Bell, McPake and Eastwood (7 Viewers)

[gouldberg]

McPake is one of those in the Osbourne mould really. A good player at this level but spends more time in the treatment room than on a pitch. Maybe one last chance for him to prove he can get fit and stay fit. We all know if he can do that he's one hell of an asset!

As for Bell, very happy to see him staying for longer. He was wasted out wide in a 4-4-2 because he doesn't have the pace of a true winger. Should be excellent in Thorn's current formation though. Has a bit of trickery about him plus excellent passing ability. His delivery is up there with the best in the Championship to be honest. As part of that diamond I think he has a chance to really show us what he's made of.

Keeping our current players is vital at the moment. We're fast running out of players so the fact we've kept hold of 2 very capable Championship players is good news.

 

---

[stupot07]

Perhaps we've given them extensions so that we can get more money for then we we sell them!

How anyone can saw that McPake is class at this level is beyond me, he's played 31 games in 2 1/2 years and he's had as many stinkers and stormers. Perhaps that the caveat "when fully fit" which to be honest he never has been since he's been here. I don't dislike him but I just don't see his "class". The way people worship himself for going in hard is like the same love they had of morrell because he worked hard. Good defenders don't need to jump in hard all the time, they stay on their feet, read the game then nick the ball away.

I have no issues with a contract extension for bell, he played really well in the diamond formation.

Another thought - perhaps clingan and cranie have been offered contracts but they are deciding whether to sign them as they are 2 players that better teams would like to sign.

 

[Dinyull]

How anyone can saw that McPake is class at this level is beyond me, he's played 31 games in 2 1/2 years and he's had as many stinkers and stormers. Perhaps that the caveat "when fully fit" which to be honest he never has been since he's been here. I don't dislike him but I just don't see his "class". The way people worship himself for going in hard is like the same love they had of morrell because he worked hard. Good defenders don't need to jump in hard all the time, they stay on their feet, read the game then nick the ball away.

Spot on. Best way to desribe McPake is a clogger - he dives into tackles and put's his body on the line.....usually to make up for a rick he's just made seconds earlier.

 

[SydneySkyBlue]

McPake is one of those in the Osbourne mould really. A good player at this level but spends more time in the treatment room than on a pitch. Maybe one last chance for him to prove he can get fit and stay fit. We all know if he can do that he's one hell of an asset!

As for Bell, very happy to see him staying for longer. He was wasted out wide in a 4-4-2 because he doesn't have the pace of a true winger. Should be excellent in Thorn's current formation though. Has a bit of trickery about him plus excellent passing ability. His delivery is up there with the best in the Championship to be honest. As part of that diamond I think he has a chance to really show us what he's made of.

Keeping our current players is vital at the moment. We're fast running out of players so the fact we've kept hold of 2 very capable Championship players is good news.

Spot on. I think Thorn knows some of these players are better than what they've shown in the past and that's why he's quietly confident. Bell is definitely one those that can shine under Thorn.

It's going to tough with such a small squad but I genuinely think 2 or 3 good additions would make all the difference.

 

[ccfcway]

Just heard from the club that McPake has broken his wrist signing the contract

Out for 8 weeks

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

[video=youtube;qxapA2xDxXs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxapA2xDxXs[/video]

If he had played as many games as he could have this highlights video would be 10 mins + in time.
Maybe I just like him because of his all action no nonsense attitude towards the game.

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

Spot on. Best way to desribe McPake is a clogger - he dives into tackles and put's his body on the line.....usually to make up for a rick he's just made seconds earlier.

Similar to Ben Turner in the way he goes diving in with slide tackles etc. but everyone thinks Turner is the best thing since sliced bread because he came through our youth.

 

[ccfcway]

McPake spotted waving at fans outside Ricoh after signing new contract !

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

Also I think you will find last season when we kept 5 clean sheets in a row before Christmas Mcpake played in nearly all of them matches.

 

[ccfcway]

Also I think you will find last season when we kept 5 clean sheets in a row before Christmas Mcpake played in nearly all of them matches.

McPake played in NEARLY all of the 5 games

:claping hands::claping hands::claping hands::claping hands::claping hands::claping hands::claping hands::claping hands::claping hands::claping hands::claping hands::claping hands::claping hands::claping hands:

Classic !

 

[SydneySkyBlue]

Similar to Ben Turner in the way he goes diving in with slide tackles etc. but everyone thinks Turner is the best thing since sliced bread because he came through our youth.

Our defence fell apart when Turner got injured last season. Not to mention the goals he was bringing to the team. The man's a monster at the back, great strength and he can read the game better than ever. He was the best player in the Championship just before the injury according to the actim performance index - I know it's not the be all and end all but it's got to count for something!

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

McPake played in NEARLY all of the 5 games

:claping hands::claping hands::claping hands::claping hands::claping hands::claping hands::claping hands::claping hands::claping hands::claping hands::claping hands::claping hands::claping hands::claping hands:

Classic !

Well I just checked and he played in all of them.

 

[stupot07]

Similar to Ben Turner in the way he goes diving in with slide tackles etc. but everyone thinks Turner is the best thing since sliced bread because he came through our youth.

I actually think that Turner had learned to stop diving into tackle an start reading the game more, an that was the main reason he was so good last season before he got injured.

And I think you'll find that a lot of fans thought that turner was shit before last seasons form, mainly because he used to dive in and commit himself, leaving him and his partner exposed.

 

[CovScott88]

Despite what I've previously said, I am very surprised that Bell has been given a contract until 2015! :facepalm:
McPake's is until 2013.

 

[stupot07]

[video=youtube;qxapA2xDxXs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxapA2xDxXs[/video]

If he had played as many games as he could have this highlights video would be 10 mins + in time.
Maybe I just like him because of his all action no nonsense attitude towards the game.

Exactly, what I like to call the Andy morrell affect.

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

Our defence fell apart when Turner got injured last season. Not to mention the goals he was bringing to the team. The man's a monster at the back, great strength and he can read the game better than ever. He was the best player in the Championship just before the injury according to the actim performance index - I know it's not the be all and end all but it's got to count for something!

I agree Turner is a great defender. But some points
- I think Turner and Mcpake there is little difference in there attitude towards the game and playing style but people think Turner is Class and worth 3 mill + whilst Mcpake is average
-Turner was injured in the 3-2 loss against Leeds, after he was injured we went on a 5 game clean sheet streak in which Mcpake was present in all games.
-We have never seen Turner and Mcpake play together I think those two would be rock solid together.
-In Turner's 15 games last season we kept 4 clean sheets.
-In 11 games Mcpake played last season we kept 5 clean sheets, after his injury against Barnsley we kept 1 in 14 games until we beat Watford 2-0 for Thorn's first win

 

[SkyBlueScottie]

Are these the first players to sign extensions whilst SISU have been here???

Both are injury prone and I could live without McPake - we have plenty of centre halves and I rate Turner, Cranie and Wood ahead of him.

Hall, Turner, the kids this summer..... McSheff sort of as he played so many games to trigger an agreement is the deal he signed.

Bell really flourished under Thorn and his strike against Preston last seasons is as technically brilliant as anything you will see in the Premiership.

 

[SydneySkyBlue]

I agree Turner is a great defender. But some points
- I think Turner and Mcpake there is little difference in there attitude towards the game and playing style but people think Turner is Class and worth 3 mill + whilst Mcpake is average
-Turner was injured in the 3-2 loss against Leeds, after he was injured we went on a 5 game clean sheet streak in which Mcpake was present in all games.
-We have never seen Turner and Mcpake play together I think those two would be rock solid together.
-In Turner's 15 games last season we kept 4 clean sheets.
-In 11 games Mcpake played last season we kept 5 clean sheets, after his injury against Barnsley we kept 1 in 14 games until we beat Watford 2-0 for Thorn's first win

My favoured pair would be McPake and Turner too, without a doubt. I'll take your word for it on those stats, I just got the impression things fell apart when Turner got injured, they certainly did when Clingan got injured as well.

I fear the same will happen again this season with an even smaller squad.

 

[Dinyull]

Exactly, what I like to call the Andy morrell affect.

Also known as the Mo Konjic affect.....

 

[CovScott88]

I would agree with the last couple of comments. I think McPake and Turner would be our strongest pairing, but then I would find it very difficult to leave Cranie out. How about playing 3 central defenders? We have more defenders than midfielders anyway.

........................Murphy.........................
...........McPake...Turner...Cranie.............
Keogh.........................................Hussey
.................Clingan........Bell...................
......................McSheffrey......................
...........New Striker.......Jutkiewicz...........

 

[stupot07]

Who is the fifth tema in the 5 game clean sheet run?

Burnley
Scunthorpe
Middlesborough
Reading

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

My favoured pair would be McPake and Turner too, without a doubt. I'll take your word for it on those stats, I just got the impression things fell apart when Turner got injured, they certainly did when Clingan got injured as well.

I fear the same will happen again this season with an even smaller squad.

I got all my stats from soccerway.com

And Turners injury was certainly a big blow to us as he was immense when he played in the first half of the season.

I just feel strongly that Mcpake is more than an average championship defender and my stats back up my claim.

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

Who is the fifth tema in the 5 game clean sheet run?

Burnley
Scunthorpe
Middlesborough
Reading

My bad you are correct it was 4 games

 

[stupot07]

I got all my stats from soccerway.com

And Turners injury was certainly a big blow to us as he was immense when he played in the first half of the season.

I just feel strongly that Mcpake is more than an average championship defender and my stats back up my claim.

Some interesting stats on there

Ben turner played 14 won 7 drew 3 lost 4 scored 4 average points per game 1.7 which would have given us 78.8 for the season and he'd have scored 13 goals

James McPake 12 games won 3 drew 2 and lost 7 average points per game 1 which would give 46 points.

You can make stats look how you want, they don't take into consideration of a wide range of variables.

Like I said earlier I don't think McPake is shit, just average with some very rough edges that need coaching out of him. Pusb

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

Some interesting stats on there

Ben turner played 14 won 7 drew 3 lost 4 scored 4 average points per game 1.7 which would have given us 78.8 for the season and he'd have scored 13 goals

James McPake 12 games won 3 drew 2 and lost 7 average points per game 1 which would give 46 points.

You can make stats look how you want, they don't take into consideration of a wide range of variables.

Like I said earlier I don't think McPake is shit, just average with some very rough edges that need coaching out of him. Pusb

Mcpake was subbed on in to the match one of those games so only played 10 mins in that game, he started 11 games.
Also in Mcpakes 11 games we played 5 of the teams who finished in the top 6 in Forest, Reading, Cardiff, QPR and Norwich.
Also we only played one of the bottom 3 in Scunthorpe.
In Turners 14 games we only played 1 of the teams who finished in the top 6 in Swansea.
In Turners 14 games we also played 2 of the bottom 3 in Sheff UTD and Preston.

Just to make this clear I don't want to turn this into a who is better Turner or Mcpake argument, my point was only that Mcpake is a very good championship defender and are best defensive run coincided with his involvement in the team. Also are worst defensive run happened when they were both injured and unavailable.

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

I would agree with the last couple of comments. I think McPake and Turner would be our strongest pairing, but then I would find it very difficult to leave Cranie out. How about playing 3 central defenders? We have more defenders than midfielders anyway.

........................Murphy.........................
...........McPake...Turner...Cranie.............
Keogh.........................................Hussey
.................Clingan........Bell...................
......................McSheffrey......................
...........New Striker.......Jutkiewicz...........

I like the look of it, allows us to field our best players with out any kids because of the injuries to alot of our midfielders at the moment.
Just need to get in Lefondre and swap Mcfadden foor mcsheffery and we are good to go

 

[skybluegod]

guys mayby we have offered clingan and craine contracts just they ent signed yet and are just discussing terms

 

[skybluegod]

I would agree with the last couple of comments. I think McPake and Turner would be our strongest pairing, but then I would find it very difficult to leave Cranie out. How about playing 3 central defenders? We have more defenders than midfielders anyway.

........................Murphy.........................
...........McPake...Turner...Cranie.............
Keogh.........................................Hussey
.................Clingan........Bell...................
......................McSheffrey......................
...........New Striker.......Jutkiewicz...........

i like the formation but mayby we have clarke at rb as he is quicker and is better attacker down wing than keogh and then have craine and keogh on rotation

 

[shmmeee]

guys mayby we have offered clingan and craine contracts just they ent signed yet and are just discussing terms

No maybe about it, Thorn said we've offered other players contracts and he hopes they'll all sign up.

Of the top of my head the following are out of contract this year:

Cranie, Clingan, Baker, Eastwood, Platt, McSheffrey

Apart from Platt/McSheff (because they've only just signed new deals) I'd imagine all of those have been offered a deal.

 

[SydneySkyBlue]

Sounding more and more like Clingan will be off unless our circumstances change then.

 

[shmmeee]

Sounding more and more like Clingan will be off unless our circumstances change then.

Well if the rumours from Leeds of him wanting £15k/week are true I can't see him signing for us. If that's the case then as much as I'd hate it to happen, we're probably best off selling him sooner rather than later.

 

[SydneySkyBlue]

Who could blame him either? He's a good player and at the moment we're holding him back.

 

[shmmeee]

True I suppose, but even so I'd like to go on record as stating that £15k/week for any player who has never played top flight football is a fucking joke.

NO player in the division should be on more than £10k/week and that's pushing it.

 

[Nonleagueherewecome]

How anyone can saw that McPake is class at this level is beyond me, he's played 31 games in 2 1/2 years and he's had as many stinkers and stormers. Perhaps that the caveat "when fully fit" which to be honest he never has been since he's been here. I don't dislike him but I just don't see his "class".

OK I know this was posted hours ago, but just got in and I had to respond.

McPake has never been 100% fit since he joined us-yet when on the pitch has still been amongst out best players pretty much all of the time. In terms of pure defensive ability, I rate him above Turner(even at last seasons best). The side under Coleman that was just outside the playoffs was partly built on McPakes fearsome defending. As soon as McPake was out, we didn't win again.

He is a fantastic tackler, has very good awareness, is our 2nd most dominant player in the air after Turner, and is the best "blocker" we've had since The Prem. Every game he played, he would throw himself in front of at least 1 or 2 goalbound shot. He drew George Curtis comparisions from Bobby Gould. He's a guy who loves defending and is rather good at it. I think I've seen him have one bad game, but would have rated him our MOM in at least 5-8 games. A fantastic assett, and when fit he'll prove those doubters wrong. Twice the player Wood is. His signing is fantastic news, as is Bells. That's 2 less Championship class players that we'll lose for nothing!

Do people think players get injured on purpose? C'mon, neither of these guys are exactly Julian Joachim or Keith O'Neill; they've both had particular long-standing injuries that have re-occurred. I'm amazed that anyone thinks it's 'cos they're "lazy".

Good job we didn't sign Andrew Driver, eh? Just got his first goals in yonks..after an injury-blighted year!

Another thing mentioned in this thread..these are the first players that SISU have signed to have renewed their contracts. Platt and McSheff don't count as they were automatic options that kicked in after they'd played a certain number of games. That does tend to suggest that something has changed..or that McPake and Bell were on less money than we think..or they've accepted a pay cut?

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

OK I know this was posted hours ago, but just got in and I had to respond.

McPake has never been 100% fit since he joined us-yet when on the pitch has still been amongst out best players pretty much all of the time. In terms of pure defensive ability, I rate him above Turner(even at last seasons best). The side under Coleman that was just outside the playoffs was partly built on McPakes fearsome defending. As soon as McPake was out, we didn't win again.

He is a fantastic tackler, has very good awareness, is our 2nd most dominant player in the air after Turner, and is the best "blocker" we've had since The Prem. Every game he palyed, he would throw himself in front of at least 1 or 2 goalbound shot. He drew George Curtis comparisions from Bobby Gould. He's a guy who loves defending and is rather good at it. A fantastic assett, and when fit he'll prove those doubters wrong. Twice the player Wood is. His signing is fantastic news, as is Bells. That's 2 less Championship class players that we we'll lose for nothing!

Do people think players get injured on purpose? C'mon, neither of these guys are wxactly Julian Joachim or Keith O'Neill; they've both had particular long-standing injuries that have re-occurred. I'm amazed that anyone thinks it's 'cos they're "lazzy".

Good job we didn't sign Andrew Driver, eh? Just got his first goals in yonks..after an injury-blighted year!

Another thing mentioned in this thread..these are the first players that SISU have signed to have renewed their contracts. Platt and McSheff don't count as they were automatic options that kicked in after they'd played a certain number of games. That does tend to suggest that something has changed..or that McPake and Bell were on less money than we think..or they've accepted a pay cut?

Thanks
I have been fighting a one man battle defending Mcpake's corner for most of the day.