LEVI PORTER

[jaspal1000]

?

[ousefox]

leicester.

[jaspal1000]

[Thracian]

After what I saw last night he must be on punishment block.

Four defenders on the bench indeed.

And only Kisnorbo really likely to make a difference.

So negative.

[Corky]

After what I saw last night he must be on punishment block.

Four defenders on the bench indeed.

And only Kisnorbo really likely to make a difference.

So negative.

Now I will agree with you on that one.

[Jimmy]

the lack of attacking options on the bench last night was highly annoying, also, Mr Pearson, if you have no intention of using Barry Hayles then put one of our promising young strikers on the bench instead, we had to come from behind twice yesterday and Hayles never looked like coming on

[knowitall]

Looking at how things are going. I believe Pearson thinks Levi's future is somewhere else.

[Jimmy]

Looking at how things are going. I believe Pearson thinks Levi's future is somewhere else.

what about Kish, he never seems to be involved either, is he injured or not?

[JakeShingler]

the lack of attacking options on the bench last night was highly annoying, also, Mr Pearson, if you have no intention of using Barry Hayles then put one of our promising young strikers on the bench instead, we had to come from behind twice yesterday and Hayles never looked like coming on

He was ready to come on before the corner then we scored from the corner so he didnt

[Anish]

As much as I hate to say this (mainly because Thracian will think that I'm agreeing with this view on Levi), Porter has to be in the squad from now on - especially when we have no other attacking options on the bench. I don't think Porter is one of our better players but I'd rather see an attacking player come on to help change a game than somebody like Berner or Mattock playing left midfield.

We've been crying out for a midfield goal threat all season and Levi definitely does get forward and into positions to score, unlike some others.

[JakeShingler]

As much as I hate to say this (mainly because Thracian will think that I'm agreeing with this view on Levi), Porter has to be in the squad from now on - especially when we have no other attacking options on the bench. I don't think Porter is one of our better players but I'd rather see an attacking player come on to help change a game than somebody like Berner or Mattock playing left midfield.

We've been crying out for a midfield goal threat all season and Levi definitely does get forward and into positions to score, unlike some others.

Agreed hes not really done anything wrong.

[Father Ted]

what about Kish, he never seems to be involved either, is he injured or not?

I think Kish is at the club solely to help out the Tunch.

[Corky]

I think Kish is at the club solely to help out the Tunch.

If he is he's doing a bloody good job

[syston_fox]

If he is he's doing a bloody good job

He's doing a bloody useless job - has anyone seen them together in months?

[Thracian]

Looking at how things are going. I believe Pearson thinks Levi's future is somewhere else.

I said weeks ago that it would probably be best for his career if he were to leave and nothing since has changed my mind.

He's never had a proper chance under Pearson and I don't him getting one now which is a pity.

Porter is a positive footballer, an excellent passer and a guy with a decent finish too, given the chance.

[Joe.]

I can't quite understand it either; he featured quite regularly in pre-season in amongst the first teamers, and now he's nowhere near the squad. I've always liked him personally, I hope he's not gone off the rails since.

[Unabomber]

Seems to be ever since he went missing.

[Thracian]

Seems to be ever since he went missing.

I don't pretend to know why he went missing but I cannot imagine it would have helped being the forgotten man of the football club for weeks before.

Porter didn't have anything to do with our relegation last season except that his unavoidable absence meant we never had a real left-winger/attacking midfielder throughout the campaign, apart from Hendrie's brief cameos.

You'd think Pearson would be grateful to Porter. Had he played last season I'm quite sure we wouldn't have gone down and Pearson would probably never have been our manager.

[billyfox1]

You'd think Pearson would be grateful to Porter. Had he played last season I'm quite sure we wouldn't have gone down and Pearson would probably never have been our manager.

correct. holloway would still be manager and we would be where f*rest are. Thank god Porter got injured and we got relegated rather than having a fifth consecutive year hanging around relegation in the championship prolonging the inevitable.

i do agree that porter should be in the squad though

[Narborough Bod]

I don't pretend to know why he went missing but I cannot imagine it would have helped being the forgotten man of the football club for weeks before.

Porter didn't have anything to do with our relegation last season except that his unavoidable absence meant we never had a real left-winger/attacking midfielder throughout the campaign, apart from Hendrie's brief cameos.

You'd think Pearson would be grateful to Porter. Had he played last season I'm quite sure we wouldn't have gone down and Pearson would probably never have been our manager.

Did anyone ever get to the bottom of this? i.e. is it mental problems? If it is, coupled with his mother being agraphobic then he must have been in a really bad place. I wonder whether knowitall can add to this, but I hope the club have given him the right personal support to help the kid out.

If Porter allowed it I would rather he and the club came out and said that he was having problems, rather than leaving the fans to guess / assume what is going on.

[Thracian]

Did anyone ever get to the bottom of this? i.e. is it mental problems? If it is, coupled with his mother being agraphobic then he must have been in a really bad place. I wonder whether knowitall can add to this, but I hope the club have given him the right personal support to help the kid out.

If Porter allowed it I would rather he and the club came out and said that he was having problems, rather than leaving the fans to guess / assume what is going on.

No, but I gather that, some four months into Pearson's reign, Porter's reportedly going to "get his chance". Blink and you'll doubtless miss it no doubt but, boy, we must be more short of options than I'd ever imagined.

PS: Despite the above I still think Pearson's done a good job so far although the lack of worthwhile cover in certain positions is ridiculous.

[Munzie]

Having read the topic of the thread, I thought he'd gone missing again. He's like a set of car keys!

Now I know that's not the case, I return to a subject that I firmly believe in - squad rotation.

Pearson is clearly trying to get to grips with his back four. We've seen evidence of this over the last few games with different pairings on show. There is only so much you can derive from the training ground which is why we are seeing so many experimental defensive line-ups.

What about midfield and attack? Granted, we have had a few injuries (DJ, Dickov etc), but players like Porter have not featured.

We are currently sitting in a comfortable position with a game in hand and so many fixtures to go. Given this, now is the time to try out the odd player who is currently on the fringe of the first team - someone like Porter.

Changing the team for the sake of it (ie tin pot cup) will not provide a clear enough indication of whether or not these fringe players will give something extra week in week out.

I'm hoping that this is the case and when Pearson has settled for his ideal back four, he'll apply the same philosophy to the rest of the team.

[davieG]

Having read the topic of the thread, I thought he'd gone missing again. He's like a set of car keys!

Now I know that's not the case, I return to a subject that I firmly believe in - squad rotation.

Pearson is clearly trying to get to grips with his back four. We've seen evidence of this over the last few games with different pairings on show. There is only so much you can derive from the training ground which is why we are seeing so many experimental defensive line-ups.

What about midfield and attack? Granted, we have had a few injuries (DJ, Dickov etc), but players like Porter have not featured.

We are currently sitting in a comfortable position with a game in hand and so many fixtures to go. Given this, now is the time to try out the odd player who is currently on the fringe of the first team - someone like Porter.

Changing the team for the sake of it (ie tin pot cup) will not provide a clear enough indication of whether or not these fringe players will give something extra week in week out.

I'm hoping that this is the case and when Pearson has settled for his ideal back four, he'll apply the same philosophy to the rest of the team.

If what you say about the defence is true maybe he'll start experimenting with midfield options when he's satisfied he knows his best defensive line up.

[Munzie]

If what you say about the defence is true maybe he'll start experimenting with midfield options when he's satisfied he knows his best defensive line up.

Lets hope so. In additon to what I have said about rotation, I also believe that it needs to be done without upsetting the dynamics of a successful team, something we can currently boast about.

I, like many others, was slightly fustrated on Tuesday in the choices on the bench. Three defenders? Pearson clearly sees Berner as a utility player for defence or midfield. I would have thought that his preferred position would be defence although on his two brief appearences so far he has not been used as a defensive player.

I would have thought that with Kisnorbo and Mattock chomping at the bit to return, someone like Porter would have given him more options, especially with what happened during the match.

[Thracian]

Having read the topic of the thread, I thought he'd gone missing again. He's like a set of car keys!

Now I know that's not the case, I return to a subject that I firmly believe in - squad rotation.

Pearson is clearly trying to get to grips with his back four. We've seen evidence of this over the last few games with different pairings on show. There is only so much you can derive from the training ground which is why we are seeing so many experimental defensive line-ups.

What about midfield and attack? Granted, we have had a few injuries (DJ, Dickov etc), but players like Porter have not featured.

We are currently sitting in a comfortable position with a game in hand and so many fixtures to go. Given this, now is the time to try out the odd player who is currently on the fringe of the first team - someone like Porter.

Changing the team for the sake of it (ie tin pot cup) will not provide a clear enough indication of whether or not these fringe players will give something extra week in week out.

I'm hoping that this is the case and when Pearson has settled for his ideal back four, he'll apply the same philosophy to the rest of the team.

It wasn't the old way but if you're going to have a squad you've got to use and involve them. Otherwise they get disgruntled. which has a negative effect on team spirit and they lose match fitness which makes them no damned use to anyone.

A squad should basically involve players of equal or comparable ability and you won't easily get decent reserves to join you and/or want to stay if all they're doing is warming a bench.

Porter is a case in point but there are similar problems elsewhere. King and Oakley in midfield have done well. Despite the gloom merchants we've got an excellent playing record this season and every player has contributed significantly.

But three games a week for the same two central midfield players is daft, or at the very least, risky. And where's the cover for Gilbert or the alternative strikers for Howard and Howard who are shouldering the same workload as the midfielders I mentioned without any chance of relief or of us trying something different.

This isn't about finding people to replace existing personnel. It is about using players to supplement what we've got so that everyone stays fit, sharp and, hopefully, on top of their game. And about creating genuine squad unity and team spirit.