What happened to Lita??? The Inquest

[Colchester Royal]

I'll stick my neck out as ever and say that Lita will be the difference between a decent promotion challenge and failure.

If we can get Lita back onboard properly he will be the star of the show.

Big, nay massive, if.

This is his level. He should piss it.

If he doesn't, he has no-one to blame but himself.

Agree completely. But if Coppell's prepared to give Long a run of games, why not Lita? Lita's potential at this level if far greater thatn Long, Hunt or Mooney, yet he seems at the bottom of the order.

So that makes you think there is a problem, then why wasn't he sold and replaced?

A partner for DOyle, who will score goals is our only worry with this squad.

Personally I'd give Doyle and Lita the next 5 games.

Rather not give Lita a chance. He's been given too many since he came here and now he needs to be shown how it's done. Let Mooney, NHunt and Long have there goes as one of them will be the key to taking us back up. I reckon NHunt and Doyle will be a great partnership with Mooney and or Long coming on with 20 minutes to go, if there is a deadlock to break or we need a goal to save a point.

[LoyalRoyal22]

I think Lita really needs a goal. Would like to see him start at Ipswich.

[Uke]

I think Lita really needs a goal.

He has one already - to get back into the first team

Unfortunately he'll probably miss that goal too

[loyalroyal4life]

I think Lita really needs a goal. Would like to see him start at Ipswich.

Doubt he will get the opportunity. I think he deserves it seeing as though SSC has kept faith with Doyle and (touch wood) he has come good i am sure if he has the same faith in Lita it will bear a similar result

[Woodcote Royal]

I'll stick my neck out as ever and say that Lita will be the difference between a decent promotion challenge and failure.

If we can get Lita back onboard properly he will be the star of the show.

Perhaps I could join in this neck wrenching exercise.

Shane Long has regularly disappointed when given a start and I wholeheartedly agree with SC in that he must start to deliver, including scoring more goals, sooner rather than later.

However, the only striker we have with a worse record and smaller contribution in general, is Lita.

To put it bluntly, apart from a golden 6 weeks shortly after Christmas in our first season in the top flight, Lita has contributed next to nothing since breaking his ankle at Burnley 2 and a half years ago.

If Long has one excuse, it's that Lita has enjoyed far more starts despite being outscored by his rival. With Coppell's notorious record for late subs, this has meant that Long, for the most part, has had to make his mark in cameos of less than 10 minutes...................which wouldn't be easy for many players with far more experience.

Frankly, why would anyone have been contemplating spending £1m+ on a striker with Lita's record? It would be better spent on Long.

Lita's has enjoyed far more starts than his form has justified and his omission from the match day 16 was also long overdue.

Will Leroy's fan club ever wake up and smell the coffee

[Millsy]

I'll stick my neck out as ever and say that Lita will be the difference between a decent promotion challenge and failure.

If we can get Lita back onboard properly he will be the star of the show.

Perhaps I could join in this neck wrenching exercise.

Shane Long has regularly disappointed when given a start and I wholeheartedly agree with SC in that he must start to deliver, including scoring more goals, sooner rather than later.

However, the only striker we have with a worse record and smaller contribution in general, is Lita.

To put it bluntly, apart from a golden 6 weeks shortly after Christmas in our first season in the top flight, Lita has contributed next to nothing since breaking his ankle at Burnley 2 and a half years ago.

If Long has one excuse, it's that Lita has enjoyed far more starts despite being outscored by his rival. With Coppell's notorious record for late subs, this has meant that Long, for the most part, has had to make his mark in cameos of less than 10 minutes...................which wouldn't be easy for many players with far more experience.

Frankly, why would anyone have been contemplating spending £1m+ on a striker with Lita's record? It would be better spent on Long.

Lita's has enjoyed far more starts than his form has justified and his omission from the match day 16 was also long overdue.

Will Leroy's fan club ever wake up and smell the coffee

I'm certainly not his fan at the mo and I can't disagree with much of what you've written.

Just saying if, and it's a big if, he returns to form he will be the star of the show and can make the difference between success and failure.

As you say it's arguable that he may have been given enough chances etc... but that's another issue. I'm saying *if* we can sort him out he'll be invaluable. We know what he's capable of. That's what I'm a fan of, not him now.

FWIW I reckon with Kitson gone, being in a lower division and having passed the transfer deadline it might, just might, be the right time to really work hard on Lita (attitude, etc) to get him on board again. Trying to get someone back to a *proven* former glory is certainly not more daft than trying to morph a travel buddy who's never shown any hint of greatness (i.e. Long) into being great.

[Royalwaster]

I'll stick my neck out as ever and say that Lita will be the difference between a decent promotion challenge and failure.

If we can get Lita back onboard properly he will be the star of the show.

Perhaps I could join in this neck wrenching exercise.

Shane Long has regularly disappointed when given a start and I wholeheartedly agree with SC in that he must start to deliver, including scoring more goals, sooner rather than later.

However, the only striker we have with a worse record and smaller contribution in general, is Lita.

To put it bluntly, apart from a golden 6 weeks shortly after Christmas in our first season in the top flight, Lita has contributed next to nothing since breaking his ankle at Burnley 2 and a half years ago.

If Long has one excuse, it's that Lita has enjoyed far more starts despite being outscored by his rival. With Coppell's notorious record for late subs, this has meant that Long, for the most part, has had to make his mark in cameos of less than 10 minutes...................which wouldn't be easy for many players with far more experience.

Frankly, why would anyone have been contemplating spending £1m+ on a striker with Lita's record? It would be better spent on Long.

Lita's has enjoyed far more starts than his form has justified and his omission from the match day 16 was also long overdue.

Will Leroy's fan club ever wake up and smell the coffee

I'm certainly not his fan at the mo and I can't disagree with much of what you've written.

Just saying if, and it's a big if, he returns to form he will be the star of the show and can make the difference between success and failure.

As you say it's arguable that he may have been given enough chances etc... but that's another issue. I'm saying *if* we can sort him out he'll be invaluable. We know what he's capable of. That's what I'm a fan of, not him now.

FWIW I reckon with Kitson gone, being in a lower division and having passed the transfer deadline it might, just might, be the right time to really work hard on Lita (attitude, etc) to get him on board again. Trying to get someone back to a *proven* former glory is certainly not more daft than trying to morph a travel buddy who's never shown any hint of greatness (i.e. Long) into being great.

The problem with Lita is that I just can't see what he's got that is going to turn him into such a star? He's not got much pace, got absolutely no ability to go past the last man - all he seems to be able to do is his standard turn and shoot. He lacks awareness of other players - doesn't have half of Doyle's general play and workrate. He's also too small to be dangerous on crosses. He is supposed to be a good finisher, but we haven't really seen any of that since his injury apart from those 2 goals against City. He just always seems so one-dimensional when I watch him play.

[RoyalBlue]

Perhaps I could join in this neck wrenching exercise.

Shane Long has regularly disappointed when given a start and I wholeheartedly agree with SC in that he must start to deliver, including scoring more goals, sooner rather than later.

However, the only striker we have with a worse record and smaller contribution in general, is Lita.

To put it bluntly, apart from a golden 6 weeks shortly after Christmas in our first season in the top flight, Lita has contributed next to nothing since breaking his ankle at Burnley 2 and a half years ago.

If Long has one excuse, it's that Lita has enjoyed far more starts despite being outscored by his rival. With Coppell's notorious record for late subs, this has meant that Long, for the most part, has had to make his mark in cameos of less than 10 minutes...................which wouldn't be easy for many players with far more experience.

Frankly, why would anyone have been contemplating spending £1m+ on a striker with Lita's record? It would be better spent on Long.

Lita's has enjoyed far more starts than his form has justified and his omission from the match day 16 was also long overdue.

Will Leroy's fan club ever wake up and smell the coffee

I'm certainly not his fan at the mo and I can't disagree with much of what you've written.

Just saying if, and it's a big if, he returns to form he will be the star of the show and can make the difference between success and failure.

As you say it's arguable that he may have been given enough chances etc... but that's another issue. I'm saying *if* we can sort him out he'll be invaluable. We know what he's capable of. That's what I'm a fan of, not him now.

FWIW I reckon with Kitson gone, being in a lower division and having passed the transfer deadline it might, just might, be the right time to really work hard on Lita (attitude, etc) to get him on board again. Trying to get someone back to a *proven* former glory is certainly not more daft than trying to morph a travel buddy who's never shown any hint of greatness (i.e. Long) into being great.

The problem with Lita is that I just can't see what he's got that is going to turn him into such a star? He's not got much pace, got absolutely no ability to go past the last man - all he seems to be able to do is his standard turn and shoot. He lacks awareness of other players - doesn't have half of Doyle's general play and workrate. He's also too small to be dangerous on crosses. He is supposed to be a good finisher, but we haven't really seen any of that since his injury apart from those 2 goals against City. He just always seems so one-dimensional when I watch him play.

I guess there's none so blind.......

Not got much pace? I don't think he's anywhere near as slow as you make out!

Too small to be dangerous on crosses? Have you failed to notice how he frequently manages to win the ball in the air against far taller centre backs?

I will keep referring back to his performances for the England U21s, which deservedly won him so much praise from those not connected with RFC. Maybe the difference was the quality of players around him and the service provided?

I remain convinced that Lita will prove his doubters wrong, hopefully whilst at RFC but if not, at another club.

[papereyes]

I will keep referring back to his performances for the England U21s, which deservedly won him so much praise from those not connected with RFC.

I think a key aspect of those performances, that showed the true nature of his talent, was some of the misses he made alongside the goals.

But the guy is pretty one-dimensional. His link-up play has been pretty shocking throughout his time here and that's before you get to the 'backing in, falling over, looking at ref' thing he does.

[Royal Rother]

I posted this a couple of weeks ago. Nothing has changed.

I think there's something a little strange about Lita. It's almost like he doesn't WANT to get a chance. He always seems to find the defender just too strong for him, never ever actually quite beating him and getting a shot on goal. He never seems quite to be the one free in the box to have a shot. He never seems quite to make a direct run on goal. He never gets close to being offside. Even in goalmouth scrambles, he's never quite involved.

I am thinking his confidence is even lower than Doyle's but rather than trying to battle through it, which Gawd bless him, Doyle does, he goes into hiding where and when it really matters.

Surely an instinctive striker (of measurable talent) like Lita, just cannot go on such a bad run as this unless something is wrong. Doyle has at least been in positions to score this season but Lita who, let's face it, barely had a cleanly struck shot for the whole of last season, is just never there in the thick of it.

Even when Hunt and Kebe have produced some excellent crosses in the last couple of games, Lita has been nowhere close to getting on the end of them.

Even when "trying" to be the penalty taker yesterday he seemed pretty half-hearted.

[Alan Partridge]

I posted this a couple of weeks ago. Nothing has changed.

I think there's something a little strange about Lita. It's almost like he doesn't WANT to get a chance. He always seems to find the defender just too strong for him, never ever actually quite beating him and getting a shot on goal. He never seems quite to be the one free in the box to have a shot. He never seems quite to make a direct run on goal. He never gets close to being offside. Even in goalmouth scrambles, he's never quite involved.

I am thinking his confidence is even lower than Doyle's but rather than trying to battle through it, which Gawd bless him, Doyle does, he goes into hiding where and when it really matters.

Surely an instinctive striker (of measurable talent) like Lita, just cannot go on such a bad run as this unless something is wrong. Doyle has at least been in positions to score this season but Lita who, let's face it, barely had a cleanly struck shot for the whole of last season, is just never there in the thick of it.

Even when Hunt and Kebe have produced some excellent crosses in the last couple of games, Lita has been nowhere close to getting on the end of them.

Even when "trying" to be the penalty taker yesterday he seemed pretty half-hearted.

It was a load of nonsense then so why re post it?

[Royal Rother]

To generate discussion!

I appreciate it's probably a bit deep for some - but psychology plays a very important part in sporting failure and, having watched Lita for the last couple of years, it is a pretty fair assessment I'd say.

Something that should be there, isn't, and I don't think it is just a question of confidence.

[brendywendy]

i thought he looked stronger, more committed, stayed on his feet more, tackles and tracked back more often in the 1st few games
but crucially without looking any more likely to score
could it be that he needs to just concentrate on the box play to get his scoring touch back
or maybe with marek back, and kebe firing he would start to look more dangerous? he'd be more likey to get the balls he thrives on in that set up.

[Scarface]

I heard two rumours:

The first, (which sounds the most plausible if you listened to radio berkshire interview with Coppell after the match) was that he was almost sold and hence was taken out of the squad.

The other rumour was that he was dropped to the bench and then kicked off again.

Something happened I'm sure of that, I guess we'll no which is true come the next game if he's involved.

[loyalroyal4life]

i thought he looked stronger, more committed, stayed on his feet more, tackles and tracked back more often in the 1st few games
but crucially without looking any more likely to score
could it be that he needs to just concentrate on the box play to get his scoring touch back
or maybe with marek back, and kebe firing he would start to look more dangerous? he'd be more likey to get the balls he thrives on in that set up.

I definately agree that i think he has come back more committed in comparison to previous performances, least his effort and desire looks at a higher level (not sure if it will last). Everyone is saying he hasnt got much to his game, well for a small guy he has a pretty decent leap on him. He is a natural golascorer but i cant actually recall to date him having a shot on target this season?

I think the marek to lita link up is one that will bode well for him and ultimately the team, the question is whether those 2 will be in the same team in the near distant future.

[loyalroyal4life]

I heard two rumours:

The first, (which sounds the most plausible if you listened to radio berkshire interview with Coppell after the match) was that he was almost sold and hence was taken out of the squad.

The other rumour was that he was dropped to the bench and then kicked off again.

Something happened I'm sure of that, I guess we'll no which is true come the next game if he's involved.

I think it is possibly a combination of the 2 whereby a move was on the cards, it fell through for whatever reason, SSC decided it be in the best interests for Lita to drop down to the bench which he didnt take to nicely to thus resulting in him not being in the squad.

[brendywendy]

i think he played in teh first few games, didnt score and was rotated to see if any of the other guys had any more luck.
they did.

[papereyes]

I heard two rumours:

The first, (which sounds the most plausible if you listened to radio berkshire interview with Coppell after the match) was that he was almost sold and hence was taken out of the squad.

The other rumour was that he was dropped to the bench and then kicked off again.

Something happened I'm sure of that, I guess we'll no which is true come the next game if he's involved.

The two rumours are not mutually exclusive by the way.

[Plymouth_Royal]

i reckon he's in hollywood making more dodgy porno's of his mrs

[Millsy]

I posted this a couple of weeks ago. Nothing has changed.

I think there's something a little strange about Lita. It's almost like he doesn't WANT to get a chance. He always seems to find the defender just too strong for him, never ever actually quite beating him and getting a shot on goal. He never seems quite to be the one free in the box to have a shot. He never seems quite to make a direct run on goal. He never gets close to being offside. Even in goalmouth scrambles, he's never quite involved.

I am thinking his confidence is even lower than Doyle's but rather than trying to battle through it, which Gawd bless him, Doyle does, he goes into hiding where and when it really matters.

Surely an instinctive striker (of measurable talent) like Lita, just cannot go on such a bad run as this unless something is wrong. Doyle has at least been in positions to score this season but Lita who, let's face it, barely had a cleanly struck shot for the whole of last season, is just never there in the thick of it.

Even when Hunt and Kebe have produced some excellent crosses in the last couple of games, Lita has been nowhere close to getting on the end of them.

Even when "trying" to be the penalty taker yesterday he seemed pretty half-hearted.

It's good to have your view, esp as you boldly stuck your neck out too regarding him not long ago and are anti-Lita. I actually agree with what you say. Some are saying he's one-dimensional and rubbish but what you seem to be suggesting, and I 100% agreee with if you are, is that it'snto about his ability - it's something else.

His ability for me is not in doubt. You cant say he can't go past players, win headers, is slow etc etc, when he was an absolute star at his last club, was bought by us for a record fee, did well for us, has done well at a national level and had that almost legendary run (just after RR's post ironically) of scoring in almost every Premiership game for a couple of months or so. The lad clearly has talent. That's NOT the issue. And that's the point I'm trying to make.

I have no idea what it is with him either. Confidence, attitude? Who knows. It's just very odd. As I say, if we get him on board (i.e. mentally) then I'm convinced he'll be a star again. I just wish someone could get into his head and sort out whatever the big mess is, get him fired up and fighting for a place again and not to worry if he gets on the bench every now and then. Then we'll have a formidable strike force.

Come back Lita!