And at Mansfield....

[lookwhaticando]

I've given up on Sheehan - there's too much of this love-hate arguing. It's just too much.

So, henceforth I shall mention him no more... I will concentrate my efforts entirely on Mattock for Left-Back.

Will you join me, Thracian? (oo-er)

[Babylon]

That RK didn't get anyone in the close season still astounds me and I see little real hope for the functioning of our team until that changes, along with the midfield problem.

That I agree with, we should had got a left back in. Nils is ok at left back but that is all he will ever be.

But the reaction to his sending off against Crewe showed to me that he'll always be up against it at Leicester and sadly, anyone else who comes in for the job will probably face the same resistance.

Have you ever thought that the reaction he received on here to his red card, had something to do with you banging on and on about him? I didn't see a reaction like the one on here anywhere else!!!

If they can defend, which is at the end of the day their main job (They are called defenders for a reason after all), they will be supported. It would be a bonus if they can support the attack and whip the ball in, if they can then excellent even better.

Why? Because as the dourists rightly say. Our defence is okay. But only because that's all it does. Defend.

And the result of that is our seemingly permanent position near the foot of the League.

Just charge about and get stuck in is the

Yes we are at the bottom of the league because our defenders aren't bombing forward and supplying crosses for goals. Come off it...

The job of the defence is to defend, the job of the midfield is to create, the job of the strikers is to score. That's the basics stripped down, if each area was doing their job we would not be in the position we are in. Of course the defence should contribute with attack and visa versa. But to lay the blame at the defence for our position is ridiculous when it is fairly obvious the main problem is the midfield.

[lookwhaticando]

What I find most ridiculous is the way we went out and signed a left back at the beginning of last season - then shipped him out quicker than we had brought him in.

Obviously, RK didn't want a repeat, which is why he didn't bother.

All makes sense really.

[Thracian]

That I agree with, we should had got a left back in. Nils is ok at left back but that is all he will ever be.

Have you ever thought that the reaction he received on here to his red card, had something to do with you banging on and on about him? I didn't see a reaction like the one on here anywhere else!!!

If they can defend, which is at the end of the day their main job (They are called defenders for a reason after all), they will be supported. It would be a bonus if they can support the attack and whip the ball in, if they can then excellent even better.

Yes we are at the bottom of the league because our defenders aren't bombing forward and supplying crosses for goals. Come off it...

The job of the defence is to defend, the job of the midfield is to create, the job of the strikers is to score. That's the basics stripped down, if each area was doing their job we would not be in the position we are in. Of course the defence should contribute with attack and visa versa. But to lay the blame at the defence for our position is ridiculous when it is fairly obvious the main problem is the midfield.

I suppose your last paragraph is where we really differ.

I would argue that only results will truly decide who's right but they won't because, in the short term, I doubt we'll ever put the alternative style of play to the test - and certainly not against anyone any good with the rare exception of Sheffield United at home last season.

Occasionally we've tried a cameo version of being positive in the way I envisage it but once we scored the caution, the "hard-to-beat" philosophy always crept back in again.

[Babylon]

What I find most ridiculous is the way we went out and signed a left back at the beginning of last season - then shipped him out quicker than we had brought him in.

Now that is a mystery, something i'm not sure we'll ever understand. How is he doing now anyway?

[lookwhaticando]

Now that is a mystery, something i'm not sure we'll ever understand. How is he doing now anyway?

He was crocked half of last season wasn't he?

He made 4 (+1) appearances for us... then 17 for Sheff Wed last season.

Since he got crocked (cruciate ligament damage) in March, he must have been something of a regular starter for them. Doesn't look like he's started this season yet... probably still crocked, I guess.

Apparently, he's a tough tackling defender who does his best to go forward to deliver a left-footed cross.

Just what we need.

[lookwhaticando]

I sure hope the 'fee' for Gilbert listed here is just Soccerbase being too lazy to type 'undisclosed'

[Babylon]

I suppose your last paragraph is where we really differ.

I would argue that only results will truly decide who's right but they won't because, in the short term, I doubt we'll ever put the alternative style of play to the test - and certainly not against anyone any good with the rare exception of Sheffield United at home last season.

Occasionally we've tried a cameo version of being positive in the way I envisage it but once we scored the caution, the "hard-to-beat" philosophy always crept back in again.

Hey i'd be more than happy for us to go out and be more attacking, i'd just rather we started out with our attackers and midfielders being a bit more positive than instantly giving our defenders license to commit themselves to attack.

I'll let the best manager ever to grace the game the final words on it all.

"Players lose you games, not tactics. There's so much crap talked about tactics by people who barely know how to win at dominoes. " Brian Clough

[Babylon]

He was crocked half of last season wasn't he?

He made 4 (+1) appearances for us... then 17 for Sheff Wed last season.

Since he got crocked (cruciate ligament damage) in March, he must have been something of a regular starter for them. Doesn't look like he's started this season yet... probably still crocked, I guess.

Apparently, he's a tough tackling defender who does his best to go forward to deliver a left-footed cross.

Just what we need.

Depends where the cross goes, Jordon Stewart got forward and crossed the ball.... the problem was it ended up 20ft behind the goal.

[lookwhaticando]

Depends where the cross goes, Jordon Stewart got forward and crossed the ball.... the problem was it ended up 20ft behind the goal.

We shoulda kept Stewart.

At least he tries to cross it.

[Fez of Mahrez]

I think an attacking full-back on each flank would be incredibly beneficial but it's difficult to change a defence that, despite our league position, hasn't been that bad at all. Our problems do start at the back though in my opinion. Too many hoofers and not enough effective overlaps. Having two full-backs who join the attack and offer another option would be as effective as replacing Hughes or Low with someone else seeing as we don't have any particularly outstanding attacking midfielders.

[Babylon]

We shoulda kept Stewart.

At least he tries to cross it.

I wouldn't argue with that... he frustrated the hell out of me sometimes, but he was useful to have in the squad at least.

[Manwell Pablo]

We haven't had a decent left back since Ben Thatcher and the fact of the matter is we need to buy one as there isn't one good enough both attackingly and defensively for this division availble 2 us

[Thracian]

I think an attacking full-back on each flank would be incredibly beneficial but it's difficult to change a defence that, despite our league position, hasn't been that bad at all. Our problems do start at the back though in my opinion. Too many hoofers and not enough effective overlaps. Having two full-backs who join the attack and offer another option would be as effective as replacing Hughes or Low with someone else seeing as we don't have any particularly outstanding attacking midfielders.

I'd have no trouble changing any defence if I thought it would take the team forward. Football is a team effort. If the forwards are not scoring that doesn't mean it is only the striker's fault.

And, in Leicester's case, our shortcomings support wise are glaring and pretty well agreed by all.

[Hullfox]

I'd have no trouble changing any defence if I thought it would take the team forward. Football is a team effort. If the forwards are not scoring that doesn't mean it is only the striker's fault.

And, in Leicester's case, our shortcomings support wise are glaring and pretty well agreed by all.

In which case, does it follow that if a defender is not getting forward enough (ie NEJ) that it may be that it's not all his fault?

[Thracian]

In which case, does it follow that if a defender is not getting forward enough (ie NEJ) that it may be that it's not all his fault?

I have not suggested it is all his fault. For instance, I've counted over a dozen relatively simple chances that have been squandered by various players this season.

But it is a factor. Just as not having midfielders hitting the penalty box in support is a factor.

And those two things are a major handicap to the side which is clearly not good enough to win regularly while handicapped in this way.

[Surreal Madrid]

Ummmmmmmmmmmmmm! Accept every word of what you say as being the truth although I still think Kelly's using his stance as an excuse to avoid taking the awkward decision to leave Nils out in favour of the more attacking Sheehan.

You wouldn't call McCarthy especially disciplined, or Kisnorbo judging by his two sendings off but whatever...

If Sheehan's really serious about Championship football it is up to him to overcome any perceived injustice, to concentrate on building up his experience and consistency and to be ready temperamentally to snatch his opportunity if it is ever offered again.

Sheehan is still learning his trade, and his discipline certainly has question marks. I know it was only the Hinckley pre-season game, but he did enough to get sent off twice in that game and was always looking for a scrap. To me a spell playing first team football against more rough and tumble sides can only do him good. With regard to your last para, I would have thought Mansfield is the perfect place to get experience rather than sitting on the bench. As to any perceived injustice, he's certainly got ideas above his station - he has got to earn his right to be in the team, and on what I've seen of him when he has been in the first team and at Hinckley he still looked very raw and undisciplined.

[dynamite foxes]

To be fair to RK, I know this as I have spoken to Jon Rudkin. He rates him, he just feels he is still quite immature and if he makes mistakes he rarely holds his hands up. They said that a loan move would help him. They also feels he is a bit weak in the tackle and L2 should help that.

I really hope he stays, but his sending off at Crewe shows this immaturity as it was just petulant.

Thrac I for once agree with you, in that I really hope he stays

[lcfc_jme]

To be fair to RK, I know this as I have spoken to Jon Rudkin. He rates him, he just feels he is still quite immature and if he makes mistakes he rarely holds his hands up. They said that a loan move would help him. They also feels he is a bit weak in the tackle and L2 should help that.

I really hope he stays, but his sending off at Crewe shows this immaturity as it was just petulant.

Thrac I for once agree with you, in that I really hope he stays

So this is something we can take as 100% fact is it? League 2 would help him become stronger in the challenge, as it's more physical than the league we're currently playing in. It'll also help him mature in the sense that he is getting regular first team football, so there'd be less to moan about. But surely in a more physical league, he'd be prone to immature outbursts if he was being weak and got clattered by somebody, or he went in with a challenge on someone and they started rolling around?? Maybe even because he thinks he should be playing higher level football than League 2, and so if he makes a mistake will try to avoid blame even more??

Him playing down there is a positive thing, but it is littered with a few negatives as well. I for one hope it's only a positive thing and that your "comments" from Jon Rudkin re Kelly's thoughts are true, 'cos I'd like Sheehan to stay.

[dynamite foxes]

they are true

[davieG]

I really hope he stays, but his sending off at Crewe shows this immaturity as it was just petulant.

Can people stop raising this as an issue!

E.g Dublin = petulance; Ferdinand = petulance; McCarthy = petulance

It goes on all the time from so called mature professionals.

[lookwhaticando]

Can people stop raising this as an issue!

E.g Dublin = petulance; Ferdinand = petulance; McCarthy = petulance

It goes on all the time from so called mature professionals.

Hats off to davieG - he's seen the light!

[Thracian]

Of course DavieG is right. But, while people might control their emotions better as time goes on, they don't really change.

Some people are up and down, reactionary, need reassurance, quick to react etc. Others are calm, considered, laid back and those characteristics often remain with them for life.

Look at Roy Keane, Dennis Wise, George Best, Graeme Souness, Tommy Wright, Ben Thatcher...their personalities didn't change with age.

What is being mature. Reacting according to someone else's laid down norms or being yourself?

Rk's right about Sheehan's tackling, just as I'm right about Nils' attacking.

But are we going to waste the abilities of anyone who's a bit temperamental at our club?

That's not to say Kelly's wrong. Sheehan does have things to improve especially defensively.

I just don't see any special merits in people just because they are even tempered.

It's ability that matters on a football field. And the manager's job to try to get different individuals jelling as one.

[Surreal Madrid]

According to the OS, Kelly was at Mansfield on Saturday to keep an eye on Sheehan.

[Thracian]

I might be being mischievous but if he played as badly as some have said, having been a MoM in one game and in the League's Team of the Day so recently, could it be at all possible he's trying to work a move?.

Surely not and why would you want to voluntarily slip down two divisions. But it all seems strange to me. The lad is a genuinely capable player. Why would his form be so eratic and why would he play so apparently badly in front of Kelly.

In all the games I've watched him in, while he might have made misjudgements, he was constantly involved and often joined attacks to provide an attacking threat.

His free-kicks were also consistently dangerous. Yet even that seems to have strangely deserted him. Doesn't make sense to me. Talent doesn't just disappear.