Dazza82 Posted 23 January, 2012 Share Posted 23 January, 2012 What must he think? This new kid comes in on loan and gets into the team before him. What has he got to do to get a game, he clearly rattled Konchesky when he came on and did more than any of our wide players in tonights game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avenue Saint Posted 23 January, 2012 Share Posted 23 January, 2012 What must he think? This new kid comes in on loan and gets into the team before him. What has he got to do to get a game, he clearly rattled Konchesky when he came on and did more than any of our wide players in tonights game. Agreed. Our most lively player tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildgoose Posted 23 January, 2012 Share Posted 23 January, 2012 He's just coming back from a groin injury so that's probably why he wasn't risked from he start. He did well though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
um pahars Posted 23 January, 2012 Share Posted 23 January, 2012 Agreed. Our most lively player tonight. Simply not good enough. Nice enough guy and pleases the Twitterati, but his signing wasn't a sign of pushing on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avenue Saint Posted 23 January, 2012 Share Posted 23 January, 2012 Simply not good enough. Nice enough guy and pleases the Twitterati, but his signing wasn't a sign of pushing on. Sorry. Disagree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corky morris Posted 23 January, 2012 Share Posted 23 January, 2012 Simply not good enough. Nice enough guy and pleases the Twitterati, but his signing wasn't a sign of pushing on. Maybe not good enough, but better tonight than Yago & Holmes....................He should have started. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted 23 January, 2012 Share Posted 23 January, 2012 Sorry. Disagree. Well he has hardly had much of an influence on our results this season Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
um pahars Posted 23 January, 2012 Share Posted 23 January, 2012 Maybe not good enough, but better tonight than Yago & Holmes....................He should have started. Dont get me started on Holmes!!!!!!!! If our opening sub is Holmes coming off the bench then we're going to struggle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazza82 Posted 23 January, 2012 Author Share Posted 23 January, 2012 Well he has hardly had much of an influence on our results this season Got us a point at Reading Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wade Garrett Posted 23 January, 2012 Share Posted 23 January, 2012 I don't think he's good enough. Poor crosser and passer of the ball, and runs down too many blind alleys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avenue Saint Posted 23 January, 2012 Share Posted 23 January, 2012 Well he has hardly had much of an influence on our results this season How much game time has he had?and also, memory obviously not serving you well in your twilight years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamplemousse Posted 23 January, 2012 Share Posted 23 January, 2012 He had an excellent game against Palace, I think he caused some problems down the right wing and that's where most of our positive play came from. I doubt very much he was 100% tonight, I imagine he'll start against Millwall to get that match fitness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted 23 January, 2012 Share Posted 23 January, 2012 As much as I like Steve, he isn't good enough - nor are any of our supposed first team replacements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 23 January, 2012 Share Posted 23 January, 2012 As much as I like Steve, he isn't good enough - nor are any of our supposed first team replacements. He was better than anyone else out there tonight, and he was only on for 30mins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yamms_schmitz Posted 23 January, 2012 Share Posted 23 January, 2012 The truth is that neither De Ridder or Holmes are good enough for the premier league. If we are aiming for promotion we should be signing players who would make an impact in the premier league. Without our top class players (who were all out) we look like a team who will finish in the bottom half. Chaplow and Adam on the wings is what we need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Stimp Posted 23 January, 2012 Share Posted 23 January, 2012 Maybe not good enough, but better tonight than Yago & Holmes....................He should have started. Agree, though I thought Falque looked alright but he didn't receive enough of the ball. We need much, much better options on the bench than Holmes and Reeves (nothing against Ben before anyone starts but he's still raw). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derry Posted 23 January, 2012 Share Posted 23 January, 2012 De Ridder didn't get one decent ball to Run on to He was living off scraps. A pacy player like him needs the ball passed in front of him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat from Poole Posted 23 January, 2012 Share Posted 23 January, 2012 De Ridder really isn't very good at all. If he is our brightest hope, then we are clearly heading downwards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 23 January, 2012 Share Posted 23 January, 2012 I think people are being harsh on De Ridder, he hasn't been given a real run in this team - and he always has a bit of spark and energy about him when he's on the pitch. I thought he was our best player over Christmas, when he played 2 games back to back... The team setup and ''feel'' didn't hep him a single bit today though, any half decent player would have struggled to look good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ringwood Posted 23 January, 2012 Share Posted 23 January, 2012 DE ridder needs the ball to run onto, tonight got better when Richardson a natural right back was behind him, Dan Harding was a fish out of water tonight, tried hard but totally lost, hence we surrendered the wing play. Holmes, nothing there to say he'd improve but De Ridder with a decent run a good bet to improve, , compare his game time to Guly who at times seems to have no ball control or first touch at all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Boy Saint Posted 23 January, 2012 Share Posted 23 January, 2012 Our vision tonight was rubbish, more than once the ball was passed out left up a blue alley, rather than right where Steve just stood in acres of space doing the Times criptic crossword. Same with Falique made himself available in space only to be by-passed! De Ridder needs to be fed balls to run onto not ones played behind him! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey Posted 23 January, 2012 Share Posted 23 January, 2012 De Ridder wasn't fit enough to start the game. He has only just returned to full fitness, so he'll need some time before he's firing on all cylinders again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dellman Posted 24 January, 2012 Share Posted 24 January, 2012 De Ridder is not up to Championship never mind Premiership if we get there, as for Holmes sooner he is injured and back in the physios care, the better Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 24 January, 2012 Share Posted 24 January, 2012 De Ridder is not up to Championship never mind Premiership if we get there, as for Holmes sooner he is injured and back in the physios care, the better What a horrible post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lighthouse Posted 24 January, 2012 Share Posted 24 January, 2012 Christ, if some of you are writing De Ridder off after tonight's game, what about the rest of them? I thought he was one of the better players on the very rare occasions he got the ball. He just hasn't had anything like a decent run in the side. He got a couple of starts against Palace and Bristol and was by most accounts one of our best players. He probably didn't start tonight because he's been injured and we didn't know if he'd be fit for 90 minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shurlock Posted 24 January, 2012 Share Posted 24 January, 2012 SDR was very good - only player along with Frazer to show any drive and get them on the back foot. My fear is that assurances have been made to Spurs that Falque will get match time. I'm happy to give the lad some time -and he probably offers more in the hole than on the wing and possibly more on the right than the left; but on tonight's performance he looked desperately lightweight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 24 January, 2012 Share Posted 24 January, 2012 I've defended De Ridder a lot, but he did a lot of running around without actually producing anything tonight. He should have settled into the way we play by now and he still seems off the pace. He can still turn it around though - he has clear ability when running with the ball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lighthouse Posted 24 January, 2012 Share Posted 24 January, 2012 I've defended De Ridder a lot, but he did a lot of running around without actually producing anything tonight. He should have settled into the way we play by now and he still seems off the pace. He can still turn it around though - he has clear ability when running with the ball. Well if he has, it's no surprise tonights performance was completely alien to him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveStone Posted 24 January, 2012 Share Posted 24 January, 2012 I don't think he's good enough. Poor crosser and passer of the ball, and runs down too many blind alleys. Unfortunatley, the more I see of him this is also what I think. Showed some initial promise and got a good important goal at Reading, but the more I see the less I like and I think that's what Adkins sees too, hence his limited game time and starts (latest injury aside). Let's hope we're wrong but I wouldn't hold out for him... if he was any real good we should have seen it already and SDR be giving Adkins no other option than to start him. And this hasn't happened unfortunatley. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AussieDog Posted 24 January, 2012 Share Posted 24 January, 2012 Have to say, after the initial hype I have been disappointed with DeRidder, but I do think people are being unreasonable in expecting multiples signings at the moment. we have a very large squad by Championship standards, but we have a lot of players out injured or unavailable, of which 4 have shown to be key players this season (Fonte, Chaplow, Lambert, Lallana for sure) and the rest could be considered adequate replacements when fit (Seabourne, Jaidi, Barnard, Butters, Richardson...and I'm sure I've missed some others as well). ANY team would struggle with that amount of players unavailable, and very few could afford to bring in replacements - both on purchase costs and wages. I for one, do not want to see the return of the financial strife we found ourselves in in the not too distant past, and if that means we have to make do with the squad we have then so be it if we miss out on promotion (although it will be a crying shame).. My only caveat is that I don't feel we have utilised the loan market well enough to cope with the absence of some of the more key players. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mouldy Coat Posted 24 January, 2012 Share Posted 24 January, 2012 De Ridder is not direct enough for me. At times he shows promise, but he seems to enjoy that Spin/change of direction that seems to initially fool the opposition, but it actually fails to take him beyond the defender (the much sh1tter version of Fab Fernandez's famous crop circles). I think De Ridder's final ball needs improving and he like other players in the team lack that blistering pace that we are desperately missing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special K Posted 24 January, 2012 Share Posted 24 January, 2012 How can people judge on a handful of sub appearances? Give him an extended run in the team and then see. Personally i think he is a very useful player. And last night at least he pushed the play 15 yards further up the pitch, which the starting 11 found impossible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glasgow_Saint Posted 24 January, 2012 Share Posted 24 January, 2012 Got us a point at Reading........done NOTHING else! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alanh Posted 24 January, 2012 Share Posted 24 January, 2012 De Ridder tried hard when he came on but by that stage the team were mentally defeated so he had little support. Leicester were also in cruise mode just soaking up anything that we could put together. I'm guessing he's still not 100% so that's why he didn't start and Falque did. Falque looked just like a young kid with little first team experience. He seemed anxious to complete a pass so often played the simple ball that did no damage to the opposition. Give him time and hopefully he'll contribute more. Not too sure about De Ridders long term future. He's got pace which can always trouble a defence but I haven't seen him change the nature of a game often enough when he's on the pitch. If we get promoted he'll stuggle to hold his place in the matchday squad in the Prem. if we are still in the nPC next year he should have a role to play. He did do pretty well over Xmas before his injury. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 24 January, 2012 Share Posted 24 January, 2012 I'm suprised at peoples views on him, after probably his best 2 performances in a saints shirt to date (over christmas). He was frustrating before that and done my head in, but since those games over Xmas i've seen a player there and am willing to give him a chance if the manager trusts him. It would have been fair to critisise him before the christmas games as he'd been pretty non-eventful up until then, but at least we all saw something which gave us a bit of a spark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatlesaint Posted 24 January, 2012 Share Posted 24 January, 2012 He needs a decent run in the team, not just 30 mins here, a game there then another 15 min appearence. No coincidence that his best two games for us were in back to back matches and its a shame he got an injury cos he could have played about 6 games in a row by now and then its easier to judge him. I think he has the potential to be good, but NA doesn't seem to trust him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
This Charming Man Posted 24 January, 2012 Share Posted 24 January, 2012 It was all a bit pointless bringing on De Ridder if we were just going to let Fox carry on pinging 50 yard passes into the stand. A player like that needs the ball to feet or played in front of him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vindaloo Posted 24 January, 2012 Share Posted 24 January, 2012 how can anyone say he played that well? he was ok and yes he did seem to worry a few defenders but at least twice that i can remember his touch once again let him down. i think he should have started (due to injuries etc) but i personally still think he isnt good enough. hopefully adkins will finally see that playing hammond, spider and cork just doesnt work!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derry Posted 24 January, 2012 Share Posted 24 January, 2012 (edited) Everybody has an opinion but to criticize De Ridder tonight beggars belief. The manager selected a team that was hopeless in two respects. We got away with Harding against two poor sides but sentiment prevailed. He was exposed by the high tempo and speedy attack. He was grossly at fault for the first goal despite the quality of the shot. Instead of making Nugent go down the line he settled for letting him come inside onto his left foot which opened up Nugent to bend in HIS favoured foot. Falque should not have started he isn't a strong enough player to immediately come in and take part. Ok he had some nice touches, a decent cross early but went missing for periods and often settled for the easy option. He wouldn't have been considered much of a threat by Leicester. Both players should have been substituted shortly after the second goal was scored, it was crass to wait another half hour leaving us only half an hour to try and save the game. It was crying out for Richardson and De Ridder to be brought on to raise the tempo and restore balance. Davis just doesn't get it. If we are to play out from the back to build up with quick pass and move football Davis cannot take the amount of time he does to pass the ball. The goalkeeper has to release the ball instantaneously like any other passing player. To just stand on the ball allowing the opponents to form up and stand about 20 yds off our defenders and then drop them in it with a slow rolling pass behind our player who is being already rapidly closed down, forcing him to hit it long, drop somebody else in it or more often pass it back to Davis for the long ball. Last night we hit more long balls at their centrebacks than I've seen all season and virtually always gave possession away because we were so slow to the breaking ball. Leicester played with the intensity that we adopted early on in the season but have now lost to be replaced by low intensity strolling passing it about game which is alright against low tempo sides but is no threat to hard working teams. Reading showed the way now other sides are adopting the same tactics so we have to get back to fighting for the right to play. Last night only De Ridder, Richardson, Hoiveldt, Fox, to a lesser extent Cork, Guly and Connolly in patches showed the necessary effort and intensity. Schneiderlin and Hammond just didn't fight for the right to play not helped by out of position Harding and lightweight Falque. When I questioned Martin being the only back up centre back and described him as very much a learner I was criticised. Last night it really hurt us, he sold himself by turning his back on a feint and was passed easily for the resultant unpressurised cross to be nodded in. His distribution is poor, he is uncomfortable in possession and his heading is a present to the opposition. We badly need another centre back and a striker that can fill in for Lambert. Hoiveldt is carrying him at the moment. I will say that Fox did a manly job as stand in for Hoiveldt. There was a lot more wrong than the fact De Ridder didn't manage to pull an undeserved rabbit out of the hat. He takes up good positions but rarely is given the ball to run at the defence, eventually he may be after short passing be included often facing his own goal, certainly closed down, having to turn and is almost never released to run past the defence onto a through ball. He is easily one of the quickest players around but we don't use him properly. He could be a devastating counter attacker released quickly but we would rather play up the blind alley into a massed defence on the left and ignore the quick counter up the right. Blaming De Ridder is rediculous, blame the lack of service that's the problem. He always gives 100% and in my opinion is not being given a fair go by the manager. Playing Falque from the start was an insult, he was peripheral and cosmetic and contributed to the slow tempo, something De Ridder could never be accused of. Edited 24 January, 2012 by derry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil the Saint Posted 24 January, 2012 Share Posted 24 January, 2012 Everybody has an opinion but to criticize De Ridder tonight beggars belief. The manager selected a team that was hopeless in two respects. We got away with Harding against two poor sides but sentiment prevailed. He was exposed by the high tempo and speedy attack. He was grossly at fault for the first goal despite the quality of the shot. Instead of making Nugent go down the line he settled for letting him come inside onto his left foot which opened up Nugent to bend in HIS favoured foot. Falque should not have started he isn't a strong enough player to immediately come in and take part. Ok he had some nice touches, a decent cross early but went missing for periods and often settled for the easy option. He wouldn't have been considered much of a threat by Leicester. Both players should have been substituted shortly after the second goal was scored, it was crass to wait another half hour leaving us only half an hour to try and save the game. It was crying out for Richardson and De Ridder to be brought on to raise the tempo and restore balance. Davis just doesn't get it. If we are to play out from the back to build up with quick pass and move football Davis cannot take the amount of time he does to pass the ball. The goalkeeper has to release the ball instantaneously like any other passing player. To just stand on the ball allowing the opponents to form up and stand about 20 yds off our defenders and then drop them in it with a slow rolling pass behind our player who is being already rapidly closed down, forcing him to hit it long, drop somebody else in it or more often pass it back to Davis for the long ball. Last night we hit more long balls at their centrebacks than I've seen all season and virtually always gave possession away because we were so slow to the breaking ball. Leicester played with the intensity that we adopted early on in the season but have now lost to be replaced by low intensity strolling passing it about game which is alright against low tempo sides but is no threat to hard working teams. Reading showed the way now other sides are adopting the same tactics so we have to get back to fighting for the right to play. Last night only De Ridder, Richardson, Hoiveldt, Fox, to a lesser extent Cork, Guly and Connolly in patches showed the necessary effort and intensity. Schneiderlin and Hammond just didn't fight for the right to play not helped by out of position Harding and lightweight Falque. When I questioned Martin being the only back up centre back and described him as very much a learner I was criticised. Last night it really hurt us, he sold himself by turning his back on a feint and was passed easily for the resultant unpressurised cross to be nodded in. His distribution is poor, he is uncomfortable in possession and his heading is a present to the opposition. We badly need another centre back and a striker that can fill in for Lambert. Hoiveldt is carrying him at the moment. I will say that Fox did a manly job as stand in for Hoiveldt. There was a lot more wrong than the fact De Ridder didn't manage to pull an undeserved rabbit out of the hat. He takes up good positions but rarely is given the ball to run at the defence, eventually he may be after short passing be included often facing his own goal, certainly closed down, having to turn and is almost never released to run past the defence onto a through ball. He is easily one of the quickest players around but we don't use him properly. He could be a devastating counter attacker released quickly but we would rather play up the blind alley into a massed defence on the left and ignore the quick counter up the right. Blaming De Ridder is rediculous, blame the lack of service that's the problem. He always gives 100% and in my opinion is not being given a fair go by the manager. Playing Falque from the start was an insult, he was peripheral and cosmetic and contributed to the slow tempo, something De Ridder could never be accused of. This - spot on assessment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forever a red and white Posted 24 January, 2012 Share Posted 24 January, 2012 (edited) Well he didn't start for two reasons which I can think of, a not fully fit, b, doesn't fit 4-3-1-2 formation if you consider him a wide player. My biggets frustration is he keeps turning on the ball but it seems to get him nowhere. His pace is great but he needs to be more direct when running at defenders. However, when he came on he was faced with two players to beat more often than not, it was up to us to try and stretch the game more and creat more space which to his credit, Adkins did tryand do by bringing De Ridder and Holmes on. De Ridder just needs more time. In a way its very difficult because in some respetcs we don't have time to bed players in, given our league position and aspirations for the remaunder of the season. Edited 24 January, 2012 by forever a red and white Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MOSaint. Posted 24 January, 2012 Share Posted 24 January, 2012 What a horrible post Is a horrible post DeRidder needs a good run in the side and agree he was the only bright spark last night Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MOSaint. Posted 24 January, 2012 Share Posted 24 January, 2012 Everybody has an opinion but to criticize De Ridder tonight beggars belief. The manager selected a team that was hopeless in two respects. We got away with Harding against two poor sides but sentiment prevailed. He was exposed by the high tempo and speedy attack. He was grossly at fault for the first goal despite the quality of the shot. Instead of making Nugent go down the line he settled for letting him come inside onto his left foot which opened up Nugent to bend in HIS favoured foot. Falque should not have started he isn't a strong enough player to immediately come in and take part. Ok he had some nice touches, a decent cross early but went missing for periods and often settled for the easy option. He wouldn't have been considered much of a threat by Leicester. Both players should have been substituted shortly after the second goal was scored, it was crass to wait another half hour leaving us only half an hour to try and save the game. It was crying out for Richardson and De Ridder to be brought on to raise the tempo and restore balance. Davis just doesn't get it. If we are to play out from the back to build up with quick pass and move football Davis cannot take the amount of time he does to pass the ball. The goalkeeper has to release the ball instantaneously like any other passing player. To just stand on the ball allowing the opponents to form up and stand about 20 yds off our defenders and then drop them in it with a slow rolling pass behind our player who is being already rapidly closed down, forcing him to hit it long, drop somebody else in it or more often pass it back to Davis for the long ball. Last night we hit more long balls at their centrebacks than I've seen all season and virtually always gave possession away because we were so slow to the breaking ball. Leicester played with the intensity that we adopted early on in the season but have now lost to be replaced by low intensity strolling passing it about game which is alright against low tempo sides but is no threat to hard working teams. Reading showed the way now other sides are adopting the same tactics so we have to get back to fighting for the right to play. Last night only De Ridder, Richardson, Hoiveldt, Fox, to a lesser extent Cork, Guly and Connolly in patches showed the necessary effort and intensity. Schneiderlin and Hammond just didn't fight for the right to play not helped by out of position Harding and lightweight Falque. When I questioned Martin being the only back up centre back and described him as very much a learner I was criticised. Last night it really hurt us, he sold himself by turning his back on a feint and was passed easily for the resultant unpressurised cross to be nodded in. His distribution is poor, he is uncomfortable in possession and his heading is a present to the opposition. We badly need another centre back and a striker that can fill in for Lambert. Hoiveldt is carrying him at the moment. I will say that Fox did a manly job as stand in for Hoiveldt. There was a lot more wrong than the fact De Ridder didn't manage to pull an undeserved rabbit out of the hat. He takes up good positions but rarely is given the ball to run at the defence, eventually he may be after short passing be included often facing his own goal, certainly closed down, having to turn and is almost never released to run past the defence onto a through ball. He is easily one of the quickest players around but we don't use him properly. He could be a devastating counter attacker released quickly but we would rather play up the blind alley into a massed defence on the left and ignore the quick counter up the right. Blaming De Ridder is rediculous, blame the lack of service that's the problem. He always gives 100% and in my opinion is not being given a fair go by the manager. Playing Falque from the start was an insult, he was peripheral and cosmetic and contributed to the slow tempo, something De Ridder could never be accused of. couldnt put it better myself, your spot on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazza82 Posted 24 January, 2012 Author Share Posted 24 January, 2012 Got us a point at Reading........done NOTHING else! A point which is keeping us second. Hasn't had the CHANCE to do anything else. I dont mean 20 mins here and there he needs a run of games to get going which he hasn't had. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clifford Nelson Posted 24 January, 2012 Share Posted 24 January, 2012 Everybody has an opinion but to criticize De Ridder tonight beggars belief. The manager selected a team that was hopeless in two respects. We got away with Harding against two poor sides but sentiment prevailed. He was exposed by the high tempo and speedy attack. He was grossly at fault for the first goal despite the quality of the shot. Instead of making Nugent go down the line he settled for letting him come inside onto his left foot which opened up Nugent to bend in HIS favoured foot. Falque should not have started he isn't a strong enough player to immediately come in and take part. Ok he had some nice touches, a decent cross early but went missing for periods and often settled for the easy option. He wouldn't have been considered much of a threat by Leicester. Both players should have been substituted shortly after the second goal was scored, it was crass to wait another half hour leaving us only half an hour to try and save the game. It was crying out for Richardson and De Ridder to be brought on to raise the tempo and restore balance. Davis just doesn't get it. If we are to play out from the back to build up with quick pass and move football Davis cannot take the amount of time he does to pass the ball. The goalkeeper has to release the ball instantaneously like any other passing player. To just stand on the ball allowing the opponents to form up and stand about 20 yds off our defenders and then drop them in it with a slow rolling pass behind our player who is being already rapidly closed down, forcing him to hit it long, drop somebody else in it or more often pass it back to Davis for the long ball. Last night we hit more long balls at their centrebacks than I've seen all season and virtually always gave possession away because we were so slow to the breaking ball. Leicester played with the intensity that we adopted early on in the season but have now lost to be replaced by low intensity strolling passing it about game which is alright against low tempo sides but is no threat to hard working teams. Reading showed the way now other sides are adopting the same tactics so we have to get back to fighting for the right to play. Last night only De Ridder, Richardson, Hoiveldt, Fox, to a lesser extent Cork, Guly and Connolly in patches showed the necessary effort and intensity. Schneiderlin and Hammond just didn't fight for the right to play not helped by out of position Harding and lightweight Falque. When I questioned Martin being the only back up centre back and described him as very much a learner I was criticised. Last night it really hurt us, he sold himself by turning his back on a feint and was passed easily for the resultant unpressurised cross to be nodded in. His distribution is poor, he is uncomfortable in possession and his heading is a present to the opposition. We badly need another centre back and a striker that can fill in for Lambert. Hoiveldt is carrying him at the moment. I will say that Fox did a manly job as stand in for Hoiveldt. There was a lot more wrong than the fact De Ridder didn't manage to pull an undeserved rabbit out of the hat. He takes up good positions but rarely is given the ball to run at the defence, eventually he may be after short passing be included often facing his own goal, certainly closed down, having to turn and is almost never released to run past the defence onto a through ball. He is easily one of the quickest players around but we don't use him properly. He could be a devastating counter attacker released quickly but we would rather play up the blind alley into a massed defence on the left and ignore the quick counter up the right. Blaming De Ridder is rediculous, blame the lack of service that's the problem. He always gives 100% and in my opinion is not being given a fair go by the manager. Playing Falque from the start was an insult, he was peripheral and cosmetic and contributed to the slow tempo, something De Ridder could never be accused of. You nailed it, Dave, there is really nothing to add. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simondo Posted 24 January, 2012 Share Posted 24 January, 2012 he's probably thinking - good he was ****, now i should get a game!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 24 January, 2012 Share Posted 24 January, 2012 I thought De Ridder and Holmes were getting on for our best two players last night. I also appreciate that isn't saying much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Son of Bob Posted 24 January, 2012 Share Posted 24 January, 2012 We looked far more likely to score last night after he came on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 24 January, 2012 Share Posted 24 January, 2012 FWIW I also thought Falque's movement was good and he kept finding spaces without receiving the ball, but the few times he did get it he didn't really do much with it - but that's about getting to know your teammates and getting used to the tempo of the match, reasonably hopeful he'll start to get more comfortable. Whether he'll get the chance to do that with the pressure on results is questionable - same goes for De Ridder, though he's already shown a more tangible end product a few times, he's not had one decent match when he's started and is a guaranteed booking for tackling someone from behind nearly every time he plays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted 24 January, 2012 Share Posted 24 January, 2012 Everybody has an opinion but to criticize De Ridder tonight beggars belief. The manager selected a team that was hopeless in two respects. We got away with Harding against two poor sides but sentiment prevailed. He was exposed by the high tempo and speedy attack. He was grossly at fault for the first goal despite the quality of the shot. Instead of making Nugent go down the line he settled for letting him come inside onto his left foot which opened up Nugent to bend in HIS favoured foot. Falque should not have started he isn't a strong enough player to immediately come in and take part. Ok he had some nice touches, a decent cross early but went missing for periods and often settled for the easy option. He wouldn't have been considered much of a threat by Leicester. Both players should have been substituted shortly after the second goal was scored, it was crass to wait another half hour leaving us only half an hour to try and save the game. It was crying out for Richardson and De Ridder to be brought on to raise the tempo and restore balance. Davis just doesn't get it. If we are to play out from the back to build up with quick pass and move football Davis cannot take the amount of time he does to pass the ball. The goalkeeper has to release the ball instantaneously like any other passing player. To just stand on the ball allowing the opponents to form up and stand about 20 yds off our defenders and then drop them in it with a slow rolling pass behind our player who is being already rapidly closed down, forcing him to hit it long, drop somebody else in it or more often pass it back to Davis for the long ball. Last night we hit more long balls at their centrebacks than I've seen all season and virtually always gave possession away because we were so slow to the breaking ball. Leicester played with the intensity that we adopted early on in the season but have now lost to be replaced by low intensity strolling passing it about game which is alright against low tempo sides but is no threat to hard working teams. Reading showed the way now other sides are adopting the same tactics so we have to get back to fighting for the right to play. Last night only De Ridder, Richardson, Hoiveldt, Fox, to a lesser extent Cork, Guly and Connolly in patches showed the necessary effort and intensity. Schneiderlin and Hammond just didn't fight for the right to play not helped by out of position Harding and lightweight Falque. When I questioned Martin being the only back up centre back and described him as very much a learner I was criticised. Last night it really hurt us, he sold himself by turning his back on a feint and was passed easily for the resultant unpressurised cross to be nodded in. His distribution is poor, he is uncomfortable in possession and his heading is a present to the opposition. We badly need another centre back and a striker that can fill in for Lambert. Hoiveldt is carrying him at the moment. I will say that Fox did a manly job as stand in for Hoiveldt. There was a lot more wrong than the fact De Ridder didn't manage to pull an undeserved rabbit out of the hat. He takes up good positions but rarely is given the ball to run at the defence, eventually he may be after short passing be included often facing his own goal, certainly closed down, having to turn and is almost never released to run past the defence onto a through ball. He is easily one of the quickest players around but we don't use him properly. He could be a devastating counter attacker released quickly but we would rather play up the blind alley into a massed defence on the left and ignore the quick counter up the right. Blaming De Ridder is rediculous, blame the lack of service that's the problem. He always gives 100% and in my opinion is not being given a fair go by the manager. Playing Falque from the start was an insult, he was peripheral and cosmetic and contributed to the slow tempo, something De Ridder could never be accused of. Pretty much nails it, although I think a bit harsh on Martin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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