Post by trefonen shrew on Jan 5, 2005 19:53:15 GMT 1
First of all i would like to apologies, i am very bored!
Scott Howie gets a lot of stick, mostly about his decision making or lack of. It’s true that he needs to work a lot on commanding his box a hell of a lot better, but besides this I think he more than makes up for it with his shot stopping. All goalkeepers at this level make many minor mistakes, and Scott is guilty of making more than most, but no other keeper I’ve seen in this league is as good as him at stopping shots and unbelievably saving almost every penalty taken against him. Joe Hart is the perfect second choice keeper because he’s young, talented, has bags of potential and is on a cheap wage which is important for someone who spends 95% of games on the bench. If Howie gets injured then I hope that Peters would get in a loan keeper, but I’d be confident enough to play him in emergencies.
At the moment Town have a pretty solid and reliable back four. When Moss is on form, which I’d say is about 3 in 4 games, his class shines out. He can tackle even the fastest wingers and almost always finds a positive attacking outlet. Challis is as dependable as full backs come. He’ll work all game every game and rarely slips up, although I question his abilities at adding anything towards our attacking game which in the modern game is a bit of a necessity for full backs, In this department Trevor is always found lacking. Whitehead is a rock at centre back and can also do a decent job at right back when needed. Whitehead’s partner at the back should be Walton in my opinion. He has treated rather cruelly I think when he didn’t gel with Tino and I can definitely imagine him and Whitehead being great together at the back. Tinson, what can I say? Last season he was the key to our promotion. But the conference is definitely his highest level. He’ll shout all day but instead of controlling the back I now get the impression he just confuses matters, especially his unbelievably bad communications with Howie. Dave Ridler seems to be the forgotten man, and I honestly don’t know why. I’m sure some may say he lacks a classy edge, but his determination and cool under pressure has always impressed me and I hope he can give Peters some thinking to do.
It is in midfield that we are lacking. Martyn O’Connor is a great player but I think his age is finally catching up with him. I don’t know how old he is, he looks about 52, but he struggles to keep up with play which is inexcusable in centre mid. If Tolley and Edwards can sustain and improve upon their recent form then we really have a special pair. We all know that Tolley showed a load of potential but never improved, but I think this season he has put in a lot more effort and the performances are starting to come. Edwards is still very young but I just love to watch him play, you can really see with your own eyes that he improves after every game he plays. I hope that Peters can nourish his huge talent and help the lad become a Shrewsbury legend. Sammy Aiston is a truly gift player, I have not seen any other play go past someone in their own league with such ease and consistency. When he gets the ball you already know he’s going to skin however many players are infront. BUT, and it’s a big but, his final ball is constantly utter s**te. I have often said that he should spend 2 or 3 hours each day practising to cross, but I have lost faith that he will every learn. However, he should definitely be in the first team. His confidence boosting runs, the free kicks he wins, the affect of everyone in the crowd bar 5 people shouting “GO ON!!!!!!” when ever he gets the ball, and his ability to stretch every defence and shake them up. Yes Aiston is very much a must start player. Street is under-rated I fear from fans, he plays an important role and has a fair bit of skill for a short and fat lad. Ashton seems to be a good signing so far, even if has played fullback a couple of times. His crossing is by far the best at the club, but like all players his dribbling is incomparable to Sammy’s. It is up to him to push for a starting place. We have Smith to come back sometime but whether he can stay fit for more than a month is anyone’s guess. Lowe is the ultimate in confidence players, when he’s good he’s great and when he’s bad he’s awful. You can visually see his game improve when the Riverside chant his name, so we all know what to do don’t we?
Langmead’s signing has changed the whole face of our front line. From the few games I’ve seen he looks an outstanding centre forward. Not pacey but will work his cream crackers off, he wins every header almost, and he seems to be able to play with every player like they’ve played together their whole lives. Rodgers is surely leavimg at the end of the season, but until then he needs to play a lot more like the Luke of old if he is to keep his place from a relatively inform John Grant. And as for DD, for him to be earning £1,500 a week for doing sweet FA there is something seriously wrong. OK he was brilliant for us last season, but for him to get a place even on the bench he needs a hell of a turn around. I say, get rid asap and save us some paper.
We have a fairly decent first eleven ( imo Howie, moss, whitehead, Walton, challis, Edwards, tolley, street, aiston, langmead, luke) and a great squad. But GP had better work some magic and bring us a talented centre mid player for us to finish mid table, and I think he will because I am very optimistic about Peters’ future with the town. If we can keep our heads but also keep the passion up for the rest of the season, touch wood we won’t slide down the table again.
Scott Howie gets a lot of stick, mostly about his decision making or lack of. It’s true that he needs to work a lot on commanding his box a hell of a lot better, but besides this I think he more than makes up for it with his shot stopping. All goalkeepers at this level make many minor mistakes, and Scott is guilty of making more than most, but no other keeper I’ve seen in this league is as good as him at stopping shots and unbelievably saving almost every penalty taken against him. Joe Hart is the perfect second choice keeper because he’s young, talented, has bags of potential and is on a cheap wage which is important for someone who spends 95% of games on the bench. If Howie gets injured then I hope that Peters would get in a loan keeper, but I’d be confident enough to play him in emergencies.
At the moment Town have a pretty solid and reliable back four. When Moss is on form, which I’d say is about 3 in 4 games, his class shines out. He can tackle even the fastest wingers and almost always finds a positive attacking outlet. Challis is as dependable as full backs come. He’ll work all game every game and rarely slips up, although I question his abilities at adding anything towards our attacking game which in the modern game is a bit of a necessity for full backs, In this department Trevor is always found lacking. Whitehead is a rock at centre back and can also do a decent job at right back when needed. Whitehead’s partner at the back should be Walton in my opinion. He has treated rather cruelly I think when he didn’t gel with Tino and I can definitely imagine him and Whitehead being great together at the back. Tinson, what can I say? Last season he was the key to our promotion. But the conference is definitely his highest level. He’ll shout all day but instead of controlling the back I now get the impression he just confuses matters, especially his unbelievably bad communications with Howie. Dave Ridler seems to be the forgotten man, and I honestly don’t know why. I’m sure some may say he lacks a classy edge, but his determination and cool under pressure has always impressed me and I hope he can give Peters some thinking to do.
It is in midfield that we are lacking. Martyn O’Connor is a great player but I think his age is finally catching up with him. I don’t know how old he is, he looks about 52, but he struggles to keep up with play which is inexcusable in centre mid. If Tolley and Edwards can sustain and improve upon their recent form then we really have a special pair. We all know that Tolley showed a load of potential but never improved, but I think this season he has put in a lot more effort and the performances are starting to come. Edwards is still very young but I just love to watch him play, you can really see with your own eyes that he improves after every game he plays. I hope that Peters can nourish his huge talent and help the lad become a Shrewsbury legend. Sammy Aiston is a truly gift player, I have not seen any other play go past someone in their own league with such ease and consistency. When he gets the ball you already know he’s going to skin however many players are infront. BUT, and it’s a big but, his final ball is constantly utter s**te. I have often said that he should spend 2 or 3 hours each day practising to cross, but I have lost faith that he will every learn. However, he should definitely be in the first team. His confidence boosting runs, the free kicks he wins, the affect of everyone in the crowd bar 5 people shouting “GO ON!!!!!!” when ever he gets the ball, and his ability to stretch every defence and shake them up. Yes Aiston is very much a must start player. Street is under-rated I fear from fans, he plays an important role and has a fair bit of skill for a short and fat lad. Ashton seems to be a good signing so far, even if has played fullback a couple of times. His crossing is by far the best at the club, but like all players his dribbling is incomparable to Sammy’s. It is up to him to push for a starting place. We have Smith to come back sometime but whether he can stay fit for more than a month is anyone’s guess. Lowe is the ultimate in confidence players, when he’s good he’s great and when he’s bad he’s awful. You can visually see his game improve when the Riverside chant his name, so we all know what to do don’t we?
Langmead’s signing has changed the whole face of our front line. From the few games I’ve seen he looks an outstanding centre forward. Not pacey but will work his cream crackers off, he wins every header almost, and he seems to be able to play with every player like they’ve played together their whole lives. Rodgers is surely leavimg at the end of the season, but until then he needs to play a lot more like the Luke of old if he is to keep his place from a relatively inform John Grant. And as for DD, for him to be earning £1,500 a week for doing sweet FA there is something seriously wrong. OK he was brilliant for us last season, but for him to get a place even on the bench he needs a hell of a turn around. I say, get rid asap and save us some paper.
We have a fairly decent first eleven ( imo Howie, moss, whitehead, Walton, challis, Edwards, tolley, street, aiston, langmead, luke) and a great squad. But GP had better work some magic and bring us a talented centre mid player for us to finish mid table, and I think he will because I am very optimistic about Peters’ future with the town. If we can keep our heads but also keep the passion up for the rest of the season, touch wood we won’t slide down the table again.