Lee Hendrie against Gillingham.....

[Chesney Christ]

On the radio it sounded like he was absolute class, and at the centre of everything good that we did for the first hour or so of the game, but some of the player ratings of him would suggest otherwise.

Could those at the game describe his performance for me?

 

[Acker79]

On the radio it sounded like he was absolute class, and at the centre of everything good that we did for the first hour or so of the game, but some of the player ratings of him would suggest otherwise.

Could those at the game describe his performance for me?

I was playing football last night, so only got to listen to snippets of the commentary between games, and one of the snippets I heard was that Hendrie hadn't really been in the game after the first 11 minutes because of Gillingham taking control.

 

[Foolg]

On the radio it sounded like he was absolute class, and at the centre of everything good that we did for the first hour or so of the game, but some of the player ratings of him would suggest otherwise.

Could those at the game describe his performance for me?

Impressive, but not often enough is how i'd describe his performance.
When on the ball, he looks more comfortable than most around him, which he should with his experience and the quality he'll have picked up from the Premier League. He likes to twist and turn on the ball, enabling him to wait for a pass, and allow the team to push up, which alot of the time helped us retain possesion as others around him started resorting to hoofball to resolve pressure. He seems to have the ability to pick a great pass, and with a pacey striker up top i think he would work even better. As i said though, he often appeared to be crowded out, and again recieved a bit of a battering from their midfield, much like it appeared they targetted Lua Lua.
With a top striker making off the ball runs, with a bit of pace, i think he could be deadly in this division. A lot of through balls were played into decent areas last night, but Murray didnt have the pace to latch onto them, whereas i feel someone like Simeon Jackson (just an example) would have.

 

[Horton's halftime iceberg]

Looked comfortable on the ball and makes some time. His experience shows that he seems to look around and wait for the best option rather than punting and taking risks. I did not see him at Hartlepool but against Carlise and Gillngham he has looked like someone who can unlock defenses and make things happen up front.

 

[xenophon]

Hendrie was a close second after El-Abd IMO

 

[Harold]

Wouldn't say he was 'absolute class'. He was busy and involved, but the end product was fairly average. His control seems decent enough, and his movement is good, but he lacks real pace to propel him away from close markers (probably accounts for his locker full of flamboyant dives).

He linked up far better with Navarro than Arismendi, probably because Navs is on his wavelength in terms of moving the ball about and receiving/giving the ball quickly, whilst Arismendi looked like he was simply out for a stroll.

 

[Martlet]

Hendrie had a good game in a fragmented midfield. Frankly Arismendi was so lost that Hendrie spent much of the time trying to win balls back and didn't really know what to do with them. In my opinion this was far more of a team issue than a Hendrie issue.

When Navarro replaced Arismendi, everything clicked into place far more. Interestingly, Dicker coming on for Hendrie didn't have much of an impact (other than missing a gilt-edged chance).

I would continue with Hendrie against Southend - but definitely ditch Arismendi sadly. Right now, he's not at the races...

 

[Acker79]

I would continue with Hendrie against Southend - but definitely ditch Arismendi sadly. Right now, he's not at the races...

Will sitting him on the benches get him at the races, or does he perhaps need to play matches to step it up?

 

[Foolg]

Will sitting him on the benches get him at the races, or does he perhaps need to play matches to step it up?

It was a weird performance, difficult to tell whether he couldnt be bothered, simply isnt good enough, or feels that league 1 is a piece of piss that he can walk all over (which clearly he isnt good enough to do as yet).
It's extremely likely Navarro will be here next season, whereas i doubt Arismendi will be.. Therefore i think i'd start Navarro and Hendrie and Crofts, and give those three a run out from the off to see how it works.

 

[The Large One]

Hendrie had to cover two people's work.

Did well, and looked OK once Arismendi had gone off.

 

[BrickTamland]

It was a weird performance, difficult to tell whether he couldnt be bothered, simply isnt good enough, or feels that league 1 is a piece of piss that he can walk all over (which clearly he isnt good enough to do as yet).
It's extremely likely Navarro will be here next season, whereas i doubt Arismendi will be.. Therefore i think i'd start Navarro and Hendrie and Crofts, and give those three a run out from the off to see how it works.

I would agree starting those three in the middle as when diego was replaced by Navs the middle of the pitch opened up and passes were finding RED AND BLACK shirts not blue ones. Dicker didnt really do much when he came on but he should definetly stay next year and is handy to have as he can fill in most places in midfield.

 

[severnside gull]

I thought Hendrie looked good - can hold, turn, and choose a pass - but lacks (has always lacked) truly incisive pace and was bullied more than he should have been - a few games under his belt will sort that though.

Arismendi's tackling was top notch, his distribution less so. But considering he has almost no game time under his belt he was always going to struggle in his first few matches. If - as I hope - there is a view to having him on a season long loan next year, we can and should afford him time on the pitch to get up to pace. I suspect he could prove to be a big player for us.

 

[Husty]

I think Stoke rate Arismendi and they did pay £2.5mil for him, I doubt he will be here next season unless he comes back on a season long loan, I would rather play Navarro who certainly will be here next season and let him develop a partnership with Hendrie.

 

[scfcboothy]

I think Stoke rate Arismendi and they did pay £2.5mil for him, I doubt he will be here next season unless he comes back on a season long loan, I would rather play Navarro who certainly will be here next season and let him develop a partnership with Hendrie.

chances are he'll be going back out on loan next season, at least for a few months anyway. he needs to get used to the english game if he wants to push on and improve. he ends up being shit hot on football manager anyway so it can't be just us that rates him congrats on getting Hendrie, he was great for us when we were in the championship, he'll come good for you in the end.

 

[westy]

Will sitting him on the benches get him at the races, or does he perhaps need to play matches to step it up?

Whats the point in playing him? We wont sign him and he weakens the midfield. Navaro should start sat, its a no brainer.

 

[severnside gull]

Whats the point in playing him? We wont sign him and he weakens the midfield. Navaro should start sat, its a no brainer.

the point is that Arismendi could well be here on loan next season

 

[westy]

the point is that Arismendi could well be here on loan next season

True, but im not sure I would bother when we have a similar player in Navaro who is probably on far less money and likely to be here next season. Just my opinion though!

 

[SirDouglasLoft]

Arismendi can barely speak English, fact.

 

[Basil Fawlty]

When he gets the ball there a buzz that something might happened. His vision and his first touch are second to none, the only problem was he looked not match fit but definitely worth signing for next season.

 

[Perkino]

I think Stoke rate Arismendi and they did pay £2.5mil for him, I doubt he will be here next season unless he comes back on a season long loan, I would rather play Navarro who certainly will be here next season and let him develop a partnership with Hendrie.

You would drop Dicker and Crofts but keep Navarro in with Hendrie?

I like your flair!