forever a red and white Posted 4 October, 2009 Share Posted 4 October, 2009 A bit of an unsung hero atm. Every game has looked very solid, positoning always seems to be spot on and doesn;t mess around. Nice to see for the first time in a while we have a proper LB and a proper defence to go with it. Also anyone else feel he bares a small resembelance to Nick Holmes?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saints_is_the_south Posted 4 October, 2009 Share Posted 4 October, 2009 Been our best player in a number of games this season, truly great signing especially on a free transfer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 4 October, 2009 Share Posted 4 October, 2009 Easily a championship player IMO. Not as technically good as Bale, but the best we've had since - no doubt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stepgar Posted 4 October, 2009 Share Posted 4 October, 2009 Easily a championship player IMO. Not as technically good as Bale, but the best we've had since - no doubt. From what I can remember he is by far a better defender than Bale. Bale may have more pace and a wicked left foot, but I think Harding is better. Is Bale ebven getting to play at the moment? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dark Sotonic Mills Posted 4 October, 2009 Share Posted 4 October, 2009 Pretty solid except against Bristol Rovers where he was caught time and time again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 4 October, 2009 Share Posted 4 October, 2009 From what I can remember he is by far a better defender than Bale. Bale may have more pace and a wicked left foot, but I think Harding is better. Is Bale ebven getting to play at the moment? Only the odd sub app here and there bit of a waste really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bourno Posted 4 October, 2009 Share Posted 4 October, 2009 He has been one of our best players, but too often he is pulled into the middle and leaves the opposition winger too much free space to pick up the ball. I am very happy with his attacking play and hos crosses are getting better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManorHouseSaint Posted 4 October, 2009 Share Posted 4 October, 2009 Very solid, yes for the majority of games. But I completely disagree with you on the positioning side. I think he has been woeful in that respect. I'm with Dark Sotonic Mills, I think he was awful against Rovers and was at fault for at least two of their goals, if not all three. I also don't understand his ranting at the ball assistants in the last few matches either. It doesn't achieve anything, and they are only kids... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 4 October, 2009 Share Posted 4 October, 2009 Very solid, yes for the majority of games. But I completely disagree with you on the positioning side. I think he has been woeful in that respect. I'm with Dark Sotonic Mills, I think he was awful against Rovers and was at fault for at least two of their goals, if not all three. I also don't understand his ranting at the ball assistants in the last few matches either. It doesn't achieve anything, and they are only kids... i noticed this...but also, imo, some are too young...I noticed one the other night was pretty feeble in getting the ball back quickly... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forever a red and white Posted 4 October, 2009 Author Share Posted 4 October, 2009 He has been one of our best players, but too often he is pulled into the middle and leaves the opposition winger too much free space to pick up the ball. I am very happy with his attacking play and hos crosses are getting better. to an extent i agree, however the back appears to be trying to stay very tight and both full backs are staying close to the CBs, and then pulling out. If Harding stays on the touch line with the winger there will be more dangerous gaps in the penalty box between CB and LB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanovski Posted 4 October, 2009 Share Posted 4 October, 2009 didnt think he had his best game yesterday, but i do rate him alot. yesterday he was drifting in too much and letting wingers push up to far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden Balls Posted 4 October, 2009 Share Posted 4 October, 2009 Been great so far other than against Rovers. Have to agree about the ranting at the ball boys. They're only kids and he seems to go well over the top with it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dibden Purlieu Saint Posted 4 October, 2009 Share Posted 4 October, 2009 Very solid, yes for the majority of games. But I completely disagree with you on the positioning side. I think he has been woeful in that respect. I'm with Dark Sotonic Mills, I think he was awful against Rovers and was at fault for at least two of their goals, if not all three. I also don't understand his ranting at the ball assistants in the last few matches either. It doesn't achieve anything, and they are only kids... Utter rubbish. For those who thought he was at fault for their goals, as a LB, he needs protection and needed Mellis to push their fullback back in line with their defence. You can't blame a defender for having 2 pacey right sided players if he has to deal with both of them. Because of this it also meant he couldn't push forward as he was being pinned back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team-saint Posted 4 October, 2009 Share Posted 4 October, 2009 considering that he won august player of the month by a landslide i wouldn't really call him an unsung hero Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legod Third Coming Posted 4 October, 2009 Share Posted 4 October, 2009 i noticed this...but also, imo, some are too young...I noticed one the other night was pretty feeble in getting the ball back quickly... I don't understand why the bloody scholars don't do it? It would give them exposure to the first team action, they could watch a game close up and, with respect, they should be a bit more physically able than some of our current ballboys - you know more Jonty Rhodes than Cecil Rhodes!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Chuckle Posted 4 October, 2009 Share Posted 4 October, 2009 Very impressed with him. How nobody else picked him up I don't know. He's quite fiery which I like as well and very passionate. Needs to lay off the ball boys a bit though lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krissyboy31 Posted 4 October, 2009 Share Posted 4 October, 2009 Been great so far other than against Rovers. Have to agree about the ranting at the ball boys. They're only kids and he seems to go well over the top with it! The thing is they are there to do a job (if using the multi-ball system) get the ball to the home players as soon as possible whilst slightly delaying getting the ball back to the away side (allowing us to organise). Our's are utterly gormless and is anything return it to the opposition quicker than to us. At Reading the ball-boys were an integral part of the team under Coppell and knew what their job was. DH is used to this and I can fully understand his frustration with our lot!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iowsaintsfan Posted 4 October, 2009 Share Posted 4 October, 2009 He has been immense, possibly our best value for money signing in a very long time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clifford Nelson Posted 4 October, 2009 Share Posted 4 October, 2009 Pretty solid except against Bristol Rovers where he was caught time and time again. Against Bristol he was left totally unprotected against both a winger and a fullback and sometimes a midfielder as well. Mellis failed him entirely. Every fullback needs protection and yesterday Lallana provided it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey Posted 4 October, 2009 Share Posted 4 October, 2009 Only had one game since joining us and that was against Bristol Rovers. In his defence, he was left totally exposed from the moment Andy Williams came on, but other than that, he's been first-class for us. He's very reliable and does a sound job defensively. He likes to get forward too and supports the wide player brilliantly. Arguably our best signing this season, especially considering we snapped him up on a free transfer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wes Tender Posted 4 October, 2009 Share Posted 4 October, 2009 The thing is they are there to do a job (if using the multi-ball system) get the ball to the home players as soon as possible whilst slightly delaying getting the ball back to the away side (allowing us to organise). Our's are utterly gormless and is anything return it to the opposition quicker than to us. At Reading the ball-boys were an integral part of the team under Coppell and knew what their job was. DH is used to this and I can fully understand his frustration with our lot!! Quite right! The ballboys should be drilled better and if they are not up to it, then as LGTC suggests, the scholars should do it. The ballboys at Wimbledon are just kids too, from the local school, but I bet that before the tournament, they spend hours being coached how to do it to an exemplary standard. In the case of our ballboys, it is entirely feasible that the result of a match could potentially be decided on it. A quick throw in to one of our players could catch a rival defender unaware and a goal scored as a result could win the match. A slow throw in to one of their players, gives us time to position ourselves and removes some advantage away from the opposition. If Harding is frustrated at a lack of ability in our ballboys, then he is a professional and a perfectionist who cares, so good for him. If it is a recurring problem, perhaps he ought to have words with the management about it. As for Harding himself, I have been very impressed with him. The Bristol match left him exposed because Mellis was supposed to have covered him and tracked back, but went missing. He was much better against Gillingham when Mellis was playing inside and Lallana gave better cover for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon_UK Posted 4 October, 2009 Share Posted 4 October, 2009 Very solid, yes for the majority of games. But I completely disagree with you on the positioning side. I think he has been woeful in that respect. I'm with Dark Sotonic Mills, I think he was awful against Rovers and was at fault for at least two of their goals, if not all three. I also don't understand his ranting at the ball assistants in the last few matches either. It doesn't achieve anything, and they are only kids... I like him having a go at the ball assitant, as long as it isn't done over the top, if the ball boy dosen't get a ball to him quick enough and he has a go at them, then the next time they get the ball to him quicker and he gets a quick throw in and it results in a goal, then there is every point to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManorHouseSaint Posted 5 October, 2009 Share Posted 5 October, 2009 Utter rubbish. For those who thought he was at fault for their goals, as a LB, he needs protection and needed Mellis to push their fullback back in line with their defence. You can't blame a defender for having 2 pacey right sided players if he has to deal with both of them. Because of this it also meant he couldn't push forward as he was being pinned back. Your riposte is laughable, really. He is a defender first and foremost. If he cannot do the basics of defending (i.e. at least being positionally aware) then he is not doing his job properly. Who cares if he can do overlaps and push forward well, if cannot do the job that he is in the team for? Moving forwards as a fullback is a bonus. Not essential, like making sure the wingers are kept in line. To make an excuse that Mellis wasn't tracking back is weak, if not completely nullified by the fact we were playing 4-3-3. Using that formation we will always by liable to a quick counter attack, particularly on the wings and therefore at the beginning of the game Harding knew what his responsibilities were. To get dragged so far centrally was such a basic schoolboy error once, but to do it again and again is just amateur. Mellis was extremely poor, there was no denying that. But to take the blame away from Harding is in my opinion utter rubbish. If you look at the way many of goals have been conceded this season it isn't through the central areas, it is down the flanks. Harding has played every single game, and yes, in some games he has been impressive. But in others he has been defensively naive. This is my opinion though. You are entitled to yours also. But don't come on here an attempt to belittle me and spout off. Your opinion is no greater then mine. In my opinion, Harding has been excellent in some respects. But in others, particularly his positioning, he needs a bit of coaching, or we will get over run again and again down our left flank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Richard of Woolston Posted 5 October, 2009 Share Posted 5 October, 2009 Whilst agreeing that Harding has not been afforded the best cover in front of him, it was just not against Rovers that he has struggled. Don't forget Colchester gave him all sorts of problems in the second half as well, and he looked anything but convincing at times on Saturday. Not the worst player but not the best either - still has something to prove. Just my opinion - other opinions are available in other colours etc etc etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 5 October, 2009 Share Posted 5 October, 2009 i noticed this...but also, imo, some are too young...I noticed one the other night was pretty feeble in getting the ball back quickly... This. We should be using our home advantage, and we must have the worst ballboys in the football league. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tractor_Saint Posted 5 October, 2009 Share Posted 5 October, 2009 i noticed this...but also, imo, some are too young...I noticed one the other night was pretty feeble in getting the ball back quickly... I tend to moan about them every match so far this season. We're allowed to use the quick ball approach but some of the ball boys are half asleep most of the time. Shouted at one in Kingsland the other day. Two balls on the pitch, Saints corner and the ballboy sat there looking at the second ball. In the end Lambert ran a good 25 yards to kick the ball out of play so that the corner could be taken.... Can't believe that the club aren't ensuring that the ballboys are trained as well as they can make a big difference to a quick break. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Tone Posted 5 October, 2009 Share Posted 5 October, 2009 Your riposte is laughable, really. He is a defender first and foremost. If he cannot do the basics of defending (i.e. at least being positionally aware) then he is not doing his job properly. Who cares if he can do overlaps and push forward well, if cannot do the job that he is in the team for? Moving forwards as a fullback is a bonus. Not essential, like making sure the wingers are kept in line. To make an excuse that Mellis wasn't tracking back is weak, if not completely nullified by the fact we were playing 4-3-3. Using that formation we will always by liable to a quick counter attack, particularly on the wings and therefore at the beginning of the game Harding knew what his responsibilities were. To get dragged so far centrally was such a basic schoolboy error once, but to do it again and again is just amateur. Mellis was extremely poor, there was no denying that. But to take the blame away from Harding is in my opinion utter rubbish. If you look at the way many of goals have been conceded this season it isn't through the central areas, it is down the flanks. Harding has played every single game, and yes, in some games he has been impressive. But in others he has been defensively naive. This is my opinion though. You are entitled to yours also. But don't come on here an attempt to belittle me and spout off. Your opinion is no greater then mine. In my opinion, Harding has been excellent in some respects. But in others, particularly his positioning, he needs a bit of coaching, or we will get over run again and again down our left flank. No attempt to belittle coming up from me, everyone's entitled to their own opinion, but we played 4-4-2 against Bristol Rovers. So many attacks from them came down our left becasue Mellis wasn't there to stop them in midfield. The problem with our recent play has been that whoever is supposed to be on the left of midfield, especially when it has been Mellis, has constantly drifted infield and left Harding exposed at left back. He can't mark 2 or 3 players at once all by himself. Personally I think Harding has beeen a revelation at LB: an excellent signing. As to the ballboy rants that others have mentioned, I agree it doesn't look too savoury, but they do need sorting out a bit. One lad in front of the kingsland is often too busy texting to respond quickly to the game. It must be frustrating as a player running to the line to take a quick throw in, to signal to the ballboy 2 or 3 times that you want the ball, only to be ignored. K. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dibden Purlieu Saint Posted 5 October, 2009 Share Posted 5 October, 2009 Your riposte is laughable, really. He is a defender first and foremost. If he cannot do the basics of defending (i.e. at least being positionally aware) then he is not doing his job properly. Who cares if he can do overlaps and push forward well, if cannot do the job that he is in the team for? Moving forwards as a fullback is a bonus. Not essential, like making sure the wingers are kept in line. To make an excuse that Mellis wasn't tracking back is weak, if not completely nullified by the fact we were playing 4-3-3. Using that formation we will always by liable to a quick counter attack, particularly on the wings and therefore at the beginning of the game Harding knew what his responsibilities were. To get dragged so far centrally was such a basic schoolboy error once, but to do it again and again is just amateur. Mellis was extremely poor, there was no denying that. But to take the blame away from Harding is in my opinion utter rubbish. If you look at the way many of goals have been conceded this season it isn't through the central areas, it is down the flanks. Harding has played every single game, and yes, in some games he has been impressive. But in others he has been defensively naive. This is my opinion though. You are entitled to yours also. But don't come on here an attempt to belittle me and spout off. Your opinion is no greater then mine. In my opinion, Harding has been excellent in some respects. But in others, particularly his positioning, he needs a bit of coaching, or we will get over run again and again down our left flank. I don't think he needs help positioning, his positioning is fine. I didn't see him get dragged centrally. The issue was he was showing them outside. The issue is when 2 on 1, you have to try to cover the man outside and the potential of the man cutting inside. I'm sorry but without support you can't do that. And by the way, if you're to play an effective 4-3-3 you still have to have cover for the full backs, whether this is through the team converting to a 4-4-2 when the opposition have the ball (which is usually done), or dropping the DM in as an auxilary second man on the side. Either way, your theory smacks of naivity and/or ignorance. You can choose which. Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManorHouseSaint Posted 5 October, 2009 Share Posted 5 October, 2009 I don't think he needs help positioning, his positioning is fine. I didn't see him get dragged centrally. The issue was he was showing them outside. The issue is when 2 on 1, you have to try to cover the man outside and the potential of the man cutting inside. I'm sorry but without support you can't do that. And by the way, if you're to play an effective 4-3-3 you still have to have cover for the full backs, whether this is through the team converting to a 4-4-2 when the opposition have the ball (which is usually done), or dropping the DM in as an auxilary second man on the side. Either way, your theory smacks of naivity and/or ignorance. You can choose which. Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong... Hmmm...Let me think. Neither. I agree that midfield cover is essential, particularly when faced with 2 on 1. But if you couldn't see that Harding was getting dragged centrally you must be watching different games to me. Anyway, I'm not going to get into more petty squabbling with regard to this. We will have to agree to disagree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astrasri Posted 6 October, 2009 Share Posted 6 October, 2009 From where I stand (oops, sorry, sit) Dan Harding has been a great signing, works very hard, wins more than he loses and has the presence to break up an attack with seemng calmness. Unfortunately like every other player in the league (and world) he has his weaknesses and when he comes up against a really pacy winger he struggles to beat his man. That doesn't mean he gives up, but he doesn't have the same domination that he has over slower players and from that perspective he does need more cover in these games. He's not a crap player because of it, just sometimes fallible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ringwood Posted 6 October, 2009 Share Posted 6 October, 2009 DH's only problem so far as far as I'm concerned is allowing the attacker to get inside him, having said that if the guy does turn him and go inside hopefully he's delayed them long enough for either a midfielder or a centre back to help out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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