cross now and then, makes him someone that the opposition have to watch out for.

I can't comment on Stearman in a winger role, but I don't know if that's the right move.

Dropping Nils for Kenton and bringing Stearman in seems a more viable option, don't you think?

[Thracian]

As would I, just not very likely to happen after he wasn't given a chance even against Macclesfield. His and Porter's directness would be so refreshing to see, and he will only improve the chances we're able to create. Defensively Low is probably the better option, but Kenton has proved reliable enough so far.

Gradel is definitely worth a place as a substitute at the very least as he has the ability to change a game.

Thinking about it now, Kelly doesn't seem keen to play any player where their temperament is a bit "suspect". We've already seen him get rid of Smith, and Sheehan and Gradel haven't featured at all. I don't know about O'Grady but he dissapeared for some unknown reason until the last couple of games. Just a bit of a concern when we've been leaving out players because of possibly this and playing players that don't offer half as much in there positions - Elvis, Nils, Low/Maybury. It comes with some youngsters and I'd have thought with Kelly being an ex academy manager he could manage them. Of course, they may just not be good enough but I have my doubts about that.

Brilliant point about the temperament Mark. Anyone who's brought up teenaged kids knows they can be temperamental, that it is all a part of testing the boundaries. Managers perhaps have to try to remember their own teens - did they always do what mum and dad advised? I don't think so.

Without a bit of understanding players like Roy Keane, George Best, Jimmy Johnstone, Gazza, Walshie and so many more would never have had careeers.

It's been wonderful seeing someone with a bit of imagination coming like Levi Porter into the side but, though he's no rebel as far as I've ever noticed, we need others and if some of em are a bit mischievous or reactionary so what?. Good managers should be able to cope with that.

So long as their charges are focused on peformance when it matters. That's the bottom line and the same good manager should never let anyone forget it.

[Swedging]

Without a bit of understanding players like Roy Keane, George Best, Jimmy Johnstone, Gazza, Walshie and so many more would never have had careeers.

A bit less understanding and Best and Gasgoigne might have had longer careers and less alcoholism-related mayhem in their lives.

[davieG]

A bit less understanding and Best and Gasgoigne might have had longer careers and less alcoholism-related mayhem in their lives.

And you believe that no introverted unnoticed player ever became an alcholic

[Swedging]

And you believe that no introverted unnoticed player ever became an alcholic

Not at all. It was just apparent to everyone - not just their teammates and managers - where they were going. The 'understanding' (or really lack of it) is the problem - like when Donkey got told by George Graham at training that, "I can smell the booze on you - you want to watch that." Same thing with both Best and Gasgoigne - who both turned up drunk for training in the morning.