----- Original Message -----
From: "Nigel Holcroft" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "'Sean Emmott'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Cc: <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 17, 2006 7:26 PM
Subject: RE: [LU] New Signing
I can't say I remember ever having been in the camp of those who said
Walton
wasn't up to playing at a high level in the future. I can't ever remember
saying he was not worth his place in midfield. A midfielder he certainly
is
not, but I'd have played him there, if needed ahead of Douglas and even
Miller most days of the week; though that is not saying much... he
definitely deserved time to mature and develop in his natural position,
ready for the future.
I wasn't specifically referring to you Nigel, but I've read posts on WACCOE,
teamtalk and here describing Walton a s a player for the future... we've had
a lot of them over the years and only a handful - O'Leary vintage Leeds -
actually turned out to be any good.
Neither did I mention an old head, "at center back" or anything about, "at
Kilgallon's expense!"
OK, but most people have talked about playing Kilgallon alongside Butler or
Gregan to aid his development. Fine - a good idea, but Walton can't play
alongside Butler (for instance) as well as Killa!!
Lest you should still feel the need to imagine what I'm thinking, let me
save you the trouble.
Don't worry - I can detect the brainwaves myself if I wear my flat cap made
from cooking foil and an AAA battery. I do watch Dr Who you know!
In the current set up, if Foxe makes it, and is as mobile as he used to
be;
I'd play him alongside Kilgallon,
So would I
Would have unloaded both Butler and Gregan
and their wages (presuming anyone would have them)
Which was a defensive pairing that conceded fewer goals than almost any
other in the division last season/
then played Walton, on
the bench as cover... Still leaves us with a World Cup experienced center
back, in the shape of Rui Marques who does not seem to be able to get a
game, for us (in spite of the reports of how well he played in Germany)
...and a dearth of how well he played before that. Didn't he only make the
Angola squad because someone else got injured?
and
might have brought more money than Walton, if marketed, properly in the
right quarters...
We don't know that at all. For all we know, Charlton might have been the
only club interested. In fact KB might have pulled a fast one on Charlton.
I suspect not - but I think Kilgallon and Richardson look better prospects
than Walton.
As for having gained a midfielder, most reports seem to indicate
Livermore
is a left sided player not central
Seriously, the ones I've read describe him as an energetic, tackling central
midfielder who can play centre bac and on the left. See today's YEP.
and your idea of playing him alongside
Derry, discounts Bakke getting a game at all; when, if he stays on our
payroll he is, by far the most talented and experienced central midfielder
we possess...
Quite possibly he is, and he would be my preferred choice to play alongside
Derry, but I don't think there can be much doubt his days at Leeds are
numbered. But if he wants to stay so much and play for Leeds, let's see him
sign a contract for the same amount Derry, Stone and Lewis are getting.
Then he can have a year's football with us, see us promoted and show the
world what a great player he is. If he doesn't, then we have to keep trying
to get rid of him don't we?
If, on the other hand Livermore is a winger, then we now have him and
Lewis
for the left flank, Stone and Griffiths for the right and Seb Carole who
can, supposedly play either...Sounds like a bit of a luxury or a waste, of
prior spending to me... Kind of in keeping with our 27 strikers of last
season while only ever playing one at a time.... (Yes, I'm exaggerating,
just a little)
We will see what the new season brings... but I still cannot see where the
midfield creativity is coming from and so expect more long-ball tactics,
missing out another ineffective 5 man midfield while providing little or
no
service to an increasingly frustrated lone striker.
Well, long ball worked for Watford didn't it? Albeit with a different
formation.
This is however something I, sincerely hope to be proven wrong about...
and
look forward to our dream of free flowing attacking football and
automatic
promotion; although, if the stories of a play-off final win being the most
lucrative prize in British football, then maybe we'll be better off doing
that way..
We have to do better than last year if not then KB has to go.
Kilgallon and Foxe look like the best CB pairing, although I'd settle for
any of the remaining 3 if Kilgallon starts.
Stone and Creswell starting the season fit will be important.
There, you can quote me on the last three sentences all season.
BTW, was anyhone gutted to see Pugh, Wright & Ricketts move on?
MOT.
Always.
Cheers,
Sean
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oh alright then :-)
