foxaholic Posted 23 February 2009 Posted 23 February 2009 This isn't a criticism of Pearson as he is doing brilliantly but what has happened to Gradel?! He doesn't even get on the bench anymore and I don't understand why. Surely he is better attacking option than Hayles, Dickov or even Chambers. With Dyer's continuous below par performances, I was certain Gradel would be re-introduced, at least on the bench anyway. I just find it a bit strange he can't get a game now, as I do think he has a lot to offer, and even though he went off a bit, so has Dyer and look how Pearson has backed him! Anyone know or have any ideas? Not heard anything about him being injured or falling out with anybody but I could be wrong. As well as Gradel what has happened to Porter
GLC Posted 23 February 2009 Posted 23 February 2009 Well you would say that wouldn't you well yeah, my name wouldn't have the same effect
davieG Posted 23 February 2009 Posted 23 February 2009 It's got more to do with the fact that speed (and a certain scoring touch) seems to be Gradel's biggest asset at the moment. He's just not physical enough and that's what you need in this league. I do believe though that with time and enough care, he could turn into something really big. He's done really well in League Two and not really given time to flourish one level higher. My guess is, should we make it back to the Championship at the end of this season, Gradel will get playing time for a League One outfit. On loan. Didn't he play for Bournemouth in League 1 last year and did very well by all accounts
Thracian Posted 23 February 2009 Posted 23 February 2009 Suprisingly during all of that there wasn't one mention of his complete inability to beat the first man with a cross. Gradel has put lots of decent crosses in. And I'd certainly doubt that his error ratio is greater than Oakley's. The only player I've seen at Leicester City who can, or could, consistently cross the ball with pace, flight and with reasonable accurately is Ryan Beswick and he's been long forgotten.
knowitall Posted 23 February 2009 Posted 23 February 2009 Some of these posts are close. eg. Porters Lover....posts some close points. I would like to give you more insight to what is going on but dare not. Maybe at the end of the season. I know Max works hard in training and that some first team players are surprised he is not playing.
MC Prussian Posted 23 February 2009 Posted 23 February 2009 Didn't he play for Bournemouth in League 1 last year and did very well by all accounts Yes, you're absolutely right, and I had that pleasureful memory already discarded for no apparent reason. I bow my head in shame and await my punishment.
General Smuts Posted 23 February 2009 Posted 23 February 2009 Gradel has put lots of decent crosses in. And I'd certainly doubt that his error ratio is greater than Oakley's. The only player I've seen at Leicester City who can, or could, consistently cross the ball with pace, flight and with reasonable accurately is Ryan Beswick and he's been long forgotten. Gradel is the worst crosser of the ball i've ever seen in a Leicester shirt bar Jamie Clapham. Fact.
Thracian Posted 25 February 2009 Posted 25 February 2009 This isn't a criticism of Pearson as he is doing brilliantly but what has happened to Gradel?! He doesn't even get on the bench anymore and I don't understand why. Surely he is better attacking option than Hayles, Dickov or even Chambers. With Dyer's continuous below par performances, I was certain Gradel would be re-introduced, at least on the bench anyway. I just find it a bit strange he can't get a game now, as I do think he has a lot to offer, and even though he went off a bit, so has Dyer and look how Pearson has backed him! Anyone know or have any ideas? Not heard anything about him being injured or falling out with anybody but I could be wrong. He was down at Leicester market today. I said hello, told him to keep believing in himself and said I hoped he was soon back in the team.
Hitesh Posted 26 February 2009 Posted 26 February 2009 He is a young player remember and will learn alot from being out of the team IF he wants to become a good player. If he has the attitude he will fight to win his place in the team and to be honest, this can make a break a player like Gradel. If you played him just because he hasn't been in the team a while, he will just assume he will get his chance eventually. This way, I think Pearson is giving him a steep learning curve. I realise there are other factors that may be involved him in not being in the squad. He is probably starting to realise he needs to work on other areas of his game and I'm sure NP and the staff are helping him. He is still improving and I think we are starting to see a difference in this years team than in previous years in that players have to work hard for their places. Previous years have seen players take their places for granted and put in average performances. Mattock probably had to work hard to regain his place when he came back from injury and he was benched for a while. I don't think that Gradel not playing is a big issue, its a big test of character and I think we will see the benefits in the future. Of course, there is a chance he doesn't have the attitude to develop and therefore we may not see the benefits - hence do we want players who think they have a god given right to play or do we want players who will work hard to play?!
The People's Hero Posted 26 February 2009 Posted 26 February 2009 Where the bloody hell is bloody Levi bloody Porter?
Thracian Posted 26 February 2009 Posted 26 February 2009 He is a young player remember and will learn alot from being out of the team IF he wants to become a good player. If he has the attitude he will fight to win his place in the team and to be honest, this can make a break a player like Gradel. If you played him just because he hasn't been in the team a while, he will just assume he will get his chance eventually. This way, I think Pearson is giving him a steep learning curve. I realise there are other factors that may be involved him in not being in the squad. He is probably starting to realise he needs to work on other areas of his game and I'm sure NP and the staff are helping him. He is still improving and I think we are starting to see a difference in this years team than in previous years in that players have to work hard for their places. Previous years have seen players take their places for granted and put in average performances. Mattock probably had to work hard to regain his place when he came back from injury and he was benched for a while. I don't think that Gradel not playing is a big issue, its a big test of character and I think we will see the benefits in the future. Of course, there is a chance he doesn't have the attitude to develop and therefore we may not see the benefits - hence do we want players who think they have a god given right to play or do we want players who will work hard to play?! It's interesting what you say and the frustration of being a player in waiting was something that was highlighted at a sportsman's evening last night in Northampton by ex-England and Liverpool goalkeeper Ray Clemence. Clemence was joking about the legendary manager Bill Shankly and recalled his arrival at Anfield from S****horpe as a potential new signing. Shanks took him to the Melwood training ground, showed him expanse of "wondrous" training facilities and said "if you can't play on there son, you'll never play anywhere. Sign for me and you'll out there with the big team in no time." He then drove him down to the ground, walked him under the famous This is Anfield sign, escorted him out onto the hallowed pitch and said, "if you sign for me, this will be your home, this is where you'll belong in no time at all." He then walked him over to the Kop and said that 26,000 fans (in those days) would be screaming his name and willing to do all in their power to help him. "If you sign for me and give your all, they'll become like friends and you'll see them as often as your family." Finally Shanks mentioned Lennie Lawrence the "Flying Pig" Liverpool legend of a goalkeeper and said he was "33 and coming to the end of his time as first choice keeper,so we have to look to a replacement". Clemence was won over. He signed the forms and only then discovered that Lawrence was, in fact, only about 27, in the form of his life, much beloved of the fans and a fixture in the side. Clemence spent a frustrating two and a half years in the Reserves waiting to replace him...
Hitesh Posted 26 February 2009 Posted 26 February 2009 It's interesting what you say and the frustration of being a player in waiting was something that was highlighted at a sportsman's evening last night in Northampton by ex-England and Liverpool goalkeeper Ray Clemence.Clemence was joking about the legendary manager Bill Shankly and recalled his arrival at Anfield from S****horpe as a potential new signing. Shanks took him to the Melwood training ground, showed him expanse of "wondrous" training facilities and said "if you can't play on there son, you'll never play anywhere. Sign for me and you'll out there with the big team in no time." He then drove him down to the ground, walked him under the famous This is Anfield sign, escorted him out onto the hallowed pitch and said, "if you sign for me, this will be your home, this is where you'll belong in no time at all." He then walked him over to the Kop and said that 26,000 fans (in those days) would be screaming his name and willing to do all in their power to help him. "If you sign for me and give your all, they'll become like friends and you'll see them as often as your family." Finally Shanks mentioned Lennie Lawrence the "Flying Pig" Liverpool legend of a goalkeeper and said he was "33 and coming to the end of his time as first choice keeper,so we have to look to a replacement". Clemence was won over. He signed the forms and only then discovered that Lawrence was, in fact, only about 27, in the form of his life, much beloved of the fans and a fixture in the side. Clemence spent a frustrating two and a half years in the Reserves waiting to replace him... Exactly my point. The "issue" with football in the modern game is that people want instant results which in turn increases pressure on players and managers to perform. There is very little discipline in development of players and in some areas players are given an easy ride compared to what used to happen. Obviously, my comments are generalising and and its not always the case. I just feel that with the pressure for instant success there isn't time for young players to learn the trade if you like. Managers knew they had time to build a team in the past but these days if what happened to Clemence happened today, he would have left the club after the first season! I could rant on but I need to get back to my Final Year project...
Thracian Posted 26 February 2009 Posted 26 February 2009 Exactly my point. The "issue" with football in the modern game is that people want instant results which in turn increases pressure on players and managers to perform. There is very little discipline in development of players and in some areas players are given an easy ride compared to what used to happen. Obviously, my comments are generalising and and its not always the case. I just feel that with the pressure for instant success there isn't time for young players to learn the trade if you like. Managers knew they had time to build a team in the past but these days if what happened to Clemence happened today, he would have left the club after the first season! I could rant on but I need to get back to my Final Year project... I perhaps should mention that Clemence "very nearly" left Liverpool in the months before his eventual breakthrough!
Corky Posted 26 February 2009 Posted 26 February 2009 Sadly, it's looking less likely that Gradel has a future here. As Thrac says, it may be best if he moved on.
Uncle Albert Posted 26 February 2009 Posted 26 February 2009 It's brilliant how many people change their views about players through the course of the season.
Thracian Posted 26 February 2009 Posted 26 February 2009 It's brilliant how many people change their views about players through the course of the season. My conscience is clear. I still regard both Gradel and Porter as two of the most talented prospects we have at the club. And as it's two months or more now since I last saw Dyer have a really good game it seems quite silly to me he's faces so little competition.
Scow Posted 26 February 2009 Posted 26 February 2009 Gradel has admitted himself that he prefers to play on the left - it's where he did a lot of damage last season for Bournemouth. It obviously allowed him to cut inside on to his right foot, which led to a number of his goals. I'm surprised he doesn't get on the bench more often as he provides us with a different option. I don't really see the point in having both Dickov and Hayles on the bench when neither have the pace or ability to beat players. However, as someone has mentioned, maybe Dickov's wages play a part in him being preferred.
Jimmy Posted 27 February 2009 Posted 27 February 2009 he has never been given a fair chance for us, given how badly Dyer has played recently the fact Gradel never got a game is verging on a joke
Uncle Albert Posted 27 February 2009 Posted 27 February 2009 My conscience is clear. I still regard both Gradel and Porter as two of the most talented prospects we have at the club. And as it's two months or more now since I last saw Dyer have a really good game it seems quite silly to me he's faces so little competition. I couldnt agree more.
Alexikokopops Posted 27 February 2009 Posted 27 February 2009 He. Cannot. Cross. Neither. Can. Dyer. Gradel said he prefers to play on the left, there's more to his game than just running down the byline and putting a cross in. I have no idea why he hasn't at least been given a go given Dyer's poor form these past two months. I can't say a bad word against Pearson because he's bloody brilliant, but this one perplexes me a bit.
marbelladave Posted 27 February 2009 Posted 27 February 2009 I think NP has pretty much decided on his best team and thinks that if he plays them all the time we will get promotion, it's as simple as that. Dyer is his first choice on the left so if he is fit, he plays. He has not been playing particularly well of late, but we are continuing to get results and look odds on to go up, why change? Like many on this forum, NP wants promotion and does not much care how he gets it. We will continue to play the same players in the same way until we are definitely promoted, at that point NP will allow himself to start thinking (and preparing) for next season. Knowitall suggests there are things going on behind the scenes with Max, but in purely footballing terms, if you can't get a game at this level, why would you think you would get a game next season at a higher level? Time to move on!
Calum McDermott Posted 27 February 2009 Posted 27 February 2009 I think NP has pretty much decided on his best team and thinks that if he plays them all the time we will get promotion, it's as simple as that.Dyer is his first choice on the left so if he is fit, he plays. He has not been playing particularly well of late, but we are continuing to get results and look odds on to go up, why change? Like many on this forum, NP wants promotion and does not much care how he gets it. We will continue to play the same players in the same way until we are definitely promoted, at that point NP will allow himself to start thinking (and preparing) for next season. Knowitall suggests there are things going on behind the scenes with Max, but in purely footballing terms, if you can't get a game at this level, why would you think you would get a game next season at a higher level? Time to move on! DJ Campbell? Can't get a game in league 1 so moves up to championship and at one point he had scored 3 in 4.
marbelladave Posted 27 February 2009 Posted 27 February 2009 DJ Campbell? Can't get a game in league 1 so moves up to championship and at one point he had scored 3 in 4. DJ is a decent (not great) striker who simply did not, ever, play well for us. Whatever the reason it didn't happen and the moment he got away and started playing regularly he reverted to what he is, a reasonable Championship striker. Gradel is virtually untried above league 1 standard and has hardly played in months, not the same at all. Either NP does not rate him or there is much more going on off the pitch than we know.
Thracian Posted 27 February 2009 Posted 27 February 2009 As well as Gradel what has happened to Porter Further to my last comment Porter is a dad now. He's would love to play for City again and is doing all he can in training to get a recall to the side.
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