Long and Doyle

[Mr Angry]

We were discussing the possibilty of employing Hunt in a free role behind Doyle, with Convey on the left, as an alternative option for the last 20 on Sat or against Bolton next week; with his energy and ability to pick the ball up relatively deep then run at defenders, Hunt would cause defences nightmares, freeing up Doyle and enabling someone like Harps to steam up in support.

[Royal Rother]

Not a bad idea that.

[Dirk Gently]

Yes, but before we could do that Hunty would really need to work on his shooting. Just about all his goals have come from inside the 6 yard box - outside it and his accuracy is woeful.

If he could add that to his game he'd be absolutely unstoppable, and worth 10 million+.

[papereyes]

Oh FFS.

Man Utd - 4-5-1 formation set with defensive mindset. Furthermore Man Utd's defence is hard enough to break with 2 forwards let alone one. Hardly a surprise Doyle didn't score.

Chelsea - Two time premiership champions - hardly a surprise Doyle didn't score.

Everton - Were top of the league and have Lescott and Stubbs who are both very good defenders. Hardly a surprise Doyle didn't score.

Doyle is also playing upfront with Long who despite his progress is still a long way off being as good as Leroy or Kitson. With Long upfront Doyle has had both centre-backs on him as Long is not a real threat yet.

Glen Little kind of a big deal for supplying Doyle. The supply hasn't quite been there yet and I also suspect that Doyle is carrying an injury. Waiting for the panic artists response when Doyle scores 3 on a bounce like he always does after a little drout.

Total number of goals scored against the those three teams last year?

One - a penalty.

[Hoop Blah]

We were discussing the possibilty of employing Hunt in a free role behind Doyle, with Convey on the left, as an alternative option for the last 20 on Sat or against Bolton next week; with his energy and ability to pick the ball up relatively deep then run at defenders, Hunt would cause defences nightmares, freeing up Doyle and enabling someone like Harps to steam up in support.

Not a bad option considering out lack of forwards and a similar role to when he was used against Bolton last year to stop their holding midfielder dominating the game.

I think Convey is possibly the better of the two to play there because of his superior technical ability. Hunt does have a bit more of a knack for scoring goals though.

[Scarface]

We were discussing the possibilty of employing Hunt in a free role behind Doyle, with Convey on the left, as an alternative option for the last 20 on Sat or against Bolton next week; with his energy and ability to pick the ball up relatively deep then run at defenders, Hunt would cause defences nightmares, freeing up Doyle and enabling someone like Harps to steam up in support.

Not a bad option considering out lack of forwards and a similar role to when he was used against Bolton last year to stop their holding midfielder dominating the game.

I think Convey is possibly the better of the two to play there because of his superior technical ability. Hunt does have a bit more of a knack for scoring goals though.

Had Hunty not had cramp I'm sure Coppell would of replaced Long with Convey.

[Woodcote Royal]

I have to laugh at the incessant remarks about Hunt's technical ability

In today's Daily Mail he was hailed as currently the best left sided midfielder in the Premiership and how McClaren must wish he could call on either Hunty or Ryan Giggs this week

Hunt is happy to try things and can live with it if they don't come off but, for every cross that joins us in the Upper West, there are several examples of excellent technique.

If Hunt maintains is current form, it will be very hard for Convey to get back but one of them playing more centrally might allow us to accommodate 2 (3 including Shorey) very good left footers...................hence the discussion Mr A mentions above.

As for Long & Doyle, I still maintain the latter was justifiably shattered and that young Shane helped out his senior compatriot by using his pace to stretch the Everton back line.

I've never advocated sending Long out on loan and those who do should ponder this clubs' deplorable record for getting young players into the first team over nearly 2 decades.........................this can't all be put down to 2 recent promotions.

The easy option has always been to sign more experienced back up and/or loan out to lower league clubs .................from where so many have not returned.

All I can say is thank God in Steve Coppell we have one of the best managers in the country for not just spotting young talent but also nurturing it to fruition...............few clubs need his talent in this respect more than RFC.

Long is a full Irish International, FFS, who is currently (but I think that could change very quickly) our 4th choice striker.

I also agree with those who felt Long had one of his best games for us against Everton and believe he's on the brink of becoming a very good player for us. This will be vital if we if can't hang on to Lita & Doyle.......................we need Shane and he needs to be here.

[BR2]

I think Hunt already plays off the front player for parts of our games.
Often there is an enormous gap on the left-side of our midfield when he goes wandering and we know that Bobby is not that great defensively so I don't think Coppell will go with playing Hunt off the front man for a whole game.
Also against Bolton we need height to defend set-pieces and both Doyle and Long although not being the biggest do have good spring and bring something defensively.
We might try the tactic in a game like West Ham but by then Kitson (with his previous form against West Ham in mind) will be raring to go so we can play 4-4-2.

[Hoop Blah]

I have to laugh at the incessant remarks about Hunt's technical ability

He's come on leaps and bounds this season and has looked a much more accomplished player on the ball over the 3 games so far BUT for the last two seasons Hunt's touch and passing has not been as good as that as his team-mates.

The number of times he used to miscontrol the ball or make a loose pass was much greater than the rest of the squad. I'm glad to see that this side of his game has improved so much this season and so against both Chelsea and Everton he was indeed our most dangerous player.

[Adrian's Fool]

I have to laugh at the incessant remarks about Hunt's technical ability

He's come on leaps and bounds this season and has looked a much more accomplished player on the ball over the 3 games so far BUT for the last two seasons Hunt's touch and passing has not been as good as that as his team-mates.

The number of times he used to miscontrol the ball or make a loose pass was much greater than the rest of the squad. I'm glad to see that this side of his game has improved so much this season and so against both Chelsea and Everton he was indeed our most dangerous player.

That is such a load of balls. For a while (mainly in the Championship) he was not technically as good as Convey at crossing - I'm not convinced that's true any more (can't comment having not seen Convey in proper action for ages). Copps obviously thinks he's good enough to take most of our corners. MOTD commented on his excellent touch and technique. What more evidence do you need?

[SpaceCruiser]

What more evidence do you need?

Not wanting to slate Hunt at all, but his air-shot against Chelsea in the closing stages was awful. Otherwise, he has been excellent.

[papereyes]

oh, and you actually appear to be agreeing with him.

[Royal Rother]

AF, sounds like you are agreeing with HB, not disagreeing as you seem to suggest!

[Alan Partridge]

Hunt is in the form of his life, can he keep it up? only time will tell. I hope he does, he's been fantastic thus far, changing his position is not a good idea, not at this stage.

Long I thought was better against Everton, there is somethng there i think Stevie Wonder could see that. He's the quickest of our forwards, has filled out a bit but i want to see him in and around that box like Lita more. I can't remember Long having a single opportunity to score in the last 2 games, that's the only slight worry I have about him at this stage.

[Royal Rother]

Didn't he have the shot that was heading goalwords before being handled twice on Saturday?

Take your point though.

[East Stand Royal 500]

I think Hunt already plays off the front player for parts of our games.
Often there is an enormous gap on the left-side of our midfield when he goes wandering and we know that Bobby is not that great defensively so I don't think Coppell will go with playing Hunt off the front man for a whole game.

Hunt can afford to drift infield at times because there's a rather good left back he can rely on for cover. Also a lot of his "wanderings" are because he now regularly takes attacking free kicks and corners on the right hand side of the field, and then Seol or Oster switch sides to cover for him.

Give the man a break. It's a major strength having a left sided player of his quality whose ubiquity unsettles the opposition. I just hope he doesn't suffer burn-out.

[Adrian's Fool]

AF, sounds like you are agreeing with HB, not disagreeing as you seem to suggest!

Sorry that wasn't very clear, was it - was actually disagreeing with Hoop Blah's statement that he was been worse technically than his team mates for two seasons. My point was he was only worse at crossing for a while, now I'm not sure even that applies.

Basically, I think I love him.

[Hoop Blah]

I have to laugh at the incessant remarks about Hunt's technical ability

He's come on leaps and bounds this season and has looked a much more accomplished player on the ball over the 3 games so far BUT for the last two seasons Hunt's touch and passing has not been as good as that as his team-mates.

The number of times he used to miscontrol the ball or make a loose pass was much greater than the rest of the squad. I'm glad to see that this side of his game has improved so much this season and so against both Chelsea and Everton he was indeed our most dangerous player.

That is such a load of balls. For a while (mainly in the Championship) he was not technically as good as Convey at crossing - I'm not convinced that's true any more (can't comment having not seen Convey in proper action for ages). Copps obviously thinks he's good enough to take most of our corners. MOTD commented on his excellent touch and technique. What more evidence do you need?

MOTD commenting on it doesn't make it fact you know. They quite often spout a load of mis-informed rubbish you know.

As for taking free kicks and corners, thats a different thing than having good technique, and I do wonder how much of it is down to the fact he's not very good in the air.

Apart from that, as other have said, you seem to agree that he's now technically a much better player than two years ago (although his far post header the other day and his air shot against Chelsea must've just been relapses to his Championship form I guess).

[Stranded]

Harsh on the header, I think he just got stuck in two minds whether to go for goal or knock it to Long and ended up doing neither. Just one of those things.

[Hoop Blah]

Harsh on the header, I think he just got stuck in two minds whether to go for goal or knock it to Long and ended up doing neither. Just one of those things.

A tad harsh yes, but, it was his decision, or indecision, that messed it up.

With a little more composure, ability, confidence, decisiveness, call it whatever, he could've, and should've done better and at least forced the keeper into save or set up an easier chance for Long. Same with Oster with his half chances against Chelsea. A better player would've done better than those two in those positions. Unfortunately we haven't got that better player right now, or certainly not in the team anyway.

Not really having a pop at either over those examples, just pointing out that there are times when we understandbly get it wrong.