taarabt

[stan_bowles]

would still be faster than most of our players

Not sure Pellicori can do walking pace.

[Quaz]

Not sure Pellicori can do walking pace.

yeah but backwards doesn't count

[swanleyhoop]

Our best player for me today, the pick of a very poor bunch, but at least he tried to create things.

Hear hear.
When he was taken off, we lost probably our best chance of getting anything out of the game.
For me, the problem revolves around the poor distribution and inability to break up play by the two CM's -- we have not performed well since losing Mahon. Legs and Watson do not protect the defence and do not support the forwards. Neither of them seem capable of passing to someone in a hooped shirt more than once in ten passes.

A lot of the time today Taarabt was passing the ball around, and when he didn't, it was largely due to a lack of movement from the others and a seeming lack of desire on others' parts to receive the ball at all.

There are some posts on this thread which are truly unbelievable.

[swanleyhoop]

a strong team around adel...whats the point...he doesn't pass........

No -- this is simply no longer true.
Most times today he passed the ball. When he didn't, it was either because he physically couldn't (too many oppos round him) or because no=-one was moving to support him/give him someone to pass to.

Trouble is, once a player is labelled, people are convinced that they will not change, and will roll out the same criticism week in, week out.
The original criticism of Taarabt used to be true, but is really unfair now.

[swanleyhoop]

He didnt play on Boxing Day and people were saying we showed no imagination. He played today and was the only one that looked like creating things. THat is why I come to my conclusion.

Fed up of little arses like Routledge moaning. Pull your finger out and look interested then someone may pass to you.

Absolutely spot on.

[Quaz]

No -- this is simply no longer true.
Most times today he passed the ball. When he didn't, it was either because he physically couldn't (too many oppos round him) or because no=-one was moving to support him/give him someone to pass to.

Trouble is, once a player is labelled, people are convinced that they will not change, and will roll out the same criticism week in, week out.
The original criticism of Taarabt used to be true, but is really unfair now.

still think he is too greedy and a liability....he hasn't changed at all...still thinks he is the only player on the pitch......as for the moving and supporting.....someone stated earlier that buzz & routledge were getting p!ssed off with him not passing and stopped making the runs because most of the time he ignored them.

[writtler]

I really don't get this Routledge lovein. The only time he plays well is when we are 3-0 up. The guy is a waste of space and has a bad attitude which i would suggest is impacting the rest of the team also. Sell Routledge and bring back Ephrahim.

And there is a statement that confirms someone has lost the plot..

[swanleyhoop]

still think he is too greedy and a liability....he hasn't changed at all...still thinks he is the only player on the pitch......as for the moving and supporting.....someone stated earlier that buzz & routledge were getting p!ssed off with him not passing and stopped making the runs because most of the time he ignored them.

No, I was there today, the frustration was more with Watson and Legs who, when they got the ball, either went backwards or dithered and lost it or who just passed it to an Ipswich player.
Taarabt was trying to work with Buzz and Routledge, but, without the support of the two inept CM's, and with both Buzz and Taarabt out of position (when they did swap to put Buzz in the middle and Taarabt out wide, PH TOLD them to get back to where they were -- worrying), things were never ever going to go right.

Legs and Watson were, and have been for several games, the major problem with the team.

[Quaz]

No, I was there today, the frustration was more with Watson and Legs who, when they got the ball, either went backwards or dithered and lost it or who just passed it to an Ipswich player.
Taarabt was trying to work with Buzz and Routledge, but, without the support of the two inept CM's, and with both Buzz and Taarabt out of position (when they did swap to put Buzz in the middle and Taarabt out wide, PH TOLD them to get back to where they were -- worrying), things were never ever going to go right.

Legs and Watson were, and have been for several games, the major problem with the team.

think you will find the tactics used by hart are to blame as well mate.
he is more defensive ( altho you wouldn't think so by the score ) and seems to like his teams to go side or back rather than sweep forward.

[swanleyhoop]

think you will find the tactics used by hart are to blame as well mate.
he is more defensive ( altho you wouldn't think so by the score ) and seems to like his teams to go side or back rather than sweep forward.

Can't stand that.
We never try and catch teams on the break -- everything is slowed down for a patient build-up which loses any impetus we might have -- it also means we don't make use of Simpson's speed.
And the patient build-up is far, far too patient and usually ends up with us losing possession just in front of our own box.

[Quaz]

Can't stand that.
We never try and catch teams on the break -- everything is slowed down for a patient build-up which loses any impetus we might have -- it also means we don't make use of Simpson's speed.
And the patient build-up is far, far too patient and usually ends up with us losing possession just in front of our own box.

exactly right...so someone like routledge,taraabt,buzz & simpson are wasted...no use having pace in the side if it's not utilized.

[writtler]

Absolutely spot on.

Remind me of the result boxing day and the result today?

[Stanley]

No, I was there today, the frustration was more with Watson and Legs who, when they got the ball, either went backwards or dithered and lost it or who just passed it to an Ipswich player.
Taarabt was trying to work with Buzz and Routledge, but, without the support of the two inept CM's, and with both Buzz and Taarabt out of position (when they did swap to put Buzz in the middle and Taarabt out wide, PH TOLD them to get back to where they were -- worrying), things were never ever going to go right.

Legs and Watson were, and have been for several games, the major problem with the team.

On countless occasions Paul Goddard on the comms commented on Taarabt losing posession, so much so that it became a running joke. Or he would go alone, shoot high and wide or lose possesion when the better option to pass was clearly on. He then referred to Routledge's exasperation and holding his hands up to Taarabt at least twice after he'd made good runs into space, and again when Buzz was in acres of space.

It seems to me that players need to swap roles i.e. Legs (holding) and Watson (marauding); Buzz (hole) and Taarabt (LM). Small adjustments like that could make a big difference to their rhythm. Buzz and Taarabt did swap for the last 2 minutes of the 1st half, if PH then ordered them back to their original positions then I agree that is worrying.

[paulmason]

GP got two ball tarabbt as a striker, so that is where he will play. Remember Pete betting he will get 15 goals and give it 10 games etc.

[scarface]

How come everyone can see that taarabt aint a striker apart from the managers at our club or should i say whoever picks the team......

Oh yeah pete does as well whats he on 4 goals...........