Jimlav wrote:yes the younger players may be good, but ever stopped and thought for one second that actually keeping them out of the team, and making strive for a first team place actually makes them better, if you just give it them on a plate then they will not have as much desire.
You have probably not realised it but you have hit the nail on the head here as to what is is wrong with Noble's selection policy. We certainly have got players who
do not have to strive for a first team place and players who
do have it handed to them on a plate.
They are the senior players.
Noble picks them every time regardless of form when they are fit. There is no evidence that any senior player who's form has dropped or has not been that good this season has been kept out of the team and made to strive for their place back. I think Coley was dropped for one game and Smith one or two and that has been it.
i personally trust noble to bring them through at the right time, and so far he has brought them through at exactly the right time, most of the guys have had first team action, then been left in the reserves for a few weeks, so they have had a taste, but they know they have to fight for it. so when we get these injurys they can come in and fill in, but in there minds they no they have to do well because they had been put in the reserves before, and it could happen again.
Nice theory but when have you seen this put into practice by Noble? Never is the answer. In any case do you actually think, for example, Ainscough's complete lack of 1st team opportunity since his early season début has left him ready to fill in should an injury arise?
Also what happens if we don't get any injuries? We have not in fact had an injury to Roberts or Richards and Noble has failed to take any opportunity to rest either of them and give Ainscough the odd game so he can develop his game which he won't do in the much lower standard of reserve game.
and for the ones out on loan, we couldnt afford to have them here, but they have gained excellent experience, mossop looks to be a pretty decent player, but he is ready for the first team now. some times it is easier to go and make your SL debut away from your club, as there isnt all the pressure on you. he went away and got some experience, and now he has come back he can just slip right into the first team.
Can't you see the irony of the situation you describe? Huddersfield are higher up the league than us and he got game time with them he was not getting with us. Not good enough to get into Noble's team but good enough to get into a side higher up the table than us. They have made it as plain as they can without breaking any anti-tampering rules they would have him back at their club like a shot.
If when our injured players come back Mossop is dropped in the same way Ainscough was then what is he to think? What you describe at the start of your post about such players having had a taste for 1st team football chomping at the bit as if this were some sort of Noble master plan is just a myth.
Noble has this season completely failed to use the squad he has and he has only ever given the younger players a game when injuries have occurred. It is not the first season he has done this either as the same charges were laid at him in 2007 and 2008 when he did, for example, play Colbon in several positions some which were totally unsuitable for him rather than bring in one of the younger players.
Two players have forced Noble's hand in recent seasons, both Tomkins brothers neither of whom would have had a sniff were it not for injuries and I maintain had Smith not done his shoulder S Tomkins would have gone the same was as Ainscough. Back to the reserves.
Ainscough is unlucky he has two players who are not injury prone on the wings unlike Smith who let S Tomkins get his chance. Goulding will be another to drop form the 1st team soon with no chance of a recall and Mossop will follow him.
No one expects players like Mossop to be instant first team regulars but what people do want is some evidence that Noble is doing what his supports say he is doing, introducing such players gradually. There simply is none.
Dave
