Francis' current form

[Graham S]

I'm pretty sure Francis at his best is very much a Conference level player. Let's not suddenly descend on him & condemn him as useless. He quite possibly reads this forum, given that he seemed aware he had a female fan club when one developed on here a couple of years back. He is also an immensely popular & respected player, as was shown by his shirt fetching the top price in the recent auction.

 

He knows his form hasn't been what it was since he came back from injury & he's obviously now at the stage where the psychological is conspiring with the physical to make things worse. The last thing he needs is over the top criticism. In an ideal world, he would go on loan to a Ryman or Doc Martens Premier side & re-gain his form & his confidence. In the real world, though, we'd be stuck without him. It only takes Lee or Chris to be injured or suspended & we'd be re-jigging the back line again, drafting in Matt Lee to the centre, where he'd no doubt end up being judged unfairly.

 

Given his obvious discomfort out there at the moment, I'd start with Francis on the bench, at present, giving him as many run outs as possible in reserve games, but he's bound to be needed for the real thing on many more occasions. When he is, he deserves our support & encouragement.

 

Graham S

 

[Jeff]

Well said that man.

Couldn't agree more.

[Hempstead Gaz]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Andy should be picking his starting XI from those in form. Sadly, both Ben and the Duke look out of sorts.

When fitness allows, the in form team is

Wilkerson

Gledhill Shearer Moore Skinner

Protheroe McKimm Owen Walshe

Evans Haworth

 

Subs

O'Reilly

Duku

Drury

Perkins

Abbey

[Jimmy]

How is Andy Drury not a "form" player? He's the most likely to create something almost every game.

I often wonder if I attend the same matches as other people.

Why Evans over Abbey, I guess Louie's Conference goal scoring record is better?

[smithyman]

Out of the team suggested by Chatham Gary I don't think there would be much disagreement with 9 of the 11. I think the only places open to question are Walshe or Drury and Abbey or Evans. The choice beteween Walshe and Drury is a difficult one if we are basing it on current form I've thought Drury has been good but has seemed to let his head drop on occasions and has been a little unsure of himself (on Saturday he looked far more confident). Walshe has not been as good as earlier in the season but that I blame on our tactics - I think he works best when he has space but is not so good in tight situations when there are a lot of players around him. It is a similar difficult choice between Abbey and Evans but I just feel at the moment Evans' commitment and effort gives him the edge.

[Graham S]

For what it's worth, I'd start with Abbey over Evans & Perkins would always be in my line up, especially now that Walshe looks like being out for a while. Drury is a real flair player too, capable of panicking the opposition, making excellently angled & weighted passes & creating danger out of nothing. I'd virtually always have him on the pitch.

 

BUT, the whole point is, whoever is out there should never hear persistent negative abuse from their own supporters, whether they're our own private first choice or not. They don't give a toss what the opposition call them - they expect it, but to hear it from us is a disgrace.

 

Graham S

[old git]

no player goes out to play badly but for what ever reason at different points of the season all player's will have a spell when not at there best thats the idea of the squad system

Also from time to time due to injury's players will be needed when not in the best of form to play as happened to francis on saturday Shearer had a dental opperation on tuesday that left him with twelve stitches in his mouth obviously a decision was taken not to use him , so Dukes was asked to play and under these circumstances he answered the call and tried his best

 

the end of my point is we as supporters do not alway's know the whole story so when a player is having a bad time lets get behind them let them know we appreciate there efforts save our condemnation for the enemy of the day

__________________________________________________

and that note i bide you farwell up wards and onwards lets here it for pete of the fleet

[James]

I find it surprising Matt lee has been dropped as I feel he has been one of our more consistent players this season especially when you think he has played in at least 3 different positions in defence this season.

[FourFourTwo]

I like the way Protheroe and Drury work together i.e Margate away and at one of our home games.

 

So I'd like to see this team against Exeter, with Walshe out injured at present

 

Wilkinson

Protheroe

Skinner

Moore

Shearer

Drury

Owen

Mckimm

Perkins

Drury

Abbey

Haworth

[Malcolm S]

I also hope we can start with 12 players,but i don't think andy drury would. <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

[David Holden]

Quote:

FourFourTwo said:
I like the way Protheroe and Drury work together i.e Margate away and at one of our home games.

So I'd like to see this team against Exeter, with Walshe out injured at present

Wilkinson
Protheroe
Skinner
Moore
Shearer
Drury
Owen
Mckimm
Perkins
Drury
Abbey
Haworth

However, Steve McKimm will be suspended for that match <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

[Slartibartfast]

One of the Drury brothers will have to cover for Macca.

[Student Scum]

You never know, it might be Eileen Drury!