Halford Debut

[higher]

For a prem debut I was more than happy with what I saw.Of course it will take a while for him to bed in and for those almost spooky throws to be utilized but money well spent IMHO.Time will tell but all the makings of another shrewd Coppelite move.

[Stranded]

No, why should I be ?

Just playing Devil's Advocate a bit. You arer adverse to throwing the ball being a tactic in football, so what difference does it make if said throw is from the ball going out of play or being with the keeper.

[Behindu]

Because the keeper is the only player who in the game primarily uses his hands, it's legitimate for him to use his hands to distribute the ball.

The other players play the game with their feet and I just don't like the fact that you can distort the game by an outfield player throwing the ball huge distances as a tactic.

I think there is a clear distinction...

[Hoop Blah]

No, why should I be ?

Just playing Devil's Advocate a bit. You arer adverse to throwing the ball being a tactic in football, so what difference does it make if said throw is from the ball going out of play or being with the keeper.

Or the difference between a high ball launched forward by a defender or keeper and a long throw from the sideline, but I guess thats Behindu's point, he wants to see pretty intricate passing with the ball on the floor and reliance a long throw might jeapodise that.

For the record I also think it was an encouraging debut. He's still young, has no experience of playing football at this level and to top it off hasn't played a competitive game for a couple of months. With all that in mind he looked pretty good, and I have high hopes for his future.

[higher]

Because the keeper is the only player who in the game primarily uses his hands, it's legitimate for him to use his hands to distribute the ball.

The other players play the game with their feet and I just don't like the fact that you can distort the game by an outfield player throwing the ball huge distances as a tactic.

I think there is a clear distinction...

If Halfords corner like long throws result in Doyle,Kits,Sonks Ingi etc nodding one in im well happy with it.Especially if its past Lehman!!

[Stranded]

Because the keeper is the only player who in the game primarily uses his hands, it's legitimate for him to use his hands to distribute the ball.

The other players play the game with their feet and I just don't like the fact that you can distort the game by an outfield player throwing the ball huge distances as a tactic.

I think there is a clear distinction...

Not saying there's not a distinction, like I say a bit of Devil's advocate.

I've nothing against us using the throw in as a weapon or defence. At this level the differance between winning or losing is minute, so if we have something that could sway that our way than great. It will also make us a more unpredictable opponent if used correctly, which I trust it would be.

[SWLR]

Because the keeper is the only player who in the game primarily uses his hands, it's legitimate for him to use his hands to distribute the ball.

The other players play the game with their feet and I just don't like the fact that you can distort the game by an outfield player throwing the ball huge distances as a tactic.

I think there is a clear distinction...

extending that theory should Robinson's goal have been disallowed last week - surely he can only kick to 'distribute the ball'

[Behindu]

I have no gripe against a specific goal being scored - it's the use of the throw as a regular and planned tactic I am becoming unreasonably animated against...


And I'd echo that Halford showed promise and will (if he has anything about him) develop into an accomplished player.

I would offer long odds against Sir Steve blowing £2.5 million on a dud !

[papereyes]

I would offer long odds against Sir Steve blowing £2.5 million on a dud !

Padovano and Ishmael might disagree with you.

Or they might not.

[Woodcote Royal]

its pretty obvious that Halfords first choice position will not be full back, its also so typical of Reading fans to slate a player and call him a waste of money after just 90 minutes

How is it obvious?

RB was his preferred position at Colchester and he's stated many times since joining the club is that what he sees himself as.

Just in case you missed this

This link is to Steve Claridge's Scout Report on Halford last October and I think it sums up what we saw yesterday pretty well.

Steve Claridge
Tuesday October 3, 2006
The Guardian

There was one problem when I decided to assess Greg Halford - judging him on his best position. After breaking into the Colchester side towards the back end of the 2003-04 season at right-back he was then picked to play centre-forward - where he scored six goals in nine games - right midfield, central midfield and is now back at right-back.
When I watched him last year he played primarily on the right of midfield which, at a push, would probably be his best position. When he plays at right-back you get the feeling there is more to his game: he appears to be playing within himself.



The further forward Halford gets the more quality he shows, because he can pass equally well off either foot and can deliver a good ball into the box from both sides. It is this versatility that marks him out and the options it gives his team-mates. Colchester can also switch play out to him and use his height to feed off the diagonal left-to-right pass at the far post.


But this assessment has to be primarily based on where he is being played. At 6ft 4in and nearly 13st, he has the perfect physique to play at right-back, but his real strength is the ability to make the game look easy - above all else he has a quality to his play.


Another string to his bow that should not be ignored is his throw-in, capable of relieving pressure defensively but also providing a real threat in attack. It is not just his trajectory but his ability to pick out his team-mates almost at will.


He is also adept at finding them with his feet to help his side get forward and his eagerness to overlap emphasises his willingness to support his team-mates. Everything he does is done with consideration and with an appreciation of the pass. His delivery of the ball is done with a vision that almost telegraphs to his Colchester team-mates where the opposing marker is.


However, there are certain parts of his game in defence that do not come naturally. He tends to get caught out of position at times when a move breaks down his flank, and the space between him and the right-sided centre-half was sometimes too large when he played against Ipswich Town in the Championship last Friday. He is not a born tackler and not overly keen on marking his winger. Against Ipswich, this was not a problem because the player he was up against, Mark Noble, played mainly from inside to out. He very rarely found himself one-on-one being taken on down the line and was not tested defensively.


Halford has won England caps at Under-20 level and enhanced his reputation by scoring against South Korea. But he already has a sense of his own value. He handed in a transfer request at Layer Road at the start of the season after strong interest was shown by Sheffield United, but whatever differences there were at the club have been sorted out.


He will get his chance at a higher level and only then will he be pushed to his limit and we will find out what his best position really is.

http://football.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1885986,00.html

What seems most "obvious" from the professional opinion above (from someone who surely knows more about Halford than either of us) is that his favoured position is far from clear but he appears better going forward and has many qualities that would make a fine midfielder.

Add the fact that we were forced pay far more than we had hoped to get Halford on board, even though Murty has had a terrific season and already had 2 more than able deputies, and yours, and others, insistence that Halford is a right back who has been bought as such, makes no sense from a logical point of view.

You won't be surprised to hear that I would love Halford to get a chance in central midfield when Murty returns, if not before.

As other have said, it's not as if Greedy Bollox and Harps have been pulling up any trees of late and least this young guy already knows who he wants to play for next season (and this assumes Sidwell is being honest with us)

[Tilehurst End]

Man.Utd and England both use Gary Neville's long(ish) throw as a legitimate weapon and I wouldn't class them as unattractive sides (ok, England bad example).

Besides European defences won't like it.

[John Madejski's Wallet]

Leaving aside the argument about the attacking long throw being the equivalent of Route 1.....

One time yesterday I thought 'wow'. This was when we had a throw-in deep in our own half, and instead of ending up under pressure as we usually do from defensive thow-ins, halford threw the ball clear across the pitch to SHOREY AT LEFT BACK!! Thus starting an attack up the opposite flank that caught Spurs off guard a little

....now THAT is a fantastic weapon to have when in a defensive thow situtation

[Yorkshire Royal]

What JMW said... absolutely right.. for years defensive throwins have scared me.. now we have the ultimate way to switch play...

[Behindu]

I have to agree that that cross field throw was a very interesting variation.

One that has very limited use though !

Our throws last season were very effective when we usually threw short but did so very quickly, accurately and to feet. ALmost be definition along throw means the defence is stood waiting for it

[Stranded]

I have to agree that that cross field throw was a very interesting variation.

One that has very limited use though !

Our throws last season were very effective when we usually threw short but did so very quickly, accurately and to feet. ALmost be definition along throw means the defence is stood waiting for it

Well yes, and the limited use is it's beauty. Do it two or three times and the opposition have to cover areas they normally wouldn't in that situation, freeing up space in other potentially more dangerous areas.

[Stranded]

its pretty obvious that Halfords first choice position will not be full back, its also so typical of Reading fans to slate a player and call him a waste of money after just 90 minutes

How is it obvious?

RB was his preferred position at Colchester and he's stated many times since joining the club is that what he sees himself as.

Just in case you missed this

This link is to Steve Claridge's Scout Report on Halford last October and I think it sums up what we saw yesterday pretty well.

Steve Claridge
Tuesday October 3, 2006
The Guardian

There was one problem when I decided to assess Greg Halford - judging him on his best position. After breaking into the Colchester side towards the back end of the 2003-04 season at right-back he was then picked to play centre-forward - where he scored six goals in nine games - right midfield, central midfield and is now back at right-back.
When I watched him last year he played primarily on the right of midfield which, at a push, would probably be his best position. When he plays at right-back you get the feeling there is more to his game: he appears to be playing within himself.



The further forward Halford gets the more quality he shows, because he can pass equally well off either foot and can deliver a good ball into the box from both sides. It is this versatility that marks him out and the options it gives his team-mates. Colchester can also switch play out to him and use his height to feed off the diagonal left-to-right pass at the far post.


But this assessment has to be primarily based on where he is being played. At 6ft 4in and nearly 13st, he has the perfect physique to play at right-back, but his real strength is the ability to make the game look easy - above all else he has a quality to his play.


Another string to his bow that should not be ignored is his throw-in, capable of relieving pressure defensively but also providing a real threat in attack. It is not just his trajectory but his ability to pick out his team-mates almost at will.


He is also adept at finding them with his feet to help his side get forward and his eagerness to overlap emphasises his willingness to support his team-mates. Everything he does is done with consideration and with an appreciation of the pass. His delivery of the ball is done with a vision that almost telegraphs to his Colchester team-mates where the opposing marker is.


However, there are certain parts of his game in defence that do not come naturally. He tends to get caught out of position at times when a move breaks down his flank, and the space between him and the right-sided centre-half was sometimes too large when he played against Ipswich Town in the Championship last Friday. He is not a born tackler and not overly keen on marking his winger. Against Ipswich, this was not a problem because the player he was up against, Mark Noble, played mainly from inside to out. He very rarely found himself one-on-one being taken on down the line and was not tested defensively.


Halford has won England caps at Under-20 level and enhanced his reputation by scoring against South Korea. But he already has a sense of his own value. He handed in a transfer request at Layer Road at the start of the season after strong interest was shown by Sheffield United, but whatever differences there were at the club have been sorted out.


He will get his chance at a higher level and only then will he be pushed to his limit and we will find out what his best position really is.

http://football.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1885986,00.html

What seems most "obvious" from the professional opinion above (from someone who surely knows more about Halford than either of us) is that his favoured position is far from clear but he appears better going forward and has many qualities that would make a fine midfielder.

Add the fact that we were forced pay far more than we had hoped to get Halford on board, even though Murty has had a terrific season and already had 2 more than able deputies, and yours, and others, insistence that Halford is a right back who has been bought as such, makes no sense from a logical point of view.

You won't be surprised to hear that I would love Halford to get a chance in central midfield when Murty returns, if not before.

As other have said, it's not as if Greedy Bollox and Harps have been pulling up any trees of late and least this young guy already knows who he wants to play for next season (and this assumes Sidwell is being honest with us)

At no point did I say he may not end up being suited elsewhere but it is far from obvious that he won't end up being our RB, at this time it makes perfect sense to play him in the position he knows best and develop him there and use other games to try him in different positions. As I said, the player himself prefers playing there.

On one game he looks to have the potential to be a very good attacking full back for us. Whereas in the reserves he has had a couple of good games in CM and a couple of shockers - not conclusive but I do not think he is ready to be thrust in to an unfamiliar role at the highest level.

[royalsteve]

I thought Halford had a good debut he worked hard and did his best.

I also think that Halford is not ready for first team Premiership football just yet.

He was caught out of position regularly, he seemed slow getting back and misplaced a number of passes.

He's not reading the game yet the way it needs to be read in the Premiership. When the team lose the ball on the halfway line, you got to turn around and sprint back and defend. Murty would have done.

Halford is still reading the game as if it were a League One or Championship game. Obviously in the Championship if you lose the ball on the halfway line, the opposition are gonna do F all to hurt you. But you lose the ball on the half way line in the Premiership and they opposition are in your penalty box before you get a chance to take your next breath.

There were a number of occassions where we lost the ball and Halford waited to see what Tottenham were gonna do before deciding whether he needs to run back or not. 99% of the time, when we lost the ball, Lennon and Malbranque were driving at us and getting the ball in the box.

I accept Halford was up against two of the best wing players in the Prem yesterday so fair play to him and he was also making a nervy debut against in form opposition.

At the moment I would say Murty is first choice right back, De La Cruz is second choice and then Halford is third choice, but I have no doubt that after Halford has received the coaching, learned how to play at Prem level, then he can become an excellent signing. At this moment in time he has a hell of a lot to learn.

But well done Halford, a good first effort. Can't be easy rising to Prem level and there is still so much he needs to learn but Coppell and Downes will sort him out.

Regarding Duberry, I would prefer Bikey in at CB than Doobs. Doobs seems a bit slow for my liking and for such an experienced CB, Bikey seems to read Premiership attackers better than Duberry does. Duberry is a Championship CB in my opinion.

couldnt agree more...i thought he had a pretty good game considering it was his first start at this level....his throw-ins look a useful weapon but he needs to wait until his team-mates are ready or they need to be prepared!

bit unfortunate for the penalty...given that Dawson did an even more blatant handball and got away with it!

Though Duberry is past it at this level....bring back Bikey..only prob with Bikey is he can be a bit rash at times....but given his age he has time on his to improve

[royalsteve]

i thought reading played their part well:the penalty was soft,and perhaps being the only goal in the game deciding the destination of the points was a tad harsh on the visitors.i would also like to state that 'spurs move the football around the pitch better than any premiership at the given moment,and provided that ethos can be sustained, the return at the core of the defence by ledley king should herald good days at the lane.

I think you need a new striker though...re: Defoe's miss....my 86 year old gandmother could have scored that!!!

[Top Flight]

I think Steve Claridges scout report on Halford mirrored exactly the way he played at Spurs.

Halford just needs time to build confidence, build match fitness and learn how to play in the Premiership.

He did seem very slow and that surprised me because he looks like he has quite an athletic build.

Claridge does say tracking back and tackling are not his strong points and he did play Defoe onside for the disallowed Spurs goal.

He didn't track Malbranque well enough. He didn't support Little well enough.

Halford has all the tools to be a great player and he is in the right place where the coaches at RFC will be able to develop his game and bring the best out of him.

Sonko had all the raw material but was a hell of a worry in his early days but the coaching team have developed Sonkos game so that he plays to his strengths and doesn't rely on his weaknesses.

Halford just needs to learn how to play at Prem level. I hope when he gets match fit he will be more athletic and faster than he demonstrated at the Lane.

Murty and De La Cruz know how to defend and react when we give away possession. Halford doesn't yet know but its something he can learn.

[royalsteve]

I wasnt that impressed with Halford, although it was his first game and was played at a high tempo.

I thought he looked slow and didnt appear to want to venture forward too much.

The long throw is good, but whats the point when the opposition know every time what he's going to do; several times the throw went straight to the spurs keeper!

bit harsh! give the kid a chance....hopefully you are a manager!