Craig Easton

[Richinns]

Sorry - I have yet to see what you have in Lathrope Brett. Not seen him pass the ball well and to me seems to be the Matt Hockley type of player. Unfortunately it was his lack of challenge that cost us in the playoff final.

[tufcbrett]

Sorry - I have yet to see what you have in Lathrope Brett. Not seen him pass the ball well and to me seems to be the Matt Hockley type of player. Unfortunately it was his lack of challenge that cost us in the playoff final.

Everyone has the right to there own views on the guy, but being a pro football coach for the last 5 years i have learnt to pick up on things.

You cant say he cost us the playoff final, the whole team was not up for it. Branno missed a sitter, zebs was putting the ball everyone but between the white post. Bevs was hardly on the top of his game, made a few saves yes but could have done so much better for the goal.

Damon has had a few good games and a few bad ones, sadly as football fans we all seem to remeber the bad one and give them stick for it. The guy needs a run of games and he can be settled and show what he can do. I would rather lathrope than anyone else to partner O'Kane in the middle. But if we was to start the league tomorrow id have Mansell and Damon together.

Believe me im not saying your wrong to thing hes not been great, we all watch games and see things diffrently. He will be a big player for us this season and just want him to show you so he can prove you all wrong. But then a few players like Billy need to turn up and actually play to the ability they have.

[Southampton Gull]

I'm with you on this one, Brett. I rate him after being less than enthused when I first saw him. He's far better than some give him credit for.

[Jeff]

I think I was the hardest person Lathrope had to win over, as I'd seen him be less than impressive in the BSS for Bishops Stortford the season before. I think first time I saw him in yellow was away at Chesterfield, and I was pleasantly surprised. Strong in the tackle and comfortable on the ball, although not likely to deliver the killer ball or trouble the goal-scorers. Solid and inconspicuous I think would best describe him. My fear - if we were to play him and Mansell in CM - would be the almost total lack of distribution coming from central midfield. Thats why we need O'Kane in there. Eunan has improved his tackling and physical strength more than the likes of Mansell, Lathrope have improved their passing if that makes sense.

[Fonda]

Lathrope has got something, but he's a limited player. All teams need somebody in the midfield who's primary job is to stop the opposition playing - Damon does it well, and will only improve with experience and more games. However, a midfield of Lathrope and Mansell would lack creativity. A midfield of Lathrope and O'Kane would lack know-how. The only way i could see Lathrope starting a lot of games is alongside Manse, with O'Kane just ahead of them 'in the hole'. Will we go down that route? It's not a formation Ling is reknowned for playing.

[JamieE]

Lathrope's a good player, very good in the tackle, ok on the ball. However, I think it would be a mistake not to start the season with a Mansell - O'Kane central midfield partnership. The energy, leadership and enthusiasm of Mansell partnered with the creativity and newly found strength in O'Kane should be tried. Mansell is not a right back, never has been and it's testament to his ability that he has done so well for so long in that position. It's only right he has the chance to form a partnership in midfield with the best player at the club.

Damon will have his part to play this season no doubt, especially away from home.

[Trojan 67]

To generalise and say that Mansell and Lathrope can't pass a ball when compared to O'Kane is unfair. I only saw home games last season (Old Trafford the exception) and I definitely saw improvement game on game from Lathrope. Like Mansell, Lathrope will play the simple ball and the team keeps possession. Like Wroe before him, O'kane has too many crossfield 40/50 yarders go astray. The best player at the club who can hit that type of pass is Nicholson with his left peg.

What we don't have at the club is a player, who from central midfield can hit a crossfield ball accurately inside either fullback with either foot. If we had a player like that he would be on a three year rolling contract and would go for a million +, plus add ons.

Anyone who has played central midfield will know the killer through ball is down to timing as well as accuracy, from the passer as well as from the position and run of the receiver. Hit a ball from central midfield with the right foot and inside the right fullback, it will curl into the path of the inrushing left winger who is free to run as far as the opposition goal line and then to deliver a pass into the goal area. Hit a ball to the right winger with the right foot and the ball is curling away from the winger into the left fullback. If the winger gets the ball first, he then has the fullback to beat. A pass through the middle, the same principle applies.

Craig Stanley delivered two such passes through the middle, in one match, and both received through balls were put into the back of the net. Both goals involved timing (of the pass and the forward run), positioning (defenders wrong footed/out of position, receiver of the pass in position) and accuracy of the goalscorer to beat the 'keeper and bulge the net.

[Fonda]

Exactly why Craig Stanley was such a loss. He offered so much to our midfield that we don't have (and haven't had for a long time). League 2 midfielders that can tackle, organise, cover a lot of ground, pass and shoot are not easy to find. And that's not to mention his attitude and experience. It's why, for me, he was a far bigger loss than Branston.

[Dave]

I never viewed Stanley as a passer in the mould of Russell,however i do agree with Shane,Stanley would drive forward an attack from midfield,track and tackle back,and had an exellent short passing game,to me failing to sign him represented a massive loss bigger than branno ,who was apowerful defender,but could not pass the ball out from the back,Mansell has not got quite the same passing abilty,however does have an engine room on him,and i am confident he can cover most of the Stanley role in the team though.

[Trojan 67]

I still miss "The General of Plainmoor" (Tommy Mitchinson).

[jocktheknife]

If as suggested, we play 4-4-2 this season, I don't think it will take Mr Ling long to work out that Mansell is not good enough to form part of the 2 central midfielders.

His passing just simply isn't (and never has been) good enough - of course he can do a job in there.

Not knocking the guy, he's a good captain and been a great servant to the club etc. Have no problem with him at full back, I know he's not the quickest but his presence somewhere on the park is important to us.

[tommyg]

To generalise and say that Mansell and Lathrope can't pass a ball when compared to O'Kane is unfair. I only saw home games last season (Old Trafford the exception) and I definitely saw improvement game on game from Lathrope. Like Mansell, Lathrope will play the simple ball and the team keeps possession. Like Wroe before him, O'kane has too many crossfield 40/50 yarders go astray. The best player at the club who can hit that type of pass is Nicholson with his left peg.

What we don't have at the club is a player, who from central midfield can hit a crossfield ball accurately inside either fullback with either foot. If we had a player like that he would be on a three year rolling contract and would go for a million +, plus add ons.

Anyone who has played central midfield will know the killer through ball is down to timing as well as accuracy, from the passer as well as from the position and run of the receiver. Hit a ball from central midfield with the right foot and inside the right fullback, it will curl into the path of the inrushing left winger who is free to run as far as the opposition goal line and then to deliver a pass into the goal area. Hit a ball to the right winger with the right foot and the ball is curling away from the winger into the left fullback. If the winger gets the ball first, he then has the fullback to beat. A pass through the middle, the same principle applies.

Craig Stanley delivered two such passes through the middle, in one match, and both received through balls were put into the back of the net. Both goals involved timing (of the pass and the forward run), positioning (defenders wrong footed/out of position, receiver of the pass in position) and accuracy of the goalscorer to beat the 'keeper and bulge the net.

I've always thought Nicholson would have made an effective deep-lying playmaker. Too late in his career now for a positional change, but he possesses the right attributes.

In a 4-4-2, I'd go Mansell and O'Kane. I like Lathrope, but he's competing with our captain for a place in the team unless we play five across midfield. Still an important player for the future though.

[Regiment]

i've been impressed with Lathrope on the few occasions i've seen him play. does a lot of the un-sung stuff, but does it well. i'd say he's got a bright future ahead of him, hopefully in a torquay shirt. i think the competition is healthy for the centre midfield positions, and good a player as Easton is, we don't need him. there are far bigger holes in the squad that need filling first.

[Jeff]

Of course, the cynic in me could suggest that Lathrope's key role at the moment is helping "Uncle Paul" tap up players.

I really don't believe that it would come to that, but something to think about.......

[Fonda]

I'm quite cynical, but that takes it to another level! Visitors might even consider it paranoia.

I'm not sure lacking integrity is a family trait, so it's a bit unfair to cast any such aspertions. Besides, any of our players that Buckle is interested in won't need Damon's input to have their heads turned.