2 things to note...

[adamtherover]

1, clifton plays, we win!! Boy have we missed his energy.

2, right at the end , with bails surging through the defense. In real time  it seemed that the best option was to play the ball through to his overlapping strike partner for a Clean shot on goal.  But after a quick glance and seeing it was lasagne, you could sense bails knew it was his own efforts or nothing.  I really dont think the new fella has made a good impression on the group..

[andyst79]

1, clifton plays, we win!! Boy have we missed his energy.

2, right at the end , with bails surging through the defense. In real time  it seemed that the best option was to play the ball through to his overlapping strike partner for a Clean shot on goal.  But after a quick glance and seeing it was lasagne, you could sense bails knew it was his own efforts or nothing.  I really dont think the new fella has made a good impression on the group..

Is it because Clifton played or Close didn't?!

[adamtherover]

1, clifton plays, we win!! Boy have we missed his energy.

2, right at the end , with bails surging through the defense. In real time  it seemed that the best option was to play the ball through to his overlapping strike partner for a Clean shot on goal.  But after a quick glance and seeing it was lasagne, you could sense bails knew it was his own efforts or nothing.  I really dont think the new fella has made a good impression on the group..

Is it because Clifton played or Close didn't?!

another good point, isn't closes win ratio horrendous?

[RugbyRover]

1, clifton plays, we win!! Boy have we missed his energy.

2, right at the end , with bails surging through the defense. In real time  it seemed that the best option was to play the ball through to his overlapping strike partner for a Clean shot on goal.  But after a quick glance and seeing it was lasagne, you could sense bails knew it was his own efforts or nothing.  I really dont think the new fella has made a good impression on the group..

Is it because Clifton played or Close didn't?!

Is it because we weren't playing a L1 side?

[andyst79]

1, clifton plays, we win!! Boy have we missed his energy.

2, right at the end , with bails surging through the defense. In real time  it seemed that the best option was to play the ball through to his overlapping strike partner for a Clean shot on goal.  But after a quick glance and seeing it was lasagne, you could sense bails knew it was his own efforts or nothing.  I really dont think the new fella has made a good impression on the group..

Is it because Clifton played or Close didn't?!

another good point, isn't closes win ratio horrendous?

One for the stattos ! be very interesting to see , our best runs seem to coincide with him on the sidelines

[graingrover]

Why do some posters  get more satisfaction seeking to turn a positive into a negative .

[bobbymax]

I think you play either Broadbent or Close. The former is younger and more physical so should be starting but the latter has shown he's a decent back-up this season and doesn't deserve the flak he gets on here.

[andyst79]

Why do some posters  get more satisfaction seeking to turn a positive into a negative .

I don't get any satisfaction from it , it's a genuine question. Like I've said on previous posts I don't rate Close but I'd love him to prove me wrong. I want all our signings to be a success. I'm not a massive fan of Clifton either but can't fault his effort & work rate however Gotts is a far better player and it baffles me how he's not starting many games, maybe he's not fully fit , I don't know.

[Ian Nimmo]

Totally agree, Ben has played well in games he has played, and does not deserve the flak.
Concentrate on those who have had games time, but have made mistakes or not added anything to our performance in games they have played.

[adamtherover]

Why do some posters  get more satisfaction seeking to turn a positive into a negative .

please show how you come to the weird conclusion that anyone on this thread is getting some sort of pleasure out of watching then commentating on players not being up to scratch? Everyone of us is desperate for the new lads to make a positive impact, will it ever happen? God I hope so!!!

[selby]

  The main improvement is playing Pearson and O'Riordon as a partnership down the middle. They are our best defenders and allow others to play.

[drfcsteve]

I think the “we always lose when Close plays” is a bit of a myth. First of all what do you count as playing? A start? A sub appearance? How many minutes?

I had a quick look at this seasons games and there doesn’t seem to be anything in it at all, results don’t differ substantially whether Close is or isn’t involved.

[adamtherover]

I think the “we always lose when Close plays” is a bit of a myth. First of all what do you count as playing? A start? A sub appearance? How many minutes?

I had a quick look at this seasons games and there doesn’t seem to be anything in it at all, results don’t differ substantially whether Close is or isn’t involved.

yes they do, he did t dtart any of the first 7 games, when we were flying, then came in for thr next 5 or so, we know what happened then.. I'm not blaming him, its just a co incidence that he doesn't get many win bonuses...

[IDM]

The team doesn't have to win for an individual player to have a decent game?

[andyst79]

I think the “we always lose when Close plays” is a bit of a myth. First of all what do you count as playing? A start? A sub appearance? How many minutes?

I had a quick look at this seasons games and there doesn’t seem to be anything in it at all, results don’t differ substantially whether Close is or isn’t involved.

yes they do, he did t dtart any of the first 7 games, when we were flying, then came in for thr next 5 or so, we know what happened then.. I'm not blaming him, its just a co incidence that he doesn't get many win bonuses...

I'd add that he was pretty much an ever present in the season we got relegated from L1 , also the run we went on when we missed out in the play offs coincided with him getting injured.  Couldn't get a game last season when we won the league. Is it a coincidence or is he just really unlucky?

[GazLaz]

I think the “we always lose when Close plays” is a bit of a myth. First of all what do you count as playing? A start? A sub appearance? How many minutes?

I had a quick look at this seasons games and there doesn’t seem to be anything in it at all, results don’t differ substantially whether Close is or isn’t involved.

I really like BC. He’s a very high quality player. I’m not sure he is the kind of player that fits Grants style though. The more we pass it the worse we are, Close wants to get on the ball and keep things ticking. We are not a ticking side, we are a crash, bang, wallop side when we are at our best.

[andyst79]

Totally agree, Ben has played well in games he has played, and does not deserve the flak.
Concentrate on those who have had games time, but have made mistakes or not added anything to our performance in games they have played.
[/quote
Like who?!

[andyst79]

I think the “we always lose when Close plays” is a bit of a myth. First of all what do you count as playing? A start? A sub appearance? How many minutes?

I had a quick look at this seasons games and there doesn’t seem to be anything in it at all, results don’t differ substantially whether Close is or isn’t involved.

I really like BC. He’s a very high quality player. I’m not sure he is the kind of player that fits Grants style though. The more we pass it the worse we are, Close wants to get on the ball and keep things ticking. We are not a ticking side, we are a crash, bang, wallop side when we are at our best.

Doesn't help that as a team we are very one paced, don't have anyone really who can carry the ball & break lines in midfield

[GazLaz]

I think the “we always lose when Close plays” is a bit of a myth. First of all what do you count as playing? A start? A sub appearance? How many minutes?

I had a quick look at this seasons games and there doesn’t seem to be anything in it at all, results don’t differ substantially whether Close is or isn’t involved.

I really like BC. He’s a very high quality player. I’m not sure he is the kind of player that fits Grants style though. The more we pass it the worse we are, Close wants to get on the ball and keep things ticking. We are not a ticking side, we are a crash, bang, wallop side when we are at our best.

Doesn't help that as a team we are very one paced, don't have anyone really who can carry the ball & break lines in midfield

Yes, we lack athleticism don’t we.

[Chris Black come back]

You can make a case for someone like Close or Westbrooke to provide at least some option of a player in midfield who can properly control possession. You might need that at some stage. Two of them in the squad though, especially senior players on good wages. Odd decision.

[Alan Southstand]

Just to look at it from a different perspective. Ask yourself who you’d rather have in the midfield when we don’t have possession! Close wouldn’t get in my team on that basis. When we have the ball, he’s more than useful, but so is Broadbent, Bailey, Clifton and Gotts.

Injuries are a different matter - and things swing more his way as injuries hit. God forbid we ever lose Bailey, though.

Crew is the real outlier based on his involvements so far this season. He has been a shadow of last season’s Crew. Again, a loan position up for grabs, possibly, come January?

[Drover]

1, clifton plays, we win!! Boy have we missed his energy.

2, right at the end , with bails surging through the defense. In real time  it seemed that the best option was to play the ball through to his overlapping strike partner for a Clean shot on goal.  But after a quick glance and seeing it was lasagne, you could sense bails knew it was his own efforts or nothing.  I really dont think the new fella has made a good impression on the group..

Is it because Clifton played or Close didn't?!

another good point, isn't closes win ratio horrendous?

Well he's been a regular in our Carabou and Vertu cup games and we've not done too bad