When we get promoted...

[BennyBoyRs]

Another point I'll add, which seems to caise conflict...

I really am not a fan of Kaspars these days. Does a decent job, but for me, he's gotten worse from the back-end of last season, onwards. His headers seem to travel upwards, instead of clear, and he's lost the ability to judge the ball. Recently, his positional sense has been woeful, and has meant that MC has had to cover, leaving his man free also.

Take a look at some of the goals we've conceeded, and you'll see what I mean.

[SammyKojoe]

Agree with most of those. Tommy Smith?! Not for me though. The guy is a good championship player at best. I do not think we have seen his "best" either this season. Has looked okay but cannot see him in the Premiership doing well.

[BennyBoyRs]

Agree with most of those. Tommy Smith?! Not for me though. The guy is a good championship player at best. I do not think we have seen his "best" either this season. Has looked okay but cannot see him in the Premiership doing well.

I think Smith is a very hard working, intelligent player.

Reminds me a little of Teddy. Not as good, and not the same position as such, but he seems to read the game very well. That attribute is a massive one to possess in the Prem.

[Jeffro]

Another point I'll add, which seems to caise conflict...

I really am not a fan of Kaspars these days. Does a decent job, but for me, he's gotten worse from the back-end of last season, onwards. His headers seem to travel upwards, instead of clear, and he's lost the ability to judge the ball. Recently, his positional sense has been woeful, and has meant that MC has had to cover, leaving his man free also.

Take a look at some of the goals we've conceeded, and you'll see what I mean.

That is very true mate. Gorrks has a big heart, but will get found out, currently i would start Shittu, especially if Forest start that lumbering oaf adebola on sunday. He will bulldoze our centrebacks. like parkin, holt and every other beast we seem to face each week.

[stainrodisalegend]

Another point I'll add, which seems to caise conflict...

I really am not a fan of Kaspars these days. Does a decent job, but for me, he's gotten worse from the back-end of last season, onwards. His headers seem to travel upwards, instead of clear, and he's lost the ability to judge the ball. Recently, his positional sense has been woeful, and has meant that MC has had to cover, leaving his man free also.

Take a look at some of the goals we've conceeded, and you'll see what I mean.

OK, happy to take a look again at the goals we've conceded. Will you also take a look at the goals we haven't conceded because Gorks has put himself in the way? Not saying he's a Vidic but given that we are unlikely to spend fortunes I think there are more pressing needs elsewhere.

[BennyBoyRs]

OK, happy to take a look again at the goals we've conceded. Will you also take a look at the goals we haven't conceded because Gorks has put himself in the way? Not saying he's a Vidic but given that we are unlikely to spend fortunes I think there are more pressing needs elsewhere.

I know mate, and it's a valid point, however...

It's almost the same as saying, look at the goals Aggy has scored for us, and how vital they were. It doesn't make him good enough for us once in the Prem, does it?

[Rsonist]

The way this question's phrased it's like we'd have to point people out of the door if we improved the squad. There's no reason most of the current squad couldn't still do a job for us in the prem - perhaps not all at first team level for a full season but having the likes of Derry, Hill, Orr around and keeping the current winning spirit going will be crucial. It'll be a fine balancing act, and i daresay a few players might even surprise us.

[WeAreQPR12]

I know mate, and it's a valid point, however...

It's almost the same as saying, look at the goals Aggy has scored for us, and how vital they were. It doesn't make him good enough for us once in the Prem, does it?

Benny I don't disagree with all you are saying.

Your point regarding Tommy Smith is spot on and I also agree that Gorkks form has been very poor at times.

I also agree that it was a disgrace when Connors was dropped from the team and just to see Damion Stewart on it ahead of him really did upset me and also highlighted how poor our previous managers have been.

Where I do agree with Jeffers is that Connors hasn't fulfilled his promising reputation and I don't think he has improved as much as I had hoped.
I really hope you are right and I am wrong but I really think he will be found out against better opposition in the premiership. The only real quality he has come up against is Graham who has superb movement and can finish. Graham had the better of connors for 90mins and unless we get some real pace to play alongside him he will continue to be exposed.

[BennyBoyRs]

WeAre, I see what you're both saying, but without trying to be too harsh on Gorkss, his movement has in a way disrupted the way MC can play. As I say, given a more composed CB alongside him, who has pace and reads the game well, I think we'll see Matty perform far better. It sounds like a hand-holding exercise, but it's more to do with confidence in your defensive partnership.

I honestly do feel harsh as Gorkss has done fairly well, but I think (and this is just my opinion) that Gorkss' mistakes go a little unknown due to the fact he has, in large, been solid for us. In MC, I see organisation, and captain-like qualities. I see composure and class. These are what will be needed to make the step up.

I just don't see this in Gorkss.

I may be proven wrong, but I really rate MC, and genuinely believe he'll be good enough. He's still very young, as far as CB's go. There aren't many in this league that I'd swap him for. That's for certain.

[hanwell ranger]

WeAre, I see what you're both saying, but without trying to be too harsh on Gorkss, his movement has in a way disrupted the way MC can play. As I say, given a more composed CB alongside him, who has pace and reads the game well, I think we'll see Matty perform far better. It sounds like a hand-holding exercise, but it's more to do with confidence in your defensive partnership.

I honestly do feel harsh as Gorkss has done fairly well, but I think (and this is just my opinion) that Gorkss' mistakes go a little unknown due to the fact he has, in large, been solid for us. In MC, I see organisation, and captain-like qualities. I see composure and class. These are what will be needed to make the step up.

I just don't see this in Gorkss.

I may be proven wrong, but I really rate MC, and genuinely believe he'll be good enough. He's still very young, as far as CB's go. There aren't many in this league that I'd swap him for. That's for certain.

i personally dont see any of those qualities you have mentioned in mc apart from maybe composure but for me at times can hold on to the ball far too long and for a defender no matter what anyone says defending comes first and clearing the ball comes 1st passing the ball out from the back and being composed comes later and for me MC does not win as many headers and tackles as a centerhalf should reason why i think gorkks is better.

to be fair i think everyone of the lads on friday played well so to single out MC is a little harsh on the rest of them and the only reason people have noticed his performance is because games before reading he looked very average and at times almost lost at the back but hey, he is young and i think we should keep the spine of the team the same because they have been outstanding this season.
but i do agree with others in saying he come with the label as"very promising" and i dont think he has or will live up to the high standard everyone excpected coming from arsenal but saying that good ccc centerhalf as for saying there is not many better is another story.

[Jeffro]

Neil, Mick and Keith surely have their eye on players out of contract in the summer and who could do a job in the premiership.. Thats why it is important to identify them now.