Two Ian Harte assists today....

[Snowball]

His name isn't 'macca', or 'maccer'. Nobody else calls him that.

correction

[Wimb]

Re Harte as a holding midfielder. Is it really that daft an idea?

McD was perfectly amenable to the idea of trying Chris Armstrong there and there's not that much of a difference between the two. Harte might be slightly less mobile but no disrespect, Armstrong wasn't exactly Scott Parker by this stage. I dont think it would work with Liegertwood and Karacan as well though, it's just too limiting. Also its debateable whether Harte could get far enough up the pitch to really pick a pass that would hurt the opposition. However it's equally ridiculous to just dismiss the idea out of hand. It's something we might look to, if we want the trade off Harte's set-piece delivery whilst retaining pacier full-backs to aid our very slow centre halves.

Not saying it's something we could/should definitely try but McD has proved in the past that he can implement different styles of play to suit what he has at his disposal. I suspect the thought might have crossed his mind.

Again though we're talking very short term and a player that I'd imagine won't be as effective playing at such a high tempo as in Brian's previous midfields. It's an idea worth exploring but he's probably going to contribute as much at left back as he would as a DM.

[melonhead]

Yes, I do. Because it was reported he was injured and hadn't been playing badly.

If you want to go off on some wild goose chase consipracy theory based on absolutely nothing but the delusions of your own mind, knock yourself out.

Let's put it this way. I was very UNsurprised when they mentioned he "might" miss the game.

Don't know if they archive the after-match interviews but you could hear Maccer changing.

Anyway, not a conspiracy. Maccer could have told the lad he wanted to give Harte a run-out
and he need to rest that niggle. Saves face all round and allows Mills to come back in for
Blackpool if Harte doesn't come up to the job. Perfick.

bollox.

[Extended-Phenotype]

Oh wipe your arse, Ideal. Stop taking everything so seriously.

KittyMango is right though, I would rather have a midfield 3 with one attacking mid – rather than he, Jem and Legs together.

Basically, I don’t think Harte is that immobile or lacking in stamina that he can’t play a defensive mid partnership role. At the worst, it’s requires as much energy as a fullback. I should know. Not because I’ve played in those positions, but because I am all knowing. Like a God, I guess.

If Karacan is being championed as a decent DM, in terms of football I think Harte is the better player all-round (passing, tackling, positioning, vision) where Jem obviously has the stamina and a bit more pace.

But to me, the two latter qualities would not be an issue if you add a third central midfielder. Harte can play a reduced role, a sweeper infront on the back four, giving us more defensive cover with the added strength in vision and set-pieces.

That said, I am starting to warm more to my other genius idea of playing him on the left wing.

And Kebe was f////ing atrocious in the last two games. What on earth is that cat talking about?

[melonhead]

wrong.

[Hoop Blah]

None of this changes the small point that we don't have a forward who's cut out to play upfront on their own so the system would struggle.

[Extended-Phenotype]

wrong.

You've convinced me.

[winchester_royal]

Mills was injured, and still is.

Mr McDermott was not looking to change things to get goals

There are no puppets on the moon.

Winchester Royal is an erudite, careful-thinking gentleman.

I have never masturbated.

Ooooh sarcasm...

Love it.

[melonhead]

wrong.

You've convinced me.

excellent, im so glad

[Ian Royal]

Mills was injured, and still is.

Mr McDermott was not looking to change things to get goals

There are no puppets on the moon.

Winchester Royal is an erudite, careful-thinking gentleman.

I have never masturbated.

Nah, you're definitely a w a n k e r

[Extended-Phenotype]

wrong.

You've convinced me.

excellent, im so glad

I too am glad.

[Snowball]

I am totally convinced that Mills's "injury" was "played up"
to allow Harte to play. On the way home from Mills' last
game I predicted McDermott would find a way to bring him in.

This is not the first time the club have quietly mentioned a possible injury
when a player is about to come in to attempt to make things happen.

Harte will start v Peterboro, and if he has a stinker, Mills will be "fit"
again, and McDermot will say, "Ian was tremendous at Ipswich but Mills
has been brilliant and deserves to get the shirt back now he's fit."

If Harte has a good game and scores/makes a goal, the Mills' injury
may need another week, "That's OK because Ian has stepped in and done well..."

If Harte has a few meh games, but not total disasters, he will have a niggle
which will be mentioned, thus setting the scene, for it to become an injury
if performances drop any more.


I'll help you and start spin spotting.

[winchester_royal]

For a man who bases his whole opinion around stats and facts, this is really rather LOLaughable Snowy.

[CayeneMatt]

For a man who bases his whole opinion around stats and facts, this is really rather LOLaughable Snowy.

Doesn't mean he's wrong....

[winchester_royal]

For a man who bases his whole opinion around stats and facts, this is really rather LOLaughable Snowy.

Doesn't mean he's wrong....

It's based on absolutely no evidence whatsoever though. It's not even a sodding rumour, it's just a figment of his imagination.

It would be like me saying that Madejski's shagged Britney Spears.

[melonhead]

You've convinced me.

excellent, im so glad

I too am glad.

gladness abounds!

[melonhead]

I am totally convinced that Mills's "injury" was "played up"
to allow Harte to play. On the way home from Mills' last
game I predicted McDermott would find a way to bring him in.

This is not the first time the club have quietly mentioned a possible injury
when a player is about to come in to attempt to make things happen.

Harte will start v Peterboro, and if he has a stinker, Mills will be "fit"
again, and McDermot will say, "Ian was tremendous at Ipswich but Mills
has been brilliant and deserves to get the shirt back now he's fit."

If Harte has a good game and scores/makes a goal, the Mills' injury
may need another week, "That's OK because Ian has stepped in and done well..."

If Harte has a few meh games, but not total disasters, he will have a niggle
which will be mentioned, thus setting the scene, for it to become an injury
if performances drop any more.


I'll help you and start spin spotting.

judging by every word ive heard McD say about this, you are utterly wrong.

harte will now stay in until he has a bad game/run or injury, then mills will come back in
theres no conspiracy, and you are a bit of a div lately

[Hoop Blah]

For a man who bases his whole opinion around stats and facts, this is really rather LOLaughable Snowy.

I wouldn't be surprised if it's true though.

[Hoop Blah]

harte will now stay in until he has a bad game/run or injury, then mills will come back in
theres no conspiracy, and you are a bit of a div lately

If the first half of that statement is true, which I'm not sure it is, then McDermott needs to grow some balls.

As much as you possibly shouldn't change a winning team (lets hope we keep winning) he should really be picking what he thinks is his best team and not just on Harte not having a bad game and staying fit.

If he believes that Mills is our best left back, and Harte doesn't do enough to prove he should keep the shirt (ie not just avoiding a bad game but playing well and addressing the reasons that McDermott replaced him for in the first place), then when Mills is fit again he should be bringing him back in. If Harte proves McDermott wrong (which he did after getting back in the team after being dropped last season) then by all means keep him in.

That might be splitting hairs a bit, but I do think it's a worthy distinction.

[melonhead]

but the fact its a winning team is irrelevant compared to the fact that harte had a brilliant game,and created alot
thats why he'll probably stay in.