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Post by snellbert on Aug 18, 2008 8:00:29 GMT
I cannot stress enough the importance of this guy,when fully fit he and bakes are a formiddable partnership,to play as well as they do together with no great pace in either set of legs is remarkable.they have built up an understanding where both know exactly each others strengths and weeknesses,however if pullers is not 100% fit, as already pointed out by vern and a couple of others we really do not have cover in this posistion at this level.
Some of you have pointed out we have played 3 games in 8 days, well starting this sat we will play 4 in 11 (thankfully 3 at home),if pullers is only 90% fit there is no way he will play 360 mins,WE NEED COVER NOW, NOT IN A MONTHS TIME OR SEE IF WE CAN GET THROUGH TO XMAS, THEN ITS TO LATE so hopefully the committee will address this situation A.S.A.P
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Post by davidb on Aug 18, 2008 9:51:10 GMT
Well, we do have a player by the name of Andy Ballard in the squad, and Ben Austin can also play in central defence of course.
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Post by toddy06 on Aug 18, 2008 13:41:48 GMT
I agree. We are a bit light at CB but I would play Jay Lovett at CB as cover with Andy Ballard at Right back. This does of course give us the other option of AB's phenominal throw ins
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Post by wha on Aug 18, 2008 15:02:41 GMT
I agree that this guy is massive for us and I along with others had hoped we would bring someone in pre season But before we panic to much does anyone know the extent of the injury?
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Post by homerpig on Aug 18, 2008 16:09:25 GMT
I think that this may be the time to blood players such as Andy Ballard because despite Saturdays result we aren't in a bad situation. Personally I believe he dovetails pretty well anywhere in the back four. It appears the rest of the team have confidence in him so while we aren't struggling it may be the best time to have a look at these players who aren't yet regulars. In the bigger picture some of our defenders are "mature",  so sooner or later younger players are going to be needed. As has already been pointed out asking part time players to play 3 or even 4 games a week against full timers is going to be difficult. More than ever before the squad is important. |
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Post by davidb on Aug 18, 2008 16:16:42 GMT
Pre-season I was saying that I would have quite liked to see someone like Steve Robinson at Priory Lane as I was a little concerned about relying too heavily on Pullen and Bakes but of course, that wasn't going to happen. I don't recall seeing Jay in a CB position before ... my preference would definitely be Andy Ballard, either at RB or CB with Ben.
I can't imagine for one moment that Garry and Nick are panicking over Saturday but it's another really tough game on Saturday. I'm just delighted to have three points!
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Post by borosaint on Aug 18, 2008 17:41:47 GMT
the argus reported of how poor our defence was on saturday and that many of the gols were down to individual mistakes and I think rb is the only real position for benny austin and we will need another versatile defender for cover otherwise we will struggle! my suggestion is brighton reserves players to loan in
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Post by davidb on Aug 18, 2008 18:11:12 GMT
the argus reported of how poor our defence was on saturday and that many of the gols were down to individual mistakes and I think rb is the only real position for benny austin and we will need another versatile defender for cover otherwise we will struggle! my suggestion is brighton reserves players to loan in I wasn't at Oxford so can't comment but our defence is usually our strength. I would prefer to think that the sudden goal deluge in the 'against' column was one of those blips that occasionally happens - I don't think we should be pressing the panic button and talking about getting loan players in after one freak result. |
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Post by borosaint on Aug 18, 2008 18:26:29 GMT
no one's pressing any panic buttons but it is clear to see we are lacking cover in defence and we will unbdoubtedly need a couple more players for cover over the next few months
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Post by tricky on Aug 18, 2008 22:11:16 GMT
as the months tick by, the pitches heavier and maybe a few players out through suspension or injury, emphasis has to be placed on the value of the whole squad. I'm very encouraged by our performances so far, but with every match played, future opponents learn more about our strengths and weaknessess.
Full time Blue Sq teams provide experience, guile and higher fitness levels. Every coming league match will provide tough encounters, starting this Saturday with the leaders Cambridge. Our defence should be tested again but we're also scoring goals so a cracking game should be expected.
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Post by snellbert on Aug 19, 2008 6:15:11 GMT
As a few of you have said andy ballard is a promising young player, what i have seen of him he looks very solid and comfortable on the ball and obviously the benefit of an extremely long throw.I se he played for worthing a couple of weeks ago against bognor and had a good game,they were interested in a dual registration but i dont think it happened?,he has'nt featured in any of our 3 BSP games in fact i dont recall even seeing his name on the bench? Im pretty sure he's not played for worthing since the bognor game, does anyone know if he has played for the reserves? if not " WHERE IS ANDY BALLARD? "
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Post by homerpig on Aug 19, 2008 15:13:37 GMT
I think he's playing in the reserves tonight. Hopefully this will help give him some sort of match fitness. I know he's really keen to contribute this season. |
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Post by maz on Aug 19, 2008 16:13:34 GMT
the argus reported of how poor our defence was on saturday and that many of the gols were down to individual mistakes and I think rb is the only real position for benny austin and we will need another versatile defender for cover otherwise we will struggle! my suggestion is brighton reserves players to loan in Our defence was no worse than the Oxford defence. Are you saying that after one game we should start bringing in Brighton reserves.............are you joking  I would put the late goals down to tiredness and having to rearrange the back 4. It was one of those games where virtually every shot went in and getting some panic signing in wont sort anything. |
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so sooner or later younger players are going to be needed. As has already been pointed out asking part time players to play 3 or even 4 games a week against full timers is going to be difficult. More than ever before the squad is important.
