Barrett Rumour ???

[BrettieAngell]

Indeed, but that was only one occaision. Too many times so far this season we've been crying out for him to release the ball to another player or cross it in but he chooses to try and beat his man for the umpteenth time and either loses it or it's dealt with by the defenders, who have used the time JCR wasted to get back in place.

He's both a blessing and a curse, and that's what's so frustrating about the lad.

I agree, he is very frustrating.

 

[C'mon you Shrimpers]

Adam is so important to this team in terms of spirit and drive we should do everything to keep him. Increase his pay and if necessary give him the captain's armband. He's the sort of bloke you need beside you in the trenches when you're just about to go over the top. He's vital to us having a good season IMHO.

 

[Kris]

I remember against Orient JCR banged in a fantastic first time cross but there was only Harrold in the box.

Indeed. The annoying thing was, it looked like a crap cross because no-one was anywhere near it but it was actually put into the perfect area, that corridor of uncertainty between the penalty spot and the keeper. And yet again there was no-one attacking it.

He also delivered an excellent far post ball to Hooper which the forward should have done better with.

You see, that's the trouble. We barely ever seem to score from crosses from the byline (and that includes from Gower as well, by the way) and as a result, any crosses that do come in are usually forgotten about. And while I agree JCR does still dawdle about on the ball, it's often because there's no-one in the box to aim at. If you watch closely, when JCR receives the ball in wide positions, he will look up to see what the options are. If we have players heading towards the box, he usually does cross early (at least, he did against Orient anyway). If there is no-one in the box, he'll try and hang on to the ball. Sometimes he'll lose it but at other times he'll win a free kick or play a simple pass to the full back.

For the record, I'd actually like to see Tommy Black given more of a chance but I'm not convinced that he'd be any more effective assistance-wise until we get more players attacking the right areas.

 

[Suffolk Blue]

AB may well be Blue through-and-through but he is also a professional footballer with a short career in which to make a living, build up a pension etc. He'd probably prefer it of another CCC team came in for him but to be honest if the offer was right for him, and the club think the fee represents good business, then I'd advise him to take the offer.

From a supporter's view though I'd hate to see him go.

 

[Benfleet Blue]

JCR does CROSS the ball. It's not his fault none of our forwards ever seem to attack the right areas.

Thank God that someone else appreciates the problem. JCR has more talent, effort and workrate than the majority of the team, and to be honest, it's not his fault that Tilly has blessed us with a bunch of Donkey's up front for him to try and work with.

I for one would love JCR to be given a chance up front, I cannot see anyone better running at the last man, but ST would never try that as it would condemn his sad past buys up front.

How anyone can choose Foran over JCR defies me. Foran lasts no more than 25 minutes each game and really offers very little. Hooper has far more talent and a better workrate.

And before anyone says that Foran hasn't been given a chance, remember there is only 1 person who can pick him and he hasn't.

It pays to remember out of Tilly's last forward buys, Harrold, Foran, Paynter and McDonald, Bradbury and Hooper still figure and yet ST always maintains that he will not sign a player for the sake of it. They have to be better than what we already have and when including in the equation Liptak, Black and Richards, only Black appears to be better or even equal to what we have.

His transfer market dealings have been dire, to say the least, and for supporters to get on JCR's back mystifies me given the crap he is given to play with and distribute to.

 

[Flinty]

Thank God that someone else appreciates the problem. JCR has more talent, effort and workrate than the majority of the team, and to be honest, it's not his fault that Tilly has blessed us with a bunch of Donkey's up front for him to try and work with.

I for one would love JCR to be given a chance up front, I cannot see anyone better running at the last man, but ST would never try that as it would condemn his sad past buys up front.

How anyone can choose Foran over JCR defies me. Foran lasts no more than 25 minutes each game and really offers very little. Hooper has far more talent and a better workrate.

And before anyone says that Foran hasn't been given a chance, remember there is only 1 person who can pick him and he hasn't.

It pays to remember out of Tilly's last forward buys, Harrold, Foran, Paynter and McDonald, Bradbury and Hooper still figure and yet ST always maintains that he will not sign a player for the sake of it. They have to be better than what we already have and when including in the equation Liptak, Black and Richards, only Black appears to be better or even equal to what we have.

His transfer market dealings have been dire, to say the least, and for supporters to get on JCR's back mystifies me given the crap he is given to play with and distribute to.

Just a question,

when JCR is running down thew wing, stops cuts back inside, doubles back, does a tripple salko, cuts back and looks up........have you actually seen if anyone original ran into the box for a 1st time cross are are you too busy watching JCR.......

I only ask because this is the norm with him!! if on the 3rd time of running into the box only to find he is still playing with himself on the wing,you become accustomed to never expect a 1st time cross so don't make the run.

On the odd occassion a 1st time cross appears from him no=one is in the box because it is unexpected !!!!

 

[C'mon you Shrimpers]

His transfer market dealings have been dire, to say the least, and for supporters to get on JCR's back mystifies me given the crap he is given to play with and distribute to.[/quote]

Sorry I can't take this lying down as it is simply not true. Tilly has made some excellent signings most people choose to forget about as it does fit their prejudices and some that have clearly not paid off which is a pity. It happens to all managers. The real test is can he get the players he wants in at a price the club can afford. Pity Flo's out of our price range as I think we need a Goater type figure who brings experience into the forward line.

 

[Benfleet Blue]

Just a question,

I only ask because this is the norm with him!! if on the 3rd time of running into the box only to find he is still playing with himself on the wing,you become accustomed to never expect a 1st time cross so don't make the run.

On the odd occassion a 1st time cross appears from him no=one is in the box because it is unexpected !!!!

No - much better have Tilly's last year option, Foran.

Run for 20 - 25 minures then sit on **** for the remainder or just give up if a ball comes near him.

Funny how on so many away games last year, opposition supporters thought JCR was our best player by a mile, but then that was the Championship and the supporters were used to watching and enjoying individual talent.

 

[Kris]

Just a question,

when JCR is running down thew wing, stops cuts back inside, doubles back, does a tripple salko, cuts back and looks up........have you actually seen if anyone original ran into the box for a 1st time cross are are you too busy watching JCR.......

I only ask because this is the norm with him!! if on the 3rd time of running into the box only to find he is still playing with himself on the wing,you become accustomed to never expect a 1st time cross so don't make the run.

On the odd occassion a 1st time cross appears from him no=one is in the box because it is unexpected !!!!

Obviously these are valid questions but the fact is the same problems occur when Gower has the ball on the left. His delivery is consistently good and yet we rarely have anyone attacking his crosses either. In addition, last season Simon Francis on the overlap must have put over at least half a dozen glorious crosses that fizzed across the six yard box pleading to be converted. And guess what, they weren't.

So I don't think it's simply a case of people not bothering to attack the box due to JCR; I just think our players aren't attacking the box in sufficient numbers when generally needed.

 

[seany t]

No - much better have Tilly's last year option, Foran.

Run for 20 - 25 minures then sit on **** for the remainder or just give up if a ball comes near him.

Funny how on so many away games last year, opposition supporters thought JCR was our best player by a mile, but then that was the Championship and the supporters were used to watching and enjoying individual talent.

In all fairness, JCR has been given the best part of 2 seasons to impress, whereas Foran has been given the best half of 2 halves...

We missed his workrate for sure in The Championship when he got injured, BUT he doesn't weigh in nearly often enough with decent crosses and goals compared to Gower

 

[DTS]

JCR does CROSS the ball. It's not his fault none of our forwards ever seem to attack the right areas.

Its pretty hard to attack the ball when it is 7ft over your head, behind you or cut out by the first defender as 99% of JCR's crosses are.

 

[Benfleet Blue]

His transfer market dealings have been dire, to say the least, and for supporters to get on JCR's back mystifies me given the crap he is given to play with and distribute to.

Sorry I can't take this lying down as it is simply not true. Tilly has made some excellent signings most people choose to forget about as it does fit their prejudices and some that have clearly not paid off which is a pity. It happens to all managers. The real test is can he get the players he wants in at a price the club can afford. Pity Flo's out of our price range as I think we need a Goater type figure who brings experience into the forward line.[/QUOTE]

ST's signings have, in the main been woeful. Excellent signings were Goater, for his experience and McCormack, even if he will spend a considerable period suspended, given that Freddy was recommended by Stimson. The jury is still out on Francis and Hammell although in the latter's case, his defending is, to say the least, questionable.

Clarke will, I personally believe, prove to be a liability as he so consistently gets caught out of position, and Liptak and Richards certainly may ultimately be good back up, but none have the experience we needed to replace Prior. Our dfending is currently woeful, and we are being left exposed right across the back.

ST bought Bailey and Black and whilst these may, at some point in the future prove to be good signings, we'll probably never know as ST will always pick the central pairing of Maher and McCormack. Black may yet get a chance.

Of the front runners Paynter, Harrold and Foran are dreadful buys, whether or not you like to admit it. Money wasted since I doubt any club would give us a penny for any of them. ST bought, but won't play McDonald, and Hooper would be one for the future but appears not to be happy at the club if rumours are anything to go by.

We had a chance to try and stay in the Championship last January but, for whatever reason RM would not invest to stay up and we have now lost, for a knockdown price, the one asset that in the main, brought about our success in the first place.

I appreciate that Freddy's don't grow on trees, but for God's sake the dreadful signings that ST has made have surely been made in desparation. Can you name any other club that would have bidded for them, because I can't think of many clubs that would want them on a free let alone pay !

Tilly's signings, in the main, have been woeful, and the bad signings far outweigh the good ones.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing but then bring into the equation the letting go of Michael Kightly, short sighted to say the least, and possibly even James Lawson who is certainly no worse than what Tilly brought in, and a decision I believe may later also come back to haunt him, and you haven't got a manager with the best credentials in the transfer market.

I'm certainly not prejudiced, I'm a realist and one who looks quite objectively at the situation as a whole.

I think the story tells itself in that we have won 10 games in the last 50 competitive league fixtures. Do you believe that to be an excellent record also ?

 

[Benfleet Blue]

Sorry the last post was duplicated.

 

[C'mon you Shrimpers]

sorry BB, you've mentioned Goater, no mention of Barrett, Eastwood, Sodje, JCR. I could go on but frankly can't be arsed. Some signings have not come off. I accept that but you have to be balanced or your arguments lose all credibility.

 

[Stats]

On the subject of footballers crossing the ball.

JCR if he is going to cross the ball always seems to have to get to the goal line to do it. Now why does he feel he has to do this.

David Beckham, the best crosser of a ball in recent years in world football has made a career of crossing ball from the edge of the box.

I'm not saying JCR has the crossing ability of Beckham but why not mix it up a little, he must be so predictable to defenders at the moment as oppo manager i'd be telling my defenders to show him the line after all 9 times out of 10 he'll do nothing with it.

 

[Pubey]

On the subject of footballers crossing the ball.

JCR if he is going to cross the ball always seems to have to get to the goal line to do it. Now why does he feel he has to do this.

David Beckham, the best crosser of a ball in recent years in world football has made a career of crossing ball from the edge of the box.

I'm not saying JCR has the crossing ability of Beckham but why not mix it up a little, he must be so predictable to defenders at the moment as oppo manager i'd be telling my defenders to show him the line after all 9 times out of 10 he'll do nothing with it.

last time we scored direct from a decent cross onto a head was against cheltenham, when che did exactly that... crossed from deeper (level with the edge of the box) and the angle dropped it straight onto bradburys head

 

[biffo]

sorry BB, you've mentioned Goater, no mention of Barrett, Eastwood, Sodje, JCR. I could go on but frankly can't be arsed. Some signings have not come off. I accept that but you have to be balanced or your arguments lose all credibility.

I would say that BB gave a very coherant, balanced and well thought out response! Just because you cant be 'arsed' to counter it, it's a bit rich to claim he loses credibility!

 

[C'mon you Shrimpers]

I said i couldn't be arsed because I know that he's made as many good buys as buys that hasn't paid off. You list them if you like. If you think failing to mention any of the decent buys is balanced and coherent then that's you're problem.

 

[Beefy]

I would say that BB gave a very coherant, balanced and well thought out response! Just because you cant be 'arsed' to counter it, it's a bit rich to claim he loses credibility!

Surely the comment that James Lawson should have been kept on loses him some credibility?

:)

As for Tilly's signings, well 12 months ago people were saying on here that he'd never made a bad signing. Some of the newer players struggled in the Championship but so did most of the existing players including at times, for whatever reason, Freddy Eastwood.

On the JCR issue.... I think Jamal is the most frustrating footballer I've ever seen at Southend. Someone said he should be given a run up front because of his pace running at defenders but I haven't seen anything to suggest that he'd do anything other than run up to the defender, stop and then check inside. If he ever ran past players he'd be so much more effective. He crosses it more than people says that he does but it's a complete lottery where it will end up which is partly why our strikers don't bother attacking the cross as it's about to come in.

I'd have him in the team though. If and when it comes together for him he'll destroy teams at this level.

 

[Beefy]

I've just noticed that this thread is about Barrett... I'd be surprised if it's true that he's off to Colchester, partly because of who the buying club would be but mainly because of the huge hole that he'd leave here. Every player has his price but I'd suspect that Adam Barrett's value to us at the moment is way beyond anything that Colchester could afford. Having lost Sodje & Prior, and looking at our squad list we'd be screwed without Barret..