Goalkeeping position....

[Southampton Gull]

Robbo impressed me the other night, something he never does at right-back which isn't his fault in any way. I also thought LRT did well, saved a goal with a clearance off the line too. I wonder if he could fit in at right-back allowing Nicho back in and freeing Mansell for a midfield berth. Saying that, I really like Oastler and Stanley too so God knows how that would pan out. I said when Benyon and Wroe went that I felt we were stronger now and I still feel the same despite the collapse the other night. Kee shoots on sight which is a plus, Robinson looks class at times so it's coming together nicely for me.

[Jeff]

Robbo impressed me the other night, something he never does at right-back which isn't his fault in any way. I also thought LRT did well, saved a goal with a clearance off the line too. I wonder if he could fit in at right-back allowing Nicho back in and freeing Mansell for a midfield berth. Saying that, I really like Oastler and Stanley too so God knows how that would pan out. I said when Benyon and Wroe went that I felt we were stronger now and I still feel the same despite the collapse the other night. Kee shoots on sight which is a plus, Robinson looks class at times so it's coming together nicely for me.

Thats a great shout. LRT is naturally right-footed is he not? From what I can remember he certainly seemed more comfortable on his right side. I was very derogatory about him before, but to be fair he's proved me wrong and is doing a good job. But we do miss the qualities that Nico brings to the side. Oastler has been consistently quality since he came to us, even more so when paired with Stanley, but I'd feel he would be liable to be the man to miss out if we signed more than 1 loanee (whilst keeping the others we have now). Moving LRT to right back, and Mansell into Oastlers spot would tick all the boxes without leaving us any weaker.

[Trojan 67]

Amen to that.

I think I've got over the misery of Cheltenham now. I guess as much as we want it, we are never going to win every game. Tuesday was one of those days when any little mistake we made was punished, rather like Morecambe away. There will be days like that - unfortunately it seems to go with the territory of being a TUFC fan that we get more days like that than when the boot is on the other foot. Although it was 2 points dropped, the table still looks good. Results go our way over the weekend and Tuesday and we could be sat in 5th place and within striking distance of the top 3 (he says without looking at either the table or fixtures........ )

I'll look forward to seeing any forthcoming movement in the transfer market - any inside info?

An for what its worth, I think we should recall Bevan for the weekend, but Robertson has been doing a stirling job so should keep his place.

I've got over it as well, but then I only listened to the match on the radio.

[Southampton Gull]

I've been doing some thinking on that. If we had Oastler Stanley and Mansell in midfield we could have a very attacking formation something like this:


Bevan

LRT Robbo Branston Nicho

Mansell Stanley Oastler

Zebroski Kee Robinson

With Eunan, Stevens and Gilligan to replace as and when necessary we have a 4-3-3 come 4-5-1 with real steel in the middle of the park.

I'd like to see what that team could do to be honest.

[Fletch]

Thats a great shout. LRT is naturally right-footed is he not?

Jeff, if you watched in the half time kickaround the subs have, when LRT was amongst them he usually kicks the ball with his left foot. Same as when he tackles, its invariably with his left foot... :slap:

[royalgull]

Sounds as though he's sticking with Potts. I think it's the right move.

To leave him out after one slight mistake would be harsh and could ruin his confidence. He is a lot more experienced and probably would take the decision ok but if we left someone out after they made a slight error we'd have a completely different team every week.

[Regiment]

in terms of goalkeepers, yes, we're very lucky with the two we have. i have to feel sorry for Bev, as he's had a good season, and the last game he played in he saved 2 pens, and through no fault of his own, now finds himself on the bench, but at the same time, you've got to hand it to Danny, who's come in, kept a few clean sheets and generally looked solid. and both seem to give the defence confidence, so it's a tough call. the only thing i'd like to see more from Potts is his bossing the 6yrd box from corners. he's a solid lump, and looks like he can dish a bit out, so i'd like to see him take everything in front of him out to get to the ball. i'd also like to see potts take a penalty, cos he can strike a ball pretty well !!!


and i'd definitely go along with Soton Gull's 4-3-3 / 4-5-1. Would be interesting to see how that worked in the real world. Personally i don't like manse at RB, he's much better in centre mid for me, and trying LRT at RB is worth a look. I'm generally happy enough with Robbo at RB (over manse anyway), so if Ellis can rediscover some form/confidence, that's another option, but LRT deserves his place since he came in, but not having Nico in there takes something away from our play.

will be interesting to see how bucks fits everyone in on saturday, cos i can see o'kane coming back in, but who he'll leave out, who knows !??!??

[royalgull]

Sign a right back then Mansell can go back into the middle where he's more effective. But he's much better at right back than Robertson, whose doing well in the middle where he belongs.

LRT is left footed, I'm not sure he'd be the answer in that position in all honesty.

Bevs played against Hereford 'regiment' but he was definitely unlucky to lose his place. Whoever plays in whatever position it is 100% vital the supporters don't get on their back if their own favourite isn't playing. i am mortified everytime Stevens either plays or comes on as sub that he is pillared by OUR fans. That is until he scores or does something good naturally, which is the vast majority of times. Probably not good enough to start 46 games but as an impact sub he's great.

[Regiment]

Sign a right back then Mansell can go back into the middle where he's more effective. But he's much better at right back than Robertson, whose doing well in the middle where he belongs.

LRT is left footed, I'm not sure he'd be the answer in that position in all honesty.

Bevs played against Hereford 'regiment' but he was definitely unlucky to lose his place. Whoever plays in whatever position it is 100% vital the supporters don't get on their back if their own favourite isn't playing. i am mortified everytime Stevens either plays or comes on as sub that he is pillared by OUR fans. That is until he scores or does something good naturally, which is the vast majority of times. Probably not good enough to start 46 games but as an impact sub he's great.

oh yeah, my mistake :Oops: - thanks. and i agree with the addition of a dedicated right back - we're over-run with central midfielders at the moment, but i do feel manse should be in there. i think LRT is "both footed" enough to be able to switch across to the right, particularly as he's playing fairly well, and his confidence is up - lots of teams have the opposite problem, and play right footed players at LB. i don't think it's such a problem at full back, more of a problem going forward (wide midfielders/wingers) in my opinion.

[JamieE]

Poor, poor goalkeeping from Potter for their first. No attempt to get in front of their attacker and the punch is straight back into the mix, he could have caught it. However, Interesting quote from Bucks on the OS:

"Bevan is from the Land of the Giants and he is entitled to take a few crosses but ultimately, I like my goalkeepers to keep goal. I don't like 'keepers leaving the goal.

"I have good enough defenders and we have people like Guy Branston, Mark Ellis and Chris Robertson, who are all competent in the air. I always say to the goalie: 'if it's 100% yours, come and get it, but if not, stay in your goal'.

So with Potter, Rice, even Rayner back in 07/08 renowned for not coming to get the ball, some of it is down to instructions from the gaffer to not leave their line. If Potter was to come and flap at a cross, he'd be dropped for the next game. Even so, no excuses on Tuesday night. Wasn't a great night for either keeper. Both our goals could have been avoided from Cheltenham's point of view.

[royalgull]

Ricey told me that numerous times that he was told not to come and get it unless he's 100% sure he could. He had more chance of saving a header or shot than he did going through bodies to catch the original cross. That was how they felt about it and I imagine the same goes for Potts.

Buckle has said exactly what I put elsewhere, Bevan is a monster of a bloke and not the norm as it were.

[Southampton Gull]

Try telling Pep Guardiola that a guy who is left-footed can't play on the right. If a player is good enough it doesn't matter what foot he kicks with, besides I've seen LRT kick plenty with his right foot. LRT is a solid enough defender so I'd have no qualms trying him out at right-back. Rather that than a specialist midfielder or even worse a centre half playing there.

[Dave_Pougher]

http://www.torquayunited.com/page/News/ ... 98,00.html

Have to say I'm a little bit dissapointed in this decision from Bucks. I respect his decision and like he says we haven't lost in three but we have also dropped four points that really should have been ours esp. Cheltenham.

Suppose it all depends what school of thought your from, is two draws ever better than one win & one loss?

[Fletch]

Try telling Pep Guardiola that a guy who is left-footed can't play on the right. If a player is good enough it doesn't matter what foot he kicks with, besides I've seen LRT kick plenty with his right foot. LRT is a solid enough defender so I'd have no qualms trying him out at right-back. Rather that than a specialist midfielder or even worse a centre half playing there.

Dave, I assume you mean Messi? Have a look at how often he plays a left footer at RB and a right footer at LB

Look also at the vast majority of top level teams (always like to equate us with them). You dont see Cole, Clichy or Evra playing at RB do you?

(used that smiley cos hes obviously a left footer as well)

[Southampton Gull]

No, I wasn't referring to Messi. It was something Guardiola said in an interview once. He said that if a player with one good foot couldn't play anywhere on a football pitch he should play another sport. I've seen Cole play right-back for Arsenal. I've also played in sides where good players were asked to play on their "unnatural" side. If you used your argument religiously we wouldn't have a centre-half playing full-back. Stevens has played on the left, he's right-footed. One of the best full-backs I played with was a veteran called Tim Coak, he was left-footed and played as a right-back, ex Saints player. My point is he knows how to play as a full-back and I would rather he played there than Robbo.

And your last point, can you see Ancelotti. Wenger or Fergie not having a specialist right back in the whole squad?