Jack Shepherd

A centre half is always at risk of bookings and so on by virtue of their task on the pitch. I like Shepherd and I think he has grown into the role as the central centre half. He will be back after serving his suspension v MK Dons I suspect.

 

He is merely showing his immaturity as a football player, there is clearly a player in there, he just needs coaching well.
He will get that as his career progresses.

 

He's going to be a decent player, he's still learning the game and he makes us a better team right now. He needs to cut out some of the moaning (but we have a few that seem intent on getting silly yellow cards), but yesterday's red could have happened to any defender.

This reminds me a bit of the situation when Jordan Pickford was with us. I'm not comparing them in terms of potential, but where they are in learning the game at the professional level. I remember Pickford getting sent off twice for flying out of the box and catching a player, although I think one was rescinded subsequently. He had to learn judgement, but the natural talent and instinct was there, not just as a shot stopper, but as a goalkeeper with the ability to play on edge of the box and distribute the ball effectively - even though I do remember him being dismissed as sh1te by some for being sent off - I know this isn't what you are saying about Shepherd.

If Shepherd was our player and we were still having a similar discussion in a year then you might be right. For now, I think we celebrate the contribution he has made to making us a very solid defensive outfit that ultimately, and perhaps surprisingly, has improved us from last season.

 

With it only being one game that he'll miss, I don't think we'll appeal. Hopefully we play Byrne in the centre Tuesday night and save Huntington for next Saturday

 

Things like this sending off will always happen when you have a lack of pace at the back, our defenders are always holding on for fear of getting turned as they know they cannot catch a quick forward.
I'm surprised more opposition teams haven't played on this.

 

Shephard is by the player of the season for me yes he gets silly bookings but so do a number of defenders at this level. The ref was harsh yesterday but we have seen with him in the team the defence looks stronger. The question is if Kelly is back in 2/3 weeks then Alexander does have defensive headache to deal with because Kelly for me is too good to be left out and we also have Crichlow who looked excellent yesterday.

 

He still flies out of his box ! Totally agree with your comment re Shep…. I just wish he was ours!

 

Arsenal, Man City , Tottenham defenders are all extremely fast athletes they all often get caught out with pace at the back. It just needs the weight on the wrong foot and the defender is left for dead. I don’t honestly think we are faster nor slower than any bang average L2 defenders collectively.

 

He'll play Shepherd on Tuesday I think. His suspension does not apply to an EFL Trophy game I believe.

 

Oh definitely. That's what I meant when I said it's only one game he'll miss.

 

I misunderstood then. You suggested he would play Byrne on Tuesday so that Huntington wasn't playing three games in a row. I think Byrne will only make the bench Tuesday if he is in the squad at all.

 

Yeah, I was thinking Shepherd would play on the left with Byrne in the middle, completely forgetting about Crich!
I think you're right, it will probably be Shepherd in the middle with Byrne on the bench.

 

It'll be Baldwin, Shep, Crich back 3 on Tuesday.
Then Baldwin, Hunts, Crich on Saturday

 

I think that's a bit harsh on Shepherd, he's still a young defender in his 2nd year as a professional. His good points far outweigh his negatives. In December I would agree with that you said about him picking up yellow cards and I've questioned him a couple of times on here about the amount of needless ones but since picking up his 7th against Crewe he's started 10 games and not got one so he has clearly learnt from mistakes earlier in the season. This season i think he's had 2 very poor games (Walsall and Notts county away) and both times he's come back strongly from it which shows a lot of maturity, he's also very clever with the amount of fouls he wins in and around the box that take pressure off the team.

 

Crichlow, Shepherd, Kelly. Quite simple for me. Not bohered they are all left footed. They are the 3 best CBs at the club.