Gilbert - Emperors new clothes scenario.

[Kristof]

I thought Simon Francis had a stormer the other week against Watford, once fully fit I'd have him at right back, it was the type of performance I'd been expecting out of him since we signed him.

Gilbert while great going forward sometimes looks lost when moves break down though to be fair his pace often recovers it.

 

[Beefy]

Football fans certainly are fickle. Half of the people on here were slagging Francis off all of last season, even after his wonder-show at Ipswich. Now without even playing he seems to be most people's first name on the teamsheet.

For what it's worth, I rate Francis a lot and really think he could be the stand-out performer in this team. My sole reservation with Gilbert signing was the effect that it could have on Francis's development here. However right now I'd stick with Gilbert. He makes the odd slip because he's essentially an attacking player but he's not been helped by us playing a right winger who didn't want to be here in the first few games and then by us not even having anyone in front of him in the subsequent matches. I couldn't make Gillingham but at Brighton he was in the impossible position of having to mark two players at the same time and no player in the World could do that. He's technically sound, he's got a good work-rate and attitude and he's lightning quick so I'd keep him in the team for now.

 

[Richard_Cadette]

Football fans certainly are fickle. Half of the people on here were slagging Francis off all of last season, even after his wonder-show at Ipswich. Now without even playing he seems to be most people's first name on the teamsheet.

For what it's worth, I rate Francis a lot and really think he could be the stand-out performer in this team. My sole reservation with Gilbert signing was the effect that it could have on Francis's development here. However right now I'd stick with Gilbert. He makes the odd slip because he's essentially an attacking player but he's not been helped by us playing a right winger who didn't want to be here in the first few games and then by us not even having anyone in front of him in the subsequent matches. I couldn't make Gillingham but at Brighton he was in the impossible position of having to mark two players at the same time and no player in the World could do that. He's technically sound, he's got a good work-rate and attitude and he's lightning quick so I'd keep him in the team for now.

Not for me Beefy, I thought Francis was a liability last season, and have yet to see anything to make me change my mind.

He was a huge factor in us conceding so many goals early in the season, his positioning was all over the place, he often made poor decisions and didnt win enough tackles. I am not saying he can't improve, especially now we are in a lower division, but I for one would not pick him ahead of Gilbert - or for that matter, Lewis Hunt.

There does seem to be a major change in opinion regarding him, without him actually doing anything, I am not sure if that is fans being fickle, or fans only remembering the good games he played for us, which I will admit, there were a couple!

Gilbert has made a couple of mistakes, but then there isnt a player out there who hasnt, but he looks a very bright prospect who is easily capable of playing, and playing well, for us at this level, and while we have him, we should make full use of him

 

[Feathers]

Of our 3 right backs Lewis Hunt is the least exciting but crucially, for me, the most dependable.Hunt's versatility, however, makes him the perfect sub - he can play anywhere in the back 4 and if required in midfield. If we want a more attacking full back I would go for Gilbert over Francis. Yes Francis is talented, but he simply makes too many mistakes

 

[sufccolchester]

Gilbert all the way, his stamina and speed is unreal. Much better than Francis, always wants to win and never has the lazy "I cant be bothered look like Francis has"

Which stand do you sit in? The look he (Gilbert) gives the West stand is one of "Why am I here? I should be at a Premiership club"

 

[Suffolk Blue]

It's the same with MacDonald. People want to like him so they ignore the fact that he's been **** for us since we signed him.

You really don't like MacDonald do you?

Not gaining a lot of support though I notice!

 

[Jam_Man]

For me the issue is completely clouded by the loan situation.

Gilbert looks like he will be the better player, but he is very young and needs experience. If he were ours Id probably want him to be playing and gaining experience so he would become a good player for us.

However at the moment he does look a bit shaky, well certainly against Gillingham. Id live with that if I thought he was developing and would get better but at this rate he will be gone.

Id probably go with Francis if fit who I think is as good a defender as Gilbert and a player we actually have a vested interest in.

If Gilbert was leaps and bounds ahead of Francis Id play him even as a loanee but the gap in ability doesnt seem too big at present.

 

[Suffolk Blue]

Looks to me as if Francis has put a lot of work in over the summer to get stronger. On performances this season I'd put him as my first choice, Gilbert would suit me as an exciting option from the bench, and Che Wilson would be my choice as bench-cover if we lost one of my two first choices.

Hunt does nothing for me at all I'm afraid. He's a reasonable enough central defender (we've got at least 3 better in that position though) but I don't see him as a first choice full back, and he's just about the most negative midfielder I've seen. I suppose he does have one strength, his versatility, which makes him ideal for a place on the bench freeing up space there for more attack-minded players.

 

[steveo]

It's the same with MacDonald. People want to like him so they ignore the fact that he's been **** for us since we signed him.

Very harsh,the bloke has hardly played and surely cant be expected to be brilliant form the off

 

[Desert Shrimper]

You really don't like MacDonald do you?

Not gaining a lot of support though I notice!

Haven't been impressed at all although I missed Watford which was apparently his good game. The thing is, unless you think the same as everyone else and say all our players are better than Pele you get people picking you up on it but I'm really not that bothered if one of my opinions doesn't get "support" for what it's worth ;) if we all agreed this forum would be crap for starters.

FWIW I didn't see anything of any use at all at Millwall or Brighton, just a non-league player out of his depth, being completely owned by the centre back marking him. I've been disappointed and I think the emperor's new clothes theory is more applicable to him than Gilbert as prior to Clarke arriving we were pinning a lot of hopes on him, perhaps unfairly. I genuinely hope he proves me wrong, goes crazy and actually scores a goal soon....:thump:

 

[Beefy]

Pele was $hite, he was worse than Jason Lee.

 

[Jam_Man]

Pele was $hite, he was worse than Jason Lee.

One of the most played Pele clips is of him one on one with a keeper and he goes one side of the keeper and lets the ball go the other and then when both are past he shoots.

Quality.

He did actually miss the open goal though.

Sh**e.

 

[Desert Shrimper]

Pele was $hite, he was worse than Jason Lee.

Agreed.

It's just "Wayne Gray he's the new Jason Leeeee" didn't work as well.

 

[steveo]

if we all agreed this forum would be crap for starters.

I agree.....

 

[Boreham Shrimper]

So do I :p

 

[Jam_Man]

Yep 100% concur.

 

[Blue Streak]

Haven't been impressed at all although I missed Watford which was apparently his good game. The thing is, unless you think the same as everyone else and say all our players are better than Pele you get people picking you up on it but I'm really not that bothered if one of my opinions doesn't get "support" for what it's worth ;) if we all agreed this forum would be crap for starters.

FWIW I didn't see anything of any use at all at Millwall or Brighton, just a non-league player out of his depth, being completely owned by the centre back marking him. I've been disappointed and I think the emperor's new clothes theory is more applicable to him than Gilbert as prior to Clarke arriving we were pinning a lot of hopes on him, perhaps unfairly. I genuinely hope he proves me wrong, goes crazy and actually scores a goal soon....:thump:

Totally agree with you Dave. I think with his goal statistics we all had/have high expectations of him. Freddy was never going to be an easy act to follow but this kid had so many similarities on paper and perhaps we all thought we'd found another Freddy. Although he will take time to adapt to this level of football, i havent seen anything yet that tells me he will. If he was JCR we would all be screaming "lots of running and no end product". Sound familiar ? My SUFC mad 14 year old son has had his doubts about MaccyD too so he decided to do a player cam on MacDonald against Millwall (just focus on him and watch his every move) and came out of the ground claiming that MacDonald is $hite too and out of his depth. After Saturdays performance I think Tilly will stick with Clarke and Harrold for now. Not a great Harrold fan but he does tend to fit into the style that Tilly likes to play at the moment and admittedly got better as the game went on versus Gills. (one holding striker and one clinical one). Last year it was Bradbury and Eastwood. Early days but it could now be Clarke and Harrold.
I wonder if MaccyD would benefit from a loan spell at a League Two side ?

Gilbert ? Unaminously the weakest link last saturday amongst our group of East Blacks. Great at the overlap and getting forward but sometimes tries to be too fancy when defending. I was encouraged to see him tap the ball off for a throw in when under pressure towards the end of Saturdays game but he needs to play that simple game more often. Was totally outplayed when Brighton brought on their nippy left winger last week but in fairness he wasnt given any help when it was blatantly obvious he couldnt cope. I would tend to go for Francis when he's on a good day.

 

[GregStarz]

Which stand do you sit in? The look he (Gilbert) gives the West stand is one of "Why am I here? I should be at a Premiership club"

West aswell mate, but to be honest I don't care if he gives that look as long as he is playing like he should/could play in the premiership!

Francis thinks he should be playing for England I think sometimes and has the shocking lazy look on the pitch as well (very laid back)

At the end of the day, I will support whoever plays at right back as long as Southend win and perform. I have always done that and it will never change but my opinion is (and we are all entitled to our own opinions) that Gilbert is the better right back.

 

[* ORM *]

Gilbert ? Unaminously the weakest link last saturday amongst our group of East Blacks. .

Yea but we know none of the East Blacks can see as far as the pitch. Still, not knocking Care in the Community if they're prepared to offer you a lift there and back each game. :finger:

 

[steveo]

I was encouraged to see him tap the ball off for a throw in when under pressure towards the end of Saturdays game

Richards did a similar thing - except he hoofed it and nearly took off a ball boys head.