Lee Holmes

[Ivan Katalinic's 'tache]

I wonder if Lee Holmes is actually going to play a bigger part for us this season than many of us anticipate. I think the lack of replacements for Papa and Antonio could mean AP is going to turn to Holmes as an option instead. Although he's 'only' reasonably quick, rather than having the blistering pace of the other two, I think he's a better crosser of a ball than either Papa or Antonio, which is surely a pre-requisite for a decent winger.

 

I know he's also been linked as a makeweight in any deal to buy Chris Lines from Bristol Rovers but I can't help thinking that might be a bit of a red herring. I'd certainly like to see him given a chance, if he can stay injury free, as I can see him providing some quality service for Rickie, in particular, to feed off.

[Saint Garrett]

I can't see him staying fit all season, and the one thing we are missing in our squad is pace. Although I think Holmes could do a job, I'd rather see someone else come in with real pace to get behind defences.

[CWD]

I've often said. I rate him, hope he plays well tonight and gets his chance

[Turkish]

I've often said. I rate him, hope he plays well tonight and gets his chance

 

As does Pardew, said when played a few times last season that it is obvious he has got some quality. Its fitness that is the problem.

[RedAndWhite91]

I rate him when he's fit, but that seems to be his problem. I reckon Pardew does too, he is starting tonight at FC Thun, whether or not he can stay injury free is a different matter though.

[Bucks Saint]

I've often said. I rate him, hope he plays well tonight and gets his chance

 

+ 1

[Crab Lungs]

I'm another who has always championed Lee Holmes' cause. He's a quality winger playing far below his level at L1.

 

If only he didn't keep getting injured/overlooked...

[SparkySaint]

He has unfinished business

[L1Minus10]

12 games in 2 years... **** off. Unlike Michael Svensson - was never any good anyway. Too slow for a winger, too lightweight for anywhere central.

[Saint Fan CaM]

Holmes did have something about him - namely a far bit of pace and a wicked cross and that was at CCC level. He should be fine at L1 level if he can keep fit and if there's any doubt about his stamina, check out the reports on his swimming in the Swiss canal where he kept up with and then beat Harding who's no slouch in water. So yes, I do think he's in AP's plans.

[Crab Lungs]

12 games in 2 years... **** off. Unlike Michael Svensson - was never any good anyway. Too slow for a winger, too lightweight for anywhere central.

 

Living up to your avatar, per chance?

[krissyboy31]

Living up to your avatar, per chance?

 

It's actually a very good point to be fair!

[s0108787]

he's looking a bit chunky from the photos of the team on tour. But if fit i do rate him.

[Turkish]

12 games in 2 years... **** off. Unlike Michael Svensson - was never any good anyway. Too slow for a winger, too lightweight for anywhere central.

 

People said the same about Surman but were cracking one out at the thought of him coming back.

[Turkish]

he's looking a bit chunky from the photos of the team on tour. But if fit i do rate him.

 

Thats the problem though isn't it, but for that he'd be playing at a higher level.

[L1Minus10]

Living up to your avatar, per chance?

 

Ha ha... just my opinion. I honestly think Holmes is gash and would get rid a.s.a.p. I've been very consistent in this view since his very first game for us.

[Crab Lungs]

Ha ha... just my opinion. I honestly think Holmes is gash and would get rid a.s.a.p. I've been very consistent in this view since his very first game for us.

 

Ah, I know... that's fair enough.

 

Personally, I think he could, pontentially, play at a higher level if he gets himself fit.

 

We should have a sportsman's bet to determine which one of us is the football thicko? Whaddya say?

[Berkers]

Lacks pace but decent crosser.

 

Beckham made a half-decent career out of that!

[Gordon Mockles]

Holmes did have something about him - namely a far bit of pace and a wicked cross and that was at CCC level. He should be fine at L1 level if he can keep fit and if there's any doubt about his stamina, check out the reports on his swimming in the Swiss canal where he kept up with and then beat Harding who's no slouch in water. So yes, I do think he's in AP's plans.

 

You're joking about pace aren't you?! Like Surman, Holmes has the pace of a snail! Crosses well but is really lacking pace.

[Saint Fan CaM]

You're joking about pace aren't you?! Like Surman, Holmes has the pace of a snail! Crosses well but is really lacking pace.

 

TBF I said "did have"! However, I don't think we've seen anywhere near the potential he had when he came here. He was cynically cut-down by an opponent in just about his 1st proper game for us because he was running rings and from there on he's not got back to his optimum form. My feeling is AP + his coaching staff have seen the lad work his socks off to regain fitness and is giving him a chance which is fair enough - might be like signing a new player - certainly good enough for L1. Ultimately I suspect he will not be in any longer term plans, but then he'll be in good company in that respect.

[Chez]

lightweight, non-tackling, slow left midfielder with no engine. Decent first touch though and from time to time he does actually get to the byeline and cross with his left. If you want a guy to change a game with a burst of pace and trickery or perhaps a guy that will run up and down that line all day then he's not your man.

[Saint_clark]

 

 

 

He shows a fair bit of pace in that video...

[forever a red and white]

lightweight, non-tackling, slow left midfielder with no engine. Decent first touch though and from time to time he does actually get to the byeline and cross with his left. If you want a guy to change a game with a burst of pace and trickery or perhaps a guy that will run up and down that line all day then he's not your man.

 

Lee Holmes isn;t the best but to say no engine is just the worst criticsm yet. He runs his nuts off and gives 110% every game he plays. He is not the quickest and still has a turn a place and will be more than capable as a back or part of squad rotation. Give the guy a break he will come good.

[Crab Lungs]

I cannot believe how many "football thickos" we're dealing with on here! :-o

[rolosfc]

I've always rated him since he first arrived but there are BIG question marks over his fitness for a whole season. If he does stay fit however he is technically better than Waigo and posssibly Antonio, just doesn't have quite the same pace.

[buctootim]

TBF I said "did have"! However, I don't think we've seen anywhere near the potential he had when he came here. He was cynically cut-down by an opponent in just about his 1st proper game for us because he was running rings and from there on he's not got back to his optimum form. My feeling is AP + his coaching staff have seen the lad work his socks off to regain fitness and is giving him a chance which is fair enough - might be like signing a new player - certainly good enough for L1. Ultimately I suspect he will not be in any longer term plans, but then he'll be in good company in that respect.

 

+1. Disagree that he is only good enough for Lg1 though. IF he finally get fully fit he is easily good enough for the Championship.

[oxfordshire_saint]

I remember watching him away at Millwall in one his few appearances last season and he was one of the best players on the pitch.

 

Could be more than useful this season, even if we could only manage to squeeze 20 games or so out of him.

[Saint Fan CaM]

+1. Disagree that he is only good enough for Lg1 though. IF he finally get fully fit he is easily good enough for the Championship.

 

Well my comment didn't rule him out of NPC - I was just saying that he is defo good enough for L1, but not good enough in the long term, e.g. Prem. Having said that, I do believe that even fully fit he might struggle in the Championship as his injury seems to have knocked the shine off his game.

[astrasri]

Holmes did have something about him - namely a far bit of pace and a wicked cross and that was at CCC level. He should be fine at L1 level if he can keep fit and if there's any doubt about his stamina, check out the reports on his swimming in the Swiss canal where he kept up with and then beat Harding who's no slouch in water. So yes, I do think he's in AP's plans.

tbf he must be in AP's plans to make the journey, this is probably the decider - trip, training and starting line up... tick these boxes and we'll see more of him this coming season

[Big Ron fan]

12 games in 2 years... **** off. Unlike Michael Svensson - was never any good anyway. Too slow for a winger, too lightweight for anywhere central.

 

Always thought he was pretty crap and how can anyone mention him and the word 'pace' without inserting 'has no' in the middle?

[ottery st mary]

Loan him out to Eastleigh until he has proved his fitness and then sell him to StevenageOr Exeteror even Brizzle Rovers

Edited 14 July, 2010 by ottery st mary

[John B]

Always thought he was pretty crap and how can anyone mention him and the word 'pace' without inserting 'has no' in the middle?

 

Pace or skill that is the question

[Nidger]

tbf he must be in AP's plans to make the journey, this is probably the decider - trip, training and starting line up... tick these boxes and we'll see more of him this coming season

 

There is a rumour doing the rounds that Lee Holmes is gonna be part of a deal for Chris Lines! Rumour has it the deal will be £250K + Lee Holmes for Chris Lines.

 

This is 1 of many rumours though so I'm not sure how reliable it is!

[NickG]

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~2093619,00.html

[doddisalegend]

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~2093619,00.html

 

Sounds promising if Holmes can stay fit (unlikely given his history I would have thought). Having someone who can deliver pinpoint passes into the box would be handy some of our crossing (not to mention corners) was pretty poor at times last season probably because Antonio and Papa where really strikers rather than wingers.

[saintedwill]

There is a rumour doing the rounds that Lee Holmes is gonna be part of a deal for Chris Lines! Rumour has it the deal will be £250K + Lee Holmes for Chris Lines.

 

This is 1 of many rumours though so I'm not sure how reliable it is!

 

Having watched Chris Lines a few times, The Gas would be getting a much better deal with money and a much better player.

 

If we do end up losing Holmes, then we've lost the only wide player we've got who can actually cross a ball.

 

Mind you, with Antonio and Papa last season we managed quite well with wide players whose crossing ability was sporadic at best.

[Saint Fan CaM]

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~2093619,00.html

 

I found this particularly encouraging and interesting...Holmes it would appear is putting his career back together and showing he has something to offer. I don't believe he's a make-weight for Lines - much more likely that he is being lined up as a supplier to Barnard and Lambo and I reckon we might see him predominantly on the right wing, but he has the ability to cross with both feet without cutting inside always. Technically he has what it takes - just needs to prove his fitness. Perhaps he was given the opportunity last year to have a quiet season to recouperate - the tackle he suffered was pretty awful TBF.

[Saint J 77]

I predict that he will start to show some promise and just as we start to praise him he'll get injured. Probably before the by the end of August and thats being optimistic. The we we hear he will be out until January. As January approaches we will he how he is getting match fit and almost ready for the first team. He'll play his first reserve match and after 20 minutes or so he'll take a knock and be injured again and that will be the end of his season.

 

I REALLY hope I am wrong for his and Saints sake but we seem to make a habit of paying the wages of injury prone players.I just would have thought in his case it might have been better to cut our loses and spend those wages on getting in another player less injury prone.

[S-Clarke]

Having holmes fit and confident would be like having a new signing, he's too good for this level as he showed with Wallsall when he had an injury-free run.

[jam]

Having holmes fit and confident would be like having a new signing, he's too good for this level as he showed with Wallsall when he had an injury-free run.

 

As yourself and others have said, getting him fit is the key. I think that he would fit well in a Pardew team and would be really pleased to see him get back on track.

[Dan Johnson]

I rate Holmes and if he can stay fit "He'll be like a new signing, core blimey yes he will"

[Chez]

Lee Holmes isn;t the best but to say no engine is just the worst criticsm yet. He runs his nuts off and gives 110% every game he plays.

 

He doesn't track back enough and he starts blowing after about 20 minutes. If you think that constitutes `running his nuts off' and `giving 110%' then fine, the game is all about opinions, but personally I think he doesn't have an engine and I know he doesn't have pace. If he had either I'd be happy to keep him in the squad as he has a very good first touch and a half decent football brain. As I have said several times he played well at Millwall, keeping the ball well, but when push came to shove he still didn't beat his man or cause any threat whatsoever that day (compare how he played to how their two wingers played that day) - that is not good enough for a winger that doesn't track back enough.

Edited 16 July, 2010 by Chez

[L1Minus10]

He doesn't track back enough and he starts blowing after about 20 minutes. If you think that constitutes `running his nuts off' and `giving 110%' then fine, the game is all about opinions, but personally I think he doesn't have an engine and I know he doesn't have pace. If he had either I'd be happy to keep him in the squad as he has a very good first touch and a half decent football brain. As I have said several times he played well at Millwall, keeping the ball well, but when push came to shove he still didn't beat his man or cause any threat whatsoever that day (compare how he played to how their two wingers played that day) - that is not good enough for a winger that doesn't track back enough.

 

 

.... and it's easy to cross ball into a box when you don't have to beat a defender first and you have no one closing you down.

 

16 games in 2 years tells you a lot of what you need to know... and it's not as if he's been available and not selected. He's been unfit for play for about 20 months out of the last 24. i also agree that on a couple of his five games last year, he was blowing out of his ass after 20 minutes.

[Chez]

 

16 games in 2 years tells you a lot of what you need to know... and it's not as if he's been available and not selected. He's been unfit for play for about 20 months out of the last 24. i also agree that on a couple of his five games last year, he was blowing out of his ass after 20 minutes.

it could be said that he has been unlucky with injury (and this could change) and he was blowing in those games because he was just coming back from injury. I'd counter that with the fact he did get back into contention and Pardew saw straight away thay that he was not good enough so didn't pick him (rather than him being injured). As for the blowing, he has done that in all the games I've seen him play. No engine.

[Thedelldays]

who would be happy if we signed a player who has played 16 games in two years..?

[Scummer]

who would be happy if we signed a player who has played 16 games in two years..?

 

People were happy when we signed Connolly....

 

It's a bit different anyway when it's a player who's already on your books. I'm sure a lot of people would rather he was playing than sitting around twidlding his thumbs.

[Thedelldays]

People were happy when we signed Connolly....

 

It's a bit different anyway when it's a player who's already on your books. I'm sure a lot of people would rather he was playing than sitting around twidlding his thumbs.

 

bit different eh...? connolly with holmes....

[skintsaint]

end of the day - if holmes is more than good enough for this league.

 

if he spends 80% of the season in the treatment room then get rid and replace him.

[S-Clarke]

Holmes is a great player. I can imagine lambert and barnard will enjoy his quality service from the wings. Please stay fit.

 

i wouldn't say he's a great player, but he's talented and has good bursts of form - but the question is and will always be (even from his derby days) can he stay fit longer than 2 games?

[Rebel]

he's too small and lightweight - and lacks pace

 

yes he can cross the ball and he's tricky even with the ball at his feet - but I'm not sure it's enough - the opposition just brush him of the ball

 

in the photo's from the training camp he looked very unfit - probably needs a season of weight training to bulk up enought to rough it with the big boys!