Question Dickinson

[defender05]

He could be very good for us but like Harris if we keep knocking sixty yards balls to him then you might as well play another centre half upfront Moshni.

I thought once Saywer came on and we started passing the ball about more he looked better and when he is on the ball he looks good. A few others have already mentioned about him not winning headers, when he jumped he won his fair share but a lot of the time he stood there and let the centre half jump all over him. I think he would be better playing off a target man not being it.

 

[Medway Blue]

I wish people would stop drawing attention to his 'inability' in the air. FWIW he did actually win some stuff, but it doesn't matter. He is good with the ball at his feet and will do damage with them. Instead of bringing in players who have already developed, trying to change their games and fit them to the tactics, the management should be fitting the tactics to the players. When we played agricultural yesterday in the first half he didn't get a look in. When we played it into his feet in the second half, he looked dangerous. Play to his strengths and he will come good.

 

[Bromley Blue]

I wish people would stop drawing attention to his 'inability' in the air. FWIW he did actually win some stuff, but it doesn't matter. He is good with the ball at his feet and will do damage with them. Instead of bringing in players who have already developed, trying to change their games and fit them to the tactics, the management should be fitting the tactics to the players. When we played agricultural yesterday in the first half he didn't get a look in. When we played it into his feet in the second half, he looked dangerous. Play to his strengths and he will come good.

Great point and I think this can be said for Neil Harris too. I couldn't make it last night but went on Saturday and I thought there were a few times where the ball was played over the top for Harris to run onto. He's 34 FFS so thats probably not the best idea.

That said I saw enough in Harris to know he's going to be key this year and its going to take a bit of time before the whole team hits form and we play to certain players' strengths.

 

[Welly7]

I was impressed last night with him. Good feet, strong, intelligent and offered a goal threat. But, with Dickinson his ability is hard to question and the one thing I was concerned about when he signed (apart from injuries) was whether he wanted it enough.
He's had a lot of clubs for whatever reason and I feared he might come to us and just go through the motions if it wasn't going his way (Leon Clarke!).
Last night though, I thought he applied himself very well, worked hard and that really impressed me - hopefully it won't be a one off!
If he can carry on with that type of application then, with his talent, he'll be a real assset to the team.

 

[fredheim_holm]

He looks a top, top player.

Absolute nightmare to defend against as can beat defenders on the ground and in the air. Has strength, skill and composure. About the only thing he appears to lack is fitness.

I'm seriously impressed and can't understand why more people haven't been raving about his pedigree and potential.

Agreed. Looks like a very good signing indeed and if I was to choose to keep one of our strikers and lose the rest, as long as he stays fit, then on yesterdays showing I'd certainly take Dickinson. Much more to come from the lad, and I can see Plymouth fans being a bit miffed at the end of the year.

 

[silentshrimper]

Looks a great player to me, I would say he won about 30-40% of headers 1 on 1, which surely isn't bad against a central defender who's job it is to head it back down the pitch. More worryingly I didn't see Moshni win any headers in defence when challenged by their strikers.

Great feet and skills, looks for the pass, so unlucky not to score last night with that great header and the other strike which was well saved.

Got a feeling over 50% of our goals this season will be headers.

 

[Shrimpergonzo]

I was impressed last night with him. Good feet, strong, intelligent and offered a goal threat. But, with Dickinson his ability is hard to question and the one thing I was concerned about when he signed (apart from injuries) was whether he wanted it enough.
He's had a lot of clubs for whatever reason and I feared he might come to us and just go through the motions if it wasn't going his way (Leon Clarke!).
Last night though, I thought he applied himself very well, worked hard and that really impressed me - hopefully it won't be a one off!
If he can carry on with that type of application then, with his talent, he'll be a real assset to the team.

Great post - absolutely spot on!

There was one time when he tracked back and made a brilliant tackle. My brother-in-law is a Brighton season ticket holder and said Dickinson is alright but a bit lazy. Didn't see any of that last night - lumbering yes, but lazy no!

 

[Clinton Baptiste]

Looks like he had good feet for a big man.

 

[sirbois]

I agree he seems loathe to leave the ground. Perhaps he gets air sick. Joking aside He just seems to be lacking matches. Over time could be a good buy.

 

[kentblues]

Until Canvey he hadn't played for 3 months thru injury and has hardly had a pre season- so got to be a good effort from him to play 12o mins and contribute. Very positive start.

 

[1966 and all that]

Looks a great player to me, I would say he won about 30-40% of headers 1 on 1, which surely isn't bad against a central defender who's job it is to head it back down the pitch. More worryingly I didn't see Moshni win any headers in defence when challenged by their strikers.

Great feet and skills, looks for the pass, so unlucky not to score last night with that great header and the other strike which was well saved.

Got a feeling over 50% of our goals this season will be headers.

Totally agree.

 

[Blue_Wes]

I wish people would stop drawing attention to his 'inability' in the air. FWIW he did actually win some stuff, but it doesn't matter. He is good with the ball at his feet and will do damage with them. Instead of bringing in players who have already developed, trying to change their games and fit them to the tactics, the management should be fitting the tactics to the players. When we played agricultural yesterday in the first half he didn't get a look in. When we played it into his feet in the second half, he looked dangerous. Play to his strengths and he will come good.

I would say that given Sturrock's preference to play with two natural wide men, and that both our goals so far this year have come from headed crosses, that it's pretty important that our men up top are good in the air. You only have to look at Hall and Corr last year to see how important it is, and even Sturrock managed to convert a couple in the air.

That said, I agree he does have good feet, and looked a very good player after the first half.

 

[Bromley Blue]

I would say that given Sturrock's preference to play with two natural wide men, and that both our goals so far this year have come from headed crosses, that it's pretty important that our men up top are good in the air. You only have to look at Hall and Corr last year to see how important it is, and even Sturrock managed to convert a couple in the air.

That said, I agree he does have good feet, and looked a very good player after the first half.

Whilst I agree with the fact Sturrock likes to play quite a direct style with a targetman striker I don't agree that Dickinson needs to fit this mould in order to succeed here. Managers constantly look for players that can suit a number of different systems and I would think that Dickinson was brought in to offer us a different style of attack. For example, the direct style we saw at times last year is not likely to be as successful against a Stevenage-esque team with a quartet of giants as a back 4.

As other posters have noted in recent days a player like Lee Sawyer could bring the best out of Dickinson by encouraging passing to feet and looking for the through ball rather than long aerial balls all the time. I also think this style would get the best out of Neil Harris and would be much easier on the eye. However when Barry Corr plays the temptation will always be there to hit it long.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Dickinson has looked far better in the air than the likes of Harris, Crawford, Asante or Paterson.

Pretty much any forward is going to look better if their strike partner does all the hardwork and if the midfield puts the ball on a plate for them. The team though is going to look better if that player can roll his sleeves up and do the dirtywork as well as the fancy stuff, like Dickinson was doing Tuesday.

 

[Smiffy]

Although Dicko is a big lad. I actually think he is much better with the ball played to his feet, rather than hopeful hoofs up to him. He has quick feet and a decent turn of pace. If the ball can be fed to him in and around the box, he will look to turn his man and shoot at every opportunity. This in my opinion is his strength and we need to play to it. There is nothing wrong with trying to use his height to gain flick ons. But it does need to be mixed up a bit and kept on the deck a bit more I feel.

 

[danburyshrimper]

I had big reservations when i heard we had signed dickinson ... if i had read those reviews of him on amazon website i wouldnt have pressed the "buy" button !! ....
But i have seen every minute of his Blues appearances & let me tell you this. . . . Liam Dickinson is the real deal.

He is big & strong ( i take my hat off to the Scotland U21 O's centre back who was excellent ) + trust me he will win more than his fair share of headers plus guide them to our players rather just nod them on randomly. The way he ran off the ball intelligently , making space for others to run into was class , his effort chasing shadows was excellent especially considering his lack of fitness. Have a look next time you watch him how he caresses the ball when he controls it on a sixpence , like a damn magnet to his toe. He is not afraid to shoot + i will bet anyone he will score more than a goal every other game for us this season. Once 100 % fit he will fire us to promotion.

One word to decribe him --- Collymoresque

The deciding factor in whether Dickinson is a success at Roots Hall or not ,,, is simple. Its us . the fans.

He has been pushed around from pillar to post from club to club + not settled anywhere. I am guessing he needs to feel wanted + appreciated. Freddie Eastwood had the sort of debut that made him a hero + look at what a player he was for us with that extra confidence.. Look how he has struggled since without that support.

Dickinson + Harris both are top notch players+ we are lucky to have them .. Lets really get behind them especially in the early games to give them every encouragement to hit the net .. confidence breeds confidence breeds success

BLUE ARMY !!!!!

 

[Pak Power]

I had big reservations when i heard we had signed dickinson ... if i had read those reviews of him on amazon website i wouldnt have pressed the "buy" button !! ....
But i have seen every minute of his Blues appearances & let me tell you this. . . . Liam Dickinson is the real deal.

He is big & strong ( i take my hat off to the Scotland U21 O's centre back who was excellent ) + trust me he will win more than his fair share of headers plus guide them to our players rather just nod them on randomly. The way he ran off the ball intelligently , making space for others to run into was class , his effort chasing shadows was excellent especially considering his lack of fitness. Have a look next time you watch him how he caresses the ball when he controls it on a sixpence , like a damn magnet to his toe. He is not afraid to shoot + i will bet anyone he will score more than a goal every other game for us this season. Once 100 % fit he will fire us to promotion.

One word to decribe him --- Collymoresque

The deciding factor in whether Dickinson is a success at Roots Hall or not ,,, is simple. Its us . the fans.

He has been pushed around from pillar to post from club to club + not settled anywhere. I am guessing he needs to feel wanted + appreciated. Freddie Eastwood had the sort of debut that made him a hero + look at what a player he was for us with that extra confidence.. Look how he has struggled since without that support.

Dickinson + Harris both are top notch players+ we are lucky to have them .. Lets really get behind them especially in the early games to give them every encouragement to hit the net .. confidence breeds confidence breeds success

BLUE ARMY !!!!!

Funny thing Colleymoresque would be how I would describe him, let's hope he is half as successful.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

I had big reservations when i heard we had signed dickinson ... if i had read those reviews of him on amazon website i wouldnt have pressed the "buy" button !! ....
But i have seen every minute of his Blues appearances & let me tell you this. . . . Liam Dickinson is the real deal.

He is big & strong ( i take my hat off to the Scotland U21 O's centre back who was excellent ) + trust me he will win more than his fair share of headers plus guide them to our players rather just nod them on randomly. The way he ran off the ball intelligently , making space for others to run into was class , his effort chasing shadows was excellent especially considering his lack of fitness. Have a look next time you watch him how he caresses the ball when he controls it on a sixpence , like a damn magnet to his toe. He is not afraid to shoot + i will bet anyone he will score more than a goal every other game for us this season. Once 100 % fit he will fire us to promotion.

One word to decribe him --- Collymoresque

The deciding factor in whether Dickinson is a success at Roots Hall or not ,,, is simple. Its us . the fans.

He has been pushed around from pillar to post from club to club + not settled anywhere. I am guessing he needs to feel wanted + appreciated. Freddie Eastwood had the sort of debut that made him a hero + look at what a player he was for us with that extra confidence.. Look how he has struggled since without that support.

Dickinson + Harris both are top notch players+ we are lucky to have them .. Lets really get behind them especially in the early games to give them every encouragement to hit the net .. confidence breeds confidence breeds success

BLUE ARMY !!!!!

Bloody hell, I certainly wouldn't be comparing him to Collymore. Stanley, with his combination of attributes might be the single most talented player in world history.

 

[Rayleigh Weir]

Bloody hell, I certainly wouldn't be comparing him to Collymore. Stanley, with his combination of attributes might be the single most talented player in world history.

Can't help thinking that being compared to Sir Stan is really not going to help the unrealistic fan expectation levels that will be so counter productive to Dickinson's acceptance here...

 

[Beefy]

Exactly. It's more helpful to compare Dickinson with Matt Harrold, Alex Revell, Lee Bradbury and Billy Paynter than it is with Stan Collymore.