Ben close

[Thorney]

Any suprise that since he has returned we habnt scored a goal when he is on the pitch

[andyst79]

Any suprise that since he has returned we habnt scored a goal when he is on the pitch

Any suprise that since he has returned we habnt scored a goal when he is on the pitch

It's because he's too good for this Division, wait while we're in L1 next season then you'll see

[andyst79]

Joking aside, it's a long hard season. Nothings won and lost in September but it's food for thought for GM

[Thorney]

Sorry take my statement back, just realised he was on the pitch when yeboah scored against huddersfield in the cup nobody gives a damn about

[andyst79]

He's not solely to blame but we just seem to be a complete shit show when he's in the side, starting from L1 under Wellens

[Reg of the Rovers]

Terrible mistake offering him a new contract, too often injured but his contribution on the pitch is awful. Picks up the ball facing our goal and plays it back to a defender. No press, no strength, no creativity, doesn't get around the pitch enough. All other fit centre midfielders should start before Close.

[Bills view]

He can sometimes look good on the eye but are we better as a team when he plays?

Him with Bailey in the middle didn't work great last season in my opinion.

We need high intensity in there.

[danumdon]

We now have issues, because we don't have anyone better to put there, Kelly is not good enough.

We missed the aggression of Clifton today, (would of been sent off again by the awful ref) we can't play a holding and disciplined Bailey with someone like Close alongside him, too passive, no energy and no forward momentum gained, looked like men against boys today. When the wide players are double marked and out of the game then these players have to step up and control the ball, never happened, again.

We need far better.

[keith79]

Imo. Fit and match fit are not the same. He is probably 3/4 game away from where he need to be.

[ncRover]

Westbrooke is miles better. Said it all along

[Chris Black come back]

Never stays fit long enough.

We can probably get away with Sharp and Ironside being a bit off at this level given their intrinsic talent relative to the defenders against them.

Our issue appears to be central midfield. Wide players hit and miss but are generally a threat. Defence maybe a bit suspect out wide but good in centre. TSL solid enough.

Feels like if our wide lads get put under pressure we don’t have anything to play through middle. It’s a group that has yet to show any combination can really work consistently.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

He was poor today. A couple of critical passes that he should be getting right, were given away cheaply. In his position, to get any foothold in the game, we must get the basics right and for a player of his experience, he didn't step up to the plate.

A symptom that's running through the team at the moment, being our own worst enemies. McCann needs to get a grip quickly before confidence totally evaporates.

[andyst79]

Imo. Fit and match fit are not the same. He is probably 3/4 game away from where he need to be.

3/4 games away from another club I hope

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

We've spent over 3 years now waiting for him to come good and he's not done it.  He's a technically good player but he doesn't suit us. Poor in the tackle and not at all quick enough.  I'd rather see Kelly or Broadbent in there.

[Move DRFC]

What surprises me most is he’s been out with a serious injury for a very long time and he’s been thrown straight back into the fold. It was unlikely he was going to be great isn’t it

[Bills view]

Looking at the options, from what I've seen of Broadbent he is one-paced using a horseracing phrase. He's not done enough to convince me.

Kelly or Westbrook are most suitable to help Bailey. I also think Clifton is pretty important to the style of play that has worked best.

As well as the pressing, we need support to the centre forward and lots of runners in behind. That's when we look dangerous.

Close had a good spell last season alongside Westbrook. Maybe Westbrook is key. I do think Kelly could be the one. Remember Craig wasn't an instant success but we are crying out for that type of performance every week.

[GazLaz]

Close has been playing as a single No6 (holding midfielder). That’s not the best way to deploy him. Grant appears to be sure it is though.

[andyst79]

He just seems to want to play the game at a canter , people rave about his passing but it was Close who gave the ball away before the first goal. Granted it was a few passages of play previous to the free kick but we broke away in our own half and he tried playing the ball forward and gave it straight to a Chesterfield player literally 10 yards in front of him. He had time and space to do anything he wanted , it should have been us on the attack not them.

[Usher wide.]

We didn’t miss him when he was out injured & on his current form I don’t think we’d miss him now.

When it comes to his range of passing he’s no Brian Stock.

You (in theory) get more time on the ball playing in that deeper midfield role than an attacking midfielder gets so (in theory) more time to pick out a penetrating pass, dictate the pace of the game. Close does neither.

[Padge_DRFC]

If he's going to play it needs to be where Sbarra is. He's technically our best midfielder on the ball, wasted IMO where he's playing now. He's better than Clifton and Sbarra for sure.

[andyst79]

Any coincidence we're back to winning ways?!

[Filo]

If he's going to play it needs to be where Sbarra is. He's technically our best midfielder on the ball, wasted IMO where he's playing now. He's better than Clifton and Sbarra for sure.

Hasn’t got the energy of either of those two

[ForsolongaRover]

Any coincidence we're back to winning ways?!

Clifton was worth two of Close, courageous, energetic and he gets into scoring positions.

[RoversInSpain]

I thought Kelly was much better last night v Barrow, wanted to get hold of the ball and run with it. The whole midfield seemed to have a lot more energy than v Chesterfield.
As far as Close is concerned wouldn’t care if he never put on a Rovers shirt again. From day 1 it’s never worked.
Someone said ‘ he’s easy on the eye’ well as someone also once said we actually play on the grass.

[Padge_DRFC]

Kelly is going to be a good signing I think for us. Shame there's these silly international breaks every month and he has to leave.

[In the box]

Any suprise that since he has returned we habnt scored a goal when he is on the pitch

He detracts from the attack , he passes sideways and backwards but when ever he pass forward it seldom reaches its target !! 

[jm291]

Unfortunately one of Grant's poorer decisions. Close hadn't done anything since he signed and was a permanent sick note. A 2 year contract (on hefty wages I would imagine) whilst still injured was a very strange call.

[Sven Vath]

Any suprise that since he has returned we habnt scored a goal when he is on the pitch

What about last year when he returned from injury?

I don't get all the negativity toward him, easily good enough for this league.

[ForsolongaRover]

Any suprise that since he has returned we habnt scored a goal when he is on the pitch

What about last year when he returned from injury?

I don't get all the negativity toward him, easily good enough for this league.

Perhaps you could provide some positive evidence of his value then. If he’s “easily good enough” there should be lots of it.

[Ho]

Any suprise that since he has returned we habnt scored a goal when he is on the pitch

What about last year when he returned from injury?

I don't get all the negativity toward him, easily good enough for this league.

Perhaps you could provide some positive evidence of his value then. If he’s “easily good enough” there should be lots of it.

See data from GazLaz here:  https://www.drfc-vsc.co.uk/index.php?topic=291235.msg1316515#msg1316515