Chicksen

We’ve suffered from a stream of crosses coming into the box all season. Neither original full back is much good defensively.
Stating wood is much better than chicksen isn’t what I’ve seen this season. They were both awful at Luton. Hopefully wood can add some defensive steel to his game. I’ve seen too many half hearted blocks this season.
Caddis is definitely better than any other full back at the club at getting stuck in and blocking crosses but he ain’t the future.
It wouldn’t be any surprise to see lots of goals conceded from crosses. The sheer amount that get put into our box means we have a higher chance of conceding. Block it!

 

He may well not be up to Meredith standard, however I do think he is better when he has better players around him. In the Oxford games he played well under a different system. I think we have a number of players who are similar.

We can either do what we can to try and lift those players to give their best or we keep saying they are crap and let them flounder. I don’t think anyone has rose tinted glasses, just realism that it is not the players fault they are not good enough. Coaching will help, plus being as fit as possible.

 

Bang on.

We need him to try and perform to the best of his ability until the window opens. He will know that his and other positions need to be strengthened so it’s up to him if he wants to be here long term or not.

 

Rahic has gone, I'm back on board 100%, and loyal to lads that play for my club, providing they give their all.

Anyway, which is it, a team full of crap players, or several crap players ?
We can try clap a little harder, or do you suggest we don't clap at all, not many options at the moment.

Adam isn't ideal and has a tough time filling Meredith's boots.
Brought in by goons.
We've also got young Woods, slowly having his career destroyed in a team recently ran by the same goons.
Phil Parkinson was very tactful in his use of young players, aware that some needed kid gloves in league full of tough seasoned opposition.
DH albeit in a very difficult position, seems to be of a similar mind-set.
So, he opts for Adam

In the 18months we've had Adam, despite the well documented problems within the club, players and fans alike have all had due to Rahic. He's had a fractured cheekbone and serious muscle tear, on return from these serious injuries he's also picked up red cards. A spell here he's personally struggled to get going
He's out of contract in the summer, I suspect he won't get another with us, we'll also probably never see the best of him.

However, for some to call him the worst ever left back the clubs had, or saying he shouldn't be anywhere the first team is a disgrace.

Rose tinted specs you say, really, you think anyone this season wears them.
We're in a mess and need everyone on board.
We've some poor players here, and for now that's all we've got.
Here's a novel idea, support them, that little extra might get 20th spot!
Then we can shift what we need to out of the club.

 

@Onside and @Johnny Yen

I don't think we're necessarily saying different things. Rahic was at the root of our problems but a key aspect of why we're bottom is because of the quality of players we have. We're bottom for a reason - and its not just because Rahic acted the d*ck. He went before the weekend but it didn't stop us conceding another 3 goals.

I'm with you in being 100% behind the team - but I'd also argue that the supporters have done that this season anyway. Even with the animosity towards Rahic, considering the performances we've put in and the position we find ourselves in the players have had tremendous backing.

Anyone who pulls on the shirt and gives 100% will get my backing inside the ground. But it won't stop me from calling out players for not being good enough on here. And Chicksen isn't alone - McGowan, Mellor, Brunker, Wright, NKP have all been shocking in terms of quality. A few others haven't been far behind. There are 4, maybe 5 positions we urgently need to strengthen in January to have any chance of staying up - and Left Back is one. Centre Back, Left wing, Centre Mid and Striker too. If we don't replace Chicksen and at least a couple of others, forget any chance whatsoever of staying up.

 

Chicksen is bang average but the bigger frustration for me is that he seems undroppable Left back is just about the only position we have genuine competition and on current performances Wood deserves another crack

 

Fair comment

A quick generalisation.
I felt team from a couple of years ago had a good spine, yet lacked depth, a bit of a weak underbelly, and that is I felt why we failed in successive play-offs.
Today's team, whilst having several players capable of being part of a decent squad ( sadly mainly the loan lads) hasn't got a spine/backbone to it.
This is to all teams a fundamental requirement.
We need the commanding centre half, midfielder and centre forward, a leader or warrior type in each of those positions.
Then the lesser players can feed, learn and gain confidence from them.
That is my priority for January, without them we're doomed.
And certainly won't be easy both attracting and affording these players.

 

I can’t disagree with any of that. However we are here, Chicksen does put in 100%, He is also a very honest player. A few weeks ago he gave an interview whereby basically he was saying there is no point in feeling sorry for ourselves it is entirely up to the players to put a full shift in when asked and give there all for the club and get the fans onside. I also agree with @Johnny Yen that DH is trying to protect Wood, and not ruin his career, he still has lots to learn.

Ultimately we will have to see how we recruit in January, funnily enough it won’t be down to lack of cash, but our ability to attract what we require.

 

The spine probably is the priority. But then again, we need a winger too!

Its a reflection of where we are that you could make a case for 3 or 4 positions being 'the priority'. The reality is, we need to strengthen in several areas to stay up.

 

Certainly not the worst. And certainly not the worst player in our current squad. I'd personally take Wood over Chicksen, due to Woods ability and desire to get forward, and also commit himself to 100% tackles and put his body on the line.

Chicksen seems too lightweight to defend against quick mobile wingers, sometimes the best way to stop those type of players going round you, is to go through them. He also seems to panic when getting into the final third, resorting to putting crosses in from deep, whereas we know Doyle would love something coming across him rather than to him. Chicksen also has the annoying habit of doing blind clearances rather than taking a bit of time and passing the ball to an available forward or midfield player.

However, some fingers also have to be pointed to the midfield. One of the reasons Mezza was so good, was that he worked with the man in front of him, creating and running onto overlapped passes and getting the ball into the corner of the pitch and to the byline. I can't remember many times this season that has happened - on either flank. Mellor at least tries, but hasn't got the pace to beat a man. Sadly, the same situation with Caddis's legs.

As alluded to, Chicksen (and Wood) are the best left backs we've got at the moment, but come January, I really hope that someone comes in that can work the flanks, and team up with another new player who can attack the wings and provide service for our (new?) forwards.

To be honest, we're all talking about January - especially now Herr Rahic has left the building, so I'm sure as damned the players are too. They must know if what Rupp says is true, then those who are underperforming (read, all the players) are at risk of getting shipped out or benched. Hence the little unbeaten run we're on, and the added fight to get back from a goal down, despite last weekend not really going to plan.

Typical footballers putting in a shift when they know their arse might be on the line!

 

He's certainly not the worst but is the poorer of our 2 left backs by a huge margin. I really don't understand how Wood doesn't get in every week, he's looked our most promising young player this season and was getting better week after week and was then dropped.

I think this has been Hopkins biggest mistake so far.

 

Wood is OK going forward but isnt very good at defending. Chicksen is crap at both.

 

Hahahahahahaha he's a Bantam isn't he !

 

It's not free booze for the match sponsors.

 

Look at what Caddis has brought to the team. The blokes 35? But gets stuck in and defensively is a step forward from what we had.
In context chicksens side still allows a stream of crosses. He doesn’t get close enough to the winger to effect a block or to put them off. A good left back and we have a stronger defensive unit. Was it me or did Walsall target him in the first half with cross field balls. I would. He is a weak link.
In short we need a strong horrible left back. Who stops wingers.

 

Wood must be scratching his head at the moment.

 

He's dogshit.