[ Sat 24th Jan ] v Holbeach Utd, KO 3pm UCLP AWAY

[sussexdiamond]

Gearing or ELJ ?

ElJ with his pace, trickery and mazy runs causes confusion in the opposition defence. He is exciting to watch and frustrating in equal measure, as quite often his final ball is not so good, but just look at his "assists" record.

Whereas Gearing is more predictable and easier for opponents to manage, but he does have a great cross from deadball situations and is defensively stronger.

There is a time and a place for both of them. The managers job is to decide when that time and place is !

[Formic]

Mal's Pics added to Ollie's match report - http://www.afcdiamonds.com/holbeach-uni ... diamonds-1

[Dowlo]

Great, when he reads the forum that will give him a lot of confidence to go and perform in the next match won't it?

As a local young player, then surely the club (and therefore its supporters) should be encouraging his development rather than criticising him constantly.

Besides this, he wasn't even that bad yesterday, in fact at times he was very dangerous and as bozzer suggests, from my memory he was involved in the majority of our chances.

You posted the other day to say that U21s should be included in the first team more regularly, but given some of the tirades of unfair criticism that I personally heard towards ELJ yesterday from a few of our fans, all I can say is thank flip they aren't as it would likely shatter their confidence for good!

Assuming this is the start of everyone victimising ELJ to the point where he simply can't play for us anymore, much like they did with Greg Ling, who is going to be the next recipient of the vitriol? Declan Rogers?

My personal opinion is that constantly shouting abuse and criticism at someone who at times is only a couple of metres away is not on at all. What given people the right to do this? The fact that they paid six quid (or even three quid in some cases) to get in?

I must have been watching a different game. He had 1 or 2 half decent crosses but tat was it. All these amazing runs and beating of players must be happening when I blink because I always miss them.

All the fans I spoke to yesterday (not just the DeBanke "rabble") agreed ELJ has been poor for a while and Gearing should be getting another chance.

As for the U21's the likes of Charlie Butt have impressed when they have come through the ranks. As have in Louis Smith, Ashley Fulger and Rashid Koriya in the past. They performed well under the weight of fans expectancy and were always supported. They were not given consistent runs in the side however and as a result sadly moved on.

ELJ was poached from Cogenhoe where no doubt he was progressing nicely in a much less high pressured environment. He chose to join a side pushing for the title. Fair play for wanting to do so but in doing so he has to perform consistently well which I'm sorry to say he hasn't done. He may have all the ability world but for me he just isn't showing it enough. Now Ash Fulger and Louis Smith played well and didn't keep their place in the side, so why should ELJ play poorly and keep his? Matt Gearing will soon get fed up being on the bench all the time and will leave. It wont be until then the fans will realise how good he is/was

On the subject of abusing/shouting at players. The club are paying the players a hansom amount of money for playing football at what is effectively glorified park football level. That money comes directly from the fans who come through the gate. Therefore if a player is playing badly fans have every right to moan and let their feelings known. The mere fact that players are being paid at this level is a joke anyway but hey that's modern football. This idea of a happy clappy "c'mon Tim" type fan is complete b*llocks. If you are happy to take the money from the club/fans the shouting when you play badly goes hand in hand. If you were a non paid player then fair enough lay off them, but sadly ours are paid.

As for Greg Ling well he was a no hoper. He was sh*te from start to finish. ELJ is 100x better than him but at the moment is not worth his place in the side.

[Three of Diamonds]

Next up away at Sileby. Billiard green of a pitch should suit ELJ a treat

[FOOTYMAN]

Next up away at Sileby. Billiard green of a pitch should suit ELJ a treat

That seems to suggest he is only able to perform on a decent pitch. There are not many decent pitches at this level. :?:

[Three of Diamonds]

That's what others seem to think. For an 18 year old he developing well I think although a way off the finished article (bout 6 years I think).

[rudolph_hucker]

Great, when he reads the forum that will give him a lot of confidence to go and perform in the next match won't it?

As a local young player, then surely the club (and therefore its supporters) should be encouraging his development rather than criticising him constantly.

Besides this, he wasn't even that bad yesterday, in fact at times he was very dangerous and as bozzer suggests, from my memory he was involved in the majority of our chances.

You posted the other day to say that U21s should be included in the first team more regularly, but given some of the tirades of unfair criticism that I personally heard towards ELJ yesterday from a few of our fans, all I can say is thank flip they aren't as it would likely shatter their confidence for good!

Assuming this is the start of everyone victimising ELJ to the point where he simply can't play for us anymore, much like they did with Greg Ling, who is going to be the next recipient of the vitriol? Declan Rogers?

My personal opinion is that constantly shouting abuse and criticism at someone who at times is only a couple of metres away is not on at all. What given people the right to do this? The fact that they paid six quid (or even three quid in some cases) to get in?

I must have been watching a different game. He had 1 or 2 half decent crosses but tat was it. All these amazing runs and beating of players must be happening when I blink because I always miss them.

All the fans I spoke to yesterday (not just the DeBanke "rabble") agreed ELJ has been poor for a while and Gearing should be getting another chance.

As for the U21's the likes of Charlie Butt have impressed when they have come through the ranks. As have in Louis Smith, Ashley Fulger and Rashid Koriya in the past. They performed well under the weight of fans expectancy and were always supported. They were not given consistent runs in the side however and as a result sadly moved on.

ELJ was poached from Cogenhoe where no doubt he was progressing nicely in a much less high pressured environment. He chose to join a side pushing for the title. Fair play for wanting to do so but in doing so he has to perform consistently well which I'm sorry to say he hasn't done. He may have all the ability world but for me he just isn't showing it enough. Now Ash Fulger and Louis Smith played well and didn't keep their place in the side, so why should ELJ play poorly and keep his? Matt Gearing will soon get fed up being on the bench all the time and will leave. It wont be until then the fans will realise how good he is/was

On the subject of abusing/shouting at players. The club are paying the players a hansom amount of money for playing football at what is effectively glorified park football level. That money comes directly from the fans who come through the gate. Therefore if a player is playing badly fans have every right to moan and let their feelings known. The mere fact that players are being paid at this level is a joke anyway but hey that's modern football. This idea of a happy clappy "c'mon Tim" type fan is complete b*llocks. If you are happy to take the money from the club/fans the shouting when you play badly goes hand in hand. If you were a non paid player then fair enough lay off them, but sadly ours are paid.

As for Greg Ling well he was a no hoper. He was sh*te from start to finish. ELJ is 100x better than him but at the moment is not worth his place in the side.

Dowlo how dare you assume that because you pay (contribute to) the wages of a player that you have the right to be critical of him. Im sure your boss lets you work as poorly as possible and still pays you. poor performances that are one offs can be expected at this level, yet regular below games should be looked at and if needed then commented on. Or we could do what the chairman says and just blow smoke up their arses in case they read the forum and get upset.FFS what kind of planet is Kirkup on???

[Diamond_ Wolf]

Great, when he reads the forum that will give him a lot of confidence to go and perform in the next match won't it?

As a local young player, then surely the club (and therefore its supporters) should be encouraging his development rather than criticising him constantly.

Besides this, he wasn't even that bad yesterday, in fact at times he was very dangerous and as bozzer suggests, from my memory he was involved in the majority of our chances.

You posted the other day to say that U21s should be included in the first team more regularly, but given some of the tirades of unfair criticism that I personally heard towards ELJ yesterday from a few of our fans, all I can say is thank flip they aren't as it would likely shatter their confidence for good!

Assuming this is the start of everyone victimising ELJ to the point where he simply can't play for us anymore, much like they did with Greg Ling, who is going to be the next recipient of the vitriol? Declan Rogers?

My personal opinion is that constantly shouting abuse and criticism at someone who at times is only a couple of metres away is not on at all. What given people the right to do this? The fact that they paid six quid (or even three quid in some cases) to get in?

I must have been watching a different game. He had 1 or 2 half decent crosses but tat was it. All these amazing runs and beating of players must be happening when I blink because I always miss them.

All the fans I spoke to yesterday (not just the DeBanke "rabble") agreed ELJ has been poor for a while and Gearing should be getting another chance.

As for the U21's the likes of Charlie Butt have impressed when they have come through the ranks. As have in Louis Smith, Ashley Fulger and Rashid Koriya in the past. They performed well under the weight of fans expectancy and were always supported. They were not given consistent runs in the side however and as a result sadly moved on.

ELJ was poached from Cogenhoe where no doubt he was progressing nicely in a much less high pressured environment. He chose to join a side pushing for the title. Fair play for wanting to do so but in doing so he has to perform consistently well which I'm sorry to say he hasn't done. He may have all the ability world but for me he just isn't showing it enough. Now Ash Fulger and Louis Smith played well and didn't keep their place in the side, so why should ELJ play poorly and keep his? Matt Gearing will soon get fed up being on the bench all the time and will leave. It wont be until then the fans will realise how good he is/was

On the subject of abusing/shouting at players. The club are paying the players a hansom amount of money for playing football at what is effectively glorified park football level. That money comes directly from the fans who come through the gate. Therefore if a player is playing badly fans have every right to moan and let their feelings known. The mere fact that players are being paid at this level is a joke anyway but hey that's modern football. This idea of a happy clappy "c'mon Tim" type fan is complete b*llocks. If you are happy to take the money from the club/fans the shouting when you play badly goes hand in hand. If you were a non paid player then fair enough lay off them, but sadly ours are paid.

As for Greg Ling well he was a no hoper. He was sh*te from start to finish. ELJ is 100x better than him but at the moment is not worth his place in the side.

Dowlo how dare you assume that because you pay (contribute to) the wages of a player that you have the right to be critical of him. Im sure your boss lets you work as poorly as possible and still pays you. poor performances that are one offs can be expected at this level, yet regular below games should be looked at and if needed then commented on. Or we could do what the chairman says and just blow smoke up their arses in case they read the forum and get upset.FFS what kind of planet is Kirkup on???

I think the money aspect needs to be disregarded completely as it is really besides the point. Although i agree that Gearing should be getting a lot more minutes than he is, it is completely counter productive to single out individual players for a verbal abuse. Everyone is entitled to their opinions on players and we will never agree on certain things however it is one thing having an opinion and another thing screaming at players constantly!

[rudolph_hucker]

I do kind of agree about the money although it is fair to say if you pay for ANY product you are within your rights to complain. Singling out players has always gone on, Danny Talbot, Alex Hay just two I can think of off the top of my head. Wrapping players up in cotton wool and only writing glowing testimonies about them isn't going to work either.
I'm not interested in whether they are earning a thousand pounds a week or a tenner. Whatever it is they are getting paid to do a job, and if that job is done badly they have put themselves into the firing line.

[SouthRushdenJFC]

Football is all about opinions and we all see games differently.

While I see the point about 'you pays your money you have a right to complain' the issue is that half the time (more with some of our fans) what you are complaining about is the wrong thing.

For example yesterday Elliot was castigated by a certain section of the crowd for losing the ball when actually Confue had given him such a bad pass that ELJ's second touch was always going to be a tackle. Yet it's his fault.

Dowlo makes a valid point about the level of football, however a board has been elected to get the club out of this league and that takes a certain type of player who expect a certain wage.

I would remind everyone that as an 18 year old had Elliot got to the stage in his development that certain sections of the crowd expect him to be at then he'd be nowhere near here.