Morris and Akinde

[michael]

It looks as though we are going to need all of our players over the next 4 months,and from those there yesterday, wonder how you thought Akinde and Morris shaped up ?

Particularly Morris, as i always felt we were one short in central midfield,and DS or SM are bound to get sent off soon !!

 

Good reports on Young and Smith together-but is that defensive pairing going to be consistently good enough and physically strong enough to hold fast against other Ryman attacks week after week

 

Frankly, squad looks somewhat depleted.

 

Is Watson still on the scene and where will he do a job for us.

 

If reported correctly, i find it incredible that another player alledgedly failed to tell RT that he was going on holiday this week-not exactly keen to get in the team then.!!Looks like JJ may be out for couple of games,and there was his opportunity.

 

Pity all this has come just before the cups start,and limits our chances of progressing in these cups yet again.

 

Up the 'Gate

[BlueGate Alan]

Morris I thought did pretty well, certainly got stuck in. Akinde held ball up well at times but still seems to lack something, maybe just experience?

 

Watson was there yesterday and cast of his arm now so maybe be in contention soon. Which player are we talking about going on holiday Michael?

[Cookie]

Hi Michael,as you know from what I have seen of Akinde in pre-season I believe he will be a major player..in time. I say in time because yesterday I was disappointed with him. He got a good crack at it yesterday by being given around 70 minutes to show his worth. On two occasions he DID show how pacey & skilful he can be when he eased past the full back with good speed & footwork. His final ball however was poor.He was asked to play up front central & I don't think this is his best position.Out wide he has the skills & pace but though he is tall he isn't the best in the air & lost too many balls up there.He needs encouragement too to get into the game more.Seeing him stand on the half-way line when we were defending,with his hands on his hips isn't a good sign in my book.His work rate when not on the ball needs addressing & he needs put himself into the game more.Yes he had a real chance to put his case yesterday & no he didn't take it but there were a few glimpses of what he CAN do & he should do more of the same when given his opportunities in the future.. Just a little more work & involvement on his part he'll come good I'm sure of it.

Morris acquitted himself well in the short time that he was out there & did what he had to do well.

[djw]

Well, my first game of the season ! And I was impressed. Young/Smith at the back seemed to work well. We all know the left side combo off Skins/Jackson but I have to say the right hand side looked just as dangerous ! Thought Morris done ok we he come on, Akinde done ok to. The thing that we need to boast is the number of youngsters we have on show !!!! Well done lads looking forward to the next game !

[Cookie]

Originally Posted By: Taffy_Alan

Which player are we talking about going on holiday Michael?

I'm not Michael Alan but I read in the report that it was Axon. Don't know the in's & out's of this but its a shame he wasn't there yesterday as I think he could well have had a longer spell on the pitch than he would normally get. A chance lost to show his worth maybe.

[michael]

Personally i think we have more than enough younger players on show now.

Its ok for the odd game, but does'nt usually work medium term.

 

Pleased about Morris in particular though as i always felt we needed a combatative ball winning/holding CENTRAL midfield player;and indeed when winning ,i would love to see this type of player introduced to central midfield alongside SM and DS to shut the game out.

 

We can't expect Akinde to replace JJ but if he can do 80% of the job short term, that will do, but RT needs to install in him that he has defensive duties to do aswell

[djw]

But the younger players are VERY GOOD....so lets keep on playing them !

[michael]

Ok-if they are very very good, i'll agree.

 

Not quite so sure how it will be on cold and wet nights in autumn though,on heavy pitches-becomes a different game then.

Thats when you need players like McKimm out there battling for you

[Chris1]

Akinde: good pace and chases lost causes. As Cookie says, doesn't get stuck in enough and has to be ordered back to defend. Also took a long time to start looking for the ball, although that might have been nerves.

 

Young/Smith: I was not as impressed as some. The fact that we kept our opponents out for most of the game was more due to them being ineffective than us being strong in central defence. In my opinion that is.

 

Another thing, Charlie Side was superb and outshone Pinns while he was on the pitch. However we can't start every game with two little guys up front. Assuming Haworth will be our first choice with Akinde on the bench, who is going to partner him? For me it would be Side on yesterday's showing and bring Pinns on in the second half.

[Cookie]

I thought Young was superb yesterday & Smith supported him well. Ok Tonbridge werent all that but these two did their jobs well yesterday regardless of that & lets remember they are still only in their late teens.Being plunged in together must have been nervy for them both.A lot of responsibilty was handed to the pair.Its a shame Jay is out now because the way they played together yesterday it COULD have released Jay into midfield.

On another day I agree,against a more forceful & talented outfit maybe that might not be enough but yesterday it was more than enough.

Charlie is looking sharp I agree & he is a perfect example for others sitting on the bench,on how to take your chances & opportunities when they come to you.

 

[Pagey]

I thought Akinde was poor, he is a big lad but can't get his head to the ball. I think he must of had 15 - 20 headers which he lost out to.

 

 

[styx45]

akinde needs to get an attitude seems too nice on the pitch.we lost shape when jimmy went off and never regained it.bloody stupid putting a bloke that has just scored a great hattrick on the wing.defence looked good skins was superb

[just rob]

 

I think all teams must build from the back. Once the back five gell and keep clean sheets or keep goals against to only one we will be fine. So far so good, the two fullbacks are very experienced and cover well and are allways talking to the youngsters. Central mid have performed well and support probably the best 3 front men in the division,(Rob, Pinns & Charlie) let's just keep injuries and suspensions to a minimum. Discipline on the pitch will be very important certain players MUST not let the red mist decend and lose it.

[blueblood]

Akinde is only 18. He is playing in a new team. When on the occasion he linked with a player he knew(Coleman) it was sensational. As the second half progressed and he got more balls played to his feet he began to threaten. Like a lot of the tall guys he seems to be a target for the long high pass, it's not his game. He keeps the ball well and for a youngster can hold off an opponent as well as any one.

He reminds me a lot of that other big lad who we let go in the long past Conference era( just sold to Sheffield Wed for £300,000) Akpo Sodje. DO NOT PLAY TO HIS WEAKNESS BUT,HIS STRENGTH

[TonyM]

IMO,Young/Smith at centre back looks good,they need time together then they can bond,then we can get,when fit JS and SM in the centre of mid that is good.Akinde,well a striker he is not,yes he has pace,but that is it,what worries me more is that when JJ went off our shape went,we have no strenght when a 1st team player needs to come off,saying that big RH would have had a field day out there so hopefully he will be back soon.UP THE GATE.