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Ryan's Express

Cricketphilly

By Cricketphilly,
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Cricketphilly

Cricketphilly

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I have just spoken to the fitness instructor in my gym, who also happens to be Brentford's fitness instructor. He told me that as well as being a top chap, Ryan was the fittest player at Brentford. He also said that the move had been on the cards for six months and that Reading were also after him. Lastly there is no way he will take being second choice left back. Hope this is off some small help, I dont post new threads often.

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martel

martel

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I have just spoken to the fitness instructor in my gym, who also happens to be Brentford's fitness instructor. He told me that as well as being a top chap, Ryan was the fittest player at Brentford. He also said that the move had been on the cards for six months and that Reading were also after him. Lastly there is no way he will take being second choice left back. Hope this is off some small help, I dont post new threads often.

 

I have been thinking about this latest signing, do any of you think that A.P. may have other plans for him because of his pace? I.E. could A.P. use him on the left midfield so as to overlap and keep everyone happy.

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Matthew Le God

Matthew Le God

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Those trying to accommodate Harding into the team are likely to be wrong I feel.

 

I think it will be Dickson at left back, 442, Lallana on the left of midfield, Puncheon on the right of midfield and a new right back signed. Dickson won't be coming here as cover.

 

I have been thinking about this latest signing, do any of you think that A.P. may have other plans for him because of his pace? I.E. could A.P. use him on the left midfield so as to overlap and keep everyone happy.

 

Lallana is the left midfielder and scored 20 goals from that position last season and the balance worked well.

 

Maybe we are going to use him as a wingback in a change of formation to 3 centre backs,,with Harding competing for the left sided centre back role in such a formation.

 

Probably rubbish but you never know

 

Harding is certainly not a centre back. Pardew won't change from his tried and tested formations/tactics to play 3 centre backs just to accommodate Harding and play him out of position as a centre back.

Edited by Matthew Le God
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Matthew Le God

Matthew Le God

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I'm sure he doesn't want to be second choice, most players don't, but it's not their decision. Harding is excellent and won't be replaced easily.

 

Not his decision if he is first or second choice. But it was Dickson's decision if he moved to Saints or not. He would have met with Pardew who outlined his plans and would I think he'd let him know he would be getting games at Saints. Dickson was apparently attracting interest from the Championship, he was probably Brentford's best player last season looking at their forums, he wouldn't accept a deal knowing he'd be second fiddle to Harding in League One when he could go to the Championship or stay at Brentford.

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NickG

NickG

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"I'm very energetic, hard working and very direct really" Dickson explained. "I like to get up and down the pitch and I would think of myself as an attacking left back. The way we want to play next year teams are going to want to sit back against us and get men behind the ball, but I see that to my advantage really."

 

sounds like signed as a more attacking option for next season when teams will be happy with draw against us. Think he will be first choice LB.

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SNSUN

SNSUN

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Harding was my favourite player last season, a real hard worker with a good footballing brain. I'd be gutted if Dickson took his place. The only thing I can think, with Pards releasing all of our right backs, is that he's happy to put Harding there. He did well at right back when it was asked of him, I'm sure he'll do well again. Harding won't want to stick around if he's not first choice, and that alone saddens me.

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Genk

Genk

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Harding is our first choice left-back. It's great to have two player's in each position as now Harding will know he will have to consistently perform or risk being dropped and not getting another look in for a while. Dickson can also be used on the wing if things aren't quite working in one game and Pardew decides to put Lallana in the hole or something.

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Turkish

Turkish

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Maybe we are going to use him as a wingback in a change of formation to 3 centre backs,,with Harding competing for the left sided centre back role in such a formation.

 

Probably rubbish but you never know

 

Not probably rubbish, definitely rubbish, no way is Harding a centre back.

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Arizona

Arizona

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I'd like to possibly see seperate teams in the League and cup matches. As in completely seperate 11s, because if you just swap 4 or 5 here and there it ruins the continuity.

 

League Team:

 

Davis

 

???? - Fonte - Jaidi - Dickson

 

Puncheon - Hammond - Morgan - Lallana

 

Lambert - Barnard

 

 

 

Cup Team:

 

Bart

 

???? - Seaborne - Martin - Harding

 

Antonio (please) - Wotton (or better) - ???? - Holmes (or better)

 

Connolly - ????

 

Something like that anyway.

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Saint Charlie

Saint Charlie

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Haha separate cup teams, what a great (not) idea! It's a squad game FFS! First choice teams change during the season and people get injured! Also we are going to bring in at least a couple more players which changes everything!

 

Harding and Dickson will compete for the position. The one who is doing best will play. Not every player you buy goes straight in the team despite what they might think. Barnard was on the bench lots of times after we signed him. We brought in Van Damme a few years back for 2.5m and he didn't go into the team.

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Arizona

Arizona

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Haha separate cup teams, what a great (not) idea! It's a squad game FFS! First choice teams change during the season and people get injured! Also we are going to bring in at least a couple more players which changes everything!

 

Harding and Dickson will compete for the position. The one who is doing best will play. Not every player you buy goes straight in the team despite what they might think. Barnard was on the bench lots of times after we signed him. We brought in Van Damme a few years back for 2.5m and he didn't go into the team.

 

Yes. Having a fresh League team and a hungry, eager to prove themselves cup team, what a terrible (not) idea!

 

I'm not saying stick rigidly to that EXACT line up. I think the team would look a heck of a lot better for not having to play another 10-15 possible cup games on top of the 46 League games. What I'm basically saying is play the reserves in the cup game. It would be a bit of a bummer if Lambert got a broken leg in a JPT tie against Dagenham and missed half the season. It would also give players like Harding a chance to prove themselves in a competitive match, because he isn't going to get many chances if Dickson stays fit.

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Genk

Genk

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Yes. Having a fresh League team and a hungry, eager to prove themselves cup team, what a terrible (not) idea!

 

I'm not saying stick rigidly to that EXACT line up. I think the team would look a heck of a lot better for not having to play another 10-15 possible cup games on top of the 46 League games. What I'm basically saying is play the reserves in the cup game. It would be a bit of a bummer if Lambert got a broken leg in a JPT tie against Dagenham and missed half the season. It would also give players like Harding a chance to prove themselves in a competitive match, because he isn't going to get many chances if Dickson stays fit.

 

I don't understand why Harding has suddenly been dropped. What has he done wrong? Other than Lambert, he was probably our most consistent player last season.

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Turkish

Turkish

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Haha separate cup teams, what a great (not) idea! It's a squad game FFS! First choice teams change during the season and people get injured! Also we are going to bring in at least a couple more players which changes everything!

 

Harding and Dickson will compete for the position. The one who is doing best will play. Not every player you buy goes straight in the team despite what they might think. Barnard was on the bench lots of times after we signed him. We brought in Van Damme a few years back for 2.5m and he didn't go into the team.

 

on of the only sensible things Harry Redknapp said when he was Saints manager was when he was talking about the squad saying there are too many average players, 'you dont need 35 average ones, you need 20-24 good ones'

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Saint Charlie

Saint Charlie

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Yes. Having a fresh League team and a hungry, eager to prove themselves cup team, what a terrible (not) idea!

 

I'm not saying stick rigidly to that EXACT line up. I think the team would look a heck of a lot better for not having to play another 10-15 possible cup games on top of the 46 League games. What I'm basically saying is play the reserves in the cup game. It would be a bit of a bummer if Lambert got a broken leg in a JPT tie against Dagenham and missed half the season. It would also give players like Harding a chance to prove themselves in a competitive match, because he isn't going to get many chances if Dickson stays fit.

 

So we don't want to win Cups? JPT last season- wouldn't have got to Wembley doing what you say. Also good to keep momentum by playing best team available all the time!

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Arizona

Arizona

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So we don't want to win Cups? JPT last season- wouldn't have got to Wembley doing what you say. Also good to keep momentum by playing best team available all the time!

 

Who's saying that? A team with players like Bart, Seaborne, Harding, Martin, Antonio (possibly) and Connolly, plus a few quality additions could easily go a few rounds in most competitions. Possibly even win the JPT. They were all good enough for the first team last season.

 

I think the 'best team available' might get pretty tired after playing 60 games in a season and I don't want to see pointless Burley-esq rotation where we play a different team every game.

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Saint_Mabes

Saint_Mabes

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I think some people are getting a bit ahead of themselves. Dickson may be Brentford's best player, but that is BRENTFORD. There's no way AP bought him to replace Harding. Either Harding is going to move to right back or Dickson will have to fight for Harding's place, not the other way round.

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Turkish

Turkish

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I think some people are getting a bit ahead of themselves. Dickson may be Brentford's best player, but that is BRENTFORD. There's no way AP bought him to replace Harding. Either Harding is going to move to right back or Dickson will have to fight for Harding's place, not the other way round.

 

He was apparently the best left back in L1 last season, i dont know much about him other than that run for their goal against us at SMS. I cant see him coming here as second choice though, not when CCC clubs were in for him.

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Saint_Mabes

Saint_Mabes

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He was apparently the best left back in L1 last season, i dont know much about him other than that run for their goal against us at SMS. I cant see him coming here as second choice though, not when CCC clubs were in for him.

 

Certainly an interesting one - what's your take on harding then? replaced or moving position?

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Smirking_Saint

Smirking_Saint

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I can't see Harding being simply replaced because IMO it would damage the squad morale, Dickson will come in and attempt to win the position if not move onto LM maybe infront of Harding. If he is good enough (and i think he probably is) to take the position then fair play to him, we want to move on up and buying the best is how to do that.

 

Harding won't be moving to CB, and i very much doubt he will be a RB in anything other than an emergency, as a manager you just don't play a man that is predominatly left footed at RB, it doesn't make sense.

 

I would imagine Holmes is gone, with Harding/Dickson LB with Mills/Dickson also posing competition for the LM slot.

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Hopkins

Hopkins

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Can people get the idea of Harding playing anywhere but left back next season for us out of there head please? It is quite embarrassing the lack of logic and football knowledge on this board at times.

 

He's a ****ing left back. And one that will be competing with Dickson to play at left back next season.

 

Dickson is going to be one of those players that everyone will love to hate because of the Dan Harding love in.

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Dibden Purlieu Saint

Dibden Purlieu Saint

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Can people get the idea of Harding playing anywhere but left back next season for us out of there head please? It is quite embarrassing the lack of logic and football knowledge on this board at times.

 

He's a ****ing left back. And one that will be competing with Dickson to play at left back next season.

 

Dickson is going to be one of those players that everyone will love to hate because of the Dan Harding love in.

 

Thought he was brilliant at LB in the Cup Final.

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JibMcdo

JibMcdo

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I think some people are getting a bit ahead of themselves. Dickson may be Brentford's best player, but that is BRENTFORD. There's no way AP bought him to replace Harding. Either Harding is going to move to right back or Dickson will have to fight for Harding's place, not the other way round.

 

Ha, don't be too disrespectful then. It is possible that Brentford have a decent player or two you know.

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Hopkins

Hopkins

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Well done. So he played RB a couple of times when we had nobody else. Despite him being better than any right back that we had all season I wonder why AP didn't play him there the whole season? Could have stuck Mills at left back and Harding RB for the whole season.

 

Oh wait...Probably because he's a left back...?

 

If you seriously think he will be now used as a RB, I feel for you and your stupidity.

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Dibden Purlieu Saint

Dibden Purlieu Saint

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Well done. So he played RB a couple of times when we had nobody else. Despite him being better than any right back that we had all season I wonder why AP didn't play him there the whole season? Could have stuck Mills at left back and Harding RB for the whole season.

 

Oh wait...Probably because he's a left back...?

 

If you seriously think he will be now used as a RB, I feel for you and your stupidity.

 

Playing devils advocate, because Mills was too weak to play at LB, so you're losing out on both sides. Personally, I think we're going back to 4-5-1, but I wonder why you're so hostile about this? I didn't realise your football knowledge was at God status anyway. You certainly don't act like it is.

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the saint in winchester

the saint in winchester

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This is both interesting and of concern to me.

I can't believe Dickson will be a better LB than Harding was. I don't buy this "best LB in L1" business. I didn't see Dickson last season, but Harding was top notch.

Yes, I'm sure this was all agreed before Dicko signed; at this stage we're speculating.

Harding could be the one to move to LM - he has played there for previous employers. To accommodate them both, I'd play Dicko at LB, a diamond in midfield, with Harding on the left and Lallana at the apex behind the two strikers. This assumes we play 4-4-2.

Sure, if we move to 4-5-1 then (from the left) I would go Harding-Lallana-x-x-x.

At this stage, we don't know what AP plans, but I sure as hell hope Harding stays!

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Hopkins

Hopkins

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Playing devils advocate, because Mills was too weak to play at LB, so you're losing out on both sides. Personally, I think we're going back to 4-5-1, but I wonder why you're so hostile about this? I didn't realise your football knowledge was at God status anyway. You certainly don't act like it is.

 

Well it is. Get used to it.

 

I wanted to check out your footballing knowledge and checked out some of your previous posts. You suggested Pires might be interested in joining us...That pretty much confirmed my thoughts about you.

 

And as for you thinking Mills might be too weak to play at LB. According to one of your previous posts, you think Mills is class.

 

So too weak or class?

 

Also if we go 451. Then lovely. But Ryan Dickson is first and foremost a left back. As is Dan Harding. Maybe...Just maybe...We are signing players because they are better than our current ones? That is kinda what your supposed to do.

 

I understand the love for Harding. He's good. But if people just applied some logic maybe they would understand that maybe Pardew rates Dickson as better? I've watched Dickson play a few times more than most on this board, and he's good. Bloody good. He's a better attacking option than Harding and just as solid defensively. I'd rather have him on Harding but it doesn't take me to have seen him play that maybe just maybe Pardew thinks Dickson is the better option at left back than Dan Harding.

 

Harding is not some sort of left back god that he is made out to be on here. He had a pretty good solid season but we are in a financial position now were we can buy better players at this level if we think they are.

 

We don't have to start putting left backs at right back to do a job because we can go out and get a right back. If we think someone is better than Harding we should sign him if we can. If we think someone is better than Lambert, we should go out and sign him if we can. **** being loyal any more, **** making do with a left back playing right back. We are aiming to get somewhere, and we need to be ruthless in our approach to get there. That is what top teams do. They are ruthless and efficient in there pursuit for there target.

 

If Harding is surplus to requirements here then sod him. I dont think he is btw. I think he will play his fair share next season and will still be an important player, but the signing of Dickson shows our ambition because he is here to play and compete for that first team spot. He won't be here to be some back up left back, just because he played for Brentford (Who btw, people are massively under rating on this forum).

 

We are in a position as a club where we can bring players who are better than our current crop of players. We don't have to make do with signings like Pulis etc who will do a job for us.

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Saint 76er

Saint 76er

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I really think Harding will go to RB as I don't think there are any decent RB's out there that we can bring in, which was the thinking behind this transfer. Either that or go back top 4-5-1 (my favourite formation for us), and stick Dickson on the LW with Lallana playing just off Lambert..

 

Greg Halford, Wolves, perhaps... ;)

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Dibden Purlieu Saint

Dibden Purlieu Saint

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Well it is. Get used to it.

 

I wanted to check out your footballing knowledge and checked out some of your previous posts. You suggested Pires might be interested in joining us...That pretty much confirmed my thoughts about you.

 

And as for you thinking Mills might be too weak to play at LB. According to one of your previous posts, you think Mills is class.

 

So too weak or class?

 

Also if we go 451. Then lovely. But Ryan Dickson is first and foremost a left back. As is Dan Harding. Maybe...Just maybe...We are signing players because they are better than our current ones? That is kinda what your supposed to do.

 

I understand the love for Harding. He's good. But if people just applied some logic maybe they would understand that maybe Pardew rates Dickson as better? I've watched Dickson play a few times more than most on this board, and he's good. Bloody good. He's a better attacking option than Harding and just as solid defensively. I'd rather have him on Harding but it doesn't take me to have seen him play that maybe just maybe Pardew thinks Dickson is the better option at left back than Dan Harding.

 

Harding is not some sort of left back god that he is made out to be on here. He had a pretty good solid season but we are in a financial position now were we can buy better players at this level if we think they are.

 

We don't have to start putting left backs at right back to do a job because we can go out and get a right back. If we think someone is better than Harding we should sign him if we can. If we think someone is better than Lambert, we should go out and sign him if we can. **** being loyal any more, **** making do with a left back playing right back. We are aiming to get somewhere, and we need to be ruthless in our approach to get there. That is what top teams do. They are ruthless and efficient in there pursuit for there target.

 

If Harding is surplus to requirements here then sod him. I dont think he is btw. I think he will play his fair share next season and will still be an important player, but the signing of Dickson shows our ambition because he is here to play and compete for that first team spot. He won't be here to be some back up left back, just because he played for Brentford (Who btw, people are massively under rating on this forum).

 

We are in a position as a club where we can bring players who are better than our current crop of players. We don't have to make do with signings like Pulis etc who will do a job for us.

 

Tbf, I can't ever remember describing Mills as a class LB, I've always thought he's good going forward, but not defensively. Can you please post the date I thought he was class defensivelt as I've probably changed my mind. The Pires thing was on the back of him saying he'd play at Leicester, so why wouldn't he drop further? And if there are so many RB's out there, can you name them for me. Greg Halford hasn't been decent for a long while, so I don't really agree with that.

 

Either way, I don't like your tone, perhaps you should just lighten up and not criticise just because you don't have the opinion others do. Tell me your footballing qualifications (not footie manager) and we'll see what you really know eh?

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Turkish

Turkish

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Certainly an interesting one - what's your take on harding then? replaced or moving position?

 

Well i like Harding, thought he was one of our better players last season. So it is an interesting one, maybe Dickson will play left midfield in a 4-5-1 and when we play 4-4-2 they will fight over left back. We used both systems a fair bit last season.

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