Confidence

[davieG]

Far too many modern day footballers are severely one footed even in the top teams. Considering how long they've spent in a professional environment with professional coaches I it's unforgivable and I find it difficult to rate highly, despite their other abilities any player with this limitation.

Regarding Hobbs I've always thought he's been vastly over rated by LCFC fans good in the air I grant you but has always looked suspect and lacking in confidence with the ball at his feet and his distribution is often poor, that said he does have potential but has a long way to go.

[Jon the Hat]

Everyone who is well paid has by definition no right to have human frailties. FACT.

Not allowed to have confidence issues.

Not allowed to want to move jobs becuase they don't get on with the boss.

Not allowed to prioritise their family's future wealth over the "loyalty" of the fans or some motivation to play.

Not allowed to have a bad day.

Not allowed to speak their mind.

Not allowed to complain about money / try to negotiate a payrise.

Not allowed to be homesick.

Not allowed to think the city in which they play has less attractive girls than their hometown.

Jesus, give us some players with a personality please!

[muzzy1981]

Untill Hobbs is replaced with a permanent player I think it is important that we help him get back to form, he is an LCFC asset, Davies and Vitor are not. It is overwhelmingly clear that Hobbs has to play RCB, perhaps Davies would be adaptable to play in the LCB position. We need to keep playing him at RCB and his form will come back if we continue to play him there. Unfortunately the pressure on the manager to gain promotion immediately means we have no time to let Leic players get there form back. I trust Sven but, the owners have to realise 'ROME WASN'T BUILT IN A DAY'!!!

[marbelladave]

You explain it perfectly, but what I and I think a lot of others struggle to understand is that these lads have been playing football their whole lives. Even if hobbs only started playing at centre back at the age of 10 he's still just playing centre back. It can't be the case that he's played on the right side of the pair for 12 years. He's graduated from the liverpool academy, he's not a mug, and he shouldn't look clueless (which i think is the point) playing at LCB.

I'm not trying to say there's no difference, only that he should still be in his depth playing there, even if he is a little uncomfortable. He's playing in the championship and if he is genuinely not comfortable with playing RCB he needs to work on it pronto.

Hobbs is playing at a high level of professional football, not sunday league. A small difference in the way you are playing, be it confidence, positional or personell makes a huge difference in a job where one mistake can cost a game.

Under NFP Hobbs played primarily on the right, had a regular partner in Brown and was told to win the ball and clear it upfield, a relatively simple job discription. None of those things are happening this season with all the changes that are going on so Hobbs is way out of his comfort zone and therefore uneasy and easily rattled.

Assuming you want to stick with Hobbs then he needs to play on the right, in a settled back 4 and with a straightforward game plan (example - be the first man to attack the ball), leave the tidying up to a more accomplished footballer such as Vitor or (hopefully) Tunchev. That at least will make him a solid defender while his technical skills continue to develope.

The problem at the moment, and not just for Hobbs is, the ever changing lineup and the uncertainty of who will or will not be playing come January. It is pretty obvious that Sven is simply in a 'make do and mend' situation untill he can get in the players he wants, whether that is January or the summer.

[Corky]

Agree with those that say players should be adequate with both feet, if they were then it would test the opponents as there wouldn't be a noticeably weak side to force them on to.

[5waller5]

RCB v LCB .....

I played the game at a pretty low level for 28 years as a RCB .... and i was much more rubbish as a LCB!!!

I do actually see this point really clearly - you get in a habit of pushing someone wide and going under them leading with your right foot .... as well as watching players who are predominantly left footed attacking you .... It does make a difference, although it shouldn't seem to.

[gibwarrior1988]

RCB v LCB .....

I played the game at a pretty low level for 28 years as a RCB .... and i was much more rubbish as a LCB!!!

I do actually see this point really clearly - you get in a habit of pushing someone wide and going under them leading with your right foot .... as well as watching players who are predominantly left footed attacking you .... It does make a difference, although it shouldn't seem to.

Exactly, it could be argued that it is easier swap sides in midfield as you can cut inside, however as a centre back you dont have the luxury of asking the attacker to politely take it past your right foot instead of left...