Players we should not have let go.

[goldstone]

Kuipers ... yes I know I'm repeating myself, but from the comments about today's game many of you agree that Casper's a bit dodgy ... and Poke is even more so ... can't recall anyone saying that about FDM. So why get rid of a not-dodgy keeper and sign two dodgy ones? Makes no sense whatsoever.

Virgo ... we have very little cover in defence ... the fact that our assistant manager was on the bench is proof of that ... if ElAbd's injury today was worse, then who else do we have as cover? So why get rid of such a versatile defender/midfielder/striker. Not the best in the last two positions I'll agree, but he does provide that much needed flexibility.

Poor decisions by Gus in my opinion.

 

[BHAFC4EVER]

Kuipers ... yes I know I'm repeating myself, but from the comments about today's game many of you agree that Casper's a bit dodgy ... and Poke is even more so ... can't recall anyone saying that about FDM. So why get rid of a not-dodgy keeper and sign two dodgy ones? Makes no sense whatsoever.

Virgo ... we have very little cover in defence ... the fact that our assistant manager was on the bench is proof of that ... if ElAbd's injury today was worse, then who else do we have as cover? So why get rid of such a versatile defender/midfielder/striker. Not the best in the last two positions I'll agree, but he does provide that much needed flexibility.

Poor decisions by Gus in my opinion.

Both great servants to club and no-one will ever forget their contributions but it was time for both to move on im afraid.

 

[Silent Bob]

I think Gus has made a bit of a mess of the keeper situation but I'm not sure Kuipers is the answer any more. At best he's of a similar level to Brezovan now. Brezovan is fit now.

We don't need Virgo at all. Elphick, Greer, El-Abd, Dunk = enough. I would've liked to keep McNulty here, but he's probably too good to sit on our bench anyway. I'm not that keen on Taricco being on the bench though.

 

[king Wombat]

Kuipers ... yes I know I'm repeating myself, but from the comments about today's game many of you agree that Casper's a bit dodgy ... and Poke is even more so ... can't recall anyone saying that about FDM. So why get rid of a not-dodgy keeper and sign two dodgy ones? Makes no sense whatsoever.

Virgo ... we have very little cover in defence ... the fact that our assistant manager was on the bench is proof of that ... if ElAbd's injury today was worse, then who else do we have as cover? So why get rid of such a versatile defender/midfielder/striker. Not the best in the last two positions I'll agree, but he does provide that much needed flexibility.

Poor decisions by Gus in my opinion.

Couldn't care less what your opinion is to be honest!

 

[Silent Bob]

Couldn't care less what your opinion is to be honest!

that does raise the question of why you would use an internet message board.

 

[goldstone]

that does raise the question of why you would use an internet message board.

Thank you!

 

[goldstone]

I think Gus has made a bit of a mess of the keeper situation but I'm not sure Kuipers is the answer any more. At best he's of a similar level to Brezovan now. Brezovan is fit now.

Which makes him better than Casper or Poke and exactly what we need as cover. Personally, I'm not even that convinced about Brezovan. Hasn't inspired me with confidence the times I've seen him play.

 

[Gav1901]

Who gives a shit, we're getting the points we need. Yes Ankergren is a bit dodgey but he needs confidence, we need to support him instead of moaning everytime he touches the ball.

 

[BHAFC4EVER]

Who gives a shit, we're getting the points we need. Yes Ankergren is a bit dodgey but he needs confidence, we need to support him instead of moaning everytime he touches the ball.

Couldnt of said it any better myself

 

[Silent Bob]

Which makes him better than Casper or Poke and exactly what we need as cover. Personally, I'm not even that convinced about Brezovan. Hasn't inspired me with confidence the times I've seen him play.

Brezovan has made a few mistakes but between mistakes looks solid and gives his defenders confidence when the ball is in his box. I think the plan was that he'd be number one and we'd have two young lads as cover, then Brez got injured. If he hadn't I'm 99% sure we'd never have signed Ankergren. I'd be quite happy with Brez in the side and Walker on the bench, but Ankergren being here maybe gives Walker the chance to go out on loan and get some games.

 

[Kalimantan Gull]

What did Casper do wrong today?

 

[Beach Hut]

What did Casper do wrong today?

Well he may have got up and strolled down the shops to buy a paper ?

 

[itszamora]

What did Casper do wrong today?

Had the temerity to keep a clean sheet against one of the better teams in this league it would seem.

 

[Frutos]

Chris Iwelumo

 

[Mackenzie]

Chris Iwelumo

^^^another vote for him.

 

[stss30]

Chris Iwelumo

Damn you, I wanted to get there first

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Andrew Crofts, a superb lynchpin of a player we could have built a footballing DYNASTY around. Damn shame Norwich made him an offer he couldn't refuse.

 

[wizo7]

Doug Loft

 

[severnside gull]

FDM was an outstanding shot stopper (possibly the best we have had in the last 20 years or so) who stayed as rooted to his line as he could (thus avoiding any risk of being criticised for punching/flapping/catching/dropping etc) blamed everyone but himself when he did let a goal in (contributing to reducing the confidence and effectiveness of his defenders) and was truly awful (and stultifyingly slow) at distributing the ball. All of these faults are shared to a lesser or greater degree by all other keepers at this level and have been discussed at great length on this board for as long as I have been on here. To suggest that no-one ever said he was "dodgy" is pushing the old rose coloured glasses a touch too firmly onto your nose I think

All good things come to an end and FDM's time had come. I think the decision was finally made on the basis of his injury record which hasn't been good over the years. Gus wasn't the first manager to look elsewhere for another keeper although the fact that only Roberts probably was better than FDM in all aspects of the game says a lot about how consistent he was.

Is Brezovan better? Yes in terms of commanding his box and supporting his defence. Much better distribution generally but not IMO as good a shot stopper.

Ankergren? Good shot stopper. Good distribution. Questionable decision making.

Poke was a mistake - quite why his form dipped compared to his displays at Torquay is hard to judge but you can't say that Gus didn't react to the problem quickly. No manager gets every decision right and Poke will surely go out on loan until his one year contract ends.

Virgs was a good club man and whilst I liked him enormously and would never doubt his committment, his judgement wasn't always the best and his thought process was sometimes quicker than his ability to react physically resulting in free kicks and sendings-off. Choose between him and el Abd as very similar players with similar traits both good and bad. Gus went for el Abd, possibly because he is just a little quicker and is better at full back if needed than Virgs. I think we can afford one player of the type but not two in the side so fair enough to let him go.

Cox is another that Gus released who rightly has lots of supporters as a local lad with talent. Most recognise I think that he needs careful man management and even that might not be enough. However, whilst respected for much of what he does and the way he does it, I am not sure that tolerence is one of Gus' traits.

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

What did Casper do wrong today?

I'm not knocking the guy - and I was staggered by the abuse he got from some people in B block. But according to the BBC stats, MK Dons had 0 shots on target. So he should be able to keep a clean sheet on that basis.

In the first half (when MK Dons were giving Painter a tough time) he started to come for a ball chipped over the top but then stopped and went back. It was clearly his ball and Painter had stopped. El Abd may have come over and cleaned up but a scramble ensued near the corner flag that was totally avoidable and wasn't what the defence needed at that time.

He also made a real mess of collecting a nod back (I think it was). No one near him but ball squirmed away and he grabbed it on the third attempt.

Neither of these incidents can have reassured the back four. and I think it is this kind of tentativeness that is the reason some fans are continuing to give him a rough time. He was much better in the second half. Great dive at the feet of a Don and coming well for crosses.

Based on what I've seen, I'd say Brez is a better keeper. But I wouldn't put Ankergren behind Michel (on last season's form). He just has some bridges to build with some fans.

Just my view.