League 2 : Torquay United v Swindon Town

[Dutchgull]

Well said Dave.
He is a trier Matt so cut him some slack. If we could afford better we would have them in the squad. I don't see how a knackered Taiwo could be better than McPhee. Jeez if Tai can't bloody move than McPhee running around chasing their defenders is a better option :na:

[Parry]

I'm suprised nobody has mentioned how rammed plainmoor was on monday, even the yellow painted stairways were occupied and the space the stewards usually keep vacant at the end had to be used. I'm especially glad we won and the game was an exciting one as hopefully these extra fans come back again on saturday.

[Gulliball]

Atieno was knackered and had to come off when he did as he was fading badly, but McPhee offered us nothing at all when he came on as he didn't hold the ball up once. I take all the points mentioned in this thread, but I've yet to see anything from him that makes me think he could be a useful player at this level, despite his record at Kidderminster last season. I also don't think it helps that he doesn't have a set position.

The one situation when he had the ball, and his options were to keep it himself, dribble with it or pass it, and he knocked it a yard in front to the defender then fell over had to be seen to be believed.

[Jeff]

Atieno was knackered and had to come off when he did as he was fading badly, but McPhee offered us nothing at all when he came on as he didn't hold the ball up once. I take all the points mentioned in this thread, but I've yet to see anything from him that makes me think he could be a useful player at this level, despite his record at Kidderminster last season. I also don't think it helps that he doesn't have a set position.

The one situation when he had the ball, and his options were to keep it himself, dribble with it or pass it, and he knocked it a yard in front to the defender then fell over had to be seen to be believed.

What made it worse is that - having played him the ball - Morris could be seen yelling at McPhee to head for the corner. So not only did he mess up, but he ignored a clear yet sensible instruction from a team-mate.

I feel for McPhee as I really want him to do well, and I sense he does too as with his family down here it's in his best interests to stay. But in all honesty, it was embarrassing on boxing day and s*** like that doesn't help his cause.

[Trojan 67]

What I saw, with regard to Chris McPhee, was a player who was "knackered". As in not unfit, but struggling to get over and beyond his first wind. The pace out there was fierce and before McPhee could recover, the ball was on him again. Those who have never played won't know the experience of the lungs being stretched beyond capacity to the point where the legs have gone.

From experience, I never wanted to see the ball constantly fired at me, or worse, pinged into space for me to run onto, until I had got my first wind in.

Maybe he should have had better preparation before coming on (several long, hard, lung busting sprints up and down the touchline).

[AustrianAndyGull]

Good point Troj. I was a No.9 in the David Hirst ( Ex England and Wednesday) mould. Direct, well built but quick but i remember making lung busting runs to get on the end of long balls from a team mate, not getting there and the ball being cleared only to be punted back up to me straight away when i was recovering. It makes it difficult for this second possession of the ball and all you want to do is get rid of it quick so that you can get your breath back. I was unfit due to smoking and drinking though so i don't know what McPhees excuse is?!

[Trojan 67]

Attendance of 4100 or so, feck right off! there was a bag of sand in the Family stand, same in the away end, so you're telling me that in the most packed Pop side since we played Spurs, there were 2100 people. There were 3500 in the Pop side and 1000 at each end, so 5500 is much nearer the mark. If a racing snake like Trojan struggles to find his place, then it MUST be busy.

Matt.

I'm suprised nobody has mentioned how rammed plainmoor was on monday, even the yellow painted stairways were occupied and the space the stewards usually keep vacant at the end had to be used. I'm especially glad we won and the game was an exciting one as hopefully these extra fans come back again on saturday.

[ferrarilover]

I'm sorry Dutch, but being 'a trier' really isn't good enough in any profession. Imagine you turn up for surgery and have your arm chopped off instead of the sex change operation you asked for, and the excuse of the hospital is 'oh, sorry sir, the surgeon tried his best.'
This isn't primary school, you don't get commendations just for trying your hardest, this is the real world and in the real world of professional football, being shit but trying hard isn't good enough.

I would MUCH rather see one of our nippers given a go than McPhee, at least we stand a chance of one of them coming good. I'm very much afraid that McPhee simply is not up to the job of being a L2 professional. I'm sure he's a lovely bloke and that he does try and that we can't afford a squad full of Rene Howes, but he cannot possibly be the best alternative.

Matt.

[tufcbrett]

Matt, he may not be good enough but you need to give him a break. Hes doing everything his manager is telling him to do.

Sign for a football side, get played as a lone striker and get balls booted up to you, then come and tell us how easy it is. Its not.
Every player has there stengths and weakness, the guy has never played the target man role orwhat ever but he gave it his best go. If we played him to his strengths he would be doing much better and would see what he can doo.

Its not the lads fault the manager plays a 4-3-3 and cant really fit into the system. Just like Torres at chelsea, he doesnt fit in the system and playing badly so does that mean hes rubbish and should be in the league below?

On the 80th minute 1-0 up against a better side, i would rather bring on a fresh player and let him run around and do his best. Use his size to help out defending set pieces. He has experience and thats what we need at the moment. Regaring the younger players, at that moment in a tough game i wouldnt want to risk there lack of experience. If we was 3-0 and less presure then perfect time to involve them. If Ling keeps bringing Chris on then that might be telling you the younger players are worse?

Noone is arguing hes not the best player, but you need to give him a break. All we can ask of him is when called apon by the manager he does and trys hs best. If his best is usless and not good enough then its not his fault, hes doing his best. People forget we have a much smaller budget than any season i can remember, just like why we got ricey. I would rather pay more money on the better players like your Bobbys and the Renes. If we have not much money left then have the riceys and mcphees who can do a job when called apon.

[Southampton Gull]

People forget we have a much smaller budget than any season i can remember, just like why we got ricey. I would rather pay more money on the better players like your Bobbys and the Renes. If we have not much money left then have the riceys and mcphees who can do a job when called apon.

You're wasting your time saying that, didn't you know, we have a middle 8 budget?

[tufcbrett]

You're wasting your time saying that, didn't you know, we have a middle 8 budget?

So buckle must of had a top 3 budget then and underachived badly

[ferrarilover]

I think what's causing confusion here, among Brett and Dutch etc, is a lack of appreciation on your part (understandable, I'm not having a go) of just how unutterably hopeless McPhee was. He literally got the ball and for no good reason ran it out of play, then got the ball again, jogged to the Swindon back four, then stopped.
Imagine Louis Hamilton getting to the start line then, when the light go out, rather than racing off, he gets out, does the Macarena, has a shit in the left hand intake then walks off towards the bar whistling the theme tune to The Bill, this is just how hopeless McPhee was.
We might as well sign a massive bowl of custard, and bring that on whenever we need a late change, at least custard is delicious.

Matt.

[happytorq]

We might as well sign a massive bowl of custard, and bring that on whenever we need a late change, at least custard is delicious.

Matt.

And we wouldn't have to pay for a yellow shirt.

[Trojan 67]

My New Year resolution is not to be overcritical of any of the playing squad. As it isn't New Year yet, I don't see any fault with Chris McPhee, as Dot (Danny Stevens) has given me tunnel vision to the point of only seeing fault with Dot's failings.

[tufcbrett]

Matt your just a bully :slap:

End of the day i never said he wasnt awful, all i said was give the guy a break and if he gets played then try your best to support the guy. He is struggling (just like my spelling) and he doesnt need abuse from the crowd.

If we were offered the chance to play league 2 football you wouldnt turn down the chance, hes having a go. Like i said, who knows he may slice or scuff a very important goal later in the season.

Ling has built a squad to stay in the league first of all, the squad is doing better than that and McPhee is apart of that squad. So well done to him