Craig Easton

[Plymouth Gull]

Right then, before anyone shoots it down, this is purely just me trying to speculate, and possibly link a player to us. Anyway, it said in the HE today that Ling has been speaking to Stevens, Oastler and two other players, while being in London, or in the South East.

Of these unknown players, I wouldn't be surprised to see Craig Easton being one of them. Out of contract with Southend, apparently being linked with half of League 2. He was at Leyton Orient when Ling was (2005-2007), and was in the side that got promoted up to League One with Ling.

Again, purely guesswork, but I'm bored of revision and I've got a lot of time on my hands. :~D

[Richinns]

Only speculation of-course but would not mind Craig Easton. Brings experience to a young side.

[yellowforever]

Yeah that's a good shout and I would not be surprised if he was one of the players Ling's talking to.

Would be a good signing, hard working midfielder who's been around for a bit and would allow O'Kane to flourish next to him.

[PhilGull]

Yeah that's a good shout and I would not be surprised if he was one of the players Ling's talking to.

Would be a good signing, hard working midfielder who's been around for a bit and would allow O'Kane to flourish next to him.

And leave Mansell where, right-back?

[yellowforever]

And leave Mansell where, right-back?

Yep.

I know he plays best in the centre, but has mainly played as a right back for the past few years, maybe that's where Ling wants to keep him.

This is purely speculation of course.

[Fonda]

He's a midfielder. Just because the previous manager decided to play him out of position, i don't see why another manager would want to do the same. Especially when there are decent RB's like Senda looking for clubs.

[Richinns]

And leave Mansell where, right-back?

Fighting for a starting spot - something we need for every position.

[Yellow4life]

He's a central midfielder, right?

That means that position would look like this:
Mansell
Easton
Lathrope
Okane
Oastler?

Speculation as said but unless we don't sign oastler, or he goes centre back then it's going against what ML said of having 2 in each position. (unless mansell stays RB)

[Fonda]

Oastler is a centre-half. Another player our esteemed ex-manager played out of position.

[monkeyboy]

Gee Fonda, have you not heard of a player being able to play more than one position!!

[Fonda]

I have yes. But most players have a 'preferred' position. It's generally the position they play best in. Otherwise, they'd be something else.

[Regiment]

versatility is a good thing, but playing out of position is not.

[monkeyboy]

A utility player perhaps Fonda.......... Anyway, back to topic, Craig Easton let Martin Ling down by rejecting an improved offer to move to Swindon, water under the bridge hopefully because getting him into our centre midfield would strengthen us.

[Fonda]

Not this again! you can't really pin one position on a young player. Sol Campbell started out as a striker and look what a career he has had as a CB! Until a manager takes a player out of his comfort zone and plays him in a new position, many youngsters wont actually know what their best position is.

I know Oastler replaced Buzsaky in a championship match - wonder if that was a straight swop in midfield or a change to 5 at the back!? Anyhows all that matters is that Oastler is a good Defensive midfielder for league 2.

From what i've seen of the player, he can comfortably perform a very specific role in midfield. He can sit in front of the back-four and offer some protection when backs are against the wall. But, in my opinion, he doesn't have enough about him to be considered in any way a 'midfielder'. He's not a great passer of the ball, and is not interested in getting forward in support of the play. In fact, i'd go as far as to say he looks for all the world like a Centre-Back that's been asked to fulfill another role.

[Fonda]

Fair enough Fonda! Surprised at the comment about his passing as I remember everyone raving on here about his passing and defensive qualities when he had his first long spell in the team, and I liked what I saw of him! but as a fan who hasn't been able to watch us as much towards the end of the season I can't really say one way or the other how he looked in those games.

Anyways as for Craig Easton, i've heard some good things about him over the years and would certainly tick the experience box. Competition for Manse would be great, and i'm sure Manse would rise to the challenge. I still don't mind him at right back, but in a season where we will struggle at times, I would like his tenacity in the midfield engine room.

In fairness to him, his passing is reasonable enough - good for a CB, above average for a CM. It's primarily his lack of mobility that sets him out as a defender. He's happy to sit in front of the back four, and doesn't want to travel too far from there. That's fine in certain circumstances.