Maybe, but before he was injured Harvie seemed far more constrained in the way he played under Dodds than he ever had under Bloomfield or Grace. Even when the opportunity was there to run into the opposition half he always checked himself at the halfway line and launched a long ball instead. Seemed pretty clear that was his instruction - Leahy’s too. It’s only in the last few matches that instruction seems to have changed in the second half as either Leahy or Taylor seem licensed to roam into the opposition half on occasions (the benefit of switching to a back three).
You’re judging Harvies play at lb of a 4 vs Leahy playing lwb as part of a 5.
I’m all ok with Asymetrical line ups and the role and instructions being different from side to side, but the better comparison is looking at what Fred/grimmer do on the opposite wing back role than what Harvie did as a LB in a 4 under Dodds.
Given the way Harvie had the freedom to get forward at LB in Blooms set up, and his ability to provide an attacking threat going forward, I think he’ll be better in that lwb role than Leahy is because he will be much more effective getting forward and in possession than Leahy is. Especially if we are sitting deeper. Thats the part Leahy struggles with, imo. Good in the defending aspect but struggles to get forward at times.
The opposite side of that argument is Reach, who may have been too attack minded for Dodds to stay as LB/LWB.
Harvie, I see, as a more natural all rounder for that role.
You seem to be judging both of them on a few games under a new manager when things weren’t going well. Leahy seems to be a great leader and is a very good player, will he be first choice when everyone is back? maybe, maybe not but the ideal first eleven when everyone is on form and available is not the only consideration and is often, like it is now, rendered totally irrelevant.
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Harvie played just 3 league games under MD before getting injured.
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Leahy has played well recently, however when he is playing agaonst pace.he struggles , we were lucky that the Bolton right winger was taken off injured as he was causing luke. lots of issues , tomorrow i am worriws as Charlton have pace along the wings. Imo Leahy is a grear sqauf player (LB) but if Harvie is fit he is not ahead of him and IMO Reach is also a better LB option , however Kudos to Luke as he has been grear for last couple of matches
You’re right. This isn’t the place or time to discuss players that have played 2/3rd of a season and nearly 100 games for us respectively and neither have given us a glimpse of what they are capable of doing under different roles and tactics, nor given us examples of their individual strengths and weaknesses.
And what is this place anyway? Somewhere to have a discussion about football players? Of course not.
What’s your favourite Cheese?
Only just realised Gmac appears in the opening titles of MOTD…a sign of things to come?
You are discussing, people may disagree.
It’s a no from me.
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That’s my attempt at being positive over the new era over ! Seriously regretting the OP now.
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I have been supportive up to now, but the team selection today was one of a manager who was scared of the opposition, instead of being positive about his own team.
That said any manager should be entitled to expect better than what the team, Norris especially, offered him today. It’s isn’t all on Dodds even though the fashion in football is that the manager is blamed for anything and everything that goes wrong. He doesn’t help with his negativity though.
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Looking forward to the post-match interview. It might be a classic.
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I was feeling quite positive about him before today, but that was absolute doddshit.
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Hope he’s got enough gum.
It’s a no from me..
Poor Doddsy. Clearly a talented a coach and has got his qualities, but sadly completely out of his depth. Data Dan is the clear the problem. After arguably our best summer transfer window for many years, he sacked the head of recruitment. He clearly made no effort to keep Bloomfield and chose to replace him with a “head coach” to assert control. His January business was resonant of a child playing football manager, not a professional football club. He’s treating our club as a game and will be gone the second he’s messed it all up. I hope he truly is “interim” but it’s not looking promising.
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I thought his post match interview with @bluntphil was decent, he started with an apology to the fans, was clearly disappointed (possibly seething), made it clear the performance was unacceptable & he wont let it happen again. Oh & he takes responsibility as he is the coach.
Not sure what more he could say.
He goes up another notch in my estimation for his honesty & plain speaking.
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Ultimately with Dodds he’ll need time - just like Bloomfield and Ainsworth needed time before him. He’s a rookie manager learning on the job and still trying to shape and evolve his identity. Over time I think he has the ingredients to be a decent manager for us, but equally I don’t know if we are a club that gives Managers this chance to learn anymore. We’ll find out in the first few months of next season I suppose.
The biggest issue from Dodds’ POV is that he came into a situation where the team were doing well and there was a level of expectation we were getting promoted. He was always going to be compared to what came before and every change scrutinised to what MB had done before. In isolation his results with us are fine - failing to beat Shrewsbury and today are the only two to really be disappointed about IMO.
We now live in a world where judgements are made immediately, and many are rushing to make their mind up on Dodds. I find this sad when you look at our recent history but ultimately fan opinion will change very quickly with results. Its the nerve of our owners that really matters.
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The problem within what you say @last_quarter is that the expectation we were getting promoted might only have been in the fans minds? I certainly think that the recruitment in January doesn’t reflect that…
Several players to strengthen us for the future but no real attempt to strengthen us for the end of this season.