Ben close

[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.

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

Thanks and it’s the stats vs observational assessment argument which I know must have value, but in the case of Craig vs Close, the worth of the former to the team was rather more palpable than has ever been visible from Close.

The balance of opinion is currently not favourable to Close and it would be useful if you could support the historical statistics with some more recent evidence of his ability and value in recent games. Taking on board why, in the opinions expressed above, he is not the preferred choice at the moment, how do you answer the criticism?

[DonnyBazR0ver]

It's unfair to compare Close to Craig. Very different players.

Close quite rightly was dropped for last night's game after his performance on Saturday.

The big question that remained is how and with whom, the midfield could operate more effectively.

Last night showed, with Bailey playing a bit deeper at times, the combination with Kelly and Clifton had much better balance than we've seen for sometime.

Rather than t⁴ry to pin the midfield woes down to one player, it's just not that simple, it's up to MCann to find the right combinations with who we've got.

All three have different attributes but the whole idea, is they gell and work together.

I hope Grant sticks with the same for Saturday to try and get some continuity going, albeit we lose Kelly again after that.  Westbrooke could be ready by then and slot into Kelly's position, as could Close, although he would have to play better than Saturday. Broadbent perhaps would be better suited to the same role as Bailey played last night, should we lose Bailey at some point. Sbarra I think is more suited to the Clifton role, playing further up the pitch, but dropping back in when needed.

I don't think anyone would argue that Close is not the future. He's a player that should have realised his potential by now and probably needs a fresh start elsewhere if he wants to prolong his career. 

[Usher wide.]

Get shut he’s shit end of.

[tommy toes]

Close is a fine footballer, he’s probably the best passer of the ball we’ve got, but if he wants to be a regular starter in this team, he needs to raise his energy levels and put more aggression into his game.
If he cant then he’ll struggle to get involved.
McCann obviously rates him, so I hope they’re working with him to improve his all round game.

[i_ateallthepies]

Close's shortcomings have been evident to us all for months and longer.  I would hope that they would have been working to improve those aspects of his game for all of that time but it clearly is having very limited effect.  I think he's been given more than long enough.

[roversdude]

We certainly look more of a unit without Close, he’s a decent footballer but he seems more of a plan B than a starter how we set up to play

[Usher wide.]

Too harsh, he’s not shit. But he’s far too ponderous in this division, whether that’s him still not 100% fit, I dunno. What I do know is that he’s not the type of player that fits into the way Grant says he wants his teams to play, high press, lots of energy as has been pointed out in other posts.

He’s not for us. Astounded at the length of contract he was given. What has he shown to warrant that?

[DonnyOsmond]

Any coincidence we're back to winning ways?!

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

Yeah but Lawlor saves more shots and jumps more than Clifton, so....

[Copps is Magic]

Someone posted in another thread that Close is not cut out for the 'high-intensity' games. I've been chuckling all week. Just need to find the low-intensity ones to play him then.

[GazLaz]

I like Close. Spent a bit of time watching loads of clips of him on Wyscout, came to the conclusion he looks really slow. Doesn’t help when you are playing in that holding role.

[ForsolongaRover]

Any coincidence we're back to winning ways?!

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

Yeah but Lawlor saves more shots and jumps more than Clifton, so…

So you’re too subtle for me.

[andyst79]

I'd be interested to know how many appearances he's made since he signed for us & how many times he's been on the winning side? One for the stattos!

[Usher wide.]

I like Close. Spent a bit of time watching loads of clips of him on Wyscout, came to the conclusion he looks really slow. Doesn’t help when you are playing in that holding role.

You need a hobby!

[DonnyOsmond]

I like Close. Spent a bit of time watching loads of clips of him on Wyscout, came to the conclusion he looks really slow. Doesn’t help when you are playing in that holding role.

Doesn't do transitions.

[RoversInSpain]

It's unfair to compare Close to Craig. Very different players.

Close quite rightly was dropped for last night's game after his performance on Saturday.

The big question that remained is how and with whom, the midfield could operate more effectively.

Last night showed, with Bailey playing a bit deeper at times, the combination with Kelly and Clifton had much better balance than we've seen for sometime.

Rather than t⁴ry to pin the midfield woes down to one player, it's just not that simple, it's up to MCann to find the right combinations with who we've got.

All three have different attributes but the whole idea, is they gell and work together.

I hope Grant sticks with the same for Saturday to try and get some continuity going, albeit we lose Kelly again after that.  Westbrooke could be ready by then and slot into Kelly's position, as could Close, although he would have to play better than Saturday. Broadbent perhaps would be better suited to the same role as Bailey played last night, should we lose Bailey at some point. Sbarra I think is more suited to the Clifton role, playing further up the pitch, but dropping back in when needed.

I don't think anyone would argue that Close is not the future. He's a player that should have realised his potential by now and probably needs a fresh start elsewhere if he wants to prolong his career.

So in the words of Spandau Ballet, to cut a long story short,
Close is just not upto it end of. He’s had long enough to do something that enhances the team and he just has not and still doesn’t
Your first sentence is the understatement of the year, and totally correct. In the same paragraph as Dodoo is no Ronaldo

[GazLaz]

I like Close. Spent a bit of time watching loads of clips of him on Wyscout, came to the conclusion he looks really slow. Doesn’t help when you are playing in that holding role.

Doesn't do transitions.

Always been obvious he’s not dynamic. He’s probably even slower than I thought. Dis positioning is great to make up for it but it still means he’s a fraction of a second later to duels than he could be.

[Usher wide.]

I like Close. Spent a bit of time watching loads of clips of him on Wyscout, came to the conclusion he looks really slow. Doesn’t help when you are playing in that holding role.

Doesn't do transitions.

Always been obvious he’s not dynamic. He’s probably even slower than I thought. Dis positioning is great to make up for it but it still means he’s a fraction of a second later to duels than he could be.

Not dynamic, slower than you thought, a fraction of a second later to duels than he could (I would say should) be = he’s not good enough to be in the team = get rid.

Say it as it is.

[NickDRFC]

I like Close. Spent a bit of time watching loads of clips of him on Wyscout, came to the conclusion he looks really slow. Doesn’t help when you are playing in that holding role.

Doesn't do transitions.

Always been obvious he’s not dynamic. He’s probably even slower than I thought. Dis positioning is great to make up for it but it still means he’s a fraction of a second later to duels than he could be.

Not dynamic, slower than you thought, a fraction of a second later to duels than he could (I would say should) be = he’s not good enough to be in the team = get rid.

Say it as it is.

To me that’s a very binary point of view.

Would I have extended his contract? No
Would he be in my first choice team? No
Would I play him in the position/system that McCann has been? No
Could he potentially still have something to offer in certain types of game/game situation? Absolutely

Besides, it’s the start of October. How exactly do we “get rid”? The only option is to pay off his contract, and given he’s probably one of our highest earners and has almost 2 years to go that won’t be cheap. Alternatively we wait until January and hope that someone takes him on full wages (unlikely), or loan him out/allow him to go for free with us still paying a proportion (not ideal). As long as he still works hard and isn’t disruptive I think he could still have something to offer this season and will get minutes when the games come thick and fast and injuries/suspensions start to bite.

[DonnyOsmond]

"He's not good enough to be in the team" isn't the right thing either. He's still a decent player, he's just probably better in a team with a slower build up.

[Reg of the Rovers]

"He's not good enough to be in the team" isn't the right thing either. He's still a decent player, he's just probably better in a team with a slower build up.

Like Father Ted's 5-a-side team?

[bobbymax]

There will be games this season that will suit Close's style of play. He was excellent at MK Dons and has only just come back from a bad injury. Grant will need to pick and choose the matches for him to start but I don't really get the vilification of one of our own players from a section of 'fans'. Why do we always have to have a hate figure, is that how modern culture works? All of our players have limitations in some areas, that's why they are plying their trade in the fourth tier!

[ForsolongaRover]

One thing is certain.More seems to have been written about Close than any other player over the time he’s been here. The fact that occasionally he can be brilliant maintains his supporters’ faith.

It is surely a considerable challenge to decide when a match in this rough and tumble league might suit his delicate touch. Rarely, I would have thought. Perhaps McCann could think the unthinkable and use him as a substitute. That way the character of the game is established as either suitable or not.

[drfchound]

I remember when Close was injured in the match at Bradford.
In the games leading up to that one Close had been very good and there were plenty of posts in the following week suggesting that we would be much weaker without him.

[StocksArmy]

Take him out of the team and we get after teams. Simple as that.