Out of Touch
I said to myself I wouldn't bother listening to the Fulham game if Curbs didn't give at least one of the youngsters his full debut (probably Sankofa). I eventually succumbed during the second half, and as I write we are 2-1 down and frankly if we come back to win 3-2 in a glorious comeback I couldn't care less.
After the disappointment of Wednesday night, who would you imagine should be the obvious candidates for being dropped? Hreidarsson? Spector surely? Erm no, Rommedahl, Powell and Hughes. And who replaced them? Ambrose (fair enough), Euell (does he really figure in Curbs' long-term plans?) and Sorondo (probably on his way in the summer).
The various bloggers don't pick the team, and nor do the various fans who populate the message boards, but for the most part they seem to agree that there is little to lose in throwing some of the kids into the deep end to see if they can swim. I think most even accept that they'd rather finish lower in the table, but see the team freshened up in such a way. Indeed Frankie Valley, invariably the voice of reason on such matters, echoed my thoughts entirely. The photo of Osei Sankofa was a nice touch, reminding us what he looks like.
Now, I clearly don't watch the reserves, but if Sankofa, Gislason and Ashton are good enough to be regulars there, they must be worth a try in the first team? After all, the reserve team occasionally wins some away games. Moreover, and here surely is the most important point, they could hardly do any worse than the teams that Curbs does put out away from home? I make it 174 days without a win (and counting).
We have an intriguing home game on Monday. Pompey are desperate for points and their vociferous fans will no doubt create a great atmosphere. And what might just give the home fans something to grasp onto to help stick one up bent Harry and his team? Yes, a youngster making his full debut.
ps - we're still 2-1 down.
posted by New York Addick @ 4:36 PM
4 comments
My heart would sink at seeing a youngster making his debut as it would mean that we weren't taking the match seriously. With the exception of Sam, who is not fully match fit after a long term injury, none of them are simply good enough. That does raise questions about what is happening in the Academy.
Can't agree with Wyn. There's nothing at stake for the senior players at the moment, our season's over and I really can't see the current starting 11 getting another point from our remaining games. At least the likes of Sam or Sankofa would have an incentive to perform well and nail down a place for next season. You only need to read Lloyd Sam's icons column to see how desperate he is to be given a chance, I hope he get's it on Monday.
Wyn, I'd understand your point of view if we were winning regularly (away from home at least) but I can't see how it can get any worse. At least it would shut people like me up if he tried them out and they weren't good enough. Take a look at Fulham's 2nd goal today - how much worse can they be than Spector?
Away from home, maybe. But not in a reasonably important home match (and we haven't lost at home since Boxing Day). Spector has been poor. But one could always pull Kish back to right back, although it's not ideal.