What's happened to Matt Richards?

[Withdean Wanderer]

(bla bla WW is a moaning miserable wanker and should f*** off bla bla bla - just to save you from doing it in an attempt to make decent conversation)


Matt Richards - is it just me, or is he SPECTACULARLY off form?
Same applies to Whing really. Where's it gone wrong?

 

[Jimmy Grimble]

They're both unfit.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Richards was pretty good yesterday, I thought.

 

[Barnham Seagull]

They're both unfit.

Most of the squad look unfit which in away explains the lapses of concentration resulting in us conceding soft goals.

 

[Jimmy Grimble]

Most of the squad look unfit which in away explains the lapses of concentration resulting in us conceding soft goals.

Aye. It was evident quite early in the season as well.

 

[Basil Fawlty]

I thought Richards was crap in the first half. Second half he was alot better. He got forward, but his crossing was very inept.

 

[Barnham Seagull]

Aye. It was evident quite early in the season as well.

Agreed quite frankly we looked tired after 15 minutes against Lewes!

 

[Barnham Seagull]

I think Richards has a good footballing brain and tries to use the ball intelligently but is not good enough defensively, if the opposition run at him he looks awful. Horrifying images of the Carlise game are now entering my mind!

To be a little fair thow our wide players do not seem to ever get back and cover.

 

[Jimmy Grimble]

I think Richards has a good footballing brain and tries to use the ball intelligently but is not good enough defensively, if the opposition run at him he looks awful. Horrifying images of the Carlise game are now entering my mind!

To be a little fair thow our wide players do not seem to ever get back and cover.

I'd agree with that as well. Though I think he stands on the ball for a bit too long when going forward, but then again, that cant be helped when none of his team mates are moving for him.

 

[supaseagull]

What? Richards was one of our best players yesterday and one of the few bright aspects of an inept performance. At least, unlike Whing, he wasn't hoofing the ball everytime he had three yards of space in front of him.

 

[Mendoza]

Richards was doing my head in yesterday, going into tackles half heartedly, losing the challenges, and just letting attackers run past him

I can remember at least 4 occasions yesreday when Richards lost the ball by the halfway line, the winger just ran down the wing to put a cross in, and Richards was just walking back, not making any effort to track back, and stop the cross going in.

The guy is seriously lucky there isnt another left back at the club

 

[Barrel of Fun]

Dip in form? The whole team playing poorly and putting extra pressure on him?

 

[Mendoza]

Dip in form? The whole team playing poorly and putting extra pressure on him?

he is being shown up because he doesnt have a fast centre back (Lynch) or an experienced well positioned pro (Butters) to bail him out when he doesnt track back

Last year, the other defenders helped him out. THe stat of the winning/losing games without him is so misleading in my opinion. He was good, but the problem is, if you take him out, there is no suitable replacement.

That is the only reason he has played every minute of the season

 

[timbha]

Richards was doing my head in yesterday, going into tackles half heartedly, losing the challenges, and just letting attackers run past him

I can remember at least 4 occasions yesreday when Richards lost the ball by the halfway line, the winger just ran down the wing to put a cross in, and Richards was just walking back, not making any effort to track back, and stop the cross going in.

The guy is seriously lucky there isnt another left back at the club

spot on. He looks good when we are on top but when we are under pressure he gravitates into midfield, hides and jogs back. Kuipers rescued him mid way thru 2nd half, then 10 minutes later he watched as Elphick and Virgo were overrun.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

he is being shown up because he doesnt have a fast centre back (Lynch) or an experienced well positioned pro (Butters) to bail him out when he doesnt track back

Last year, the other defenders helped him out. THe stat of the winning/losing games without him is so misleading in my opinion. He was good, but the problem is, if you take him out, there is no suitable replacement.

That is the only reason he has played every minute of the season

I would agree with much of that, but do feel that his best position would be as a wing back. From memory, a lot of our goals at the tail end of last season came from Richards starting the proceedings. Although it was unfortunate that Lynch was injured and Hawkins did enough to keep his place, we have really struggled on that front. However, I do think that the midfield have to take more responsibility. Missing that box-to-box man, really. Shame Hammond seems settled at Cuckoo Farm.

 

[Jimmy Grimble]

He is a bit of a bottle job isnt he?

 

[Withdean Wanderer]

Perhaps he's just got complacent?

 

[Jimmy Grimble]

Perhaps he caught the Andy Whing disease?

 

[Chesney Christ]

Richards is shite. Poor on the ball, poor distribution, no pace, and can't cross, tackle or head. No idea what he is good for.

 

[timbha]

Perhaps he caught the Andy Whing disease?

what does this say about the fitness/management/coaching/tactics?