Match Thread- H'field (A) sponsored by a pint of John Smiths

[Cureton's Volley]

Rumours are next match we're going with either '4-5-1 pentagon' or 'the flying v'

[3points]

no, at this time of year it surely has to be a 4-3-2-1 Christmas tree?

[Schards#2]

^Surely that's the end of Akpan then.
Ship him out on loan in Jan, make way for the likes of Tish.

Shipping him out relies on someone wanting him. Unless Crawley come over all nostalgic (unlikely with the change of management) i can't fathom why anyone would have him.

On the flip side sounds like Cummings was good again. He keeps getting pushed down the order, but stays loyal and always finds a way back. He'll never be our best player, but i've got alot of time for him.

Stop jerking that knee.

Two months ago people were saying they hoped Pog would never play for us again, now he's indispensable.

Akpan is young and has shown some decent promise at times, it's ridiculous to write him off after a couple of ropey sub performances.

And lo and behold, one month on, Akpan has stepped up to the plate in a crisis and been outstanding.

I think he was the main difference between our recent turgid home performances and yesterday's revalation. Unspectacular but kept every ticking over nicely in midfield and at a decent tempo. Rarely misplaced a pass and generally passed first time so the ball kept moving at pace. He also has a quality long ball in his locker which he produced once in a while and is an excellent header.

He's not the finished article but I genuinely believe this guy has the ability to hold his own in top flight if he keeps his head together, could be another gem of signing in the mode of Doyle and Long.

[Lacoste]

Good to hear - Live in a different country so have never actually seen him play.

Who would you compare him to?

[Agent Balti]

Good to hear - Live in a different country so have never actually seen him play.

Who would you compare him to?

A bit Vieira physically (nowhere near as talented, granted.) A bit Harper. A bit Paul Ince-ish? Less aggressive though? Probably a load of sh/t there, tbh, but he's certainly got quite a good engine, a decent box to box type. Does need to compose himself, do the simple things well. Possibly needs an arm around the shoulder now and then to get him to believe in himself.

[SLAMMED]

Good to hear - Live in a different country so have never actually seen him play.

Who would you compare him to?

Think of him as a young Kevin Hitchcock

[Millsy]

Basically a midfield version of a mixture of Peter Shilton and Crouch, with a touch of Gilkes and Barry Hunter.