Reserves 2-3 Bournemouth

[stevegull]

In fairness to Brucie, opinions are allowed to change, this is the beauty of football. Your opinions on teams, people and players are subject to change and that is why we all go to watch the game. I also don't think Brucie has hailed Atieno as a world beater, but that he performed well in these four games, which is enough for him to reconsider his previously damming opinion of him.

However, i'd play Howe.

[jocktheknife]

Atieno has definitely done a very reasonable job in Howe's absence.......better than I expected for sure, he's certainly put a shift in - however the fact that we have picked up 10 points from 12 is much more down to our in form midfield trio.

The role of the CF in this system is critical for continued success - he has to be able to hold the ball up, weigh in with some goals and look a goal threat.
For me, Atieno doesn't fit the bill in any of those areas, Howe does simple as. Atieno has probably a better work ethic but that will only get you so far......I think his natural level is the Blue square....and I think that's where we will see him next season.

Atieno may well start this saturday but only if there are concern's about Howe's fitness.

[AustrianAndyGull]

OK whatever everyone. In future i'll keep my opinions to myself and if we all do the same we won't have a forum. Brucie was taking the piss and it got right on my t**s. Who says that as fans we should change our opinions on players? Is it a rule? Of course crap players can become good and vice versa but in the case of Tai IMO it hasn't happened and will never happen and again IMO i will always believe he is poor. That doesn't make me wrong just cos he has come in and done ok for four games and that doesn't make you right and now he is good. It also doesn't stop me from encouraging him and giving him credit for his effort for the team. You'll never hear me slag him off at games. I just don't rate him simple as. Jesus!!!!!!! All i am saying is IMO Howe is a better player, Howe is a bigger goal threat and Howe should start on saturday. I'm not saying that Tai has come in and not done well. Is this so difficult to comprehend? Some of you will agree some of you won't. Thats the way it is.

[stevegull]

OK whatever everyone. In future i'll keep my opinions to myself and if we all do the same we won't have a forum. Brucie was taking the piss and it got right on my t**s. Who says that as fans we should change our opinions on players? Is it a rule? Of course crap players can become good and vice versa but in the case of Tai IMO it hasn't happened and will never happen and again IMO i will always believe he is poor. That doesn't make me wrong just cos he has come in and done ok for four games and that doesn't make you right and now he is good. It also doesn't stop me from encouraging him and giving him credit for his effort for the team. You'll never hear me slag him off at games. I just don't rate him simple as. Jesus!!!!!!! All i am saying is IMO Howe is a better player, Howe is a bigger goal threat and Howe should start on saturday. I'm not saying that Tai has come in and not done well. Is this so difficult to comprehend? Some of you will agree some of you won't. Thats the way it is.

I don't think anyone was saying you can't voice your opinion on players, and I apologise if my comment read that way. In fairness, I think most fans think Atieno isn't quite up to it at this level (mainly due to his checkered club history) and he will drop down a bit. For now though, I'd keep him as a squad player.

This system doesn't really have a place in it for Atieno, who I think would much prefer playing with someone next to him that he can work with. At the moment though, the system won't change just for him as we all seem to agree that we are getting the best out of players (with Mansell's freedom and Danny pushed further on).

I think it's much the same for McPhee atm. He scored plenty of goals in the BSP when playing from CM, but isn't used to the more advanced 'in the hole' role of O'Kane and isn't fit enough to play Mansell's 'box-to-box' role and isn't good at defending enough to do Lathrope's role. But he is still a good utility player to have around the squad.

[ferrarilover]

This is a difficult situation. Rene is, undoubtedly, better than Tai, I'm not sure anyone will argue with this. However, it's going to be jolly unfair on Tai who has been pretty good in the last few games.
We can't afford to 'carry' both Rene and Tai up front, neither of whom will do a great deal of tracking back or work outside the final third. Especially given that we'd need I drop to three in midfield to accommodate a back five and front two.
For me, despite Tai's improvement, Rene still has to feature. We must put our best XI on the pitch and there is no room for sentiment.
Dinger will need to put an arm round Tai and let him know that he is his 'go to guy' the instant Rene looks tired or ineffective.

Matt.

[stevegull]

This is a difficult situation. Rene is, undoubtedly, better than Tai, I'm not sure anyone will argue with this. However, it's going to be jolly unfair on Tai who has been pretty good in the last few games.
We can't afford to 'carry' both Rene and Tai up front, neither of whom will do a great deal of tracking back or work outside the final third. Especially given that we'd need I drop to three in midfield to accommodate a back five and front two.
For me, despite Tai's improvement, Rene still has to feature. We must put our best XI on the pitch and there is no room for sentiment.
Dinger will need to put an arm round Tai and let him know that he is his 'go to guy' the instant Rene looks tired or ineffective.

Matt.

It's a definite man-management dilemma. I've already heard Lingy on the WMN saying how Atieno 'couldn't have done any more' to stake his claim. So, what does it say to him if he goes with Rene on Saturday? Tai would need some cheering up, that's for sure!

[Dave]

come on AustrianAndygull, no one is saying you have to stop expressing your opinions, diss-argeements on opinions is just one part of forum life, does not mean to say that someone respects you any less because they dont agree, or dont like something you may have written.

In this case i think you may have missed the point that some my self included have made, i think the one thing every TUFC fan would agree on again myself included , Rene Howe is a far better option up front over Atieno thats with out doubt.

All some are saying is, four games with out Howe the team have picked up 10 pts from 12, Atieno has done well...why rush Howe back? There really is no need, Rene Howe may well have been working very hard during his time out, however a 90 minute football match as we all know can put untold strain on a players body and Howe has not played a real match since Dec 17th, what will us fans say if he starts and limps off with a calf strain and misses all of Feb when we play most of the top teams.

As said which ever way Martin Lings goes i trust his judgment, watch this space.

[Scott Brehaut]

OK whatever everyone. In future i'll keep my opinions to myself and if we all do the same we won't have a forum. Brucie was taking the piss and it got right on my t**s. Who says that as fans we should change our opinions on players? Is it a rule? Of course crap players can become good and vice versa but in the case of Tai IMO it hasn't happened and will never happen and again IMO i will always believe he is poor. That doesn't make me wrong just cos he has come in and done ok for four games and that doesn't make you right and now he is good. It also doesn't stop me from encouraging him and giving him credit for his effort for the team. You'll never hear me slag him off at games. I just don't rate him simple as. Jesus!!!!!!! All i am saying is IMO Howe is a better player, Howe is a bigger goal threat and Howe should start on saturday. I'm not saying that Tai has come in and not done well. Is this so difficult to comprehend? Some of you will agree some of you won't. Thats the way it is.

Andy - take a deep breath and then come back!!

Nobody has attacked you, just simply put over their opinion in the same way that you have done. You think you are right, they think they are.

I think even you will admit that should Atieno be dropped that it will be harsh on him given he has done nothing wrong. Had he played really badly in the four games Howe was injured then nobody would be debating Howes inclusion in the team on Saturday, however given we are having this discussion surely that warrants an admission (however hard it is - as Matt, he often finds it difficult to admit defeat :~D ), that Atieno has played well enough to at least stake a claim in the starting line up.
Lets hope that whatever happens we end up with two hungry strikers ready to score when called upon.
Given that Howe hasn't played in over a month one would imagine he will be on the bench on Saturday due to lack of match fitness, ready to come on and score the winner late in the game......but then football is a funny old game isn't it!!

[Wisconsin_gull]

Atieno to start
Unless he has a mare, Dinger will give Rene 20mins at the end to get his feet wet and regain match sharpness -No hurry
No one expected us to get 10/12, this is a huge bonus for the club - rejoice

[Southampton Gull]

I love it when Andy has one of his moments

Tai to start, he deserves to on merit, then Rene to come on with 25 to go.

[Aussie]

I love it when Andy has one of his moments

Tai to start, he deserves to on merit, then Rene to come on with 25 to go.

Dave I bet Rene scores in that 25 mins, lets hope Tai gets one as well, then there`s a dilemma! Give them 1 half each!

[happytorq]

Is there a 'throwing toys out of the pram' emoticon?

[Gulliball]

Given that Rene and Atieno are both going to play some part of the game, then their styles are probably more suited to Howe starting and the pacier Atieno replacing him. I'd personally also prefer it this way because it will be a test of exactly how long Howe is match fit to last, and because Howe is a much better player and goal threat.