Wotton

[70's Mike]

lots of critcism fired at him but we seem to win when he starts, but that might be an impression rather than fact.

[thorpie the sinner]

lots of critcism fired at him but we seem to win when he starts' date=' but that might be an impression rather than fact.[/quote']

 

thought he was solid today and gave his all!!

[Crouchie Crouchie]

thought he was very good today, tried to be too clever at times with his little chip balls he always seems to play.

[John B]

Just coming to the end of his career was probably a very good league 1 player when he was younger seems like Perry to be a good old pro

[Legod Third Coming]

Blood hard working, gives his all in our shirt and had a really good second half before coming off - funny how they broke us down in midfield the minute he went off!

 

Gets a lot of flack from people who expect us to be able to turn out a Gerrard or Lampard.

 

Anyone giving him a hard time tonight is a berk.

[Chez]

as part of a four he was desperate, always hoofing over his shoulder, never having the confidence to bring it down or take two touches and consequently we gave posession away and were under the cosh. He did however win every single header and that at least kept them at bay and he worked hard. When we moved into a five he holds his position well allowing Lallana to roam free. He still hoofed it but he saw less ball so we kept it better. The consequence was that we played better. I would say that the 4-5-1 is what made the difference as in the first half we were murdered. In the second we weren't - so you can't say Wotton was the difference as he was a constant. No idea why he was subbed though as he was doing a decent job and didn't look tired. Poor decision by AP. Holmes was all out and should have come off.

[70's Mike]

thought he was solid today and gave his all!!

 

Agreed that has been my impression but many knock him but a football team needs players like him as well as the skillfull

[Clifford Nelson]

You know exactly what you get from Wotton. Artistry it isn't, but for anybody who admires hard work and application he must be a bit of an icon. He is also a first class example to the younger players of what it is to be a professional footballer. He and Perry I believe have been immensely useful for the club.

[Legod Third Coming]

You know exactly what you get from Wotton. Artistry it isn't, but for anybody who admires hard work and application he must be a bit of an icon. He is also a first class example to the younger players of what it is to be a professional footballer. He and Perry I believe have been immensely useful for the club.

 

Thank you!

 

They both prove you can have a career through application and determination.

 

It cheeses me off when the guy gets slated after so many hopeless lightweight contributors.

[RedAndWhite91]

The self-styled Wotton hoof is not only pointless but it is annoying. He isn't very technical and a lot of his hoof passes go astray. Sometimes he'll pull off an amazing cross pitch ball, granted. It is obvious his presence on the pitch helps though, as he is very vocal and commanding. He also gets stuck in which is good. Still would rather have Hammond than Wotton in the centre.

[70's Mike]

Thank you!

 

They both prove you can have a career through application and determination.

 

It cheeses me off when the guy gets slated after so many hopeless lightweight contributors.

 

thank you glad i am not the only one who thinks that way

 

some on here think you can have a team without hard work

[kpturner]

Another thread entitled "Wotton" !! How many now?

[Legod Third Coming]

thank you glad i am not the only one who thinks that way

 

some on here think you can have a team without hard work

 

Some on here have forgotten that we were the worst team in professional football for ten years, seeing fewer wins than any other team.

 

Now we win and they complain about the 'style' of the win or the fact that we have players like Wotton who have limited ability but do nothing but work hard for THE TEAM.

 

In my view, these dimwits should be taken to the further point of the South coast and asked to keep walking...

[alpine_saint]

Some on here have forgotten that we were the worst team in professional football for ten years, seeing fewer wins than any other team.

 

Now we win and they complain about the 'style' of the win or the fact that we have players like Wotton who have limited ability but do nothing but work hard for THE TEAM.

 

In my view, these dimwits should be taken to the further point of the South coast and asked to keep walking...

 

Aye.

 

I got a lot of stick about this on the Lallana thread. Fact is, we win when he plays.

[Legod Third Coming]

Aye.

 

I got a lot of stick about this on the Lallana thread. Fact is, we win when he plays.

 

Alps, you know I am from the Mcmenemy school. We need violinists and roadsweepers and noone sweeps roads better than players like Wotton, Perry and Thomas, although Thomas decided he could play principal violin as well today.

 

Where the hell did that shot come from??

 

Cannot wait to see it again on TV!

[Saint_clark]

Aye.

 

I got a lot of stick about this on the Lallana thread. Fact is, we win when he plays.

 

It's not a fact at all. I'm 100% sure we have won without him. I am 100% sure we have lost with him.

You really believe that Paul Wotton is the most influential player in our team? Give over.

[Chez]

It's not a fact at all. I'm 100% sure we have won without him. I am 100% sure we have lost with him.

You really believe that Paul Wotton is the most influential player in our team? Give over.

 

agreed (although the last defeat was Bristol Rovers at home). Just look at the difference today when we moved from 4-4-2 to 4-5-1. Wotton was a constant, but it was the formation that made the difference. However that doesn't mean he does not play a decent role in that 4-5-1. He allows the other two central midfielder to push on without fear. The question is can we bring someone in to play that same holding role that can also control and pass better.

Edited 23 January, 2010 by Chez

[RedWillie]

was it just me but i also thought Chris Perry had an awesome game today. Nothing truly spectacular but i don't think he did anything wrong. Stuck his head and boots in every time and contributed to a solid team display. I also said to tne guy next to me when Ollie came on....'this should make for an interesting last few minutes....!'

[S-Clarke]

he's a fantastic squad player and I'd keep him for next season too. (i think his contract is up in 2011?)

[Chez]

also said to tne guy next to me when Ollie came on....'this should make for an interesting last few minutes....!'

 

to be fair when he brought him on at the death in the last home game we closed the game down completely.

[S-Clarke]

was it just me but i also thought Chris Perry had an awesome game today. Nothing truly spectacular but i don't think he did anything wrong. Stuck his head and boots in every time and contributed to a solid team display. I also said to tne guy next to me when Ollie came on....'this should make for an interesting last few minutes....!'

 

he's been pretty good in most games he's played this season IMO - even last season he was one of our better players.

 

he's not the tallest - but he makes up for that with his superb positioning and reading of the game, i think he's our best defender in terms of reading of situations - he's got so much experience in that head of his - i'd also like to see him stay on next year as a squad player, i think he can do 1 more year...

[Chez]

he's been pretty good in most games he's played this season IMO - even last season he was one of our better players.

 

he's not the tallest - but he makes up for that with his superb positioning and reading of the game, i think he's our best defender in terms of reading of situations - he's got so much experience in that head of his - i'd also like to see him stay on next year as a squad player, i think he can do 1 more year...

 

in the CCC?

[S-Clarke]

in the CCC?

 

if we do manage to get up, you have a point - not sure. but for L1 he'd be a good squad player.

[jam]

agreed (although the last defeat was Bristol Rovers at home). Just look at the difference today when we moved from 4-4-2 to 4-5-1. Wotton was a constant, but it was the formation that made the difference. However that doesn't mean he does not play a decent role in that 4-5-1. He allows the other two central midfielder to push on without fear. The question is can we bring someone in to play that same holding role that can also control and pass better.

 

I'd love this to happen but Pardew appears to see replacing Mellis as more of a priority.

 

As you say, it is the formation that makes the difference and at the moment Wotton appears to be the best player we have to play that role. However, spoiler or not, he really hinders our attacking play and is sometimes downright annoying to watch.

[Ricky Redstripe]

thought he was solid today and gave his all!!

 

He always does give his all. I won't criticise players that do that. His attitude and commitment to the cause are 2nd to none.

[Wade Garrett]

Wotton is good at what he does - breaking up play and keeping things tight. If he could pass the ball as well he would have 100 international caps and playing for Real Madrid! He wouldn't be playing League 1.

[Andy_Porter]

He done the job requried, looked solid all game without being spectaular. The sort of player who will always be a 6 or 7 out of 10 when we win.

 

At the start of the second half I was very impressed with our central midfield. Lallana, James and Wotton really bossed the Ipswich midfield. They couldn't cope with our extra man and Lallana especially really made them pay.

 

With everyone fit I'd play a midfield three of Lallana, James and Schneiderlin with Antonio and Waigo on the wings.

 

The only players in our side who look better in 4-4-2 are Connolly and Barnard. Even Lambert looks more dangerous on his own.

[John B]

With everyone fit I'd play a midfield three of Lallana, James and Schneiderlin with Antonio and Waigo on the wings.

 

.

 

Holmes instead of Waigio perhaps?

[Andy_Porter]

Holmes instead of Waigio perhaps?

 

Would give us more balance and leave an option on the bench to change the game. Probably right, I'm just not a huge fan of Holmes but he has done well since he came into the side would be unfair to drop him.

[John B]

Would give us more balance and leave an option on the bench to change the game. Probably right, I'm just not a huge fan of Holmes but he has done well since he came into the side would be unfair to drop him.

 

I like Waigio but having seen him play LM I dont think that is his position and I think Holmes has a lot to prove

[Clifford Nelson]

How nice with a thread which is appreciative of the hard work, application and professionalism of Wotton and Perry. The McMenism of "roadsweepers and violinists" is a very good expression of what a team needs to be.

 

But there is also a matter of tactics, although maybe a little bit more subtle than just 4-4-2 or 4-5-1. A shrewd manager can do things with either system which could give us an edge. We will need it since we will never be up there with the Chelseas for signing world leaders. We look so much more balanced and unpredictable when we play 4-5-1. I am very clear what formation I would like us to play if I was the opposition.

 

On of the things I noticed yesterday is how little time anybody had on the ball in midfield playing against a CCC team on a run of results, and we coped rather well without both Schneiderlin and Hammond. Strength in depth is coming slowly but surely, and maybe a bit of credit ought to go the way of James as well.

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

Yeah, apart from the inability to complete a meaningful forward pass , or to win the ball in the air very often , or to break up opposition attacks , or generally be very good at football he was great . If you are satisfied with filling the squad out with journeyman players who reliably give you their all but in truth have very little left in the tank anymore then Paul Wotton is most certainly your man , if you expect rather more from a Saints player however ......

 

As for comparing Wotton with Chris Perry this is nonsense - Perry was and is a far better player (technically at least) than Paul Wotton - the different levels both players reached in their respective primes proves the point I'd argue . At one point yesterday the referee (bless him) actually managed to surprise the 20,000 watching and play an advantage - unfortunately as the ball was already at Paul Wotton's feet our 'advantage' didn't last very long of course .

[Chez]

He always does give his all. I won't criticise players that do that. His attitude and commitment to the cause are 2nd to none.

 

no one would argue with that. He's like a man posessed at times.

[Matthew Le God]

All Wotton ever does is hoof the ball aimlessly, it is very disruptive and breaks up Saints play. One of the poorest technical players I've seen at Saints in years. Yes, he is motivated and tries hard but adds very little to the team.

[Chez]

, or to win the ball in the air very often , or to break up opposition attacks

 

I'm amazed to find myself defending Wotton, but he won every single header he went for yesterday.

[Matthew Le God]

I'm amazed to find myself defending Wotton, but he won every single header he went for yesterday.

 

He really didn't.

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

I'm amazed to find myself defending Wotton, but he won every single header he went for yesterday.

 

Mate , we really must have been at different games .

[70's Mike]

All Wotton ever does is hoof the ball aimlessly, it is very disruptive and breaks up Saints play. One of the poorest technical players I've seen at Saints in years. Yes, he is motivated and tries hard but adds very little to the team.

 

i bet Lallana, Morgan and Antionio would not say the same

[Legod Third Coming]

Mate , we really must have been at different games .

 

I was at the game we were winning 2-0 until Wotton went off...

 

He does a job. That job is to break up the opponent's play like Makele did for Chelsea. He also played a couple of superb raking balls yesterday but no-one notices of cares because they see only what they want to see.

 

Yes, he's the worst technical player in our team but the manager said he could be important for us, which suggests he knows better than most.

 

People slated Ashley Giles in our Ashes winning team, but without his runs we would never have won the Ashes.

 

Sometimes what someone brings to a team goes unnoticed until you take them away.

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

I was at the game we were winning 2-0 until Wotton went off...

 

He does a job. That job is to break up the opponent's play like Makele did for Chelsea. He also played a couple of superb raking balls yesterday but no-one notices of cares because they see only what they want to see.

 

Yes, he's the worst technical player in our team but the manager said he could be important for us, which suggests he knows better than most.

 

People slated Ashley Giles in our Ashes winning team, but without his runs we would never have won the Ashes.

 

Sometimes what someone brings to a team goes unnoticed until you take them away.

 

'He Does a job'

'Good enough for this division'

'He tries hard'

 

I've read all this and more used to justify the inclusion of sub standard players at our club , many might say it's exactly that kind of thinking that has contributed in no small measure to the two relegation's (and one near miss) we suffered over the last five years . 'Bog Standard' footballers who can reliably put in a honest effort but not much more are 'ten-a-penny' in world football , if we really want to build the promotion/cup winning team that is this great club's stated ambition then we have to be far more ambitious than settling for that .

 

Paul Wotton is not our Claude Makele - indeed even the comparison is absurd as he just doesn't do the defensive midfielders job at all competently . The last player we had who came anywhere near to performing that task was Youssef Safri - perhaps we should have spent this transfer window looking to find a midfielder of that quality rather than signing players for other positions .

 

I thank Paul Wotton for all his efforts over the last two seasons , I recognise that he was signed as a free transfer at a time when we had no money , but frankly (and this is all just a fans opinion of course) I wish he were plying his trade elsewhere .

[Legod Third Coming]

'He Does a job'

'Good enough for this division'

'He tries hard'

 

I've read all this and more used to justify the inclusion of sub standard players at our club , many might say it's exactly that kind of thinking that has contributed in no small measure to the two relegation's (and one near miss) we suffered over the last five years . 'Bog Standard' footballers who can reliably put in a honest effort but not much more are 'ten-a-penny' in world football , if we really want to build the promotion/cup winning team that is this great club's stated ambition then we have to be far more ambitious than settling for that .

 

Paul Wotton is not our Claude Makele - indeed even the comparison is absurd as he just doesn't do the defensive midfielders job at all competently . The last player we had who came anywhere near to performing that task was Youssef Safri - perhaps we should have spent this transfer window looking to find a midfielder of that quality rather than signing players for other positions .

 

I thank Paul Wotton for all his efforts over the last two seasons , I recognise that he was signed as a free transfer at a time when we had no money , but frankly (and this is all just a fans opinion of course) I wish he were plying his trade elsewhere .

 

I guarantee that Paul Wotton has been on the winning side more than the lightweight, tackle shirker that was Youseff Safri - for whom the word bottler could have been invented.

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

I guarantee that Paul Wotton has been on the winning side more than the lightweight, tackle shirker that was Youseff Safri - for whom the word bottler could have been invented.

 

Thanks for that thoughtful contribution .

[Saint_clark]

Safri was quality, I have no idea why people seem to criticise him so much.

[Legod Third Coming]

Thanks for that thoughtful contribution .

 

Well, the very idea that Safri could contribute in this league is bonkers. We have some of the best violinists in the league and we need the odd hod-carrier like Wotton. With a five man midfield including Wotton and James, Ipswich did not once look like scoring. Why? Because of their work ethic.

 

Combined with players like Lallana, Holmes and Anotonio, they do the job they are paid for, to instructions not to fans's whims thank the Lord

 

We won, Wotton was a contributing factor in that. What else do you need?

 

You want to change a winning team and suggest the inclusion of a contributing factor to one of the worst teams I have ever had the misfortune to watch!

[John B]

Well, the very idea that Safri could contribute in this league is bonkers. We have some of the best violinists in the league and we need the odd hod-carrier like Wotton. With a five man midfield including Wotton and James, Ipswich did not once look like scoring. Why? Because of their work ethic.

 

Combined with players like Lallana, Holmes and Anotonio, they do the job they are paid for, to instructions not to fans's whims thank the Lord

 

We won, Wotton was a contributing factor in that. What else do you need?

 

You want to change a winning team and suggest the inclusion of a contributing factor to one of the worst teams I have ever had the misfortune to watch!

 

Yes very true well said

[Clifford Nelson]

Yeah, apart from the inability to complete a meaningful forward pass , or to win the ball in the air very often , or to break up opposition attacks , or generally be very good at football he was great . If you are satisfied with filling the squad out with journeyman players who reliably give you their all but in truth have very little left in the tank anymore then Paul Wotton is most certainly your man , if you expect rather more from a Saints player however ......

 

As for comparing Wotton with Chris Perry this is nonsense - Perry was and is a far better player (technically at least) than Paul Wotton - the different levels both players reached in their respective primes proves the point I'd argue . At one point yesterday the referee (bless him) actually managed to surprise the 20,000 watching and play an advantage - unfortunately as the ball was already at Paul Wotton's feet our 'advantage' didn't last very long of course .

 

Wotton and Perry are two experienced older pros with a lot to teach the youngsters. The comparison ends there.

 

Wotton appears to be the only one who seems suited at playing the defensive CM in a 4-5-1 formation. That doesn't make him technically gifted, but his reading of the game isn't bad, and he works hard at it. I'd like AP to find a younger defensive CM to replace him in the longer perspective, but if he was so awful as you describe it sounds like we're playing with 10 men rather than 11. I don't think we would have done as well as we have done if we played at that disadvantage.

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

Safri was quality, I have no idea why people seem to criticise him so much.

 

Indeed he was , and neither do I .

 

Comparison exercises between different players in different divisions at different times are of little or no intrinsic value but those who seriously claim that Paul Wotton is in any way the superior (or even the equal of) Youseff Safri leave themselves open to ridicule . For the sake of their reputations I'd advise them to desist before they make a complete fool of themselves .

 

As for the 'we won so Wotton must be good' argument I don't really know where to start - I've seen football teams win matches with 9 or 8 men , it's a matter of record that Gary Neville has won a UEFA Champions League winners medal , Luis Boa Morte still plays in the Premier League for heavens sake ! - all kinds of odd things can happen on a football pitch .

 

But enough of this nonsense , I've a very tasty cup tie with Pompey to think about .

[Gordon Mockles]

Safri was quality, I have no idea why people seem to criticise him so much.

 

 

I'll give you an idea. They know little about football & may be a bit stupid! Safri was a very good midfielder. The people on here that slated him for passing sideways or backwards (WTF?) & bottling tackles can't have attended many games (with their eyes open) cos when Safri was out of the squad & away in the African Nations, the team was much poorer & noticably poorer for his absence!

 

Wotton has poor distribution & technical prowess but he had a decent game bar his usual, obligatory miss-hit passes. He broke up the play well & he DID win most of the headers he challenged for.