Canary Ascent

[quote user="Kent Canary"][quote user="Arthur Whittle"]Look lets be honest, we are top, we are winning, but even the most die hard City fan must admit that lately we have been looking tired??? That is in no way a critisim, I like Lambert, im proud of the team, im proud we are top {even if it is division 3}, but i will openly admit i think we look tired. Im not slagging them off, just saying what I see.[/quote] They do look tired, but I think his comments were directed at the boo boys who seem to be appearing, they need to shut up and save it for when/if they actually have something to boo about. Bunch of morons to boo when we are where we are. [/quote] I personally can''t believe the boo boys, that attitude will ruin us, especially when we are top of the league. Yes, we should be in the Championship or higher but we are as high as we can possibly be at the current time. However, I''m not sure the comments Lambert make are actually intended for the fans, nit directly anyhow. I think he is having a go at criticism from the press... "Honestly, I hope it never happens, but if we don''t play well or we really get a doing from somebody, God knows what you''ll write - and that''s us at the top of the league" Unless, he is picking out the Pinkun forumers...

[quote user="GJP"][quote user="Canary Ascent"][quote user="GJP"][quote user="Canary Ascent"] I don''t think playing spillane on the left of a three would be much of an issue GJP. Admittedly my preference would be Whitbread but he''s not fit. Maybe Askou or Doc on the left side of the three but there''s not much in it for me. The idea would be to attack and get hold of the ball in the oppositions half. When defending Lappin would drop back and one of Hoolahan or Martin would drop left. I''m just puting it out there as an alternative. I think we have looked laboured of late and I don''t thing we are any more exposed with them three than having Nelson, Martin and Rose in our back line! [/quote] I''d think you find that we''d struggle with that. Spillane is a fairly inexperienced player who is comfortable on his right side. You''d then be asking him to play on his left side which is something that can trip up more experienced players. It''s not as if he''s particularly great on the ball either. For me we stay with a back four. And, although he''s not anywhere near as good as Drury, I''d stick by Rose at left back. It''s his natural position. It keeps things balanced. [/quote] We''ll probably never find out but I can see your point and in hindsight would probably put Spillane over to the right thus making a flat back four when Lapin drops back. I''d like to pick you up on one point though ''It''s not as if he''s particularly great on the ball either''. I strongly disagree with this, I''d say he''s probably one of our best defenders on the ball. I saw a lot of Micky Spillane come up through the youth team and in the reserves when he was a central midfiled player and he is very accomplished on the ball. A very good ball playing midfielder and I was disappointed to see him moved to the back. The current Russell role would be perfect for him. He used to play in midfield for his country too and he would never hide from the ball. [/quote] I disagree. Like you I''ve seen him play as a youngster as well. His touch, control and passing aren''t up to scratch. Hence why he''s used as a utility defensive player. Not a midfielder. [/quote] I guess opinions are what this board is all about. Doesn''t seem we''ll agree on Spillane. However, whatever fteam/formation we go with on Tuesday lets hope we bounce back with a decent win!

[quote user="GJP"][quote user="Canary Ascent"] I don''t think playing spillane on the left of a three would be much of an issue GJP. Admittedly my preference would be Whitbread but he''s not fit. Maybe Askou or Doc on the left side of the three but there''s not much in it for me. The idea would be to attack and get hold of the ball in the oppositions half. When defending Lappin would drop back and one of Hoolahan or Martin would drop left. I''m just puting it out there as an alternative. I think we have looked laboured of late and I don''t thing we are any more exposed with them three than having Nelson, Martin and Rose in our back line! [/quote] I''d think you find that we''d struggle with that. Spillane is a fairly inexperienced player who is comfortable on his right side. You''d then be asking him to play on his left side which is something that can trip up more experienced players. It''s not as if he''s particularly great on the ball either. For me we stay with a back four. And, although he''s not anywhere near as good as Drury, I''d stick by Rose at left back. It''s his natural position. It keeps things balanced. [/quote] We''ll probably never find out but I can see your point and in hindsight would probably put Spillane over to the right thus making a flat back four when Lapin drops back. I''d like to pick you up on one point though ''It''s not as if he''s particularly great on the ball either''. I strongly disagree with this, I''d say he''s probably one of our best defenders on the ball. I saw a lot of Micky Spillane come up through the youth team and in the reserves when he was a central midfiled player and he is very accomplished on the ball. A very good ball playing midfielder and I was disappointed to see him moved to the back. The current Russell role would be perfect for him. He used to play in midfield for his country too and he would never hide from the ball.

[quote user="Jimbo_Jet_Set"]The defence did a reasonable job today. It was further forward where the game was lost, we were swamped in midfield and nothing stuck upfront[/quote] I thought the defence looked shaky and the midfield tired. Askou in for Nelson, Spillane for Russell and Hughes for Lappin.

Aree with a lot of what you say JJS but I think the problem is he''s having to step into the boots of Drury who has been extremely solid all season. Lappin leaves Rose exposed at times and Rose is still adapting to the system we play. He needs to get forward a lot more and put better balls into the box. He''s certainly not the worst player in our back four.

I don''t think playing spillane on the left of a three would be much of an issue GJP. Admittedly my preference would be Whitbread but he''s not fit. Maybe Askou or Doc on the left side of the three but there''s not much in it for me. The idea would be to attack and get hold of the ball in the oppositions half. When defending Lappin would drop back and one of Hoolahan or Martin would drop left. I''m just puting it out there as an alternative. I think we have looked laboured of late and I don''t thing we are any more exposed with them three than having Nelson, Martin and Rose in our back line!

I don''t think people are going over the top. From what I am reading most people are agreed that we have looked tired for a few weeks now and maybe now is the time to freshen things up a little and kick-on. Agreed we''re still top but we need another boost to get the wagon rolling again. I''d personally like to see Lapin, Nelson and Korey rested. With 3 from Hughes, Spillane, Askou and Mcnamee coming in.

                        Forster          Askou     Doherty   Spillane Mcnamee    Smith      Hughes      Lappin                         Hoolahan                   Holt              Martin  

[quote user="Salford City YELLOW"]I think we can afford to rest hoolahan for 1 or 2 of the next 3 games.[/quote] But do we want to? I think he''s a match winner that we need on the pitch. I think we need to freshen things up but I''d change personel rather than formation. Hughes in for Korey, Spillane for Rusty and Askou in for Nelson. Lapin would be the next one I drop/rest once Rusty returns.

[quote user="AVFC-NCFC"]Defence isn''t goo enough for this. Might work on poor teams but a decent team would find it easy against 3 at th back like today[/quote] I''m not so sure. Recently I''ve been less than impressed with both Martin and Rose. Add Nelson to that and I think defence is suddenly looking like a weak area for us. In the 3-5-2 that I have suggested obviously it''s an attacking formation and the onus would be on us to go forward but when we have to defend Lapin would drop back and Hoolahan/Martin would drop left to tighten things up.

[quote user="Askounin"]Everyone keeps saying start Macnamee and there is no doubt Lappin was appalling today but has anyone actually been impressed with Macnamee in any of the home games in whih he has come off the bench? [/quote] Don''t think we''ve seen enough of him to judge. I was impressed when I saw him play for Swindon at Carrow Road. I think Lapin needs a rest but I fear we have no one to play on the left side.                           Forster          Askou     Doherty   Whitbread Mcnamee    Russell      Hughes      Lappin                         Hoolahan                   Holt              Martin Obviously this relies on having Askou and Whitbread back to full fitness.  

Forster          Askou     Doherty   Whitbread Mcnamee    Russell      Hughes      Lappin                         Hoolahan                   Holt              Martin 

This one for me:                           Forster          Askou     Doherty   Whitbread Mcnamee    Russell      Hughes      Lappin                         Hoolahan                   Holt              Martin Obviously this relies on having Askou and Whitbread back to full fitness.  

A lot of calls for this on Canary Call today and a lot of backing for a 4-4-2 but where does Hoolahan fit in a 4-4-2? On the left? No, ineffective when we tried that last time. One of the middle two? Alongside who? Personally, I don''t think we''d have enough grit in the midfield with Hoolahan in there. He''d leave us short when he goes off roaming wide right, wide left. Off Holt up front? And drop Martin? Not for me. IMO if you play a 4-4-2 you have to leave Hoolahan out and  for me this is not an option as he has been our most influential player this season. My preference if we change system would be a 3-5-2 consisting of:                           Forster          Askou     Doherty   Whitbread Mcnamee    Russell      Hughes      Lappin                         Hoolahan                   Holt              Martin Obviously this relies on having Askou and Whitbread back to full fitness.  

[quote user="Arthur Whittle"] When Korey Smith burst into the 1st team, he was energetic, full of excitment and flair. Now when he recieves the ball instead of going forward, he holds the ball up, slows down play, passes the ball sideways or more often than not backwards. Tired? Out of form? Been found out? What do you think....discuss....... [/quote] I agree that he has been less of an influence in our midfield of late. The energy just doesn''t seem to be there. I think he needs a rest, he is only a young lad and this is his first full season. The midfield needs a freshen up, I''d like to see Lapin dropped for a game or two as well because I don''t think his performances of late have been anything special. Don''t get me started on Nelson...lets just hope Askou or Whitbread can get fit soon!

[quote user="Arthur Whittle"]Korey Smith is looking dire, not sure if hes tired or out of form...going backwards rather than forward....what do others think of Smith of late???[/quote] I wouldn''t say dire but I metioned to a mate before today''s game that he has looked like he''s in need of a rest over the past couple of weeks. I think his energy in midfield has made us tick previously but you have to remember that he is only a young lad and is bound to lose some consistency during his first full season. I''d personally bring Hughes in for Korey, Spillane for Rusty (if suspended) and Askou in for Nelson (if Askou is fit enough). I''d also like to see Lapin changed at some point but I don''t think we need wholesale changes for Tuesday, just a freshen up.

[quote user="Brendan"]"a bit of a cock" a complete one more like! Glad they are banned.[/quote] I get the impression you don''t like this guy so can I ask why he is one of your Facebook friends? You obviously don''t mind him knowing either as there appears to be only one Brendan on his friends list - assuming you are using your name...

Good work... A few to work on against Walsall!  

Yes, well done for having a go. I was looking for some input for some new songs/chants the other day but pretty much got shot down. Take a look at the suggestions in here: http://www.pinkun.com/cs_pinkun/cs/forums/1821892/ShowPost.aspx I think a couple work really well.

[quote user="Canaries in Bed"] Any trouble in England, no matter how big or small is always deemed as being the worse in the world, look at France and Holland, they have much more trouble, we have attempted to quell the problems and to a certain extent, it has been dealt with. But there is a new younger element who are trying to bring it back to the 80''s. There is always a small minority who spoil it for us all. Fucking scum. [/quote] Unfortunately, I think films such as Green Street have done nothing but sensationalise football violence and made it fashionable again for the younger fans coming through to be football hooligans. These films, however enjoyable, do not help to clean up football violence. Fortunately, with the exceptions of games like this where there''s always going to be ''scores to settle'' I think the majority of us can avoid trouble at games if we want to. Most is now organised and well away from football stadiums.

[quote user="S.Yorks Canary"] I wouldnt be surprised if he played tonight. He signed a 3 yr deal I think so I''m sure he will play at some point. Didnt lambo say everyone starts with a clean slate? I thinks its hard blaming all 7 goals on him, he got very little protection from a back four with more holes in it than swiss cheese.   [/quote] Maybe now he will be back in... Any news on Alnwick''s injury? I haven''t heard anything. It''s Theo or Rudd

[quote user="kentish lass"] Cody MacDonald had a ball e i e i o And with that ball he scored a goal e i e i o With a header here, and kicked ball there Here a kick, there a goal Everywhere a kick, goal Cody MacDonald scored a goal e i e i o & I''m sure you all know the tune... [/quote] Good effort...

[quote user="CT "]I dont get why some people have been slagging McVeigh off? Names like ''Mcfat'' are totally uncalled for if you ask me. The creativity he produced on saturday was fantastic to watch, yes he tired but thats to be expected. Can we give him 10/11 games before criticising? Just give the guy a chance[Y] [/quote] I totally agree CT. He deserves his chance after Saturday. He looked fitter than when he ended his last spell with us. I saw good skill, great crossing and a disciplined player on Saturday. Lappin and McVeigh on the wings worked well. I admit, I didn''t think it would work before the game but the crosses we put in and the football played was the best in a long time - just the service Grant Holt needs!

[quote user="refjezhitchin"] I''d actually give Nelson another shot against his old club, with the obvious Askou Back four of: Otsemobor (got no choice with Spillane suspension) Nelson Askou Drury   [/quote] Although I''ve only seen him in a couple of games, Colchester being one, Nelson looks a poor man''s Doc to me. So slow and all about the hoof ball.

The problem I have is that I don''t think any of our centre backs are good enough (yet). Askou is the most promising for me but is still making mistakes. The Wycombe goal on Saturday that he allowed to bounce a prime example. One of the first things that is taught in junior football as a centre back - do not allow the ball to bounce! He has been shaky at other times too but coming from a foreign league it may just be a case of having to adapt. Spillane, again shows promise but I''m not sure whether he is a centre half or not. It''s the same old argument really, jack of all trades master of none. Probably needs to make a decision and work on it if he wants to be a centre back. Doherty should be sound at this level but still  making mistakes. Mistakes we can not afford if we have aspirations of promotion. Nelson, in the two games I have seen him he has looked worse than Doc. He''s slow and hoof ball appears to be his game. I belive we need two or three defenders in as Drury and Otsemobor aren''t looking that solid either. I''d like to see Wiggins at left back but he looks like he''s going to be a little way off yet. I''d keep Askou and Spillane and try to ship Nelson and Doherty out. Bringing in two more centre halfs as we''re clearly not going to use Stefanovic. I''d also like to see another right back in but not sure funds/time constraints will permit.