City to clean up?

[ZLF 335]

As slight change of subject.

I see that Nige expects clean sheets to follow as the Doc/Flem relationship settles down.  This tells me that this is the partnership that, barring injuries, will be first choice for the rest of the season and must be a significant blow for shacks.

Now this is not an anti-Flem (or worthy) post - since partnering Doc he has played well and not let the side down ad I can see why Worthy would keep Flem in the side.  However Flem is, like doc was when this partnership was used last season, being played on the wrong side and so out of position. 

Flem is now slowing down and I would like to see a bit more planning for the future.  Shacks performed well in the prem last season and is naturally left footed, better in the air, equal at passing and quicker than Flem.  I know he currently remains unfit but IMO he has to be at the heart of any defence we build for the future.

A quick look at the doc/Flem stats shows they have started together on 21 occassions, winning 6, drawing 4 losing 11, conceeding 37 goals.  The record this season is far better (P8W4D2L2GA9) but in all these games they have only kept 1 clean sheet - away at Lecicester this winter.  Of course that record is down to the team as much as their partnerhip but it hardly stands out as a proud testament to a working formation.

Once fit I would like to see the partnership I called for at the start of the season, Doc and Shacks, with a view of seeing whether the pair can succeed as we hope. 

[Fat Barman 0]

You''re probably not wrong ZLF, but I read it slightly differently, as it seemed that Shacks would definitely be considered if fit. The big question appeared to be whether, or not, Shacks injury worries were behind him? As it stands, he sis still only half-fit (Worthy this week) and was only on the bench due to the lack of alternatives. The good news is that Shack''s has been cleared to continue stepping up his recovery programme by the specialist he saw this week - let''s hope he is pushing for his place back before too much longer.Flem would probably (grudgingly) admit his powers are fading, and the Doc would love to have a left-footer (ooer missus) beside him again (after enjoying playing with Davenport). Barring Shacks return to fitness, maybe Davenport could return on loan, or permanently, as one of Worthy''s surprise signings this month, to add cover/provide competition in central defence?

[lucky green trainers 0]

agree zip, I was hoping for doc and shacks to play together at the end of last season. For me, shacks has not been the same player this year, losing concentration and position 2 often, possibly because of his mumps infection in the summer, again suffering from a virus over xmas, and now he has an ankle niggle.  currently, flem is looking very solid with doc and only a fully fit shacks could match him.  hopefully, shacks will get his chance towards the end of the season, but for the future shacks and the doc could be a formidable pairing for  years to come.