Peterson

[wilts rover]

I remember we had some bloke called Billy Blunt on loan from Sheff U  a couple of seasons back. One goal in six games and people were saying how bad he was - wonder what happened to him?

[RedJ]

He'll never have made it wilts.

[Viking Don]

All three of the young lads have done really well in difficult circumstances I think. It would have been nice to have had the luxury of giving them game time coming on as subs but we have what we have and they've been thrown in at the deep end and they've done well really.

To say they have come from youth/reserve team team football is a credit to what must be going on in the efforts to keep us sustainable by developing kids. I'll reserve judgement until I see them playing in a side that isn't changing game by game.

[Mr1Croft]

All three of the young lads have done really well in difficult circumstances I think. It would have been nice to have had the luxury of giving them game time coming on as subs but we have what we have and they've been thrown in at the deep end and they've done well really.

To say they have come from youth/reserve team team football is a credit to what must be going on in the efforts to keep us sustainable by developing kids. I'll reserve judgement until I see them playing in a side that isn't changing game by game.

Agreed, you would also like to give these lads a chance in the first team when your in good form, but as you say we have to make do.

It gives me a great sense of pride seeing 'one of our own' getting game time!

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

What struck out on Wakefield for one, was that he had a bit of time where he had to adjust to the pace of Championship football, too much time on the ball he thought he had etc.  Once he got round that he improved after his first 30 or so minutes.

Very tough for any debutants, but to be playing next to another novice made it doubly hard, hence the improvement with Quinn in there.

What I think is that both Wakefield and Peterson need games and they'll improve with them.  For an 18 year old Peterson did very well I thought against some big centre halves, especially up front on his own with poor service.  His positioning was good, he now needs to get stronger and fitter which will come with time.  Decent starts though, but we shouldn't expect the finished article on debut FFS, give the lads a chance.

[SingingPostman]

Hear hear Wellred! I absolutely agree with you. Indeed, not only was Brian Deane complete rubbish on his debut, but so was Peter Kitchen. In fact, Kitch was so bloody bad all season long that he we used to call him the yesteryear equivalent of Barn Door. He would miss from 2 yards on a regular basis.

These critics on here should pipe down. They know nowt about what makes a footballer or how he develops.

BobG

I saw the debut of Colin Douglas and most of his first few games. He looked like he had little to offer (although the poor lad was initially asked to step into the shoes of Alan Warboys, so it would have taken a special player to measure up to that sort of comparison) but he went on to be a special player on our history.

Thankfully the worst he had to endure were a few moans from the Pop Side. He wasn't crucified via the internet by the keyboard warriors.

Peterson's attitude was first class and he should be congratulated and encouraged.

[Jimmydee]

I made a comment to my mate at the game that Peterson had reminded me of Duggie, if only it would bounce off his arse, shoulder or shin and then Peterson would be a likely Rovers legend.

[Draytonian III]

Colin Douglas, must be up there in the top 5 of all time Rovers legend,it's a pity some of the people who post on here never saw him play.

[The Red Baron]

I'm really taken aback by some of the negativity shown towards Alex Peterson. This is a 19-year-old lad in his first season as a professional making his first start in one of the toughest leagues in Europe. What were people expecting- Alan Shearer in his pomp?

Comparisons have been made with Chris Brown and I'm sure young Alex will learn a lot from Brownie. But the young Brown got his chance to cut his teeth in what is now League Two and wasn't thrown in at the deep end like the lad Peterson was.

The other thing worth noting is that Paul Dickov said he wanted Peterson to chase things down and harass defenders, so to compare him to a labrador seems to be blaming him for carrying out his manager's instructions.

As I said on another thread about Liam Wakefield, what both these lads should get in January is a contract extension and the opportunity to further their education with a League Two side on loan. Unfortunately because of our small squad the latter may not be possible and that is a concern to me, because these are two very promising young players who could have big futures with us if handled correctly.

[BigH]

I'm really taken aback by some of the negativity shown towards Alex Peterson. This is a 19-year-old lad in his first season as a professional making his first start in one of the toughest leagues in Europe. What were people expecting- Alan Shearer in his pomp?

Comparisons have been made with Chris Brown and I'm sure young Alex will learn a lot from Brownie. But the young Brown got his chance to cut his teeth in what is now League Two and wasn't thrown in at the deep end like the lad Peterson was.

The other thing worth noting is that Paul Dickov said he wanted Peterson to chase things down and harass defenders, so to compare him to a labrador seems to be blaming him for carrying out his manager's instructions.

As I said on another thread about Liam Wakefield, what both these lads should get in January is a contract extension and the opportunity to further their education with a League Two side on loan. Unfortunately because of our small squad the latter may not be possible and that is a concern to me, because these are two very promising young players who could have big futures with us if handled correctly.

Totally agree TRB. I just hope that plunging Peterson into the deep end with lead lined shoes doesn't annihilate the lad's confidence.

[Dizzy_Burton]

The comments about first impressions of Brian Deane remind me of when I shared an office with a Sunderland fan back in the late 80s. After Rovers had lost 3-1 at Roker Park on New Years Day 1988 he said to me "who was that big lad up front - he was rubbish....!!"

Brian Deane was playing for a struggling team back then, as Peterson is now. That can be tough for anyone, but Peterson acquitted himself well when he came on and could well develop into a decent player so I hope we can give him the time he needs.

[goalkick]

Remember Brian Deane scoring winner in cup game at Whitby town.cracking goal.was very tall and skinny but you could see he would make it one day.

[Tiddysdad]

Boxing Day Macheda walked around as though he wasn't bothered. Peterson came on and showed more desire than Macheda had done in the last few games. That's why he started. Macheda looked as though he couldn't wait for his loan to finish.
He's been a flash in the pan - living off the first game. done nothing since - a little like Robinson.

I would rather have a team of triers than people just there for the wage packet.

SO GIVE PETERSON TIME.

[Sammy Chung was King]

It's not ''Roy of the Rovers'' where every debutant goes home with the match ball and has to give the champagne to his mam,these are Hardened,Experienced championship players that he faced,he's just come out of u-21's team,it's from Boys to Men,his debut was made harder by playing up front on his own,because the support round him,wasn't good enough,like hasn't been most of the season for all our strikers,so of course he just looked like a trier chasing things down,that was his only chance of impressing the boss,he was trying to make something happen for the team through hard work,he's not above criticism because he's from the youth team,come on guys give him a game or two to learn a bit of his trade,the least you expect from any player pulling The Red and White on,is effort you got that,the experienced players round him have to help.

[BillyStubbsTears]

Singing Postman

I too remember Duggie starting with us. He had the co-ordination, poise and balance of a giraffe in an ice rink after a night on the pop at Rotters. That first season, I honestly thought he'd never make a footballer while ever he had a hole in his arse.

Shows how much d**kheads like us know.

If the lad Peterson is prepared to work as hard as Duggie did, is as brave as he was and can learn from an old head in Brown, the way that Duggie did from Uncle Ernie, he'll be alright.