Stephen Ward deal NOT done (yet?)

[Diego Napier]

Still think Riise might turn up for some reason

That sounds suspicious and possibly a bit worrying.

I'd've assumed he might turn up to play football for us; are you aware of some other reason?

 

[smeg]

We have Chicksen who may or may not be up to starting this season, but I think he played well whenever needed last season. Ward hasn't seemed to have attracted any other interest despite looking for a new club since end of last season. Each week that goes by costs Wolves 13K.

From the little we know, we seem to be in a very good negotiating position with no pressure on us to push for a conclusion.

(Ward will now be signed by someone else within the hour)

Mmmm, Chicksen looked like a fish out of water when we (needed him) played Derby in our second leg playoff semi.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Mmmm, Chicksen looked like a fish out of water when we (needed him) played Derby in our second leg playoff semi.

Our whole back line were struggling once Greer went off, do I don't think Chicksen could be singled out as being at fault.

 

[mikeyjh]

Our whole back line were struggling once Greer went off, do I don't think Chicksen could be singled out as being at fault.

I've said it on another thread but unfortunately I agree with the earlier poster, fish out of water seems appropriate - One incident springs to mind when he was skinned by Hendrick (a not particularly quick central midfielder) didn't suggest that he was particularly competent as a fb...

 

[Brian Fantana]

I think it's fair to say that we've seen flashes of potential from Chicksen, both going forward and in defence. However, I don't think he's at the level yet to be our first choice left-back.

 

[smeg]

Our whole back line were struggling once Greer went off, do I don't think Chicksen could be singled out as being at fault.

Fair point

 

[keaton]

Our whole back line were struggling once Greer went off, do I don't think Chicksen could be singled out as being at fault.

I don't think he looked out of place in the Derby game and looked very good against Lewes

 

[WATFORD zero]

I think it's fair to say that we've seen flashes of potential from Chicksen, both going forward and in defence. However, I don't think he's at the level yet to be our first choice left-back.

I agree that I wouldn't want him as first choice, but if he has to start the first couple of games in order to get Wolves/Ward/Ward's agent to be sensible, I wouldn't be overly concerned.

 

[Perkino]

I remember a crazy summer in 2011 when El-abd and Elphick would miss the start of the season through injury and we were about to have Dunk exposed to the starting line up.

I don't think that was too awful and Chicksen could be the same

 

[c0lz]

If he does not want to drop down to our wage structure then we need to move on.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

I've said it on another thread but unfortunately I agree with the earlier poster, fish out of water seems appropriate - One incident springs to mind when he was skinned by Hendrick (a not particularly quick central midfielder) didn't suggest that he was particularly competent as a fb...

Sorry disagree. The whole defence were all over the place, I don't recall Chicksen being outpaced any more than any of our other hapless defenders in the away leg. The game was hopelessly one-sided.

I have seen Chicksen probably on most of the occasions he has played, and he actually has very good pace. His biggest crime for us, seems to have been his first game, when he played very nervously and looked out of his depth, I think people are still judging him on that.

 

[seagullwedgee]

The REAL problem is not so much whether Chicko is good enough for first choice this season, it is more a question of is he good enough to do the precise job Sami wants him to do. I watched both games in Spain, and I have never seen full backs playing so high up (Chicko and Calde), on many occasions they were our highest up the field, and often last back home again. The space left in behind is no problem if you are playing mediocre opposition (Partick Thistle) but is easily exploited if you know what you are doing (Betis). Yes, the idea is that the left CB should come across to cover, with the defensive midfielder dropping back to help out at CB, but we have by no means mastered this yet, on many occasions it looked a mess (which is fine, we have time to fix it) but the sheer distance the full backs will have to cover playing this way is bloody enormous.

I like Chicko, he's miles faster than Painter, and although we had the short term luxury of Bridge and Ward, I think he will be good enough as first choice, subject of course to Sami being able to make the formation work properly.

Wedgee

 

[Gazwag]

The REAL problem is not so much whether Chicko is good enough for first choice this season, it is more a question of is he good enough to do the precise job Sami wants him to do. I watched both games in Spain, and I have never seen full backs playing so high up (Chicko and Calde), on many occasions they were our highest up the field, and often last back home again. The space left in behind is no problem if you are playing mediocre opposition (Partick Thistle) but is easily exploited if you know what you are doing (Betis). Yes, the idea is that the left CB should come across to cover, with the defensive midfielder dropping back to help out at CB, but we have by no means mastered this yet, on many occasions it looked a mess (which is fine, we have time to fix it) but the sheer distance the full backs will have to cover playing this way is bloody enormous.

I like Chicko, he's miles faster than Painter, and although we had the short term luxury of Bridge and Ward, I think he will be good enough as first choice, subject of course to Sami being able to make the formation work properly.

Wedgee

I agree there was sooooooo much space down the left especially in the first half v Partick you could have held a five a side match. A better team would have destroyed us.

 

[B.W.]

No. Chicksen is only good enough to support Wardy, or someone else at the latter's level IMHO.

 

[Machiavelli]

The REAL problem is not so much whether Chicko is good enough for first choice this season, it is more a question of is he good enough to do the precise job Sami wants him to do. I watched both games in Spain, and I have never seen full backs playing so high up (Chicko and Calde), on many occasions they were our highest up the field, and often last back home again. The space left in behind is no problem if you are playing mediocre opposition (Partick Thistle) but is easily exploited if you know what you are doing (Betis). Yes, the idea is that the left CB should come across to cover, with the defensive midfielder dropping back to help out at CB, but we have by no means mastered this yet, on many occasions it looked a mess (which is fine, we have time to fix it) but the sheer distance the full backs will have to cover playing this way is bloody enormous.

I like Chicko, he's miles faster than Painter, and although we had the short term luxury of Bridge and Ward, I think he will be good enough as first choice, subject of course to Sami being able to make the formation work properly.

Wedgee

Full-backs playing really high up the pitch, and hugging the touchline was the most distinctive feature of our play against Lewes too.

 

[B.W.]

Full-backs playing really high up the pitch, and hugging the touchline was the most distinctive feature of our play against Lewes too.

The key word in your post is Lewes. Unfortunately, we play at a level where we actually need fullbacks who can defend too...

 

[strings]

Ward played the first half for wolves U21's. 1-0 half time lead, Doyle goal, O'Hara assist, good work by Ward in the build up. All three players don't firm a part of the manager's plans.

[Edit] I should add, I wasn't there!

 

[Beach Hut]

Ward played the first half for wolves U21's. 1-0 half time lead, Doyle goal, O'Hara assist, good work by Ward in the build up. All three players don't firm a part of the manager's plans.

[Edit] I should add, I wasn't there!

He just needs to realistic about wages then we would snap him up or are they still wanting a fee as well.

 

[Mowgli37]

I'm sure we could afford Riise if it came to it

 

[BrianWade4]

This ****stick needs to sign.

We miss him. We want him. Make it happen

363 posts and still no nearer