Michael "Lazy Boy" Gilkes - Moaning Time

[GarySTFC]

Well, it was all a false alarm. I though Gilkes had turned the corner. Basing my impressions on the opening few games, big mistake.

 

Whilst he's looked great going forward, he's our biggest defensive liability. In the 4-4-2 system as seen on Friday at Uxbridge, he suddenly finds the energy to burst forward and run with the ball, gets caught or bad pass, he's out of position and walks (slowly) to get back leaving us vulnerable down their right wing.

 

In the 5-3-2 (or 3-5-2) formation he's given almost a free role in the midfield leaving Hakki and Metcalfe with all the running and tracking to do which has often seen our midfield look vulnerable due to being outnumbered.

 

Now at 37 there is an obvious reasons why he's not got the legs in the last 20 or so minutes, but I just hope CJ's back soon so he can use his energy against tired legs in the last 25-30 minutes where as Gilkes is usually knackered.

 

Gilkes has improved on last season and seems to be a good vocal coach, but he's not getting any younger and CJ still deserves his chance after causing Maidenhead problems with his pace and trickery in the friendly earlier this season.

[Chris]

Rubbish!

 

For a start you have said it yourself. Gilkes is 37. He can't run up and down like a 21 year old anymore. He is an excellent attacking threat and has had a good start to the season. In an ideal world you would probably replace CJ with him after 70 - 80 minutes as he looks knackered, but he is much more defensive minded and works very well with Barras at left back.

 

Were doing well and Michael is playing well, so the point of slagging him off is?

 

Chris

[GarySTFC]

The point is we're going to get caught of because of it sooner or later. Byron is actually a left sided player so I'm told who can also play in the middle and would almost be a better alternative to Gilkes on the left (In terms of workrate only).

 

My exact point of him being 37 is that he can't do it for 90 minutes any more and he's proven that to me in the opening games so far, yet we've not taken the opportunity to sub him off with fresher legs.

 

I'll be keeping a close eye on him on Tuesday to see an improvement although I can't see it coming.

[Guest]

I also think you are out of order there Gary,at this level it looks to me that Gilkes could go passed anybody,and if he's up for it,which he has been this season so far,the potential for goals via his crosses is a weapon that we surely must keep in the side.Fair enough if he tires towards the end sub him,personally I would play him as an out and out winger.

Apparently(according to my dad that is)Slough had an ex Wycombe right winger Len Worley who was much ,much older than Gilkes and yet his pace and skill was way above anyone elses-my point being no one said ah! he's to old,while he was still producing.

[GarySTFC]

Well that's the thing, he's not producing consistently throughout the game. I'm being harsh on him as he had such a poor season last season and as a result, I'm not a fan, but he certainly didn't have one of his better games on Friday night, but he's improved greatly from last season.

 

Maybe I am being a bit harsh, but I still think he's capable of a lot more.

[Guest]

I didn't think he had one of his better games on friday either. He lost the ball quite a few times trying to get past the defender--however I also remember him running back and tackling, and winning the ball back again on some of the instances, which has got to be applauded. He also remains one of our players who can produce the final telling pass, so I am OK with him in the team even on fridays showing. It will be good to have competition for the team places though--does anyone know when CJ, Wilkinson and Howard are likely to be fit again?

[Guest]

Admittedly Gilkes didn't have the best of games Friday , but compaired to last season , he's a hundred times better . Can't play well every game . I thought Sammy didn't play well Friday , but because he can still score that puts him above any critisism and make him always a good player . I feel Gilkes can do that . At this level he's worth his weight in gold...37 or not . (Wouldn't of said any of that last term !!)

[Guest]

I feel Gilkesy is more effective than CJ on the left. He also tracks back and works harder than anyone in the team. It seems like CJ is gonna be out for the season anyway, so we need to get behind Gilkes.

[Guest]

Oi Jo! Are you drunk? Do you watch any of Sloughs games. Have you seen how skillfull CJ is? I admit Gilkes has got experience but sometimes hardwork gets you out of these divisions. CJ works harder on the left and has more pace to get behind the defence. We will need him back soon because at 37 Gilkes might struggle after Xmas.

[Guest]

Have to agree with Jo on this one. CJ may have a lot of pace but he doesn't do enough when he gets past people. Half the time he just runs it out of play. Gilkes has started this season superbly (granted I didn't see the St Leonards match) and has been delivering dangerous crosses and taking on opposition defences. At this moment in time Gilkes is the man in possession in the left wing position and to be honest I can't see the good in changing that for the foreseeable future (and personally I don't think Browne will change it, for now). <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shotgun.gif" alt="" />

[Paul Stephens]

Well lets be seriour for a moment. gilkes was a hige disapointment last season simply because he HAS th skill but failed to apply it - on a consistent basis. There were odd flashes but no regular application. This season he has been much more prepared to tackle back and get involved, but there have still been some games where he has drifted out of play. At 37 I dont expect him to be flying past the defenders on the outside every time. He does have skill, pace in bursts, and most importantly a wise head on his sholder. He can provide a telling pass, or look up and supply a good cross. He can also still get discouraged, and make a poor cross. I think I have said befor this is the ryman league not the Premier.

 

So far this season he has been an asset to the club, and should be encouraged nor barracked. I know i have said before that critisising your own team is the worst thing you can do. Positive critisisim is one thing - negativity and foul mouthing is another. On that vein what has Tony Boot done to diserve such critisism, he has hardly had a game, had no service when he has, and yet people are saying he's useless. Lets be serious we don have the tallest front six at the moment, and yet we still bash the ball up in the air, not lay it on the ground

[Paul Stephens]

OK how does this spell check thing work?

[Guest]

I have already praised Mr Gilkes earlier and his two goals on Saturday proved that he is worth including in the team,surely if he wants to be taken seriously as a coach,he has to be seen to be trying,otherwise he leaves himself open to criticism from those he his coaching.And all the foul mouthed abuse from so called fans,whose only claim to football fame is reading about what others acheive,does not help at all.

A much more important question is why after such a good display against Northwood has Steve Hale suddenly become one of the subs?

[Martin]

<blockquote><font class="small">Quote tara_deans:</font><hr />

otherwise he leaves himself open to criticism from those he his coaching.And all the foul mouthed abuse from so called fans,

 

<hr></blockquote>

The "abuse" was not directed at Gilkes as a person but as a player. His performance was being criticised in strong terms and higher performance expectations were made clear. Gilkes took it personally and responded with foul mouth abuse of his own directed apparently at Nigel. Football is a passionate game and the fans have the right to express opinions. But let's not worry too much about all this, we won and let's hope it continues.