Thetownend.com

Wilson may give Morrison a chance

Swindon boss Danny Wilson hints that 19-year-old defender Sean Morrison may feature on Saturday against Brentford.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/swindon_town/8923800.stm

Like Morrison- but he is not the answer. We know we need at least 1 experienced centre back- so why did we not sort this as soon as we knew Greer was leaving?

We have already dropped 5 points and shipped 4 goals- why wait until it is a dire situation before acting.

Dire? Hardly.....  :doh:

Hi bart

Thats it now, I aint going again, sack Wilson, get rid of Fitton, not enough passion.

Bart.......please, come on now.

I kissed a Bart and I liked it

It is why though we never hit the ground running at the start of a season- because we wait too long before getting people in.

Even if we get someone by the end of the window- thats 4 league games and a potential 12 points lost which could cost us dear come May.

All i am saying is that if we are serious about going 1 better this yeasr we cannot afford to be weak in any area of the pitch and must hit the ground running- not play catchup.

Not good enough YET in my opinion

Is it the defence fault? Surley we let in to many goals last season?
Hopefully morrison will step up, but who will be droped, ljf?

He didn't say it's a dire situation, he said we shouldn't wait UNTIL it's a dire situation.

I don't understand the weird response to this guy's post. Every time anyone shows any vague concern about the results/ letting in goals etc the "ooh, sack wilson, Fitton out" brigade rear their heads.

Bart's point is valid, Morrison and LJF aren't good enough and we should've replaced Greer sooner.

I agree

Let's not forget after all that as a club, STFC have an absolute god given right to whatever players they want, when they want them.

No doubt Fitton and Wilson have been sitting about with their thumbs up their asses without making any efforts to improve the squad whatsoever.

Its like last season and the striker all over again. Doing things too late.

Imagine how many more points we had got if we'd signed Austin in June instead of October?

Thanks hindsight man. If we'd signed Austin in June, everbody would have still wanted another striker, as we were 'taking a punt', or 'doing it on the cheap'

Random-five, bart initially had a bit of a doom and gloom in every post he made. So earned a reputation accordingly. Unfortunately he hasn't shaken it off so even if his posts are perfectly reasonable he'll get slated,

which says more about the responses than his posts

Its hardly hindsight to think we'd have been better off starting the season with 2 strikers instead of 1. Most said the same thing last June anyway.

Even if we had signed him in June, come August he would have proved himself and proved the doubters wrong. Plus in truth I dont remember many negative comments about him when he did sign in October - infact most people wanted him in the first team almost straight away.

Whilst Dave is doing his best to take over the mantle

Most wanted him in the team straight away because the other options weren't firing.

Who knows, had he come in pre season, he might have found it more difficult, struggled and lost confidence. 

no.

I think morrison can step up and be a great first team player for us but he is not the answer at this percise moment, even if we cant sign an experienced CB i would look in the loan market like we did with greer on an initial 1-3 month loan and see how they go.(obviousley he has to be experienced) and hopefully if it works he takes a slot in the team and then we would have great competition for the other CB slot between SM SC AND JFL..... ;)

Just how is morrison going to get this experience if we don't play him. I can only see him becoming more frustrated the longer he is sat on the bench and Wilson has already said he wants maybe 2 more defenders so that will be him further down the pecking order.

Of course he needs games to get experience but he badly needs someone at the back with him teaching/organising him along.

Morrison is very unfortunate. I think most people rate him but what the fuck do we do with him. If he could get a run of games, he'd be a very sellable asset. He'd be better off if we were a run of the mill mid table side. Cuthbert is very sellable also and a class act, although he's not performed as well as JFL sp far this season - again another sellable asset if he continues developing. Do we persist and take a hit if they don't come good or do we get in an experienced pro and fuck up the development of one or two of them? Unfortunately, i can see Morrison going for peanuts and then being worth a good wedge in the very near future.

What do you see us as though Chalkster?  ???

Better than that hence the conundrum. He needs time and space a luxury we can't afford if we're to go up

I've always thought of Morrison as a pretty steady player to be honest, plus he has a decent throw on him. I think he'll do a decent job for us.

I got the impression at the time that Wilson wasn't planning on playing him straight away but then in desperation thought fuck it I might as well give him a go and see what happens and the rest is history.


First time I saw Morrison play (home game, probably his debut) a couple of seasons back he was complete and utter shit. Pretty quickly he was putting in some decent performances and was a first choice for me come the end of that season. Then he had a nightmare last season with the injury and even after the loan spell he didn't seem to be back to his best.

The big question if he does play is who gets dropped? LJF has been better than Cuthbert this season so dropping him would be rough and unlikely to solve anything. But then I can't see him dropping Cuthbert either. Unless he's thinking of putting LJF at LB on account of Rose's poor start to the season.

That's the problem for me Jonny, the 2 centre halves have played well individually so far, I think the team need to settle/gel

Despite not showing it last season (Walsall and MK away!!) Morrison is a good young centre half.

He's looked steady and more than good enough for top end L1 football when he's had a run in the side, however...

...his runs in the side have always been next to Aljofree or Vincent or Greer.

He'll do a job for us but he wont fill the gap we are missing. He won't bring leadership and experience to our defence the same way LJF and Cuthbert don't bring these attributes to our defence.

Putting Morrison in for one of LJF or Cuthbert won't solve our problem as the change is very like for like, straight swap.

Unless Wilson plans to go with 3 centre backs!

If someone is concerned about a possible area of weakness in our squad it doesn't make them less of a fan really does it?

I'm positive and upbeat about our season but I think selling Greer and not replacing him prior to 7th August was an obvious gaff and the management team have acknowledged that the club dropped a bollock regarding this - hence now trying to sign an aggressive, experienced centre-back prior to the window closing.

playing LJF and Morrison would be suicide and will not happen

Cheers Danny.

 It's just about a year ago that Morrison headed the goal that beat Soton....think he should start v Bees....with LJF playing LB.

There seem to be a number of people calling for LJF to play at left back, but 6 months ago it would have been considered suicide. I don't understand it. Obviously Rose hasn't had the best start to the season, but two or three games is not enough to judge him on.

Also, if we were to drop Rose, it sounds like Kennedy had a good game for the reserves this week. He's done a decent job before in the first team.

if we are bringing one in then i'd consider getting rid of morrison now.the lad needs to play and aint better than jlf or cuthbert yet.
might be best for all concerned if he moves on

Or we could all stop, remember how young he is, loan him out to a lower-end League One or top-end League Two club, and still have a good young prospect on our hands later in the season/next year. He's only 19.

Sadly for Morrison, this is all spot on.  I do like the idea of loaning him out for a while, but we would then need to get 2 centre backs in!

I've been quite disappointed with some of the games that Morrison has had over time, but he does bring some really good things to the side. I think if he is brought in he will develop - he's a player that can't be ignored. If we loan him out again I think we will eventually lose out on his potential, as he won't be fitting into our setup.

In the reserve game against Plymouth he was very influential and cancelled out Rory Fallon. He also brings that height to the side we miss (although Pericard does contribute to that) and I always look forward to the throw ins.

I would love to see the thread again when we loaned him out last season. I'm sure most could not understand it.

Yes he needs games but i am with Arriba on this one it seems quite clear that Wilson is not going to play him much so it's best he moves on in my opinion.

So y = r cubed over 3. And if you determine the rate of change in this curve correctly, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised

Why move him on? Wilson recently stated that he thinks Morrison has all the right attributes... I think if we bring in a new experienced CB then a season long loan could be a good option. We seem to bemoan youngsters that leave without being given a chance don't we?

I don't want him to go but if we are being honest Wilson has not shown that he likes to give our own youngsters a game really has he? That's not a pop it just happens that he has bought in better than what we have already got.

Wilson has already said he wants 2 more defenders so that looks like Morrison being 4th choice. Why should we keep him and leave him out the squad let his contract run down and get fuckall for him?

That being said i suppose he could play saturday and prove alot of people wrong. I personally would be playing him.

I think i'd play him too. I rate him and think a run of games could really bring him on....

Did he? Missed that. Last i saw was possbly a striker, a winger and defender. No matter, he still looks to be behind Lecs, Cuthbert and New Bloke #1 anyway so the point stands.

That's the other thing, his strength in the opposition area - his goal went in at pace on Tuesday, with flames coming off it - I think he will contribute with some goals over the course of the season.

http://www.thisisswindontownfc.co.uk/news/8333244.Central_defender_is_Wilson_s__priority_/?ref=mr

This

not that many players get into the first team at his age.

I read that as meaning bringing in one of two targets. Not that it matters.

I'd play Cuthbert and Morrison on saturday and say "here's your chance lad"..... and see how it goes.

I agree i would love to keep him but i would imagine the player himself would think otherwise.He played well in this league last year and i reckon alot of teams in this league would play him. I understand why Wilson hasn't but from the players point of view he must surely want to get out and play if he wont here.

Cuthbert and Morrison should be given a go. I'm guessing it's the lad Taylor from Exeter we are after as the "experienced" no-nonsense type we keep reading about.

Morrison has earnt a run in the side - he's been patient these past twelve months.

why should ljf get dropped?
aint he been our best defender so far?

he should play imo.

RDRR

Agreed. He has been IMO. If anyone should be dropped it should be Cuthbert.

Regarding this, how did Morrison play in the reserve game against Plymouth?  I have only read the match reports but they did indicate that he had a very good game, he commanded the defence & organised a very young and inexperienced backline & managed to prevent Fallon & Wright Phillips from scoring.

In short he gave the kind of display that Wilson is looking for in a more experienced defender.  If Wilson is determined to bring someone in then Taylor of Exeter City would fit the bill.  Maybe offer Morrison to Exeter City on a season long loan as part of any deal. That way he gets a full season of league one football, we keep a very good defender who will gain experience for which we'll be the long term beneficiaries & Exeter have, for a season at least an immediate replacement for Taylor.

The problem still remains though - who makes way for either Morrison or the new signing?

Totally agree, yet something about the thought of Morrison and LJF lining up together scares the living hell out of me.

LJF if anyone. Cuthbert will not and should not be dropped. He's vice captain and an absolute rock

Agreed...would be the first name on the team sheet for me.

From what I understand, Matt Taylor will be out of contract in 2010.

Source: wikipedia, plus the http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/e/exeter_city/7155579.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/e/exeter_city/7155579.stm)

If you havn't got a replacement lined up you don't sell your number one centre half...just plain daft.
I mean we have only scored four  goals but ware not panicking over our forwards.....six goals conceded in three matches isn't good of course but chopping and changing wont help matters.
Personally i would like Morrison and Cuthbert but i think maybe giving Cuthbert and Lescinal abit more time is the way forward.

If he's such a rock why is Wilson looking to bring someone more experienced in? And why the fuck has LJF played better than him so far this season. I'd drop Cuthbert to give him a rocket up his arse and to give Morrison a chance.

If I was LFJ I'd be mightilly pissed off to be dropped. He seems like a confidence player - dropping him when playing well isn't going to do much for him. Saying that I wouldn't drop Cuthbert either as he's rather ace. Bring Vincent back at LB and there's your experience and organisation.

Oh yeah....

Just play a 3-5-2  4-4-2

Caddis          Morrison         Cuthbert         LJF


JPM               Douglas      Ferry        AOB


                   Dossevi        Austin

Just Don't.

Where is Caddis in that line up.

4d- A 'leaky' defence and you put LJF as left back. Riiiiiight!

Just passing the time  :)

I would play him left back but not in a 3.I have not been impressed with Rose so far and we are seriously lacking height in our team at the moment.

He was no worse last season at left back than Rose has been so far.  

If you want Morrison in your best bet is going 3 centre backs

Lucas

Caddis

Morrison
Cuthbert
LJF

Rose

JPM
Douglas
Ferry

Austin
Dossevi

If you're a board of directors who have poured money in to the club to pay the bills and someone offers you quarter of a million pounds for a 30+ centre back who cost you nothing, you sell.  To not sell would be "just plain daft". 

Not that it makes any difference, he's 29.

Of course, if we dont replace him, have a worse season we will get less people through the gate, have less of a cup run, less games on TV etc etc and we'll probably end up losing just as much as we gained.

Plus, we will probably have to spend money on a replacement anyway.

So in the end we wont be any better off financially for selling him.

And in a nutshell that's football. Some times you take a gamble and it pays off, others times not.

It's all about opinions

Greer could of signed a two year contract and we might still have lost early in the cups and struggled in the league. He could of picked up a long term injury and so on.

Weve played two home matches and hes been no better or worse than anyone else..Cuthbert as i said will be the first name on the sheet..hence the reason DW made him vice captain.
Cuthbert is quality,course with Greer moving(why?)he is going to take time to settle with another player.
Bullshit.....how much is another centre half at a decent level going to cost..as i said plain daft and already its shown to be a mistake...DW's words not mine.
Selling your captain for peanuts wasn't the greatest of moves.

Sorry leefer, but what we got for Greer was not peanuts by any stretch.  I'm not saying it has been of benefit to us on the pitch.  What I was saying is that to the directors (and especially Mr Fitton) have put their hands deep in to their pockets for this club, and when someone offers them the profit they made on Greer, I understand exactly why they accepted the bid.

Dave - fair enough, I did think he was older.  I still stand by the opinion though.  The directors are people, just like you and me - they will not pay for the club to continue forever.  Perhaps this was a case of the long term overriding the short term.

Agree to disagree then mate.
We got Austin for peanuts so your argument suggests if we get a bid of say half a million its good business and we should sell?
It really wasn't al ot of money we got for Greer...he's hardly an old man.

Greer wanted a longer contract which we weren't prepared to offer him and Brighton were. We accepted £250k for him so we didn't have a pissed off player who would most likely leave on a free at the end of the season.

Only time will tell who got the best deal. Though I reckon we did, as I don't see there being much chance of him playing the majority of games for them over the three years on his contract. He hasn't made a good start either.

I can't see how a board of directors who put £8mn plus cash into clearing debts would feel that £250k for your club captain is big bucks. I'm pretty sure we sold Greer for personality reasons not footballing/financial ones. We clearly have a very wealthy board and don't need the money from any player sales this year after Wembley (and after getting good money for young Alex Henshall).

The decision to sell Greer can only really be viewed sensibly at the end of the year.

Whether we like it or not we've lost our top scorer and captain and (understandably) outsiders see us as weaker. It doesn't mean we won't finish top six though.

Don't be so fucking stupid. £250k is a fucking shit load of money when you're losing £3 million a season.

No its not Sam...we would have been better off keeping Greer for the season and going for the Championship...chances are if we got there he would have signed anyway.

We will get a replacement who is better than Greer

Somebody please poke meth violently in the eyes because he is a fucking muppet.

Their plan has always been to make the club self-sufficient, not bank-roll it indefinitely. As previously (And at length) stated, Greer wanted to go. He's gone. Fuck him, let's move on.

Ace! Another riveting Greer debate. I think give Cuthbert and Lex another few games, as they've only been partners for a few weeks. Morrison hoofs it too much for my liking, but how SC and LJF will settle if one of them is swapped out for Morrison is beyond me. Both SC and LJF are better than Greer in my opinion, just lacking the organisational ability Greer brought to the party.

JFL is 100% not better than Greer, maybe in a few years but nowhere near it now.  I don't think we can keep giving the Cuthbert/Lescinel partnership more time if we are serious about promotion, for the good of the team we need an experienced centre half to organise the younger players.  It has been clear from the first few games that there is no understanding between Cuthbert and Lescinel, they have both played well as individuals but they barely talk to each other, they don't speak to the full backs to keep them in the right positions, they look if anything a bit disjointed.  I am delighted Wilson can see these issues and is out trying to find a new experienced centre half.