Defenders

[rsheard]

At the risk of asking something radical (i.e., about the squad rather than politics), I'd like a little help in learning about the defenders. Reading match reports and listening to the BBC commentary has started to give me a sense of the midfield and strikers, but not much about the defenders.

 

Would any of the local supporters care to summarize the strengths and weaknesses of the Fleet defenders?

 

And before I get the obligatory response of "come see for yourself," I will. But I can't get there until April and I'd like to have a better sense of that part of the squad before then.

[PatMan]

Feck it - I'll go first rsheard! Then everyone can agree or disagree, its a game of opinions Brian.

 

Peter Hawkins - versatile - has played centre-half as well as his better and preferred position of left back. Strong competition for this position with Sacha Opinel. Good solid tackler.

 

Sacha Opinel - French! Enough said! LOL. Fans favourite for his never say die attitude. Strong contender for player of the season. Gallic swagger when running, happy to tackle anyone - usually wins ball, often taking man as well!

 

James Smith - Big fella in middle of defence. Reliable, dependable.

 

Gary MacDonald - Not really seen enough of him to make an honest opinion - serious injury at start of season. Looks ok tho.

 

Mark Ricketts - Does exactly what it says on the tin. Cant fault his attitude. Plays mainly in right back position, and very rarely gets beaten.

 

Ronnie Bull - newest addition to squad. Good reviews so far. But I can't really say as not seen him enough.

 

Paul McCarthy - Last years Player of the season voted by the players and the fans. Club captain. Awesome presence when on the field. Knows what has to be done, and does it well. (has handled the ball on the line twice so far this season, getting himself sent off - knowing Lance would have a good chance of saving penalty, which he did!!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ifa]

I would say that James Smith is probably the seasons most improved player. His distribution can be a little suspect still but he has matured and developed since his hernia operation.

[Slartibartfast]

What they said.

 

Only thing I would add is that Hawkins and Macca are very experienced or getting on a bit depending on your point of view.

 

Smithy has stepped up to the mark this season we could probably do with a quick young central defender to come in and gradually take over from either of the old men.

[PatMan]

Originally Posted By: Slartibartfast

Only thing I would add is that Hawkins and Macca are very experienced or getting on a bit depending on your point of view.

Slarti - am sure Peter only LOOKS old - he's 29, so I would think a few good years left in him yet!

[Jeff]

Hawkins is 32. Apart from that. What you said.

[PatMan]

From the official EUFC site:

Peter Hawkins

 

AGE:

29

DATE of BIRTH:

18 September 1978

 

[Jeff]

Oh get you.

 

Am sure he is 32.

 

I don't care.

[PatMan]

I will only worry about it when he plays like an old man!

[Jeff]

True enough. Am going to bed now.

[MrMushroom]

James Smith and Mark Ricketts were 'shortlisted' for the England C team.

 

Sacha is also good at getting forward.

[Andy Y. (G&NFC)]

Here's my opinion on them for what its worth.

 

Hawkins - Solid and dependable. Pretty much as everyone else has said. A good player for a crisis. a bit of an unsung hero as he seems to just get on with the job in hand.

 

Sacha - Ah Sacha! I had real issues with this guy last year as he forever broke the defenders golden rule of always staying on your feet. His temperment was/is suspect but in both cases he appears to have matured this year. I get the feeling that Mr Daish has worked on these aspects of his game and its paying dividends for us. You get the feeling he would die for the club!

 

Ricketts - My personal favourite as an ex defender meself! I could watch this guy play football for hours as he has a rare thing in a young player and thats positional sense. I've also seen him play very well as a man-marker, the Grays game last year if you recall? He is a bit suspect injury wise and his distribution could do with some improvement but he is one that could well go places.

 

Smith - The most improved player of the year. Enough said? My Daughter fancies him.... So he may end the season walking with a limp if he isn't careful!

 

McCarthy - The guy is a legend in my opinion. He has no speed and dodgey knees but his expierience always gets him through. We always play much better with him in the side as he is a true leader. I would wager that he has been one of the best buys the club has ever made. A possible future manager of the club?

 

MacDonald - Not really seen enough of him to form a true opinion but he was highly thought of at Woking and appears to be the natural successor to McCarthy. I have liked what little I have seen as he appears to be a classic no -nonsense player who plays within his limitations.

 

Bull - No idea not seen him!

[EUFC superb]

Originally Posted By: Andy Y. (G&NFC)

A possible future manager of the club?

He seems to be doing a good job with Ian Docker and the PASE team. And from what I've seen of Hawkins, with his personality on the pitch, I think he may make a good number 2.
This is of course very hypothetical, as Liam and AK are doing a fantastic job with the club.

[1kieron1fleet]

we have good defenders but this is what my line up would be if i was liam:

cronin

DEFENDERS:

sasha (left)

hawkins (centre)

smith (centre)

mcphee (right)

MIDFIELD:

purcell (left)

long (inside left or on the right)

barret (centre)

bostwick (right or center)

STRICKERS:

akinde (left)

chukki (right)

 

thanks,

kieron

[Jeff]

No Macca or Ricketts?

[1kieron1fleet]

ricketts would be a good sub and macca to negative i think

 

thanks,

kieron

[Jeff]

I think that we look much better when Macca is playing.

He marshalls them very well.

[BustaGut]

Originally Posted By: Jeff

I think that we look much better when Macca is playing.
He marshalls them very well.

I agree at times he maybe slow, but makes up for it by reading the game very well.

[Emily]

You'd have to be mad to leave McCarthy out.

 

And as for him being negative? This is the man who has stopped us conceding a goal twice this season by handling the ball, resulting in him being sent off. He'd put himself on the line for the team in any situation. That's loyalty not negativity!!

[rsheard]

All the analysis is very much appreciated. Can I risk another question?

 

4-4-2 or 4-3-3?

 

I haven't seen the Fleet play either, of course, but in some of the games when Liam switched to 4-3-3, it appears from the commentary that we started dominating play at that stage. It may be down to subs and fitness late in the match; I don't know. But I wondered what your opinions were of the two formations and which one you think suits the Fleet players the best (most of the time)?