Blair Sturrock

[Wise Head]

Foe those that like stats here some more to remind us on Blair as a striker.

One goal in the last 10 games - against Rotheram (a) on 15th January 2011.

Two goals in the last 22 games - against Rotheram (h) on 30th October 2010.

Can't be arsed to go back further but the point is stats can make people look good or bad.

 

[Beefy]

Foe those that like stats here some more to remind us on Blair as a striker.

One goal in the last 10 games - against Rotheram (a) on 15th January 2011.

Two goals in the last 22 games - against Rotheram (h) on 30th October 2010.

Can't be arsed to go back further but the point is stats can make people look good or bad.

That point would only be worth a dime if there was anyone on here that claims that Sturrock is in the team to score goals. The argument is that Blair brings more to the team than goals and that we're stronger with him in the team than without. Your stats don't disprove that theory.

 

[chapperzUK]

There isn't half some guff on this thread!

He is no better than a L2 hacker - I believe he has never been signed by a Football League Manager, other than his Dad, and his goal scoring record for a 30 year old after what, 13 years of pro football is crap.

To the 95% (where on earth did you get that percentage from?) who think he's brilliant - would you have signed him in the summer if you were aware he was available? I do not believe anyone would have signed him - the only person who gives him a game is his Dad, end of.

Well done for pointing out that he isn't a goalscorer ..... about 90 posts too late though.

I have to admit, when we first signed him, many on here (if not EVERYONE) was sceptical about him being here and that he was only here because of his dad and/or to make up the numbers, and the fact that he has won over many of these fans has shown that he does offer something to the side and the stats are there to back it up.

We are moaning that a striker who plays with his back to goal and rarely shoots, has scored 5 goals this season. According to the OS, he has had 45 shots, 44% have been on target. Compare this record to the past couple of seasons (yes I know that we were in league one at the time, but you can only play against what is put infront of you).

Sturrock has played 29 times in the league and scored 5 goals. A strike rate of 17.24%.
Walker played 47 times in the league and scored 4 goals. A strike rate of 8.51%.
Revell played 36 times in the league and scored 4 goals. A strike rate of 11.11%
Barnard played 77 times, scoring 35 goals. A strike rate of 45.45%.
Freedman played 36 times, scoring 6 goals. A strike rate of 16.67%.

So compared to our previous strikers, he has done better than the majority, with only Barnard doing better and even he had a poor record in front of goal before joining us with only 4 goals in 30 games, although he had never played more than 10 league games for the same club before joining us.

 

[C'mon you Shrimpers]

I wrote this in September and it seems we're still going round and round with the same old arguments. For me Sturrock is the most tactically aware manager I've had the pleasure of seeing in 50 years. I thought it was interesting that Owen Coyle was saying recently that he'd done his coaching badges in Scotland and England and the Scottish one was far superior.
Anyway I said this, "This thread is completed mad. When Sturrock had his success at Plymouth he used Micky Evans in a similar way as his son. What happens is the midfield are encouraged to bomb up and create/score. Can't people remember then demolishing us a few seasons ago. Although ostensibly playing one up front they regularly had more players in our box than us. Little wonder Grant is playing so well and scoring or at least testing the keeper. BTW Evans scored 35 goals in 221 games in his second spell at Plymouth. Probably makes him a flop in SUFC fans eyes as he was a striker so should have scored at least 100 goals but he was pivotal to Plymouth's success.
Of course he was not the manager's son".

 

[Wise Head]

That point would only be worth a dime if there was anyone on here that claims that Sturrock is in the team to score goals. The argument is that Blair brings more to the team than goals and that we're stronger with him in the team than without. Your stats don't disprove that theory.

It is impossible to prove or disprove this theory as he has been in the side most of the season. We have not tried any alternative to him for any length of time and Sturrock senior is unlikely to do so. At the moment our other strikers options are two youngsters who are not ready for first team football at this level. Like all the other players in the squad all you can do is form an opinion from what you see. For me the influencial players bringing more to the team this season are the likes of Easton, Barker, Moshni, Grant, Hall, Ferdinand & Corr. If you want to add Blair to the list or even discard this list and put it all down to Blair then that's your opinion, but I don't agree with it.

 

[CAPTAIN BIRDSEYE]

i am so pleased that many of you on here absolutely love sturrock, I suspect, for some ppl, its more about, defending him no matter what as he is the son of the current manager. I wonder what would have happened, if we had got another manager with a footballing son, even crapper that blair if thats possible. I bet many many many of you would come out with the rubbish "he offers something we dont have etc etc " . To sum it all up. Sturrock knew his son was unwell, but still played him, despite having a large squad with other players to choose from . that sums that adams family up(sorry I meant the sturrock family)

 

[C'mon you Shrimpers]

i am so pleased that many of you on here absolutely love sturrock, I suspect, for some ppl, its more about, defending him no matter what as he is the son of the current manager. I wonder what would have happened, if we had got another manager with a footballing son, even crapper that blair if thats possible. I bet many many many of you would come out with the rubbish "he offers something we dont have etc etc " . To sum it all up. Sturrock knew his son was unwell, but still played him, despite having a large squad with other players to choose from . that sums that adams family up(sorry I meant the sturrock family)

debate's over. How can we argue with such an erudite post as this.

:stunned:

 

[Pubey]

i am so pleased that many of you on here absolutely love sturrock, I suspect, for some ppl, its more about, defending him no matter what as he is the son of the current manager. I wonder what would have happened, if we had got another manager with a footballing son, even crapper that blair if thats possible. I bet many many many of you would come out with the rubbish "he offers something we dont have etc etc " . To sum it all up. Sturrock knew his son was unwell, but still played him, despite having a large squad with other players to choose from . that sums that adams family up(sorry I meant the sturrock family)

Are you claiming that this is the first time a manager has ever picked a half-fit/unwell player to start a game?

 

[GBJ]

Is there any team who has two 15+ a season goalscorers?

This 15+ a season striker is a myth and two of them bloody 'ell that's just a legend.

Let's see, Donaldson and Miller at Crewe, Constable and Craddock at Oxford are on course for it. Barnard and Lambert at Saints, And from the recent past there was Mackail-smilth and Maclean at Posh, Charlie Austin and Paynter at Swindon, Becchio and Beckford at Leeds, Fryatt and Howard at Leicester

So actually yes, it is possible to have two 15+ goalscorers in your team

 

[Smiffy]

Let's see, Donaldson and Miller at Crewe, Constable and Craddock at Oxford are on course for it. Barnard and Lambert at Saints, And from the recent past there was Mackail-smilth and Maclean at Posh, Charlie Austin and Paynter at Swindon, Becchio and Beckford at Leeds, Fryatt and Howard at Leicester

So actually yes, it is possible to have two 15+ goalscorers in your team

Davies and Whitaker at Chesterfield are another pair well on course for 15+ each. Infact they could have 3 on 15+ if Lester picks up a bit. Goulding and Thomas at Cheltenham are another pair on course. I would of also put money on Benyon (If he was still there) Robinson/Zebrowksi getting 15 a piece at Torquay as well.

 

[GBJ]

Davies and Whitaker at Chesterfield are another pair well on course for 15+ each.

Good point Smiffish.

 

[chapperzUK]

i am so pleased that many of you on here absolutely love sturrock, I suspect, for some ppl, its more about, defending him no matter what as he is the son of the current manager. I wonder what would have happened, if we had got another manager with a footballing son, even crapper that blair if thats possible. I bet many many many of you would come out with the rubbish "he offers something we dont have etc etc " . To sum it all up. Sturrock knew his son was unwell, but still played him, despite having a large squad with other players to choose from . that sums that adams family up(sorry I meant the sturrock family)

So you are saying that the only reason we are defending him is because he is the manager's son, correct?

Therefore, the majority of us would have backed him from the start, correct?

Well, the majority didn't. http://www.shrimperzone.com/vb/showthread.php?62057-Blair-Sturrock-Yes-or-No - PROOF! If we conduct a similar poll now, we could see the real affect that Blair has had. 35% of those said that he is worth a look, let alone signing him and I wonder how many of those that would have picked the "sign him up" option, it is were available, because it would mean us making up the numbers for the season.

On the point of having two 15+ goalscorers. The only reason why the ones mentioned have had success is because the service has been provided for them. As I previously pointed out, we had Robinson and Barnard partnered up front for half a season, and when our plan A didn't work, the hoof ball tactic came in, so this could be down to Tilson's approach or the lack of an extra dimension.

Also, Steve Howard is not a goalscorer.

 

[Beefy]

Plus I don't remember too many people defending Danny Webb.

 

[Rob Noxious]

So you are saying that the only reason we are defending him is because he is the manager's son, correct?

Therefore, the majority of us would have backed him from the start, correct?

Well, the majority didn't. http://www.shrimperzone.com/vb/showthread.php?62057-Blair-Sturrock-Yes-or-No - PROOF! If we conduct a similar poll now, we could see the real affect that Blair has had. 35% of those said that he is worth a look, let alone signing him and I wonder how many of those that would have picked the "sign him up" option, it is were available, because it would mean us making up the numbers for the season.

On the point of having two 15+ goalscorers. The only reason why the ones mentioned have had success is because the service has been provided for them. As I previously pointed out, we had Robinson and Barnard partnered up front for half a season, and when our plan A didn't work, the hoof ball tactic came in, so this could be down to Tilson's approach or the lack of an extra dimension.

Also, Steve Howard is not a goalscorer.

Except against us. :'(

 

[Shrimpergonzo]

Just had a look at Blair's career stats. - the most goals he's ever scored for a club is 6 which he has done four times in his career (Swindon, Rochdale, Kidderminster, Brechin). Another couple of goals this season and his time with Southend will be his most prolific in his career! He's aleady started more games for us than any other club he's played for.

http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=16985

 

[GBJ]

Also, Steve Howard is not a goalscorer.

1 goal every 3.3 games says otherwise

 

[chapperzUK]

1 goal every 3.3 games says otherwise

Wow, didn't realise that. I live with a Leicester season ticket holder and he says that Howard'd hold up play is great, but his pace and shooting is shocking. Of course he hardly gets a look in now with Sven playing Vassell and Yakubu up front.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Plus points for Blair Sturrock: 1) Gives 100% 2) Probably plays better for his Dad than for other managers/coaches

Minus points: 1) Rarely scores, shooting is poor 2) Plays most of the game with his back to goal making it easy for defenders 3) By way of (2) he never goes past anyone 4) Seems just an 'easy ball ' type of player 5) Given his low amount of goals scored, his assist count is not very high.

Although he seems to be a genuine guy I prefer the judgement of many people in the game who see him as a non-league player (Truro City, Mansfield etc)
If I were a Division 2 defender I would rather be marking Blair as he will never run at you or try to turn you.

If I was a division 2 defender I'd much rather players just tried to run at me or tried to turn me rather than drag me out of position and create big holes in the defence. Just have a look at how few goals in this division come from defenders being turned and how many goals come from defenders being out of position or how many goals come from balls out wide being played into the box after the ball's been held up.

But then if I wanted to trust someone's judgement, I'd probably go for a successful manager like Paul Sturrock who's won multiple promotions.

1 goal every 3.3 games says otherwise

Err, that would work out as a 14 goal a season striker (rounded up) if he played every league game - which is in itself unlikely - and not the 15 goal a season man we apparently need.

 

[Gremlin]

I suspect, for some ppl, its more about, defending him no matter what as he is the son of the current manager.

And I suspect, quite strongly, that there are more people who knock him beacuase he is the son of the current manager.

 

[GBJ]

Wow, didn't realise that. I live with a Leicester season ticket holder and he says that Howard'd hold up play is great, but his pace and shooting is shocking. Of course he hardly gets a look in now with Sven playing Vassell and Yakubu up front.

Very prolific for Luton. Almost 1 in 2. Hasn't been as prolific for Leicester, granted.