Dodds Watch

[Joe.]

Thracian if Dodds really was good enough he'd be playing, not on loan at a 23rd placed team in League Two.

I know he's doing ok there but surely if he was that good he'd be at a higher team now already?

[STUHILL]

a) I have never tipped Dodds for the top. Or anything like.

b) Who are these people that I have tipped for the top but "haven't made it".

Among the young ex-Academy players I've (with others) have said at various times that Wesolowski, Logan, Mattock, Sheehan, Porter, King, Dodds and, occasionally Gradel were our best available choices. That's it.

Far from tipping them for the top I've not even tipped all of those to retain their place in the City first team this season. Porter has been a bit less effective than I imagined, Sheehan and Mattock a bit more.

But who hasn't justified themselves as the best available at the time?

What I find so funny, is why do so many people on here all come to the same conclusions, i.e You think Dodds will be a superstar, or any of the other kids you constantly rave about. Do you not think maybe you should look back over your posts, as obviously somewhere along the line you are certainly giving out these kind of messages. We can't all be wrong, surely!!!??

[Thracian]

What I find so funny, is why do so many people on here all come to the same conclusions, i.e You think Dodds will be a superstar, or any of the other kids you constantly rave about. Do you not think maybe you should look back over your posts, as obviously somewhere along the line you are certainly giving out these kind of messages. We can't all be wrong, surely!!!??

If people choose, for whatever reasons, to misquote or exaggerate what I say, then it's hardly my fault.

And seeing as I've never remotely thought that Dodds would be a superstar I hardly need to go back and check my posts.

All I've ever thought is that Dodds deserved a chance in the first team last season and that even now, he's as good as people like Cort, Campbell even Fryatt.

None of those last three named would have been my choices as a Leicester City striker anyway. I hope all three come good but really I don't expect it.

So, with that in mind you'll get some idea of how highly I rate Dodds.

He's a good finisher from all sorts of places who can also take free kicks. I imagine he would score 10-12 goals in his first Championship season given a reasonably attacking line up and enough games.

That's about the same as I think Fryatt, Cort or Campbell will manage at the very best but it's hardly ground breaking.

[Thracian]

Thracian if Dodds really was good enough he'd be playing, not on loan at a 23rd placed team in League Two.

I know he's doing ok there but surely if he was that good he'd be at a higher team now already?

You might be right. But I've said before that I think his style of play tends to leave him under-stated. He's just not an eyecatcher except when he gets a goal chance. And yet there's no reason he wouldn't get the type of goals he scores at any level.

He doesn't rely on beating men or on great pace. He just has an instinct for goal and when he gets a chance just takes a touch and manoeuvres the ball into the net. He's a calm finisher from short or long range.

I mention this because I think someone like Fryatt will struggle the higher he goes through his lack of pace and the fact that he's fairly limited in the places he scores from.

Not that any of this matters. I really cannot see Dodds playing for Leicester now.

[Geo V]

You might be right. But I've said before that I think his style of play tends to leave him under-stated. He's just not an eyecatcher except when he gets a goal chance. And yet there's no reason he wouldn't get the type of goals he scores at any level.

He doesn't rely on beating men or on great pace. He just has an instinct for goal and when he gets a chance just takes a touch and manoeuvres the ball into the net. He's a calm finisher from short or long range.

I mention this because I think someone like Fryatt will struggle the higher he goes through his lack of pace and the fact that he's fairly limited in the places he scores from.

Not that any of this matters. I really cannot see Dodds playing for Leicester now.

Thrac, there is nothing wrong with being pro the academy lads but at least say that this is your standpoint! I have only been on here since January and you have been pushing for practically every kid possible to feature at one time or another. You may try to be subtle but even on this thread you are trying to tell us in your own way that Dodds is at least as effective as the strikers we have. That may not be a "I think Dodds is world class" quote but you are saying he can do a better job than DJ Campbell who scored 1 in 2 in a promotion winning side last season in the limited games he played and ahead of the likes of Matty Fryatt who has already done well at times with us and has been subject to a £900k bid from Wolves.

We`d be lucky to get £20k for Dodds.

[Dames]

Thrac, there is nothing wrong with being pro the academy lads but at least say that this is your standpoint! I have only been on here since January and you have been pushing for practically every kid possible to feature at one time or another. You may try to be subtle but even on this thread you are trying to tell us in your own way that Dodds is at least as effective as the strikers we have. That may not be a "I think Dodds is world class" quote but you are saying he can do a better job than DJ Campbell who scored 1 in 2 in a promotion winning side last season in the limited games he played and ahead of the likes of Matty Fryatt who has already done well at times with us and has been subject to a £900k bid from Wolves.

We`d be lucky to get £20k for Dodds.

Don't forget Elvis ' The fast running, havoc causing goal machine' Hammond.

[Manwell Pablo]

Louis Dodds is half the player that Matty Fryatt it is, in fact I don't even think Campbells very good and I'd say he is twice the player that Dodds is, they've both shown they can score at the rate of 20+ goals a season in the division above the one Dodds is playing in. All Dodds has shown is 65 goals for Academy and reserves and Campbell and Fryatt both have better track records than that before joining Leicesters first team.

The best goalscoreing form Dodds showed at Rochdale equated to about 12-15 a season. And now he's been farmed out to midfield so it's clear they think the likes of Jamie Forrester and Mark Stallard are better options up front, if your saying those two are better than our current crop of strikers we may as well give up now.

It's just a non arguement it really is, Dodds wont make it here as he is not good enough.

[Geo V]

Don't forget Elvis ' The fast running, havoc causing goal machine' Hammond.

The forgotten man of Leicester City! Even Rab has managed to get a loan deal!

[Thracian]

The forgotten man of Leicester City! Even Rab has managed to get a loan deal!

I'm not sure Hammond wanted to get a loan deal. When Allen was here he talked of a couple of players who he'd changed his mind about and other things he said suggested Hammond was one of them. Unfortunately the guy has had two injuries.

I honestly thought he'd be on his way because we'd have better options by August but it hasn't been the case. Manwell can talk about 20 goals a season each for Campbell and Fryatt but I'll bet him anytime he likes that won't happen - and that Cort won't get 20 either.

Unfortunately none of the three will even get 15. And I'd take a bet from him on that too.

[Geo V]

I'm not sure Hammond wanted to get a loan deal. When Allen was here he talked of a couple of players who he'd changed his mind about and other things he said suggested Hammond was one of them. Unfortunately the guy has had two injuries.

I honestly thought he'd be on his way because we'd have better options by August but it hasn't been the case. Manwell can talk about 20 goals a season each for Campbell and Fryatt but I'll bet him anytime he likes that won't happen - and that Cort won't get 20 either.

Unfortunately none of the three will even get 15. And I'd take a bet from him on that too.

Its difficult for any of our strikers to mak eit to 15 goals if we look back at the games this season. Fryatt was left out for the start of the campaign and is what, 2 in 5? Hume has played in midfield at times and dropped in others. MDV was in favour and now is out on loan. DJ started well, scoring a couple, making a peno and an assist or two of I am right but is now out of the team. The manager has had faith in CC who at this stage hasnt repaid it.

Strikers need a run of games and also need players who can create from midfield and I dont think the strikers have been helped alot to be honest.

As for Elvis he has had chances and has been not much better than useless all his career.

[STUHILL]

Its difficult for any of our strikers to mak eit to 15 goals if we look back at the games this season. Fryatt was left out for the start of the campaign and is what, 2 in 5? Hume has played in midfield at times and dropped in others. MDV was in favour and now is out on loan. DJ started well, scoring a couple, making a peno and an assist or two of I am right but is now out of the team. The manager has had faith in CC who at this stage hasnt repaid it.

Strikers need a run of games and also need players who can create from midfield and I dont think the strikers have been helped alot to be honest.

As for Elvis he has had chances and has been not much better than useless all his career.

Cue Thracian..............

[Geo V]

Cue Thracian..............

The spelling may be different on the word queue but I didn't realize it was pension day already??!!

[STUHILL]

The spelling may be different on the word queue but I didn't realize it was pension day already??!!

Fine if Thracian is too shy I will speak for him....'HAMMOND IS GOD' p.s Dodds is my love child.

[Geo V]

Fine if Thracian is too shy I will speak for him....'HAMMOND IS GOD' p.s Dodds is my love child.

I just through "Hammond is God" in some anagram creator and it came up with...

Damn Mood Sigh (That sums up how most of us feel about him )

[Thracian]

Fine if Thracian is too shy I will speak for him....'HAMMOND IS GOD' p.s Dodds is my love child.

There's little point defending Hammond to you folk. Geo V is quite right in that striker's need a run and they need people to create opportunities for them.

Yet Hammond has never had the sustained "run" he mentions and the "career" he refers to amounts to little more than that of a raw novice.

But enough of Hammond. People on here don't rate him any more than they rate Sheehan or fancied having Ince as our manager.

People they rate are the likes of Kisnorbo, McAuley, N'Gotty, Chambers, Mattock, Clemence. Dependable players. People known for getting stuck in.

All decent players too but where are the chances coming from?

The centre-backs might score some but all six of those players wouldn't create 15 chances between them all season. There'd be no criticism of that from you folk. Presumably, while attackers are expected to defend, they're not expected to attack and anything they do manage is a bonus.

Genuinely creative players of any kind seem to be considered too risky by Leicester. So much so that we only use one properly - Sheehan.

King is creative but we daren't use him that way and instead he fields flak for accepting orders and playing a more constrained role.

Porter too has become so wary of taking people on that he's voluntarily sterilised himself by reverting to a no risk/no mistake passing game - like a younger version of Hughes and, sadly, about as effective. what a waste.

If Gradel arrived it would be the same. Our dependable players could carry on playing safe but if Gradel took chances he'd be pilloried the minute something went wrong. One bad game and he'd be a willy puller not fit for the team. Even the much respected Ric has said he'd drop Sheehan the minute he had a bad un.

Yet the truth is our side should be at least half-full of Sheehans and Gradels. People who, between them would guarantee goals.

Instead City right now could be sponsored by the Lollypop Ladies. Cos it's all safety first.

Our defence has been double padlocked, even the creative part of our midfield is given a defensive role - making eight defenders in all - and almost our only source of chances is a left back who half you folk want rid of anyway.

Chances? Dead easy. Bring back Gradel, use King more adventurously and sign two decent strikers for a start.

Oh yes, and replace defenders who can't/don't pass the ball properly with more accomplished players who will.

[Manwell Pablo]

There's little point defending Hammond to you folk. Geo V is quite right in that striker's need a run and they need people to create opportunities for them.

Yet Hammond has never had the sustained "run" he mentions and the "career" he refers to amounts to little more than that of a raw novice.

But enough of Hammond. People on here don't rate him any more than they rate Sheehan or fancied having Ince as our manager.

People they rate are the likes of Kisnorbo, McAuley, N'Gotty, Chambers, Mattock, Clemence. Dependable players. People known for getting stuck in.

All decent players too but where are the chances coming from?

The centre-backs might score some but all six of those players wouldn't create 15 chances between them all season. There'd be no criticism of that from you folk. Presumably, while attackers are expected to defend, they're not expected to attack and anything they do manage is a bonus.

Genuinely creative players of any kind seem to be considered too risky by Leicester. So much so that we only use one properly - Sheehan.

King is creative but we daren't use him that way and instead he fields flak for accepting orders and playing a more constrained role.

Porter too has become so wary of taking people on that he's voluntarily sterilised himself by reverting to a no risk/no mistake passing game - like a younger version of Hughes and, sadly, about as effective. what a waste.

If Gradel arrived it would be the same. Our dependable players could carry on playing safe but if Gradel took chances he'd be pilloried the minute something went wrong. One bad game and he'd be a willy puller not fit for the team. Even the much respected Ric has said he'd drop Sheehan the minute he had a bad un.

Yet the truth is our side should be at least half-full of Sheehans and Gradels. People who, between them would guarantee goals.

Instead City right now could be sponsored by the Lollypop Ladies. Cos it's all safety first.

Our defence has been double padlocked, even the creative part of our midfield is given a defensive role - making eight defenders in all - and almost our only source of chances is a left back who half you folk want rid of anyway.

Chances? Dead easy. Bring back Gradel, use King more adventurously and sign two decent strikers for a start.

Oh yes, and replace defenders who can't/don't pass the ball properly with more accomplished players who will.

Would you like to bet on that.

[Thracian]

Would you like to bet on that.

Last pass assists? I'll bet you a pint. Anything over 16 assists between Kisnorbo, McAuley, Chambers, Mattock, Clemence and N'Gotty and the pint's yours. Goals don't count. I'm not having Sheehan conjure up 10 goals for the centre-backs then finding I'm coughing up!

PS: I'm happy for you to adjudicate.

[Manwell Pablo]

Last pass assists? I'll bet you a pint. Anything over 16 assists between Kisnorbo, McAuley, Chambers, Mattock, Clemence and N'Gotty and the pint's yours. Goals don't count. I'm not having Sheehan conjure up 10 goals for the centre-backs then finding I'm coughing up!

PS: I'm happy for you to adjudicate.

The Football League can adjudicate sir.

http://www.football-league.premiumtv.co.uk...,,10794,00.html

Should of shown you that awhile ago, shocking reading hey, especially RE "old reliable who gets stuck in" Stephen Clemance eh.

EDIT:

Sorry you need to go to stats, by club, Div= FLC Club = LCFC Stat = Assists.

[Thracian]

The Football League can adjudicate sir.

<a href="http://www.football-league.premiumtv.co.uk...,,10794,00.html" target="_blank">http://www.football-league.premiumtv.co.uk...,,10794,00.html</a>

Should of shown you that awhile ago, shocking reading hey, especially RE "old reliable who gets stuck in" Stephen Clemance eh.

EDIT:

Sorry you need to go to stats, by club, Div= FLC Club = LCFC Stat = Assists.

It's a bet then. And if they hit the target I'll be delighted to pay up!

[Manwell Pablo]

Last pass assists? I'll bet you a pint. Anything over 16 assists between Kisnorbo, McAuley, Chambers, Mattock, Clemence and N'Gotty and the pint's yours. Goals don't count. I'm not having Sheehan conjure up 10 goals for the centre-backs then finding I'm coughing up!

PS: I'm happy for you to adjudicate.

Hold on, how has it gone from "Not 15" to "Over 16"

[Thracian]

Hold on, how has it gone from "Not 15" to "Over 16"

Sorry. Fifteen or more is the bet. You weren't having second thoughts were you?

[Manwell Pablo]

Sorry. Fifteen or more is the bet. You weren't having second thoughts were you?

why would I, at the rate they're going they'll get it with about 20 games to spare.

[Thracian]

why would I, at the rate they're going they'll get it with about 20 games to spare.

Our bet apart, the Clemence figures came as a surprise and I wouldn't have guessed that Sheehan has had the fourth highest shots total this season either.

[Geo V]

There's little point defending Hammond to you folk. Geo V is quite right in that striker's need a run and they need people to create opportunities for them.

Yet Hammond has never had the sustained "run" he mentions and the "career" he refers to amounts to little more than that of a raw novice.

But enough of Hammond. People on here don't rate him any more than they rate Sheehan or fancied having Ince as our manager.

People they rate are the likes of Kisnorbo, McAuley, N'Gotty, Chambers, Mattock, Clemence. Dependable players. People known for getting stuck in.

All decent players too but where are the chances coming from?

The centre-backs might score some but all six of those players wouldn't create 15 chances between them all season. There'd be no criticism of that from you folk. Presumably, while attackers are expected to defend, they're not expected to attack and anything they do manage is a bonus.

Genuinely creative players of any kind seem to be considered too risky by Leicester. So much so that we only use one properly - Sheehan.

King is creative but we daren't use him that way and instead he fields flak for accepting orders and playing a more constrained role.

Porter too has become so wary of taking people on that he's voluntarily sterilised himself by reverting to a no risk/no mistake passing game - like a younger version of Hughes and, sadly, about as effective. what a waste.

If Gradel arrived it would be the same. Our dependable players could carry on playing safe but if Gradel took chances he'd be pilloried the minute something went wrong. One bad game and he'd be a willy puller not fit for the team. Even the much respected Ric has said he'd drop Sheehan the minute he had a bad un.

Yet the truth is our side should be at least half-full of Sheehans and Gradels. People who, between them would guarantee goals.

Instead City right now could be sponsored by the Lollypop Ladies. Cos it's all safety first.

Our defence has been double padlocked, even the creative part of our midfield is given a defensive role - making eight defenders in all - and almost our only source of chances is a left back who half you folk want rid of anyway.

Chances? Dead easy. Bring back Gradel, use King more adventurously and sign two decent strikers for a start.

Oh yes, and replace defenders who can't/don't pass the ball properly with more accomplished players who will.

Hammond has been at the club long enough and played under 4 managers at least and not one thought he was good enough for a regular first team berth.

As for the 6 players you described as dependable, 5 players are defenders and the other is a defensive midfielder! That unit should be solid and the creativity should come from the attacking mid whilst Clem sits, the wide midfielders and the strikers. Thats why people like me are calling for some Flair (and I don't mean Ric ) in the inclusion of players like Ferreira and Kaebi who are meant to have that extra something. Thats also why as much as King looks tidy and neat he is very much the same as a Weso or Clemence and we dont need another one of them in the team.

Gradel however may well develop into the type of player we need if he keeps on improving and getting the good reviews he is doing currently but obviously we don't know how the young lad will react to the passing of his mum. It took me a couple of years to get back to normal when mine died and I was in my late 20s not in my late teens like him.

[Thracian]

Hammond has been at the club long enough and played under 4 managers at least and not one thought he was good enough for a regular first team berth.

As for the 6 players you described as dependable, 5 players are defenders and the other is a defensive midfielder! That unit should be solid and the creativity should come from the attacking mid whilst Clem sits, the wide midfielders and the strikers. Thats why people like me are calling for some Flair (and I don't mean Ric ) in the inclusion of players like Ferreira and Kaebi who are meant to have that extra something. Thats also why as much as King looks tidy and neat he is very much the same as a Weso or Clemence and we dont need another one of them in the team.

Gradel however may well develop into the type of player we need if he keeps on improving and getting the good reviews he is doing currently but obviously we don't know how the young lad will react to the passing of his mum. It took me a couple of years to get back to normal when mine died and I was in my late 20s not in my late teens like him.

Ah, there's a vital point we disagree on.

I don't think think the team should have a solid defensive unit and a separate attacking unit.

I think the team should attack as a team and defend as a team.

King is not at all like Clemence or Wesolowski. And no-one within the City camp would dream of saying he is.

King simply played cautiously because Megson wanted him to do so in the circumstances. He should be complimented for showing the discipline and competence to do that instead of being criticised for not doing his own thing and disobeying instructions.

Gradel will feel his mum's loss desperately but it may well spur him to do her memory justice by realising his full potential.

The game, and the comeraderie within the game, is also likely to serve as the best comfort and alternate focus for the mind as he can possibly have.

Apart from Gradel there is Ashley Chambers - another outstanding talent and far more dangerous at his best than anything I've yet seen from Ferreira or Kaebi.

If they prove the reality to be otherwise, fair enough. It's no problem to me.

But right now I'd place the order of merit as: Gradel, Chambers, Ferreira, Kaebi.