Thracian Posted 7 August 2007 Posted 7 August 2007 Logan 6.5 (Rock solid handling. Couple of good saves. Almost exposed twice on the edge of his box. Wasted too much possession with his clearances) Maybury 4 (Poor control, slow passing, indecision - where has the Maybury of old gone to? Just a sad sight to see really). Kisnorbo 8.5 (Hard to fault. Fit, strong, decisive, committed, focused and effective.) Kenton 6.5 (Quietly competent) Sheehan 8 (Looked classy and in control from the start.) Andy King 5 (Out of position and largely ineffective. Needs his motivational batteries recharging quickly) Hughes 6.5 (Usual self to start with, better second half. Plenty of energy and involvement) Hellings 6 (Sound enough but still rather anonymous) Fryatt 8 (Winning goal and although he missed all but one I like the fact he made so many chances and generally worked hard for the team) Odhiambo 7 (Fast, some terrific quick breaks, passed the ball quickly. Just a little inaccurate at times) Sappleton 6 (For a big man doesn't yet punch his weight in the challenge. Some good touches though and should have scored). Subs: McKay 7 (Clever runs off the shoulder of the last man. Always positive and dangerous) Porter 7 (Slow start but gradually warmed to the game and played a part in by far our best spell). Beswick 6.5 (Typically keen to get involved and into the penalty area) Rowe-Turner 5.5 (Not greatly tested) Joe Magunda (as above) Apologies for any errors. There were few announcements that could be heard and no numbers against names in the programme for City players so identity under the lights was not always easy. MA: +0.5 for an away win (+14.5 total).
Thracian Posted 7 August 2007 Author Posted 7 August 2007 Good god Thrac, what's up? Hate to say it but Kingy was lucky to be that close! Such a shame really. He looked sharp last season, impressed me in a shortish appearance at Quorn but has never really featured since. He's likely to be off on loan soon where he needs to quickly rekindle the attacking sparkle which made him such a useful player.
Ric Flair Posted 7 August 2007 Posted 7 August 2007 Hate to say it but Kingy was lucky to be that close! Such a shame really. He looked sharp last season, impressed me in a shortish appearance at Quorn but has never really featured since. He's likely to be off on loan soon where he needs to quickly rekindle the attacking sparkle which made him such a useful player. Having only seen McKay once or twice would you say he's the closest to a first team breakthrough? The lad reminds me of a young Paul Dickov, i've been much more impressed in the brief times i've seen him than I have of Odhiambo, who I know is very highly rated. King and Gradel needs those loan spells quickly, so they don't miss the boat. Both talented, but need to step it up now.
mancunianfox Posted 7 August 2007 Posted 7 August 2007 Having only seen McKay once or twice would you say he's the closest to a first team breakthrough? The lad reminds me of a young Paul Dickov, i've been much more impressed in the brief times i've seen him than I have of Odhiambo, who I know is very highly rated.King and Gradel needs those loan spells quickly, so they don't miss the boat. Both talented, but need to step it up now. Haven't seen McKay play but from reading accounts of the pre-season games we seem to create more chances when he's on the pitch. Correct me if my mis-informed view is wrong though.
Fez of Mahrez Posted 7 August 2007 Posted 7 August 2007 Having only seen McKay once or twice would you say he's the closest to a first team breakthrough? The lad reminds me of a young Paul Dickov, i've been much more impressed in the brief times i've seen him than I have of Odhiambo, who I know is very highly rated.King and Gradel needs those loan spells quickly, so they don't miss the boat. Both talented, but need to step it up now. Agree with all of that. McKay is the sort of lively player who will make things happen if he gets those little 5 and 10 minute chances at the end of games and can build on that. I've always thought he's the one most likely to succeed out of our current crop of youngsters, Mattock apart.
Ric Flair Posted 7 August 2007 Posted 7 August 2007 Agree with all of that. McKay is the sort of lively player who will make things happen if he gets those little 5 and 10 minute chances at the end of games and can build on that. I've always thought he's the one most likely to succeed out of our current crop of youngsters, Mattock apart. I hope he get's the chance this season. I think Odhiambo will make a few appearances, probably from the wing, which although will be good for the lad. If we require a youngster for the wing, surely Gradel deserves a crack? With Allen's fondness of going gung ho, when his teams are chasing the game, he needs someone like McKay in his armoury for the final minutes of games.
THEBIGJOHNSTEADER; Posted 7 August 2007 Posted 7 August 2007 Thrac, how would you summarise Hellings, I haven't seen anything of him as yet. Could you highlight any of his attributes or how he might improve the team. Any glimpses of anything at all?
Simi Posted 7 August 2007 Posted 7 August 2007 I hope he get's the chance this season. I think Odhiambo will make a few appearances, probably from the wing, which although will be good for the lad. If we require a youngster for the wing, surely Gradel deserves a crack?With Allen's fondness of going gung ho, when his teams are chasing the game, he needs someone like McKay in his armoury for the final minutes of games. I really do think that Gradel does deserve a shot at the first team. From watching him over pre-season, he looks really sharp and skillful on the ball, always manages to find a half decent ball and can beat his man. Hopefully he will go on loan to a decent side on loan though and get a full season under his belt.
Thracian Posted 7 August 2007 Author Posted 7 August 2007 Having only seen McKay once or twice would you say he's the closest to a first team breakthrough? The lad reminds me of a young Paul Dickov, i've been much more impressed in the brief times i've seen him than I have of Odhiambo, who I know is very highly rated.King and Gradel needs those loan spells quickly, so they don't miss the boat. Both talented, but need to step it up now. I would but I'm not sure the club would. To me McKay's that great combination of a talented individual who compliments other members of the team, something I wish Fryatt had more of. McKay's clever at making shallow runs off the last defender, he's quick, has tricky feet but spots a pass and has the skill to play it. Not that he ever passes the buck. He's always aware of where the goal is and can shoot accurately from any range. He's a sharp-minded footballer who does all his work where it hurts. And when chances arise he's as calm and single minded as a veteran. None of the above is meant to discount Odhiambo. Even last night when he had few chances Odhiambo's class was apparent in little instances, an instant pass, a quick turn and sprint past two defenders... And the pair of them compliment each other wonderfully. Indeed when watching so many Academy and ex-Academy players last night the big diference between them and the seniors was the speed they passed the ball - and the directness of their passing near goal. They never use three touches when two will do and they always move afterwards. Odhiambo might have the edge over McKay for speed and strength, it is hard to tell. But McKay's brain is sharp as a razor and the passing and shooting of both players is clinical.
Geo V Posted 7 August 2007 Posted 7 August 2007 I really do think that Gradel does deserve a shot at the first team. From watching him over pre-season, he looks really sharp and skillful on the ball, always manages to find a half decent ball and can beat his man.Hopefully he will go on loan to a decent side on loan though and get a full season under his belt. I think MA will give the likes of Newton a chance ahead of Gradel which makes sense as he is an MA signing and is on a bigger wage. He has been quite clear that if these players don't perform they wont be featuring and thats why Newton only got a one year deal so Gradel going on loan and hopefully impressing will give him a selection headache come January. Gradel is still in an embryonic stage of his career and needs first team football which he wont get with us at this stage. If it all goes tats up and Newton is playing poorly we can always recall Gradel.
Milky Posted 7 August 2007 Posted 7 August 2007 And to think Mckay was so so close to being released from the club. He only got a last ditch chance in the academy due to injuries, and thanks to some goals he's hung on to his leicester status and gone from strength to strength. It could have been oh so different, the exit door was very wide open.
Thracian Posted 7 August 2007 Author Posted 7 August 2007 Haven't seen McKay play but from reading accounts of the pre-season games we seem to create more chances when he's on the pitch. Correct me if my mis-informed view is wrong though. You're absolutely right. It was most pronounced at Sunderland in the play-off final. McKay's shooting boots were less than perfect, although he did score. But he and Gradel created havoc. Odhiambo was involved too but when McKay was susbtituted in the second half City were never the same. Odhiambo became anonymous, Gradel succumbed to injury and City were lucky to survive as Sunderland attacked in droves.
Thracian Posted 7 August 2007 Author Posted 7 August 2007 Thrac, how would you summarise Hellings, I haven't seen anything of him as yet. Could you highlight any of his attributes or how he might improve the team. Any glimpses of anything at all? I'll be quite honest. We've signed a lot of black players and it is still not easy to pick out which is which when they're all in the middle of the field. I'm not the only one because the travelling Leicester police were having the same trouble at Cambridge. Last night there was Kenton, Hellings, Sappleton and Odhiambo all, sometimes, in the same area of the pitch. I'm getting used to them now but it hasn't been easy and the gloomy background didn't help. Anyway, Hellings helps in that he's tall enough to win balls in the air and is obviously quite a cultured footballer. His control is quick enough and sound enough but I feel he's a bit languid and doesn't quite release the ball quickly enough in general. So far he's looked very much a middle of the pitch player. I've not seen him driving forward or greatly involved in anything that might hurt the opposition. Being fair MA has always said he's one for the future and I'm sure we'll see better from him when he gets to know his new team-mates better.
Daggers Posted 7 August 2007 Posted 7 August 2007 Kenton 6.5 (Quietly competent) At odds with Martin's effusive summary of his performance - "Outstanding, just outstanding"
davieG Posted 7 August 2007 Posted 7 August 2007 At odds with Martin's effusive summary of his performance - "Outstanding, just outstanding" Along with Hellings I hardly noticed he was playing
Simi Posted 7 August 2007 Posted 7 August 2007 Why wasn't Kaabi playing? If you read the threads, you'll find he's injured.
Nod.E Posted 7 August 2007 Posted 7 August 2007 If you read the threads, you'll find he's injured. I haven't been on in a couple of days and cannit be bummed with reading every thread on the site. Cheers anyway, whats the injury?
Simi Posted 7 August 2007 Posted 7 August 2007 I haven't been on in a couple of days and cannit be bummed with reading every thread on the site. Cheers anyway, whats the injury? Thigh strain.
Simi Posted 7 August 2007 Posted 7 August 2007 How long will that keep him out? Not for long. Probably make the bench on Saturday.
Nod.E Posted 7 August 2007 Posted 7 August 2007 Not for long.Probably make the bench on Saturday. Good. He's the player i'm looking forward to seeing most. I think he could be a real star.
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