Gillett at RB

[Arizona]

Could this work? I would have to say yes. Playing at RB his lack of size is going to hinder him less than in a central midfield roll. He has a good engine and could, IMO, do just as good a job as Cork. Seeing as we have no senior right-backs at the club it's surely worth a try.

 

The big advantage would be it could free Cork up to play CB, and thus eliminate the need to play Lancashire.

 

For the Reading game, L2R: Mills - Perry - Cork - Gillett. With Skacel in midfield.

[saintrich]

Agree that Cork needs to play centre back for the Reading game, but I think we'll probably bring back Lloyd James for right back.

 

Wouldn't suprise me if we kept Cork at right back and played Wotton centre back :-|

[L1Minus10]

Killer will play v Reading. Cork, Killer, Perry, Skacel.

 

Gillett will be no better than James at RB. A midfielder playing in a position he's hardly ever played in.

[Fowllyd]

From what I've seen of Gillett, I think he'd be well worth a try at right back. In fact I said just that to a friend after one game (can't remember which game though). I wonder if it's been thought of elsewhere - ie has he played there in training?

[ST Randy]

He is injured at the moment and is not likely to be back in till chalton match

[a1ex2001]

isn't he left footed? Besides his lack of height could be just as easily exploited at full back as it can be in midfield, the oposition just drop long balls into his area all night. I'm not sure it's fair to pick on his size either from what I've seen he's been one of our most consistent performers this season and i'm surprised it's taken so long for him to get a shot at the first team.

[bmthred]

He would be targeted by opposition forwards, same as Lloyd James has.

[Dicko]

Rubbish idea

 

The bloke is a dwarf

 

Teams will hit crosses deep or to the back post knowing our right-back will never win a header

[krissyboy31]

He're a novel idea!! Let's sign a right-back so that we do not have to constantly play players out of position to cover the void. James confidence was shot by being played there. Cork is doing an resonable job there but his talents are wasted there IMO. Perry and Wooton are way too slow to play RB and Gillett will continuable be done with the long diagonal ball (as James was v Donny Rovers), plus he is predominantly left sided.

[sunrise]

I agree with Krissyboy31 - a proper RB would be nice! I still can't see the sense in bringing in 2 players that were injured(Gasmi & Pulis), when 1 fit RB could've made quite a bit of difference.

[slickmick]

The last two games Cork has been turned inside out at right back. He is better as a centre half. Maybe play Gillett at Right back in the reserves first, to see how he copes.

[ExSt Peter Saint]

What about giving Hatch a go, as that is his favoured position? I thought he was one of the youth players likely to make it in the first team, but has hardly played this year and others have played out of position to fill the slot. Does Jan not rate him?

[Teddy Nutkins]

This Dutch idea of players being able to move about the pitch and do a job without altering the shape of the side etc; etc; imo is hogwash.

 

It has always amazed me that a succession of different coaches/ managers have always made-do with any old player they think could play right back. Full-back should be a specialist position occupied by a proven player, not some half decent player who can't get a game in the midfield. Until we put that right we will continue to suffer and concede stupid goals due to a mid-fielder not being tactically aware as a decent fullback:smt073

[Dicko]

I still think Gillett's best position is in the reserves.

 

Harsh, but fair

 

He's garbage

[BotleySaint]

I've not seen Gillett play for ages. But I thought at the start of the season he was doing well. He is quick and energetic and was breaking teams down and had reasonably good passing. At least for 2-3 games. He doesn't let the opposition midfield settle down, he was constantly on their backs. Then he had a bad game I think, perhaps it his his confidence? Or I was just blinded originally.

[hughieslastminutegoal]

This Dutch idea of players being able to move about the pitch and do a job without altering the shape of the side etc; etc; imo is hogwash.

 

It has always amazed me that a succession of different coaches/ managers have always made-do with any old player they think could play right back. Full-back should be a specialist position occupied by a proven player, not some half decent player who can't get a game in the midfield. Until we put that right we will continue to suffer and concede stupid goals due to a mid-fielder not being tactically aware as a decent fullback:smt073

 

Right back has (more or less) been a problem ever since Dodd got injured the season before we signed Delap. It was said at the time that Delap could play right back (which he couldn't). WGS solved it for a while with Telfer, but that was another "conversion" of a midfileder that worked just about OK, though not without a lot of detractors.

 

But by and large we have been using a succession of players for whom fullback isn't a natural position.

 

We've had this blind spot about full backs for years. I have a lot of respect for Benali, but for years managers tried alternatives to him, only to have to reinstate him when the chips were down. Subsequently we really only allieviated the left back position with Bridge (though that depended on Marsden playing to work properly). Le Saux was an inadequate replacement for Bridge because when he was fit (not often) we frequently played him in midfield. We had a half-hearted attempt to get a decent right back with Petrescu, but that was another example of Saints proclivity for signing injury-prone players.

 

Higginbottom was signed as a central defender, but we converted him to a hoofball left back with average success, and for a very short time a certain teenager did ok until Spurs came calling.

 

All in all, our determination to sort out the full-back positions PROPERLY has never really been given the attention it should. As soon as a temporary fix looked marginally successful, it was clutched at as the solution, and the position forgotten about again.

[krissyboy31]

Right back has (more or less) been a problem ever since Dodd got injured the season before we signed Delap. It was said at the time that Delap could play right back (which he couldn't). WGS solved it for a while with Telfer, but that was another "conversion" of a midfileder that worked just about OK, though not without a lot of detractors.

 

But by and large we have been using a succession of players for whom fullback isn't a natural position.

 

We've had this blind spot about full backs for years. I have a lot of respect for Benali, but for years managers tried alternatives to him, only to have to reinstate him when the chips were down. Subsequently we really only allieviated the left back position with Bridge (though that depended on Marsden playing to work properly). Le Saux was an inadequate replacement for Bridge because when he was fit (not often) we frequently played him in midfield. We had a half-hearted attempt to get a decent right back with Petrescu, but that was another example of Saints proclivity for signing injury-prone players.

 

Higginbottom was signed as a central defender, but we converted him to a hoofball left back with average success, and for a very short time a certain teenager did ok until Spurs came calling.

 

All in all, our determination to sort out the full-back positions PROPERLY has never really been given the attention it should. As soon as a temporary fix looked marginally successful, it was clutched at as the solution, and the position forgotten about again.

 

 

A tad harsh on Le Saux and Telfer, who both did a decent job for us.

 

You forgot Bernard, Brennan, Makin and Ifill. Err yep your right! Our full back positions, paticularly on the right, have been pretty crap for a number of years.

[Chez]

Could this work? I would have to say yes. Playing at RB his lack of size is going to hinder him less than in a central midfield roll. He has a good engine and could, IMO, do just as good a job as Cork. Seeing as we have no senior right-backs at the club it's surely worth a try.

 

The big advantage would be it could free Cork up to play CB, and thus eliminate the need to play Lancashire.

 

For the Reading game, L2R: Mills - Perry - Cork - Gillett. With Skacel in midfield.

 

Interesting idea, but his lack of size would be more of an issue at right back than CM. For years we have lacked height at the back and we have been vulnerable at set peices and now you propose Mills, Perry, Gillet and Cork as our back four. That has to be the smallest back four in the CCC. Besides what's wrong with Pearce?

 

I have to say that Cork has been hit and miss at right back so far. Too much ball watching and playing a high line when the rest of the defence is five yards deeper (allowing players in behind him). He does cover round well and is decent in possession but there is room for improvement thats for sure. I think he needs more time though, at least as much as James got anyway.

 

I too like Mills at left back and would prefer Skacel at left wing, but Mills (and Perry) are small so we need to balance that out with extra height elsewhere in the side. I know big isn't always beautiful, but from corners and set peices you just have to have height. Losing Euell is not going to help us as well.

 

For me Gillett needs to come back into the centre to give the back four a little mroe protection. He is a busy player that can play the Makalele role allowing Schneiderlin a little

freedom. I think you will find Skacel adn Lallana will coem inside more than say Gobern or Thompson so they will effectively fill that space that Lalllana filled when playing in the hole.

 

He's my side:

 

Skacel McGoldrick Lallana

Surman Gillett Schneiderlin

Mills Perry Pearce Cork

Davis

[krissyboy31]

Interesting idea, but his lack of size would be more of an issue at right back than CM. For years we have lacked height at the back and we have been vulnerable at set peices and now you propose Mills, Perry, Gillet and Cork as our back four. That has to be the smallest back four in the CCC. Besides what's wrong with Pearce?

 

I have to say that Cork has been hit and miss at right back so far. Too much ball watching and playing a high line when the rest of the defence is five yards deeper (allowing players in behind him). He does cover round well and is decent in possession but there is room for improvement thats for sure. I think he needs more time though, at least as much as James got anyway.

 

I too like Mills at left back and would prefer Skacel at left wing, but Mills (and Perry) are small so we need to balance that out with extra height elsewhere in the side. I know big isn't always beautiful, but from corners and set peices you just have to have height. Losing Euell is not going to help us as well.

 

For me Gillett needs to come back into the centre to give the back four a little mroe protection. He is a busy player that can play the Makalele role allowing Schneiderlin a little

freedom. I think you will find Skacel adn Lallana will coem inside more than say Gobern or Thompson so they will effectively fill that space that Lalllana filled when playing in the hole.

 

He's my side:

 

Skacel McGoldrick Lallana

Surman Gillett Schneiderlin

Mills Perry Pearce Cork

Davis

 

Pearce can't play on Saturday under his loan agreement.

[Teddy Nutkins]

Right back has (more or less) been a problem ever since Dodd got injured the season before we signed Delap. It was said at the time that Delap could play right back (which he couldn't). WGS solved it for a while with Telfer, but that was another "conversion" of a midfileder that worked just about OK, though not without a lot of detractors.

 

But by and large we have been using a succession of players for whom fullback isn't a natural position.

 

We've had this blind spot about full backs for years. I have a lot of respect for Benali, but for years managers tried alternatives to him, only to have to reinstate him when the chips were down. Subsequently we really only allieviated the left back position with Bridge (though that depended on Marsden playing to work properly). Le Saux was an inadequate replacement for Bridge because when he was fit (not often) we frequently played him in midfield. We had a half-hearted attempt to get a decent right back with Petrescu, but that was another example of Saints proclivity for signing injury-prone players.

 

Higginbottom was signed as a central defender, but we converted him to a hoofball left back with average success, and for a very short time a certain teenager did ok until Spurs came calling.

 

All in all, our determination to sort out the full-back positions PROPERLY has never really been given the attention it should. As soon as a temporary fix looked marginally successful, it was clutched at as the solution, and the position forgotten about again.

 

Can't argue with any of that Hughie, funny how the left back position has never been the same problem as the right back. Oh to see Ivan Golac charging back and forth.

[Chez]

I've not seen Gillett play for ages. But I thought at the start of the season he was doing well. He is quick and energetic and was breaking teams down and had reasonably good passing. At least for 2-3 games. He doesn't let the opposition midfield settle down, he was constantly on their backs. Then he had a bad game I think, perhaps it his his confidence? Or I was just blinded originally.

 

I'd say he started slowly, improved greatly, had one bad game, was dropped and then has been injured. Time to get him back into the middle as we need some bite in there. I am still waiting for Schneiderlin to make a tackle. He is a complete bottler so we need Gillett to fill that space and allow Schneiderlin to play with freedom.

[Gordon Mockles]

Could this work? I would have to say yes. Playing at RB his lack of size is going to hinder him less than in a central midfield roll. He has a good engine and could, IMO, do just as good a job as Cork. Seeing as we have no senior right-backs at the club it's surely worth a try.

 

The big advantage would be it could free Cork up to play CB, and thus eliminate the need to play Lancashire.

 

For the Reading game, L2R: Mills - Perry - Cork - Gillett. With Skacel in midfield.

 

I'm not sure but, in principal, it seems a good idea. He's too small for midfield but could plug a gap. He certainly works hard. Lancashire should not start. Perry may be carrying an injury they're being coy about but i would certainly play him. What is wrong with Thomas? Bizarre how we pay out high wages for players we don't play. Doesn't seem cost effective, regardless of appearance fees.

[Chez]

Pearce can't play on Saturday under his loan agreement.

 

 

****. Bloody hell for two years now we have had nothing but injuries, loss of form, suspensions totally unsettling our defence. I haev a solution though. In comes Svensson. Yes I know Perry and Killer looked like old men when combined but I fear for us on set peices without some height.

 

Although Lancashire has not been up to it so far I am almost inclined to play him next to Killer. We need more mobility than Perry and Killer.

[Chez]

I'm not sure but, in principal, it seems a good idea. He's too small for midfield but could plug a gap.

 

Too small for midfield. What a load of Cack. I give you Dennis Wise.

[hughieslastminutegoal]

Can't argue with any of that Hughie, funny how the left back position has never been the same problem as the right back. Oh to see Ivan Golac charging back and forth.

 

Yes, we seem to continually buy central defenders and then play them at fullback. Recently Thomas, now Cork...

 

Now we seem to be specialising in signing midfielders who actually don't seem to be fit to play at all.....

 

Why don't we just buy what we actually need for once?

[Charlie Wayman]

It would be a great shame and a very bad move. Simon Gillett is a natural covering midfielder, tigerish in the tackle with a huge engine - jut like Paul Scholes in fact

[VectisSaint]

A tad harsh on Le Saux and Telfer, who both did a decent job for us.

 

You forgot Bernard, Brennan, Makin and Ifill. Err yep your right! Our full back positions, paticularly on the right, have been pretty crap for a number of years.

Actually we had a decent RB for a while in Chris Baird, but due to problems at CB he had to fill in there (and did a bloody good job considering his lack of height).

[West End Saint]

Could this work? I would have to say yes. Playing at RB his lack of size is going to hinder him less than in a central midfield roll. He has a good engine and could, IMO, do just as good a job as Cork. Seeing as we have no senior right-backs at the club it's surely worth a try.

 

The big advantage would be it could free Cork up to play CB, and thus eliminate the need to play Lancashire.

 

For the Reading game, L2R: Mills - Perry - Cork - Gillett. With Skacel in midfield.

 

Please tell me your are joking as if we could do with any less hieght at the back we are getting done left right and centre at any set piece I cant see a place for Gillett in the team at all not a bad player but far far to small for this league

[West End Saint]

Too small for midfield. What a load of Cack. I give you Dennis Wise.

 

 

Dennis Wise was a class Prem player you cant compare him to Gillett in anything but sides they are worlds apart as players and you wouldnt have played wise a full back

[hughieslastminutegoal]

Actually we had a decent RB for a while in Chris Baird, but due to problems at CB he had to fill in there (and did a bloody good job considering his lack of height).

 

 

Hmm, I don't think he ever really cut it at right back for us, but did well enough as a central defender, I agree.

[krissyboy31]

Hmm, I don't think he ever really cut it at right back for us, but did well enough as a central defender, I agree.

 

He'd be a decent right back for us now though!

[OfnPanad]

Lancashire should not start.

 

Lancashire was immense against Sheffield Utd. Has he been that bad at the games you've seen that he "should not start". Find it hard to reconcile that with what I've seen of him!

[Arizona]

Most people seem to be forgetting we played Jermaine Wright at RB for most of last season. Whilst he had his problems, his lack of height was hardly the worst of them. Gillett is much quicker and I think could do a decent job.

[Gordon Mockles]

Lancashire was immense against Sheffield Utd. Has he been that bad at the games you've seen that he "should not start". Find it hard to reconcile that with what I've seen of him!

 

Maybe he was but not in any of the games I’ve seen. I can only comment on what I’ve seen. He may improve in the future but we’re at the foot of the CCC table and do not have time to blood inexperienced players like Gobern, Lancashire, James, esq. (who are not currently up to scratch imho - not their fault, they’ve been heavily laden and thrown in the deep end). Particularly in defence anyway, an area that needs a player with a level head, a man who can read the game and where positioning is critical.

 

Too small for midfield. What a load of Cack. I give you Dennis Wise.

 

There are plenty of players who, over the years, have been very good in midfield. Alan Ball, Eyal Berkovic, Ariel Ortega instantly spring to mind...tons more! However, despite some smaller players excelling at jumping to win headers with their timing (e.g. Baird in defence), I don’t think Gillet fits into that category. Also, he doesn’t have another partner in midfield with aerial prowess in which to play off. I feel that’s a hindrance in the context of a player who isn’t particularly powerful (More prone to being out-muscled) competing with strong, towering championship players who dominate in the air. Just my opinion. Maybe you’re right. I don’t query his work ethic, as he started the season well but lost form...imho.

[Chez]

Dennis Wise was a class Prem player you cant compare him to Gillett in anything but sides they are worlds apart as players and you wouldnt have played wise a full back

 

If you read my posts you will see that I felt we should NOT play Gillett at right back but should get him back into midfield immediately.

 

Dennis Wise was Premiership quality playing in the Premiership, Gillett is CCC quality and guess where we are playing right now?

 

Plenty of other small players have done well at this level. Safri last season for us for starters.

 

I can live with a small full back, but if Perry and Mills/Skacel are also in the side not to mention Cork or Lancashire (neither dominating in the air) we are going to be in big trouble.

[Chez]

Most people seem to be forgetting we played Jermaine Wright at RB for most of last season. Whilst he had his problems, his lack of height was hardly the worst of them. Gillett is much quicker and I think could do a decent job.

 

is Cork that good a CB that you actually want to shift him from right back? I have to say I'd rather give Gillett a go than James.

[Chez]

There are plenty of players who, over the years, have been very good in midfield. Alan Ball, Eyal Berkovic, Ariel Ortega instantly spring to mind...tons more! However, despite some smaller players excelling at jumping to win headers with their timing (e.g. Baird in defence), I don’t think Gillet fits into that category. Also, he doesn’t have another partner in midfield with aerial prowess in which to play off. I feel that’s a hindrance in the context of a player who isn’t particularly powerful (More prone to being out-muscled) competing with strong, towering championship players who dominate in the air. Just my opinion. Maybe you’re right. I don’t query his work ethic, as he started the season well but lost form...imho.

 

with Surman and Schneiderlin in the middle we don't exactly have a arial powerhouse there already and in Schneiderlin we have a bottle when it comes to tackling. Get Gillett into the middle and we at least have someone doing the dirty work that goes unseen but is imperative if you want to prevent and break down attacks.

[St Chalet]

Having watched Reading this year and seen Stephen Hunt destroy Crystal Palace I would suggest that the best right back we have should play there. For my money Cork seems the best bet.

[Arizona]

is Cork that good a CB that you actually want to shift him from right back? I have to say I'd rather give Gillett a go than James.

 

I would rather have Cork at CB with an inferior player at RB, rather than have Cork at RB and have an inferior CB.

 

In my laughably unqualified oppinion, a fullback having a bad gave is not going to be as bad as a CB having a bad game.

 

with Surman and Schneiderlin in the middle we don't exactly have a arial powerhouse there already and in Schneiderlin we have a bottle when it comes to tackling. Get Gillett into the middle and we at least have someone doing the dirty work that goes unseen but is imperative if you want to prevent and break down attacks.

 

I watched Saints train this morning. Obviously it wasn't competitive, but Morgan didn't seem to be putting himself into challenges with much enthusiasm. It kind of backed up the impression I got of him against Wolves. A big lad, but didn't put himself about as much as he really should do.

[Chez]

 

I watched Saints train this morning. Obviously it wasn't competitive, but Morgan didn't seem to be putting himself into challenges with much enthusiasm. It kind of backed up the impression I got of him against Wolves. A big lad, but didn't put himself about as much as he really should do.

 

understatement of the century. He has yet to make a single tackle since he signed for us and he's even started bottling them now. Great ability but a CM that doesn't tackle is going to have to be pretty special

[graymalkin33]

I watched Saints train this morning. Obviously it wasn't competitive, but Morgan didn't seem to be putting himself into challenges with much enthusiasm. It kind of backed up the impression I got of him against Wolves. A big lad, but didn't put himself as much as he really should be.

 

Arsenal wont be interested in a crocked midfielder in January.

He's saving himself

[West End Saint]

If you read my posts you will see that I felt we should NOT play Gillett at right back but should get him back into midfield immediately.

 

Dennis Wise was Premiership quality playing in the Premiership, Gillett is CCC quality and guess where we are playing right now?

 

Plenty of other small players have done well at this level. Safri last season for us for starters.

 

I can live with a small full back, but if Perry and Mills/Skacel are also in the side not to mention Cork or Lancashire (neither dominating in the air) we are going to be in big trouble.

 

I did read your post & accept that you are not suggesting he plays full back but i dont accept the comparision with Safri he is a lot bigger stronger and better than Gillett.

 

If you are that small you have to be exceptional Gillett is a good player & may get better but in a team that already lacks hieght & physical strength he weakens the team.

 

I think surman & Spiderman are doing well in the middle and I cant see Gillett as a 1st team player this season or until anybody who is worth something is sold so maybe Jan

[Wade Garrett]

Gillett's pace will help him when he's up against lightning wingers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

not.

[Andy_Porter]

understatement of the century. He has yet to make a single tackle since he signed for us and he's even started bottling them now. Great ability but a CM that doesn't tackle is going to have to be pretty special

 

Will fit in well at Arsenal then.