Lloyd James

[Golden Balls]

I really couldn't care less if I get slated for this. But how does Lloyd James keep getting a game?

 

He is totally useless. He cant head, he cant tackle, his possitioning is all over the place, he has no pace, he cant pass, he cant cross. Sometime he does however put in a decent challange, but ruins it right away by giving possession right back to the other team.

 

He never seems to look up when he has the ball, just either passes it to someone 3 yards away in a 'I don't want it' fassion or plays a curling ball down the line. He played that ball 13 times today that I noticed, only once did it go to a Saints player.

 

I know what reply this will get 'he's only young' 'give him a break' 'give him time'

 

I'm sorry, it's just not right that we haven't given someone else a go there. I know we don't exactly have a big squad but surely we have someone else who can play there? Hatch? Mills? even Perry or Cork when Killer is back.

 

It doesn't even seem like the rest of the team trust him.

[Papa Shango]

Agreed. Trouble is we didn't bother to sign a proper right back in the summer to take his place.

[Dan Johnson]

A little harsh.

 

I will say that he does look like the weakest link in our team at the moment, he lacks pace and tireded early today.

 

He will improve, he's had what... 5 or 6 senior games? Its a physical league, and as he gets older he'll learn to coup with it better.

 

At the moment I think its a case of "best of a bad bunch"

[Golden Balls]

 

At the moment I think its a case of "best of a bad bunch"

 

I'd like to say I agree but I really do think its time to give someone else a go. Even if it is someone like Cork or Perry. I know its not their natural possition but RB isn't James' either.

[Wes Tender]

Perhaps the formation is all wrong. It seems to me that in the matches I've watched this season the opposing team make loads of runs down our flanks to the byeline and yet we don't appear to be stretching them wide.

[Deano6]

Jack Cork can play anywhere along the back 4, we are told. So stick him at right back where he will actually defend!

[Um Bongo]

Was Awful tonight, outjumped for the second goal, almost looked like he couldn't be bothered. Needs a rest.

[Dan Johnson]

Was Awful tonight, outjumped for the second goal, almost looked like he couldn't be bothered. Needs a rest.

 

I wouldnt say he was out jumped, the difference was that the ipswich player had a good 20-30 yard run up on james who jumped from standing.

 

To be fair, it was a cracking cross and a good header, probably the best goal of the game imho

[Deanovski]

i rate james highly has good crossing,fair pace,good going forward,passing isnt that bad does some good long balls and crosses.he plays better when we are playing well as a team tbf underpressuere on the back foot i feel hes not so good but makes some sweet last ditch tackles

[Whitey Grandad]

I wouldnt say he was out jumped, the difference was that the ipswich player had a good 20-30 yard run up on james who jumped from standing.

 

To be fair, it was a cracking cross and a good header, probably the best goal of the game imho

He should have done more to put Quinn off his jump. There are ways of doing it that don't involve jumping. And why are they getting space to put in a good cross? We need some fullbacks, but we all knew that already.

[Saint_clark]

I said this after the first game.

[dubai_phil]

It sounds like the youngsters are feeling the pace. They are used to only playing 20-30 games a year and here they are 2 in 3 days and Sunday an hour with 10 men.

 

The concerns about their "physical and mental strength" seem to be coming home to roost. Gillett WAS getting rave reviews but now seems to be burning out, similarly James is possibly in need of a break.

 

Of course the perfect way would be to rotate them, but in defence we seem short of spare bodies, losing Holmes without Pulis or Gasmi being ready also seems a tad unlucky BUT should have been forseen.

 

Sounds a little like Drew is having similar problems, so leaves us hoping Killer is fit for Saturday, somebody has a BIG word with Rudi or Fish comes in and Cork at RB

 

The worry is with SJ bombing tonight when we needed him whether the same issue may not be why we haven't seen Rudi, personally I'd have played Peckhart from the start as he had a run on Sunday and brought SJ on for 30 mins to start to get up to speed possibly for Barnsley

 

Now we're sort of back to square one. Maybe SJ out on loan to free up some money for loan/Bosman fullbacks

 

But THAT needs JP to have a rethink - he sounded REALLY down on the radio in the interview.

 

arrrrrrghh

[Deanovski]

I said this after the first game.

 

 

and that makes you cool,hes been a solid player you lot need to shut the **** up.

as my friend said always need to blame some one huh seem to like the right backs who would oyu rather have JW or LJ

 

you lot really are unreal **** me

[Saint_clark]

and that makes you cool,hes been a solid player you lot need to shut the **** up.

as my friend said always need to blame some one huh seem to like the right backs who would oyu rather have JW or LJ

 

you lot really are unreal **** me

 

He's been sh*t. He's cost us 5 goals so far this season. I don't always need someone to blame, I just like to express my opinion.

[Niemster]

I would say that from tonight and sunday he wasnt the worst player at all. Tonight Surman got buggered for pace regularly and just wasn't there tonight. I saw James make plenty of decent tackles. I more worried that Perry has finally been found out. Out of the back four tonight, he was the worst. How many times did he expose our defence by selling himself with a crap tackle?

[dubai_phil]

I would say that from tonight and sunday he wasnt the worst player at all. Tonight Surman got buggered for pace regularly and just wasn't there tonight. I saw James make plenty of decent tackles. I more worried that Perry has finally been found out. Out of the back four tonight, he was the worst. How many times did he expose our defence by selling himself with a crap tackle?

 

Didn't you just cut and paste that from a Luton forum last season.......

 

Think Perry needs a big man alongside him

 

Where's Lucketti?

[Runaway]

James is a liability at the moment. It's true he's cost us a number of goals now - losing his mark, making a poor tackle, failing to head the ball etc. We really should play someone else there, like maybe give Cork a run as RB. I'm not sure I like James' attitude either.

[Rod Le Shearer]

I really couldn't care less if I get slated for this. But how does Lloyd James keep getting a game?

 

He is totally useless. He cant head, he cant tackle, his possitioning is all over the place, he has no pace, he cant pass, he cant cross. Sometime he does however put in a decent challange, but ruins it right away by giving possession right back to the other team.

 

He never seems to look up when he has the ball, just either passes it to someone 3 yards away in a 'I don't want it' fassion or plays a curling ball down the line. He played that ball 13 times today that I noticed, only once did it go to a Saints player.

 

I know what reply this will get 'he's only young' 'give him a break' 'give him time'

 

I'm sorry, it's just not right that we haven't given someone else a go there. I know we don't exactly have a big squad but surely we have someone else who can play there? Hatch? Mills? even Perry or Cork when Killer is back.

 

It doesn't even seem like the rest of the team trust him.

 

I tend to agree...

we had a kid looking just like Lloyd back at primary school. he was the one who always got picked last,and in some ways he and James are very similar ! on the pitch,Lloyd has got this "excuse me for excisting"-attitude,which is very annoying to watch.

[saints_is_the_south]

You aren't the only one & I've not really rated him day 1. Although he is apparently playing out of position i can't see him being much better at DM.

 

He just doesn't seem to have it brain wise, no sharpness, always a couple of seconds behind the play & completely agree about the passing thing. I also noticed he was one of the first of the pitch looking as if he was thinking "well i'm glad thats over". I guess the reason for the passing...etc could be because he's young & nervous but i don't see that as an ample excuse for being seconds behind the play every time.

 

His positioning is also awful, so many times he'd go flying up the pitch or get dragged into midfield leaving huge spaces behind him. This is possibly the main reason Lancashire got sent off on Sunday because he had to go out onto the right to track the player down because James was half way up the pitch.

 

When Killer/Thomas/Lancashire are all available I'd have either Perry or Cork at right back and maybe Thomas & Killer at CB.

[Dicko]

This is a tough, competitive league.

 

Some of the youngsters will rise to the challenge and others will be found out

 

At present, I'm afraid James appears to be falling into the latter category

[beatlesaint]

You cannot play in this league without recognised full backs. Playing with one midfield player on one side is risky enough but to play with two is madness. teams are sussing us out, attacking the wide open spaces left on the wings and getting crosses in where we have two smallish (Cork and Perry) centre halves who will regularly be beaten in the air.

 

Every other team in this league have two hulking great centre halves.....we dont.....and we cant even help conceal that weakness with two recognised full backs.

 

Its all a bit squeaky bum time at the back I'm afraid....and the reality is if Kelvin Davis, who I havent always rated, wasnt in such hot form at the moment we would have been hammered in at least 3 games this season.

[scott_saints]

I noticed that after Ipswich's first goal, players (mainly Perry and Wotton) were shouting at him and blaming him for the goal.

 

His confidence was shot after this and I think he didn't really want to be on the pitch after!

[Marsdinho]

I noticed that after Ipswich's first goal, players (mainly Perry and Wotton) were shouting at him and blaming him for the goal.

 

His confidence was shot after this and I think he didn't really want to be on the pitch after!

 

From the northam, you could really see them having a go at him. Wotton wasnt happy at all and gave him sh1t for about 5 mins afterwards.

 

As you said, from that point on, i think he just wanted to be off the pitch.

 

Even though he has been our weakest player so far, you have to feel sorry for him, he's only young and we are going to kill his confidence by playing him in a position he is unfamiliar with.

[slickmick]

Yes he was poor, but so were all the back 4. Both goals were from crosses that came from Surmans side but as he is the golden boy, so he can get away with it. Perry for me was the worse defender last night. I didn't expect him to win much in the air but would have expected him to be able to pass and tackle better.

[slickmick]

I noticed that after Ipswich's first goal, players (mainly Perry and Wotton) were shouting at him and blaming him for the goal.

 

His confidence was shot after this and I think he didn't really want to be on the pitch after!

 

 

Yet it was Dyer that didn't get goalside of the overlapping runner that led to that goal.

[Chez]

I agree with the original post and have said from the first game that he looks poor in that position. He lacks pace and he doesn't have a clue positionally. I have to say for a central midfielder I am surprised at how bad his distribution is. Anything he hit over ten yards went straight to the opposition last night, either intercepted or overhit. How John is meant to control a ball at pace at head height is beyond me.

 

I suggested Wotton and Perry in the centre with Cork on the right and I stand by that. When fit I'd rather Thomas than James. Last nights performance was not down to James but he certainly didn't help.

 

I don't feel sorry for any professional footballer.

[beancounter saint]

I don't think James had a great game last night but in terms of the numbers of attacks getting through on the left compared to the right, I wouldn't say he was the weakest full-back on display.

[chocco boxo]

The new Phil Warner.

[Dicko]

I don't think James had a great game last night but in terms of the numbers of attacks getting through on the left compared to the right, I wouldn't say he was the weakest full-back on display.

 

I was sat in the Itchen last night, 2nd half Jan was constantly showing his disappointment with Surman

[ottery st mary]

James is a mid-fielder and has been groomed right through the academy as such.

JP has tried to fit two very good central players with no real pace as full backs to suit his system. Mills should have been playing left back in this system with Hatch right back but I suppose age and experience was against them. Well in that case the same applies to Surman and James who are not even backs and never will be. Although if you leave them there long enough they will show improvement but I suspect their confidence will be shot to pieces and we will be in league 1 or even 2.

 

Good pros can adapt positions but usually as an emergency measure.

The alternative was the correct loans pre-season or now.

[Junior Mullet]

I really couldn't care less if I get slated for this. But how does Lloyd James keep getting a game?

 

He is totally useless. He cant head, he cant tackle, his possitioning is all over the place, he has no pace, he cant pass, he cant cross. Sometime he does however put in a decent challange, but ruins it right away by giving possession right back to the other team.

 

He never seems to look up when he has the ball, just either passes it to someone 3 yards away in a 'I don't want it' fassion or plays a curling ball down the line. He played that ball 13 times today that I noticed, only once did it go to a Saints player.

 

I know what reply this will get 'he's only young' 'give him a break' 'give him time'

 

I'm sorry, it's just not right that we haven't given someone else a go there. I know we don't exactly have a big squad but surely we have someone else who can play there? Hatch? Mills? even Perry or Cork when Killer is back.

 

It doesn't even seem like the rest of the team trust him.

 

You are mistaking the club as being one that is chasing promotion. if we were we would get two good full-backs in or Play Cork at RB and get another CB in.

 

Problem is the only goal for the club this year is to avoid relegation and to give as many of our youngsters as much first team experience (and exposure) as possible.

 

If we're nailed to 24th spot come Jan I would expect to see a full back come in for James. Otherwise, expect him to keep being picked.

[Bailey]

I was a little concerned with James' positioning during yesterday's game.

 

He gets caught out quite often and makes us look vulnerable when defending.

 

Having said that, he is good going forward but it's clear to see that he isn't a natural RB.

[AndyNorthernSaints]

You cannot play in this league without recognised full backs. Playing with one midfield player on one side is risky enough but to play with two is madness. teams are sussing us out, attacking the wide open spaces left on the wings and getting crosses in where we have two smallish (Cork and Perry) centre halves who will regularly be beaten in the air.

 

Every other team in this league have two hulking great centre halves.....we dont.....and we cant even help conceal that weakness with two recognised full backs.

 

Its all a bit squeaky bum time at the back I'm afraid....and the reality is if Kelvin Davis, who I havent always rated, wasnt in such hot form at the moment we would have been hammered in at least 3 games this season.

 

Yep that just about sums it up really. The point is sadly that it's not bleeding rocket science to realise that if you don't have any recognised defenders as fullbacks in your squad you are going to struggle. I'm beggining to understand how our manager was nut megged by Archie Gemmill in 78 now.

[Amesbury Saint]

why are 18 - 22 year olds less fit than 26-35 year olds?

 

I can understand them being technically less good but less fit?

[AndyNorthernSaints]

why are 18 - 22 year olds less fit than 26-35 year olds?

 

I can understand them being technically less good but less fit?

They stay in watching tv and playing computer games. In the old days youngsters went out and got some excercise playing pool down the local pub.

[Whitey Grandad]

why are 18 - 22 year olds less fit than 26-35 year olds?

 

I can understand them being technically less good but less fit?

A lot of it is to do with your positioning. As you gain experience you tend to get yourself in position earlier and there's less frantic chasing. The first 5 yards are in you head.

[derry]

Anyone care to elaborate on the cover he got from in front and inside. I didn't notice any but maybe all the experienced fullbacks and coaches on here could enlighten me.

 

Sad to see a young lad trying to break through, doing his best, but being criticised by so many never was so called fans.

[Whitey Grandad]

Anyone care to elaborate on the cover he got from in front and inside. I didn't notice any but maybe all the experienced fullbacks and coaches on here could enlighten me.

 

Sad to see a young lad trying to break through, doing his best, but being criticised by so many never was so called fans.

We can't afford to indulge him if it continues to cost us goals. It's not so much that he was exposed, more a matter of being caught out of position ball-watching instead of staying goal-side of his man.

[Golden Balls]

I'm not sure I like James' attitude either.

 

Know what you mean. On the pitch he just seems to not care but off the pitch you will see him in bars a clubs (along with others) nearly every night acting like he's some sort of star!

[derry]

We can't afford to indulge him if it continues to cost us goals. It's not so much that he was exposed, more a matter of being caught out of position ball-watching instead of staying goal-side of his man.

 

I'm not saying he would be my first choice, McGoldrick didn't even do his wide attacking job properly, wandering inside almost never wide. As for his defensive support picking up and giving cover to James he didn't. Perry didn't give him much support and the so called holding midfielders didn't either. He was often left exposed. It is supposed to be attack as a team and defend the same way.

[Whitey Grandad]

I'm not saying he would be my first choice, McGoldrick didn't even do his wide attacking job properly, wandering inside almost never wide. As for his defensive support picking up and giving cover to James he didn't. Perry didn't give him much support and the so called holding midfielders didn't either. He was often left exposed. It is supposed to be attack as a team and defend the same way.

At one point in the first half I did notice Wotton call him back when he got dragged forward a bit too far. Full-back is a specialist position and you can't just stick a midfielder in there and expect him to do the same job.

[Um Bongo]

And he needs to run properly. He lofts his arms about like he's trying to take off or something.

[derry]

At one point in the first half I did notice Wotton call him back when he got dragged forward a bit too far. Full-back is a specialist position and you can't just stick a midfielder in there and expect him to do the same job.

 

What he needed was help from in front, allowing him to drop inside, and the rest of the back four close up diagonally on the cover behind him., with the rest of the team dropping back to fill the middle.

 

I lost count of the number of times he was defending against runners with no other Saints player within 20 to 30 yds.

[Chez]

Anyone care to elaborate on the cover he got from in front and inside. I didn't notice any but maybe all the experienced fullbacks and coaches on here could enlighten me.

 

Sad to see a young lad trying to break through, doing his best, but being criticised by so many never was so called fans.

 

does the lack of cover explain why he passed to the opposition all night?

 

You need to make your mind up, do you want to pay to see professional football or pay to see young players learn to play the game. If it is the latter then may I suggest the reserves - you can save yourself a few bob. Personaly I pay to see CCC standard football, not to sit and have to make excuses every week cos the poor lads are young. Pah.

[um pahars]

Sad to see a young lad trying to break through, doing his best, but being criticised by so many never was so called fans.

 

If anything I think many on here are asking for him not to be ruined by being dropped into the first team too early.

 

People aren't crucifying him (I think on the whole we're all really supportive of these young players).

 

He may well have some talent and he may well turn out to be a good player, but at the moment he looks out of his depth and I fear that playing him could be doing more harm than good to him as an individual.

 

I would say exactly the same for Surman, who despite giving his all, really struggled last night. He is a much better player in the midfield.

[saintjinksie]

I really couldn't care less if I get slated for this. But how does Lloyd James keep getting a game?

 

He is totally useless. He cant head, he cant tackle, his possitioning is all over the place, he has no pace, he cant pass, he cant cross. Sometime he does however put in a decent challange, but ruins it right away by giving possession right back to the other team.

 

He never seems to look up when he has the ball, just either passes it to someone 3 yards away in a 'I don't want it' fassion or plays a curling ball down the line. He played that ball 13 times today that I noticed, only once did it go to a Saints player.

 

I know what reply this will get 'he's only young' 'give him a break' 'give him time'

 

I'm sorry, it's just not right that we haven't given someone else a go there. I know we don't exactly have a big squad but surely we have someone else who can play there? Hatch? Mills? even Perry or Cork when Killer is back.

 

It doesn't even seem like the rest of the team trust him.

 

he is our worst player, not a defender and never will be. Would rather have Ostlund

[Ado]

I wouldnt mind him missing every header if he actually jumped for the ball and put pressure on the opposing player, but he didnt even bother jumping last night something which is basic schoolboy football for me

[saintjinksie]

why are 18 - 22 year olds less fit than 26-35 year olds?

 

I can understand them being technically less good but less fit?

 

stamina takes years to build up, how many 20 year old marathon runners do you know? If you start young enough then it is easier to maintain, but if you're 16 when you start to build stamina it is going to take a while.

[um pahars]

None of us who went last night are sports scientists, but we were having the same discussion last night as the youngsters defintiely seemed to tire in the second half.

 

Our unscientific (and probably totally bololokcs) answer was that we thought players were at their fittest in the early to mid 20's and that in late teens through to 22ish they are still developing.

 

Our seats are near(ish) the pitch and have to say that many of our youngsters looked really slight (particularly up against some of the opposition).

[derry]

does the lack of cover explain why he passed to the opposition all night?

 

You need to make your mind up, do you want to pay to see professional football or pay to see young players learn to play the game. If it is the latter then may I suggest the reserves - you can save yourself a few bob. Personaly I pay to see CCC standard football, not to sit and have to make excuses every week cos the poor lads are young. Pah.

 

Quite a few gave the ball away last night, not just James. I would play Cork at right back, however James didn't get any help, often isolated one on one.

 

I can afford to indulge myself, I can't spend the money I've got. I prefer this years team to last years and happen to think they will get better, even if it takes longer than some would like.