Matt Sparrow

[Mellotron]

Why was he brought off? We needed him getting into more attacking positions, that is where he's at his best. But Kishishev was shocking tonight and was contributing to Brentford completely containing us, so Poyet brings off Sparrow? Didn't agree with that, poor decision in my opinion. He's not at his best at the moment, Sparrow, because he's playing too deep. We need to get him up the pitch, and then we'll see what he's good at.

It was quite clearly the right decision as Dicker and Bridcutt went on to completely run the game, we owned midfield from that point onwards.

 

[Ninja Elephant]

It was quite clearly the right decision as Dicker and Bridcutt went on to completely run the game, we owned midfield from that point onwards.

It wasn't the right decision at the time, not in my opinion. When Kishishev came off, it started to work. Kishishev was the problem tonight in my opinion, not Sparrow. But Sparrow came off first. I couldn't quite understand that, but it worked out in the end, and I agree, Bridcutt and Dicker as a pairing were much better than Sparrow and Kishishev were. But as I said, I blame Kishishev more for that, than Sparrow.

 

[Mellotron]

It wasn't the right decision at the time, not in my opinion. When Kishishev came off, it started to work. Kishishev was the problem tonight in my opinion, not Sparrow. But Sparrow came off first. I couldn't quite understand that, but it worked out in the end, and I agree, Bridcutt and Dicker as a pairing were much better than Sparrow and Kishishev were. But as I said, I blame Kishishev more for that, than Sparrow.

I understand what you're saying, but Dicker was also superb when he came on. I also rated Kish lower than Sparrow.

 

[Withdean Wanderer]

Well this is extremely disappointing - people actually seem to agree with me.

(Apart from Ninja Elephant, but that is no surprise given that he always judges players ability solely on their performance against Swindon)

 

[West Hoathly Seagull]

Not sure really on this. Sparrow was sheer class at Swindon, not just his two goals, but I thought he ran midfield that game. I think we do miss Crofts, particularly his energy - he used to keep going for the full 90 minutes, which in my opinion none of the other midfielders do (perhaps Gary Dicker is an exception to the rule). It shows also that Crofts is playing regularly at Norwich, which many on here thought he wouldn't do. I know we got £300,000 for him, but I was sorry to see him go. Crofts was also a pure box-to-box player, whereas I'm not sure that is Sparrow's best position. Perhaps he is more of an extra attacker, as he played at Swindon.

 

[Silent Bob]

Why was he brought off? We needed him getting into more attacking positions, that is where he's at his best. But Kishishev was shocking tonight and was contributing to Brentford completely containing us, so Poyet brings off Sparrow? Didn't agree with that, poor decision in my opinion. He's not at his best at the moment, Sparrow, because he's playing too deep. We need to get him up the pitch, and then we'll see what he's good at.

Much better player than Crofts and gets involved alot more, in my opinion.

You might be right about him getting into more forward positions but he was never going to do that tonight because he was playing in a two in midfield.

I would prefer to see us go back to a three as it gives us a lot more control of games, and imo perfectly suits the personel we have. It might mean a tricky choice between the strikers but it's not as if we're scoring a lot more goals with two than one anyway.

 

[Mellotron]

I would prefer to see us go back to a three as it gives us a lot more control of games, and imo perfectly suits the personel we have.

I would prefer Poyet to keep doing what he is doing, which is changing the system to suit each game, as that is why we are top of the league.

 

[Ninja Elephant]

I understand what you're saying, but Dicker was also superb when he came on. I also rated Kish lower than Sparrow.

Dicker is a superb player and I'd have him as the first central midfielder named in the team. He's brilliant defensively and offers alot of creativity, I think pairing him with Sparrow would be our best partnership.

You might be right about him getting into more forward positions but he was never going to do that tonight because he was playing in a two in midfield.

I would prefer to see us go back to a three as it gives us a lot more control of games, and imo perfectly suits the personel we have. It might mean a tricky choice between the strikers but it's not as if we're scoring a lot more goals with two than one anyway.

So why couldn't he get forward tonight? Kishishev could have dealt with their lack of attacking threat on his own, and Sparrow could have got us moving further up the pitch, and got the ball out to LuaLua enough to get him producing balls into the box alot more than we did. I don't think he needed to be playing so deep, both Elphick and El-Abd could have comfortably stepped forward in posession, there would have been more space for them if Sparrow pushed up further. I thought they contained us brilliantly, but we helped them in some respects.

I agree it would suit us going back to 3 in midfield, I wouldn't have opposed Poyet bringing off Sandaza for Dicker, and giving the 5 man midfield a go. It might have opened up more space, and might have allowed us to play Sparrow where we did against Swindon, when he scored twice. If he'd tried that for 10 minutes, he still had Murray on the bench and could have reverted back to 4-4-2 having given the 4-5-1 a go.

But in general, I prefer the 4-4-2, Barnes and Murray are forming a brilliant partnership up front and we look more balanced in this shape.

 

[tonymgc]

Vs Swindon he played behind Barnes as an attacking midfielder.

Now since we've played 4-4-2 in one form of another in every game since then it hasn't given him the chance to flourish in what seems to be his best position.

I can see us playing 4-5-1 in our big away games & then he'll get his chance to shine

 

[The Large One]

While most players at some point were guilty of some sloppy play, I thought Sparrow was pretty poor last night - not linking up that well with the forwards, not offering himself at throw-ins, giving simple passes away.

Dicker, who was brought on as pretty much a like-for-lie replacement, while not perfect, showed him how the job should be done.

I'd like to think his reaction to being substituted was about his own acknowledgement as to how poor he had been playing, rather than a hissy-fit about being subbed.

 

[fleet]

I said the same on another thread, but isn't it great to have players of quality to bring on when some are not performing to their best? We have a decent squad and can cover when people have a poor game, as every player will do.

 

[Mendoza]

There seemed to be a bit of a midfield curse last night. Sparrow, Kishishev, Bridcutt and Dicker all had below par games, but we struggled through to a win. Even Bennett and Kazenga didnt play well.

Sparrow is not fully fit, still has a problem with his groin, and Dicker and Bridcutt were outmuscled on Saturday and Brentford were similar to Oldham, so I say what Poyet was thinking

If Kazenga could get more than 1 in 28 shots on target, he would probably be better than Jesus

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

First time I have seen Sparrow apart from friendlies. He is clearly a good player but tonight was not his night. Interesting it might be a groin problem. He did not look comfortable turning. Plenty of times he received the ball and could have turned and opened up the play - but opted to play it back in the direction it came from.

I thought the problem was more Kish tonight - and when Bridcutt came on we looked more in control.

 

[Mick Beard BHA]

There seemed to be a bit of a midfield curse last night. Sparrow, Kishishev, Bridcutt and Dicker all had below par games, but we struggled through to a win. Even Bennett and Kazenga didnt play well.

Agreed.

 

[blockhseagull]

Maybe he is still not 100% fit

Also we are probably judging every performance against his first game for us !!

Not been great since Swindon but is a solid player and will come good, hope Gus keeps faith with him as we still need goals from Midfield and aside from Lua Lua an Bennett I think he is the only player we have who is capable of getting them.

 

[Rookie]

Not fully match fit after a few niggling injuries and I think he works better in 5 midfield where he can get forward and link up with the forward. Not a bad player as his previous record shows

 

[Jimmy Grimble]

With Dicker, i just always think he has that quality to open up sides, and Sparrow is renowned for having that fitness ability to drive a team on late on in games. I would suggest Dicker plays in those games that the opposition are expected to put 10 men behind the ball, and Sparrow should definately play in those games that are wide open and the opposition comes at us.
Oh and im not saying its either/or by the way.

Wise analysis.

 

[Perkino]

He has never been a prolific goal scorer - only about 30 career goals.

but obviously having an extra player in midfield and one less up front gives him more time and space to get forward.

However, I wouldn't drop a striker to have him in an advanced role. Murray and Barnes are playing really well together and hopefully we will start to convert more of our chances.

but for the meanwhile 1-0 wins will do me fine

 

[B.W.]

We KNOW Sparrow can really play... Swindon game showed us that... he will come good again, but Dicker for me at the moment... and I would stick with 4-4-2 too...