Harding to RB ?

[alpine_saint]

Seeing as we have brought in Dickson ?

[skintsaint]

cant see it.

 

Just competition for places at left back. Think Mills is better suited to left wing.

[Cestrian Saint]

Am I missing something, when was it confirmed that Dickson had signed???

 

I thought Harding looked good at RB last season. I also wondered if AP might use him there next season.

Edited 10 June, 2010 by Cestrian Saint

[saintwarwick]

I thought he looked good at RB last season. I wondered if AP might use him there next year too.

 

I reckon AP will bring in a new RB and Harding can be cover in case of injury

[Saint Fan CaM]

I cannot see a permanent switch myself. However, I think that due to the rigours of a L1 season, AP knows that flexibility across the back four and particularly on the flanks, will provide the best chance of a succesful campaign.

[eurosaint]

Have I missed something ?

When did we sign Dickson ??

[Paul Chuckle]

Have I missed something ?

When did we sign Dickson ??

 

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/8210967.Saints_sign_Dickson/

[jasoneuelllfanclub]

According to the edcho anyway

 

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/news/8210967.Saints_sign_Dickson/?ref=rss

[saintscottofthenortham]

Great signing. Well happy.

[del boy]

Harding will be good back up at LB, we still need a specialist right back, and I'm sure one will be on the way soon, along with CM and big striker.

 

COYR, we hate P#mpey etc

[chrisobee]

In this case I'm happy to believe the echo !

[chrisobee]

Harding will be good back up at LB, we still need a specialist right back, and I'm sure one will be on the way soon, along with CM and big striker.

 

 

We will definitely sign a RB, CM and a striker IMO. I think it is clear those are the key areas we need to strengthen. Harding will however provide a good option for RB in the event of injury and he/Dickson might even be able to play together with one in a more advanced role. Whatever the case the more options the better obviously.

[Saint_Jonny]

Still dont understand why we need another left back but hey ho, its a start! Wonder if harding will be happy to sit on the bench? Maybe he'll be off..

[Saint Charlie]

FFS it's a squad game! Dickson will compete with Harding for the LB spot.

[spyinthesky]

Think both of them will be behind a revived Molyneux for the LB spot!!

 

Antony Pulis is being prepared for the RB position!!!

[John B]

Still dont understand why we need another left back but hey ho, its a start! Wonder if harding will be happy to sit on the bench? Maybe he'll be off..

 

Yes I agree seems a bit of a strange signing especially as Harding was supposed to be one of our better players last season.

 

Dont really see Harding as RB so we will have to wait and see what happens but Dickson does seem to be a good player so it is a positive signing

[Saint_clark]

If Harding is dropped from the off I will be quite annoyed to be honest.

And no, he won't be playing at RB.

[Chez]

Harding won't play at right back, apart from emergencies.

 

He's totally left footed. He held an end up in the two games he played there, but it restricted him so much not being able to get crosses in without stopping and coming back onto his left foot. Any fool could see that.

[iansums]

Seeing as we have brought in Dickson ?

 

Not a chance. Although he did very well there in the JPT Final he only played there because Thomas, Murty and James were all out injured and Semi was cup-tied.

 

Actually, this is another one of Alpine's ridiculous threads.

[Lance]

Harding getting dropped ? BarLambert I thought he was our most consistent player last season???

[John B]

Harding won't play at right back, apart from emergencies.

 

He's totally left footed. He held an end up in the two games he played there, but it restricted him so much not being able to get crosses in without stopping and coming back onto his left foot. Any fool could see that.

 

Totally agree

 

Does that make me fool:confused:

[Toadhall Saint]

cant see it.

 

Just competition for places at left back. Think Mills is better suited to left wing.

 

 

WHS

[saint_stevo]

Dickson on the wing?

[Matthew Le God]

Dickson on the wing?

 

So are you suggesting Lallana should be dropped?

[saint_stevo]

So are you suggesting Lallana should be dropped?

 

i am suggesting Lallana probably won't play all 50 games.

 

are you suggesting we should just have 11 players?

[Smirking_Saint]

Harding will never play RB, he had no right foot when i saw him, every attack or pass he had to make space to switch it onto his left foot.

 

Perhaps if we really need him to fill in there but i am hoping we sign a RB, or two.

[Saint_Ash]

FFS it's a squad game! Dickson will compete with Harding for the LB spot.

 

This.

 

It's going to be a great season when we can have 2 excellent players for each position. Harding did extremely well for us last season but he's going to have to be pushed a bit harder if he wants to make the grade in the championship and having someone else vying for his position will give him that extra boost. Either that or Dickson will be better.

 

Anyway, buy excellent players whatever the position will make a us a much stronger outfit all round.

[Tac-tics]

If Harding is to be replaced, not that I think it will be the case, Dickson bit part player this season?

I would'nt blame him for being very ticked off, he did'nt put a foot wrong last season.

[alpine_saint]

I dont really understand why we have brought another LB in either, seeing as Mills is still at the club, but I thought Harding at RB, at least temporarily if AP doesnt intend to immediately sign an RB, at least fits the facts.

[Tac-tics]

I think we will see Mill's adapt a left midfield roll this season.

[Smirking_Saint]

Mills isn't the best defensively, we may see him move forward to LB or perhaps even leave the club.

 

One thing i am certain off is that Holmes is off though, IMO.

[alpine_saint]

Mills isn't the best defensively, we may see him move forward to LB or perhaps even leave the club.

 

One thing i am certain off is that Holmes is off though, IMO.

 

So why werent they on that list last month ?

[egg]

So why werent they on that list last month ?

 

Because that list was just of out of contract players not being offered new deals.

 

Anyways, Dickson will compete with Harding and a new RB will come in.

[Smirking_Saint]

So why werent they on that list last month ?

 

A. Because they might be looking for a fee

 

B. If they are under contract you can't just release them if they disagree to their contract being cancelled.

[buctootim]

Dickson might turn out to be good but I cant see why people are getting so excited about a 23 year old who has played 24 first team games in five seasons, all at Lg1 or below. Bit injury prone too. Harding will remain as first choice LB with Dickson as cover for him and at left midfield too imo.

[the saint in winchester]

In this case I'm happy to believe the echo !

 

I'm not. Until I read it on the OS, this is just speculation.

[alpine_saint]

A. Because they might be looking for a fee

 

B. If they are under contract you can't just release them if they disagree to their contract being cancelled.

 

Dont follow completely. Surely if we cannot buy freebies because contracts come to an end on June 30, how were we able to release this list in May ?

[Scudamore]

Dont follow completely. Surely if we cannot buy freebies because contracts come to an end on June 30, how were we able to release this list in May ?

 

Should think they're still being paid up til the end of their contracts. They are however free to talk to other teams as we won't be looking to keep them. Best to let them know early and let them prepare. Quite the opposite strategy to the installment plan.

[Smirking_Saint]

Dont follow completely. Surely if we cannot buy freebies because contracts come to an end on June 30, how were we able to release this list in May ?

 

I think essentially we knew we were not going to renew the contract so for the sake of 2 months you may as well say to the players we are not keeping you on, go look for another club.

 

Once the contract is under the 3 month threshold i also think you can offer a contract even to UK players (you can non-uk from under 6 months) but cannot formally sign until june 30th

[Alanh]

I'm pretty sure Dickson has been signed to provide competition for Harding and the LM spot, with Seabourne able to play there is necessary. Lallana and Puncheon can both play LM but Mills can compete for that position and provide something a bit different to either of them. It's also really useful to have someone on the bench (Mills or Dickson) who can cover both LB and LM.

 

As others have said, Harding is a very left footed player so I'd be really surprised if he became first choice RB this season.

[EastleighSoulBoy]

Think both of them will be behind a revived Molyneux for the LB spot!!

 

Antony Pulis is being prepared for the RB position!!!

 

You lost me with that last bit mate!

[The Fat Controller]

Maybe either Aaron Martin or Danny Seaborne may also be used to play at RB??

[eurosaint]

You lost me with that last bit mate!

 

I think he was taking the p1ss !!

[Clifford Nelson]

Since a left back seemed to be the last thing we needed is there something else behind it? I remember that AP subbed Harding at one point and expressed himself rather cryptically about the reasons, which made me think that Harding wasn't the easiest player to manage off the field. Since I also thought it was strange that Reading released him it might be an explanation.

 

We have now got three LBs, four if we count Seabourne, and five if we recognise the existence of Molineux. On the other hand not a single RB.

 

There was a mention in the Echo that AP isn't expected to sign many players this summer, but if the signing of Dickson is to strengthen then I can see numerous signings coming our way, because there isn't an area which doesn't need strengthening outside LB and possibly CB.

[Chez]

Dickson might turn out to be good but I cant see why people are getting so excited about a 23 year old who has played 24 first team games in five seasons, all at Lg1 or below. Bit injury prone too. Harding will remain as first choice LB with Dickson as cover for him and at left midfield too imo.

 

 

LOL at the Wikepedia believer.

Might be an idea to get some real facts about this player http://www.soccerbase.com/players_details.sd?playerid=38297 before forming your opinion on him.

 

Have you seen him play? We we in League 1! What mkes you think he's injury prone?

[Chez]

Maybe either Aaron Martin or Danny Seaborne may also be used to play at RB??

 

Seaborne is totally left footed and a centre back. Martin is fairly sluggish centre back. I know why not just stick Jardi out there, I mean he's a defender after all.

[SNSUN]

I reckon AP will bring in a new RB and Harding can be cover in case of injury

 

This is what I reckon. Our new RB, whoever he is, will be the number one - and Harding, with his effort and good footballing brain, could be the back up right back - he's already proved he can play well there.

 

As for left backs, we're ok now, we've got Harding, Mills, and now Dickson (if we have actually signed him), plus a left footed Seaborne can play there if needed.

 

If it were me, and I'm not saying Pards won't do this, but I'd bring in a new quality right back AND a player that can play both at RB and CB - like Thomas.

[Chez]

If it were me, and I'm not saying Pards won't do this, but I'd bring in a new quality right back AND a player that can play both at RB and CB - like Thomas.

 

Perhaps he will bring in a top notch right back and then a promising youngster to back him up if our academy hasn't got one.

[chrisobee]

Dickson on the wing?

 

As I mentioned above I do believe it is an option especially as Dickson has played often in midfield in the past. Thus he could be 1st choice left back or equally likely cover for left back and left midfield. He certainly enjoys getting forward so it's an option worth having.

[SNSUN]

Perhaps he will bring in a top notch right back and then a promising youngster to back him up if our academy hasn't got one.

 

That'd do - and sort out the future of that position.