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The End of Lee Holmes?


Lighthouse
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I'd have thought today was the best chance Holmes would get to start a game. As it happens we had JWP, Doble, Hoskins, Reeves and Stevens all playing some part, whilst Lee didn't even get off the bench.

 

Does this indicate he could be on his way out perhaps?

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He's probably injured again. He always seems to be injured. But I would guess he is on his way as well. He's good on the ball but he has no pace or hight and seems to lack the physical robustness a player needs at this level.

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I heard that the physios identified a weakness with his muscles that was causing the injury problems. Special diet and special exercises have allegedly rebuilt his leg muscles from the ankle up and they have great hopes that he is a new player now. But today was about giving the youngsters a chance and Holmes would only have been used if the game turned out a bit differently. So give the guy a chance. Forget what has happened in the past as we may well see the best of him as the season pans out.

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I feel sorry for Lee. Yes, he has obviously had his injury problems but has never had a real chance since getting back from his main injury. Trouble is, he was brought in by Lowe and the Dutch guys. Personally I think he needs to do himself a favour and try to get a loan move or a permanent move. I feel he could still do a job in the Championship and certainly League 1.

Edited by Silvercherry Saint
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I know I am in the minority on here, but I have always rated him.

 

Someone will get a bargain.

 

I agree. Always liked watching Holmes play. Whilst he's not the quickest he does have something about him that troubles the opposition. Come up with some good goals too. Provided he stays injury free and someone gives him a run in the side, he'll come up with the goods.

 

His work in the community has always been exemplary. But sadly I think after today he's not got a way back into the side.

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I think Holmes certainly has some quality but he needs a run in a side so a loan would be ideal initially and then make a judgement after that. NA pretty much said that he and Forte would be going out on loan, so we'll see what happens.

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Couldn't agree more Gemmel - someone WILL get a bargain with Holmes and that will reflect badly on NA in my opinion. If the guy is injury free then he has got to be worth a run out, ahead of those youngsters who played today and even ahead of SDR as far as I am concerned. Is this another personality clash between NA and a squad member? Beginning to have my doubts if so.

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Couldn't agree more Gemmel - someone WILL get a bargain with Holmes and that will reflect badly on NA in my opinion. If the guy is injury free then he has got to be worth a run out, ahead of those youngsters who played today and even ahead of SDR as far as I am concerned. Is this another personality clash between NA and a squad member? Beginning to have my doubts if so.

I don't believe so, he wouldn't be in the squad at all if NA felt he wasn't pulling in the same direction/on the bus.

 

Holmes has ability, but today was entirely appropriate for younger players to get a run out IMO. I don't think we should look for problems that most likely aren't there.

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I think there is some pressure that they have to be seen making a route for some of the youngsters i.e. Luke Shaw at Left Back in preference to Ryan Dickson (well that and the fact we pay an extra £25k per 10 games for his for his first 40 games). Jack Stephens at Right Back instead of Butterfield and De Ridder/Ben Reeves perhaps for Holmes. I really like Holmes and don't really want to see him go but I really think he needs a fresh move to get his career back on track.

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Couldn't agree more Gemmel - someone WILL get a bargain with Holmes and that will reflect badly on NA in my opinion. If the guy is injury free then he has got to be worth a run out, ahead of those youngsters who played today and even ahead of SDR as far as I am concerned. Is this another personality clash between NA and a squad member? Beginning to have my doubts if so.

 

Why would it reflect badly on NA? Pardew didn't rate him either.

 

He is too injury prone and is not good enough for us, he's lost a yard or 2 as well. We're targeting players leagues better than him now.

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why the hell we gave a three year deal to an often injured, unwanted, slow winger with no engine is beyond me. Decent touch, no, he's got a very good first touch, but quite frankly that is not enough at this level. He joined when we were at rock bottom, hopefully on peanuts, but we're a long way from that point now.

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Couldn't agree more Gemmel - someone WILL get a bargain with Holmes and that will reflect badly on NA in my opinion. If the guy is injury free then he has got to be worth a run out, ahead of those youngsters who played today and even ahead of SDR as far as I am concerned. Is this another personality clash between NA and a squad member? Beginning to have my doubts if so.

 

Beginning to have your doubts over NA? Wierdo.

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As a person he is a top top bloke. Does loads behind the scenes so would be sad to see him go. People don't realise how much he spends with the community/charities.

 

But as a footballer it simply hasen't worked out. In the modern era you can't really have a player for 4-5 years who plays around a game a season. It just isn't worth it. Someone else who is healthy and offer something on the pitch week after week is more important. I know that sounds horrible but it is the truth. Footballers should be playing football it is that simple. If they are injured and have been for years then it is time to move on. I think if he wants to keep trying then he needs to do that elsewhere. If we are planning for life in the PL then you can't be carrying anyone.

Maybe we should offer him a role behind the scenes.

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Just release him and get him off the wage bill.

 

If you could do that, we'd have got rid of Forecast years ago. As it is we have to either wait for it to expire (this summer I believe) or get someone else to buy or loan him out. Adkins has hinted at a loan, which is probably best for all concerned. Lee will do a decent job for someone, but I don't see it being a club with Premier League aspirations or status.

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I'm delighted the club have more patience and faith in him than you lot on here. When fit, he's an exceptional asset... But he's seldom been fit so that's the issue. If you think he's tied then I'd have to question the judgement of some... Hopefully the club have invested the work in him as alluded to above as he can be a first teamer. Then again, this is tsw and the oracles have already decided hrs no use to us ..

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I'm delighted the club have more patience and faith in him than you lot on here. When fit, he's an exceptional asset... But he's seldom been fit so that's the issue. If you think he's tied then I'd have to question the judgement of some... Hopefully the club have invested the work in him as alluded to above as he can be a first teamer. Then again, this is tsw and the oracles have already decided hrs no use to us ..

 

In what way?

 

He came off the bench for the last 20 minutes at Donny, which is by far his longest run out in the League. He's had about half a dosen others where he came on with 5 minutes left. He started a couple of League Cup games against lower league sides, but today he didn't even get off the bench in a game when we played 5 kids. Then in the post match interview Adkins suggested he may well be loaned out soon.

 

I don't get the need for sarcasm here. In 4 years at the club, Holmes really hasn't done much else. Suggesting he isn't up to it is a perfectly legitimate opinion.

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I heard that the physios identified a weakness with his muscles that was causing the injury problems. Special diet and special exercises have allegedly rebuilt his leg muscles from the ankle up and they have great hopes that he is a new player now. But today was about giving the youngsters a chance and Holmes would only have been used if the game turned out a bit differently. So give the guy a chance. Forget what has happened in the past as we may well see the best of him as the season pans out.

 

I'd go with that too, Mowgli

If he had been another Pulis..then NA would have been shot of him ages ago. He seems to be the sort of player who's always "back-up" for someone

else when they're injured....ala Hammond, Lallana & Cork... who are far more of a regular first choice. Yes - he's had injury set-backs and doesn't get regular outings even the "over age" U21 side. He played in all 4 League Cup games, and did come on as sub. in the last 5 and scord that long range " hit and hope shot " v. Watford (something few others are willing to try)and had been on the bench for 6 of the last 7 games.

 

I don't think NA is disappointed with him, but if we get back to full strength soon - a good loan out for a month or two might allow him to get some real form (playing with (say) an L1 side.

Rather like Aaron Martin, he doesn't get many chances, but when he has played I've not seen anyone criticise him as much as ..Harding, Hammond or Guly...He's still " young- ish " and like Oakley and Surman ..he may be a late developer, if given the chance.

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I agree. Always liked watching Holmes play. Whilst he's not the quickest he does have something about him that troubles the opposition. Come up with some good goals too. Provided he stays injury free and someone gives him a run in the side, he'll come up with the goods.

 

His work in the community has always been exemplary. But sadly I think after today he's not got a way back into the side.

 

Best crosser of a ball in our team..

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I really like Lee Holmes, mainly because I've always thought that he has huge potential if he could stay fit and get a run in the team. However after three years of giving him those opportunities, it really looks now as if his body, for whatever reason, isnt up to the rigours of professional football. Time to let him go imo.

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In what way?

 

He came off the bench for the last 20 minutes at Donny, which is by far his longest run out in the League. He's had about half a dosen others where he came on with 5 minutes left. He started a couple of League Cup games against lower league sides, but today he didn't even get off the bench in a game when we played 5 kids. Then in the post match interview Adkins suggested he may well be loaned out soon.

 

I don't get the need for sarcasm here. In 4 years at the club, Holmes really hasn't done much else. Suggesting he isn't up to it is a perfectly legitimate opinion.

 

But there is a difference between not playing because you're not good enough like Pulis was and not playing because you're injured like Connolly often is. Whenever I've seen Holmes play for us he's done very well and looked much better than I thought he was. He looked decent enough in right back the other week against Bristol City, and since we are struggling with wide options would like to keep him until the end of the season at least.

 

I'd rather get rid of Jaidi (who should have retired by now really) since he won't ever be fit to play for us again this season even if he was good enough.

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He should be out on loan now and many times before over the time he has been at the club...

 

If he spent a month playing 3/4 games then you would know long term prospects...

 

But he would not last one game then train and be ready for Tuesday/Wednesday or even the following Saturday....

 

Not only unfit as from day one and follow on from his serious injury at Derby...

 

He has no pace and holding up a place for the emerging youngsters or our new signing.....

 

Sorry not up to the required standard in my view.......Let him prove us wrong on loan at Bournemouth, Brighton or Pompey the smaller clubs on the south coast...

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He should be out on loan now and many times before over the time he has been at the club...

If he spent a month playing 3/4 games then you would know long term prospects...

But he would not last one game then train and be ready for Tuesday/Wednesday or even the following Saturday....QUOTE]

 

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He was signed by the Dutch pair (Voorfliet and Wotte?) in June 2008, and he actually started the season and played in the first 7 games and scored 2 goals in League Cup games. He was injured early on in the away game at QPR (lost 1-4 ) which I watched on cable TV here, as I recall and went off. He left the game on crutches and was diagnosed with mefial ligament problem - not a short recovery time. Not the original injury at Derby I think .

 

After coming back from training, he was (probably started too quickly by a desperate Wotte trying to stave off CCC relegation and the injury flared up again.

 

I feel sorry for him as after recovering he was up against players like Lallana, Schneiderlin and Puncheon when they were firing on all cylinders and stood little chance of bring selected before them, but has spent an amazing number of games on the bench without ever getting much playing time.

 

I agree with you - a month or two of loan out would either give his Saints career a boost ... or give him a new direction elsewhere. He deserves that.

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