So is Robbie Elliot a bit crappy then?

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I love the guy to bits. He's a geordie. But reports are not good regarding his performances. One good tackle accepted. So the question is - do we need to keep looking for a left back? Maybe we could give Maldini one last huge pay check...

-- Anonymous, August 08, 2001

Answers

apra kapapra

-- Anonymous, August 08, 2001

His form is certainly a bit worrying. In the two games I've seen him play, he has been middling to poor and he had a bit of a nightmare against Troyes. This leaves us a bit vulnerable at LB, although Hughes can always do a good job there.

However, I personally don't think we should write Robbie off yet - we need to give him time to readjust to the pace and style of the game at the top level after playing in the Nationwide for a long time. He is a wonderful tackler - and prevented a goal opportunity the other night with a great sliding block tackle in the penalty area.

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001


Clarky, is that your feeling? That it's more a case of readjusting than of any inherent failing? I hope so....

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

Who would you have at left back? Elliot or Quinn?

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

Elliott - no question. He reads the game well and is a great tackler. His distribution let him down the other night and seemed to sap his confidence. Right now I would say he realises he hasn't played all that well and is low on confidence.

In the two games I've seen him play my biggest concern has been a lack of pace which has allowed his opponent to skin him a few times in each game.

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001



I don't think it's necessarily been pace but that he hasn't read the game particularly well and has been found out of position. I'm waiting to see how he'll link with Robert which I think is a more important feature. If Robert is good enough then he may not need to support as much and will be able to concentrate on his position.

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

Yes, far too early to write him off although I feel he should probably be dropped now and he can fight for the place again.

Don't know what the problem is - it can't be difficult for him to settle in the area(!) so I suppose it has to be put down as a run of poor form which happens to everyone at some stage. We know from the past that he is better than this.
-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001


I'm not so sure Jonno. It may actually be more difficult for Robbie, a local lad returning to the Club, than for an outsider to settle in.
His self-imposed expectations may be creating great pressure for the lad, and it wouldn't surprise me if this wasn't creating problems for him. He has looked very inhibited to me, and not playing in his normal relaxed style, getting forward and making things happen.

I'm not sure whether dropping him would improve the situation, and it could very well make it worse. If I were BR I think I would be working very hard on building his confidence in training, and trying to get him to relax, and play his natural game. I would probably stick with for now; Saturdays testimonial game should be far less pressurised and hopefully provide a platform for Robbie to relax and show what he is really capable of.

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001


hate to state the obvious but,it just might be that he's had 3 or 4 serious injuries and his legs are buggered.

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

well the solution to the "l.b prob" just went to Harrods FC for £3.5m that is Harley who i think is CLASS and is only 21 !

also if we're this ambitious club why not slap a 10.5 mill bid for silvinho from the gunners? now he is world class.

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001



it just might be that he's had 3 or 4 serious injuries and his legs are buggered

But our state-of-the-arkart medical facilities would pick that up straight away surely?



-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

Got to agree with about Harley pSy - he would have been a great buy, and at £3.5mm looks good value to me. Don't think Silvinho is worth £10mm though.

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

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