Torquay United v Southend United - 14/12/13

AustrianAndyGull · Post by **AustrianAndyGull** » 16 Dec 2013, 13:49

arcadia · Post by **arcadia** » 16 Dec 2013, 14:17

AustrianAndyGull wrote:A lot of fans go on about Olejnik who was a superb keeper for us but he shipped loads when he first went to Posh because they had a struggling side. He saved loads however likewise with Rice, similar situation this season and that's why he can't be blamed for any of it. If anything he has kept us from a cricket score on many occasions. Maybe it is just a fortunate coincidence for Poke that he happens to come in the day we choose to alter the formation and put in one of our best performances thus far. It makes him look better because we kept a clean sheet and won even though we would probably have done the same with Ricey in goal. It's really, really harsh all round on Rice but like I said, so long as we get results that's all that matters. Rice has certainly proved me COMPLETELY wrong and I'm happy to admit it. Maybe one day he can get a gig at another league 2 club as first choice as he is more than capable.

I've read all the sentimental rubbish who is the best keeper, Rice did as well as he could and I'm not knocking him. Poke commands the area better takes crosses and talks to the defence. A good manager would have made the change a month ago. Rice has excelled himself but not to be Pokes equal by a mile. I think we may even have picked up a couple of extra points as well if the change was made then. He has become a good number two now which we did not have last season.

Post by **Southampton Gull** » 16 Dec 2013, 14:25

No, any sensible manager would have waited until he was sure that Poke was fully recovered and unlikely to break down again like he'd done several times previously. You can't fault Knill on this one, he had a second choice keeper who was excelling himself and deserving of his place in the side and a first choice keeper who had been struggling for some time with injury and needed time to prove he was match fit.

If Poke manages to stay fit for the rest of the season it could be one of his best decisions yet. Get off his back.

Post by **Dave** » 16 Dec 2013, 14:28

Southampton Gull wrote:No, any sensible manager would have waited until he was sure that Poke was fully recovered and unlikely to break down again like he'd done several times previously. You can't fault Knill on this one, he had a second choice keeper who was excelling himself and deserving of his place in the side and a first choice keeper who had been struggling for some time with injury and needed time to prove he was match fit.

If Poke manages to stay fit for the rest of the season it could be one of his best decisions yet. Get off his back.

Just writing out the self same reply, you beat me to it, you xxxxxx..

arcadia · Post by **arcadia** » 16 Dec 2013, 14:55

forevertufc wrote:

Just writing out the self same reply, you beat me to it, you xxxxxx..

[/quote Poke should not have been in the squad if he was not fully recovered. I understand that he's been fit for a few weeks. I agree that if Poke stays fit it will be a good decision. I think you know I am making the point that a better quality keeper makes a big differance to a side.

gullintwoplaces · Post by **gullintwoplaces** » 16 Dec 2013, 14:57

Southampton Gull wrote:No, any sensible manager would have waited until he was sure that Poke was fully recovered and unlikely to break down again like he'd done several times previously. You can't fault Knill on this one, he had a second choice keeper who was excelling himself and deserving of his place in the side and a first choice keeper who had been struggling for some time with injury and needed time to prove he was match fit.

If Poke manages to stay fit for the rest of the season it could be one of his best decisions yet. Get off his back.

Spot on. AK took a decision about the team, brought in Poke and clearly got it right. The debate over Rice or Poke is a daft one now, the manager has chosen Poke and he has been shown to be right! I don't understand why anybody is criticising AK about this.

arcadia · Post by **arcadia** » 16 Dec 2013, 15:05

gullintwoplaces wrote: Spot on. AK took a decision about the team, brought in Poke and clearly got it right. The debate over Rice or Poke is a daft one now, the manager has chosen Poke and he has been shown to be right! I don't understand why anybody is criticising AK about this.

I agree it was a good decision to bring Poke back end of matter for me.

Post by **Southampton Gull** » 16 Dec 2013, 17:35

arcadia wrote: Poke should not have been in the squad if he was not fully recovered. I understand that he's been fit for a few weeks. I agree that if Poke stays fit it will be a good decision. I think you know I am making the point that a better quality keeper makes a big differance to a side.

Being fit enough to play and being match fit are two entirely different things, surely as our "resident expert" you'd know that?

The point you were clearly making was yet another attack on Alan Knill. Yet again your "expert" knowledge has been found to be a load of ballcocks ^.^

ferrarilover · Post by **ferrarilover** » 16 Dec 2013, 18:14

In the same vein as Dave, a 4/5 fit Poke is still a better option as a replacement for a dismissed Rice for the last half an hour than, say, sticking Manse in goal.

If it had happened and we'd not had a sub keeper, this board would be awash with people (ironically, the same people, funny old thing) moaning about that decision also.

I can't wait until we start winning things. Watching the Olympic standard denial and backpeddaling from some is going to make for excellent entertainment.

Matt.

gullintwoplaces · Post by **gullintwoplaces** » 16 Dec 2013, 18:34

ferrarilover wrote:In the same vein as Dave, a 4/5 fit Poke is still a better option as a replacement for a dismissed Rice for the last half an hour than, say, sticking Manse in goal.

If it had happened and we'd not had a sub keeper, this board would be awash with people (ironically, the same people, funny old thing) moaning about that decision also.

I can't wait until we start winning things. Watching the Olympic standard denial and backpeddaling from some is going to make for excellent entertainment.

Matt.

All real fans who have criticised Alan Knill and called for his head will only be too happy to backpedal and eat their words if he turns things around. I certainly will, I want my team to stay in the League. Too soon to call yet, but I will happily eat my words if we stay up (and that is the measure of success now). I also think it is very unfair when some are criticising AK for getting it right with Poke.

arcadia · Post by **arcadia** » 16 Dec 2013, 19:34

Southampton Gull wrote: Being fit enough to play and being match fit are two entirely different things, surely as our "resident expert" you'd know that?

The point you were clearly making was yet another attack on Alan Knill. Yet again your "expert" knowledge has been found to be a load of ballcocks ^.^

It seems you don't like anyone else having an opinion but a few days ago you were stating Poke was better than Rice. Knill will take a long time to win me over as it's taken a long time to find a formation to suit the players. It seems you've got your opinion but we beg to differ.I hope he wins me over.

Post by **Southampton Gull** » 16 Dec 2013, 19:40

Everybody on here has the right to state their opinion just the same as everyone has the right to disagree with it. Sorry if you feel picked on just because I disagreed with yet another attack on the manager by you. It actually seems that you don't like your opinions challenged, well if you try to pass off your opinions as facts then be ready to expect some scrutiny.

Post by **Southampton Gull** » 16 Dec 2013, 19:43

ferrarilover wrote:In the same vein as Dave, a 4/5 fit Poke is still a better option as a replacement for a dismissed Rice for the last half an hour than, say, sticking Manse in goal.

If it had happened and we'd not had a sub keeper, this board would be awash with people (ironically, the same people, funny old thing) moaning about that decision also.

I can't wait until we start winning things. Watching the Olympic standard denial and backpeddaling from some is going to make for excellent entertainment.

Matt.

My own take on that is that a 4/5 fit Poke made numerous attempts to come back too early resulting in another layoff. Hopefully he will be in the team for a while now and not just for a few games.

ferrarilover · Post by **ferrarilover** » 16 Dec 2013, 20:01

Yeah, no doubt that to rush him back to a full time starting berth would have been daft, but as am emergency replacement for, say, half an hour, he was worth the risk over sticking an outfielder in net and, likely, costing us yet another match.

Matt.

hector · Post by **hector** » 16 Dec 2013, 20:12

ferrarilover wrote:In the same vein as Dave, a 4/5 fit Poke is still a better option as a replacement for a dismissed Rice for the last half an hour than, say, sticking Manse in goal.

If it had happened and we'd not had a sub keeper, this board would be awash with people (ironically, the same people, funny old thing) moaning about that decision also.

I can't wait until we start winning things. Watching the Olympic standard denial and backpeddaling from some is going to make for excellent entertainment.

Matt.

You base this on....one win.

This is the problem, where the gullible think after one win, all is suddenly well. We are still bottom. Still adrift with a need for promotion form to get us out of this. If Knill does achieve that all well and good but he will only be achieving a fraction of what he was supposed to be anyway. On his record, prior and so far, he has been a terrible appointment. For the majority, one win is not going to suddenly persuade people that all is rosy and that the team is about to embark on some promotion challenge.

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