Mighty Shrimper
Manager
After a season of many ups and many downs (more downs than ups!) it has been proved that we're simply not good enough to be at this level. There are some players that are good enough but there are also players that arnt good enough. These Are my views on the players from this season.
Goalkeepers
Flahavan - Its obvious that Flahavan is a great shot stopped and has helped us over the years considerably. There has been times this season when without him we would of conceeded many more goals than we have but on the otherhand, he has cost us alot of goals because of his inabillity to command his area. Clarke, Barrett, Sodje and Prior have most of the time been great but I believe the reason we have been conceeding goals hasnt been because of our inabillity in the middle of the pitch but inabillity in wide areas. In the Championship we have come up against some great wide players who get alot of crosses in, which Flahavan is unable to deal with. Its all well and good being a great shot stopper but its pretty pointless if you're unable to command your area as you will more often than not be caught out, which we have. I wouldnt get rid of Flahavan but I do believe we need a new number one. We need a taller goalie who can command the area and be a good shot stopper. This would take pressure off the full backs and give the defence and bigger confidence boost going into games.
Collis - To be honest, I havent seen alot of Collis this season apart from his substitute appearence away to QPR earlier in the season. From what I saw in this game he looked ok. It wouldnt be fair on him for me to give an oppinion on his all round game on 1 performance.
Defence
Clarke - What a great player we have in Peter Clarke. Fights non stop for the cause and never gives in. He is tall, strong and reads the game well. His distribution is the only part of his game thats lets him down. When he has the ball he doesnt look for a short pass, instead he hits a long ball which gifts the opposition the chance to build another attack. In this situation he needs more composure, a simple short pass to Maher or either full backs and we can build an attack and relieve pressure. Earlier in the season he recieved alot of stick from sections of the crowd, this could easily have caused his confidence to go down having only just arrived at the club and being played out of position but he kept going and has proved to everybody that we must strive to hang onto him.
Barrett - For me, Barrett has been better this season than last season. There were doubts going into this season as to weather he could make yet another step up in class and deal with it. His pace was questioned last season and with many pacey and skillfull strikers in the Championship, one wondered if he could make the grade. He has made the grade and we have missed him for big parts of the season. Like clarke, he is very determined if not more so than his defence counterpart. He never gives up and is an ideal role model for every young player coming into our squad. If you cut him, a river of Blue would flow out. A Future captain.
Sodje - Efe has had an up and down season for me. He hasnt been the rock he was last season and has struggled at time with confidence. He has made afew mistakes this season and hasnt been able to deal with them mentally. IMO, he is good enough for the Championship but is getting on in age. I would keep Efe but only on a 1 year deal.
Prior - Going into the Man Utd game, I wasnt confident at all that Prior would be able to cope with the strikeforce of the eventual Champions of England. How wrong was I. He was fantastic in that game and has been a great servent to the club. Happy Retirement Spinner.
Francis - Going forward, Francis looks dangerous and is a very good crosser of the ball. Defensively, I dont feel he has the abillity the cope. I do however believe he has alot of potential. He is sometimes too relaxed and gives the impression he would rather be somewhere else. The right back area for me has been the biggest problem for us this season and I dont believe Francis should be our first choice right back. His positioning isnt the best and a lack of concentration let him down. I would like to see us keep hold of Francis but as a back up to somebody else.
Hammell - Alot like Francis in that he is good going forward but struggles at the back. Has been caught out this season too far up the pitch and leaves gaps in the left back slot which the opposing team take advantage of. Despite his height, he is surprisingly good at getting up and heading the ball and a very dangerous set piece taker. With my views of Flahavan in mind, Our full back possitions are very important and unfortunately our left and right backs havent been good enough this season which has cost us dear. I dont believe Hammell will be here next season and I think we need to sign a new left back.
Unfortunately I have work at 6am and must therefor be on my way. Part 2 to follow tomorrow!
Goalkeepers
Flahavan - Its obvious that Flahavan is a great shot stopped and has helped us over the years considerably. There has been times this season when without him we would of conceeded many more goals than we have but on the otherhand, he has cost us alot of goals because of his inabillity to command his area. Clarke, Barrett, Sodje and Prior have most of the time been great but I believe the reason we have been conceeding goals hasnt been because of our inabillity in the middle of the pitch but inabillity in wide areas. In the Championship we have come up against some great wide players who get alot of crosses in, which Flahavan is unable to deal with. Its all well and good being a great shot stopper but its pretty pointless if you're unable to command your area as you will more often than not be caught out, which we have. I wouldnt get rid of Flahavan but I do believe we need a new number one. We need a taller goalie who can command the area and be a good shot stopper. This would take pressure off the full backs and give the defence and bigger confidence boost going into games.
Collis - To be honest, I havent seen alot of Collis this season apart from his substitute appearence away to QPR earlier in the season. From what I saw in this game he looked ok. It wouldnt be fair on him for me to give an oppinion on his all round game on 1 performance.
Defence
Clarke - What a great player we have in Peter Clarke. Fights non stop for the cause and never gives in. He is tall, strong and reads the game well. His distribution is the only part of his game thats lets him down. When he has the ball he doesnt look for a short pass, instead he hits a long ball which gifts the opposition the chance to build another attack. In this situation he needs more composure, a simple short pass to Maher or either full backs and we can build an attack and relieve pressure. Earlier in the season he recieved alot of stick from sections of the crowd, this could easily have caused his confidence to go down having only just arrived at the club and being played out of position but he kept going and has proved to everybody that we must strive to hang onto him.
Barrett - For me, Barrett has been better this season than last season. There were doubts going into this season as to weather he could make yet another step up in class and deal with it. His pace was questioned last season and with many pacey and skillfull strikers in the Championship, one wondered if he could make the grade. He has made the grade and we have missed him for big parts of the season. Like clarke, he is very determined if not more so than his defence counterpart. He never gives up and is an ideal role model for every young player coming into our squad. If you cut him, a river of Blue would flow out. A Future captain.
Sodje - Efe has had an up and down season for me. He hasnt been the rock he was last season and has struggled at time with confidence. He has made afew mistakes this season and hasnt been able to deal with them mentally. IMO, he is good enough for the Championship but is getting on in age. I would keep Efe but only on a 1 year deal.
Prior - Going into the Man Utd game, I wasnt confident at all that Prior would be able to cope with the strikeforce of the eventual Champions of England. How wrong was I. He was fantastic in that game and has been a great servent to the club. Happy Retirement Spinner.
Francis - Going forward, Francis looks dangerous and is a very good crosser of the ball. Defensively, I dont feel he has the abillity the cope. I do however believe he has alot of potential. He is sometimes too relaxed and gives the impression he would rather be somewhere else. The right back area for me has been the biggest problem for us this season and I dont believe Francis should be our first choice right back. His positioning isnt the best and a lack of concentration let him down. I would like to see us keep hold of Francis but as a back up to somebody else.
Hammell - Alot like Francis in that he is good going forward but struggles at the back. Has been caught out this season too far up the pitch and leaves gaps in the left back slot which the opposing team take advantage of. Despite his height, he is surprisingly good at getting up and heading the ball and a very dangerous set piece taker. With my views of Flahavan in mind, Our full back possitions are very important and unfortunately our left and right backs havent been good enough this season which has cost us dear. I dont believe Hammell will be here next season and I think we need to sign a new left back.
Unfortunately I have work at 6am and must therefor be on my way. Part 2 to follow tomorrow!
