Thetownend.com

Ever since some brain donor came up with the idea of "The Wingback" football people all over the world have been having the same debate / argument.

"Is it better to pick Player A who's pretty good at defending and not too bad going forwards or Player B who's pretty good going forwards and not too bad at defending?"

In Swindon's case, however, it all starts to get very confusing.

Our player A, Andy Nicholas, is indeed pretty good defensively and not bad at all getting forward.

Unfortunately our Player B, David Duke, is only "not bad" going forward and absolutely useless defensively.

Why is there any need for a debate you may ask yourself ? Surely Andy Nicholas would be the manager's obvious choice.

Apparently not.

What's even more confusing is that the team isn't even playing with wingbacks. We needn't be having any debate.

If you're playing with fullbacks then you don't need to worry about how good anybody is going forwards. It's quite simple. Fullbacks are picked because they can defend.

There is no justification for King selecting David Duke as a fullback in a flat back four when every other manager in the division knows that he can't defend to save his life.

There is even less justification for King leaving the only real left back at the club, Andy Nicholas, not only out of the team but out of the squad.

And before someone chirps up with some drivel about his bad attitude and behaviour being the reason for his absence let's put that one to bed straight away.

None of the players or staff know why Andy King has gone off Nicholas. Only King knows that. And he isn't saying. Not even to Nicholas.

i'd like to see duke playing right midfield. shun me if you want  8)

These 'I know better than you' type posts/thread do get tiresome rather quickly.

Yes, but with you and many like you, its invariably true.  So, the fact that you find it tiresome is that it reinforces your feeling of inadequacy!

Now!

Get out of bed and get a job!

I don't think its part of some vendetta by King, remember he was so keen to get Nicho back that he rushed him after injury, but rather having came back and had a few bits and pieces he decided he'd lost his form.

 After the BC, LDV game, he described the goal as being scored  by a run like "the old Nicho," rather suggesting he didn't much like the new Nicho.

Reasonable assumption but a bit too simplistic.  Really, as Stan says, no one, not players, not staff, understands why.  The shameful thing, from a management point of view (in its generic sense), is that he (King) hasn't articulated any reason to Andy.

I think King is a simple man.

I totally understand why Nicholas hasnt been in the team lately. Untill the Doncaster and Bournemouth games Duke had been playing very well (possibly his best form ever in a red shirt) and totally deserved to keep his place.

After the last 2 games however, both of which have seen defensive errors by Mr Duke I wouldnt be that upset to see Nicholas get another chance.

Although quite why Bigstan and Santini (are you the same person? :wink: ) think that Andy nicholas is the best left back this side of Ashley Cole is beyond me. In reality the difference in quality between Duke and Nicholas is negligable at best.

Piemonte2, do you ever get the feeling you were a parrot in a past life?  :wink:

i wish he would give nicho a chance for once

I know. I should have just copied and pasted from the other thread.

This is what 2 weeks of doing fuck all does to me :?

welcome to my world  8)

do you ever spend any time off this si?

yeah, in the few hours i spend at uni. also when neighbours/hollyoaks is on and when i go out drinking. Oh yeah, i sleep for about 3 hours as well.

Don't worry, I won't be on here much tomorrow, i'm at uni 9:55-5:30 and then watching the footy round a mates in the evening

who cares about the champions league?

my mates a milan fan, so either way i win. surely an excuse for a lads night in though. the booze will be plentiful and if we run out he lives next door to the pub  8)

why the hell does he support milan?

I care. I like to watch some decent football from time to time

he's anglo-italian. He has family who live near there

yeah thats true but the tuesday night games on ITV are shit coverage

Duke in my opinion did not do too much wrong for their first goal on Saturday, he was the last man, and he knew it.

Options are to either challenge him, or force him wide.

If he goes for the challenge he has to make damn sure he gets it otherwise he either gets sent of if he fouls him, or Elliot simply skips past him to be one-on-one with Evans.

If he forces him wide, which he sort of tried to do then from the position he was, if Elliot shoots it either has to be a great shot, or the keeper has made a mistake.

It is my opinion that in this instance Evans is more at fault for the goal than Duke.  Elliot had no support so no-where to go if forced outside, so he elects to shoot, not a great shot but a goal, ergo Evans is at fault.

Just lay off Duke he's the only player, aside from Parkin and O'Hanlon (Roberts when fit), to really deserve any praise.

no i disagree! duke just stood there! they all did! everyone was at fault! and i thought parkin played crap! o hanlon did ok and so did proctor but the rest were shit!

I believe Big Stan is a Tyke,  je suis Francais,  but great minds think alike. 8)

Never compared him with Asley Cole. He doesn't have to be on that level to be light years ahead of Duke as a defender.

Duke brings more to the side than Andy Nicholas.

More pace. More attacking presence. More work ethic. More headers for some reason. More possession.

The whole of the abck 4 have been fucking useless over the last 2 games, don't point the finger solely at Dukey.

I'm a big fan of David Duke, his versatility, long throws (albeit Nicholas has this too) and attacking prowess (great crosser of the ball, stats to back this up) are valuable assets.  However, he is a confidence player, and currently it seems low.  I think in the situation we are in (desperate) I see no harm in trying Nicholas, although I agree that the difference between he and Duke is negligible.

I agree that the first goal was more Evans fault than Duke.  He was the last man and had few options open to him.  From the position Duke forced Elliot into, he should not have been able to score.

I believe Nicho will be turning out for the reserves tomorrow v Plymuff......they must have a strong side having brought in a few new players, to add to the lot who got them up.

 Daresay King will be there to watch, so it will be a chance for Nicho to put in a decent performance......we'll probably have a very young side which doesn't help.....daresay Woan and Iffy might come on when we're 4 down for a laugh.