McDermotts thinking on Kebe?

[facaldaqui]

Don't we have a replacement in HRK? Last season the more he played the better he was getting, and he really needs a run in the side.

But it's not just about transfer fees - if Kebe isn't going to play (or at least play effectively) then let's get rid for whatever we can get in January. if nothing else let's not pay the wages of someone who'd going to be non-productive for 6 months.

But HRK has hardly exactly shone this season either and that would leave us with Antonio/Obita as first choice back-up with 2 championship starts between them.

Yeah, but HRK shows signs of improving, and he's hardly had a run in the team yet - last season when he played more games he improved all the time.

Someone committed and trying their best >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> someone who can't be arsed, no matter how talented they are.

I think it's been a bit difficult for Hal to settle this season. He had his heart set on becoming a central striker, and I think he decided to stay here (he had options in the summer) only because Brian said he'd give him a chance to play up front. Hal didn't do enough to convince in that role, and Le Fondre's arrival set him back a bit. Now he's back as the wing replacement, without any progress having taken place this season. Brian's got to watch out for the same thing happening to our wingers as happened to our centre backs in the summer--going from being over-staffed to being short-staffed overnight--if Kebe and HRK both leave in the window.

[melonhead]

Don't we have a replacement in HRK? Last season the more he played the better he was getting, and he really needs a run in the side.

But it's not just about transfer fees - if Kebe isn't going to play (or at least play effectively) then let's get rid for whatever we can get in January. if nothing else let's not pay the wages of someone who'd going to be non-productive for 6 months.

need three wingers at least though really, and im not sure obita is ready yet

[melonhead]

Kebe seems totally lacking the confidence to use his pace to go past an opposing defender, and his crossing (with one exception in the first half) was dire v Brum.

To me it appears that confidence isn't the issue, it is more that he just can't be arsed. Give him the ball (to his feet in space) and he'll set off on a run, but don't expect him to have to work for the ball or make runs off the ball because he won't.

he was back defending in our half a fair ammount yesterday(though its not really his game, and id rather have him waiting for the out bal), and he always shows for the ball, but often gets frustrated when he doesnt get it at teh time/position he wanted

[melonhead]

Don't we have a replacement in HRK? Last season the more he played the better he was getting, and he really needs a run in the side.

But it's not just about transfer fees - if Kebe isn't going to play (or at least play effectively) then let's get rid for whatever we can get in January. if nothing else let's not pay the wages of someone who'd going to be non-productive for 6 months.

But HRK has hardly exactly shone this season either and that would leave us with Antonio/Obita as first choice back-up with 2 championship starts between them.

Yeah, but HRK shows signs of improving, and he's hardly had a run in the team yet - last season when he played more games he improved all the time.

Someone committed and trying their best >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> someone who can't be arsed, no matter how talented they are.

HRK started very well, but last few games gone off the boil.
but hes definitely comingon leaps and bounds

[Simon's Church]

I don't think HRK is bad and I'm sure he'll continue to improve but he's currently not playing much, if any, better than Kebe. And I'd rather risk losing a bit of money hoping Jimmy can find his form again than saving some money and having to rely on someone with no Champ experience.

[Fox Talbot]

Kebe is finished here and BM knows it judging by yesterday's interview. Kebe hasn't got the same mentality as a Sidwell so he's basically a waste of space now. Playing him will diminish rather than increase his transfer value.

We need to move on. Try McAnuff on the right and tell him his place is in danger because he has been pants too lately. Try HRK on the left though I don't hold out much hope here. We seem to have a lot of forwards who are better as impact subs - HRK, Hunt, Manset . Only ALF who can play a reasonable game for 90 mins.

We've had a look at Antonio, he doesn't seem right, Hunt is shocking on the wing, not seen Obita - must be worth a try soon. If not him, the short term solution might be pushing Cummings and Mills forward and re-instating Griffin and Harte. Frankly this season is all about staying up which will be down to the defence rather than the attack.

[Simon's Church]

Kebe is finished here and BM knows it judging by yesterday's interview. Kebe hasn't got the same mentality as a Sidwell so he's basically a waste of space now. Playing him will diminish rather than increase his transfer value.

We need to move on. Try McAnuff on the right and tell him his place is in danger because he has been pants too lately. Try HRK on the left though I don't hold out much hope here. We seem to have a lot of forwards who are better as impact subs - HRK, Hunt, Manset . Only ALF who can play a reasonable game for 90 mins.

We've had a look at Antonio, he doesn't seem right, Hunt is shocking on the wing, not seen Obita - must be worth a try soon. If not him, the short term solution might be pushing Cummings and Mills forward and re-instating Griffin and Harte. Frankly this season is all about staying up which will be down to the defence rather than the attack.

We're 4 points off 5th

[melonhead]

Kebe is finished here and BM knows it judging by yesterday's interview.

the one i heard didnt sound like that at all.

[marcusopp]

I don't get what all the negative vibes are relating to Kebe.
He's just returned from injury and is slowly getting up to speed.
Yesterday he looked a little off the pace, and was lacking a bit of confidence. He wasn't getting the ball in the right areas of the pitch to do what he does best.
Birmingham had 2 defenders on him too, and there was no movement upfront.
I think after 2 or 3 more games he'll get up to speed, and have the confidence to find space and run at defenders again.
He's a luxury player and an entertainer.
I still think he's great, and he'll show you miserable b@stards when he's back to his best!

[Fox Talbot]

Kebe is finished here and BM knows it judging by yesterday's interview. Kebe hasn't got the same mentality as a Sidwell so he's basically a waste of space now. Playing him will diminish rather than increase his transfer value.

We need to move on. Try McAnuff on the right and tell him his place is in danger because he has been pants too lately. Try HRK on the left though I don't hold out much hope here. We seem to have a lot of forwards who are better as impact subs - HRK, Hunt, Manset . Only ALF who can play a reasonable game for 90 mins.

We've had a look at Antonio, he doesn't seem right, Hunt is shocking on the wing, not seen Obita - must be worth a try soon. If not him, the short term solution might be pushing Cummings and Mills forward and re-instating Griffin and Harte. Frankly this season is all about staying up which will be down to the defence rather than the attack.

We're 4 points off 5th

Which is good news for a team capable of playing as we did at Forest, Bristol City (I know we won but) at home to Watford, Barnsley. But I can't quite imagine us in the PL this time time next year.

[Hoop Blah]

I don't get what all the negative vibes are relating to Kebe.

I think it's more because he's been well below par all season, bar a couple of good performances (one was Barnsley I think but really can't remember).

He may well have struggled to come back from injury but he does look like he's playing within himself for whatever reason and he seems to have taken a hell of a long time to come back from what we were originally told was a basically a little niggle.

Taking a long time to come back from injury is sometimes a sign that a player doesn't really have his heart in it anymore.

[marcusopp]

I don't get what all the negative vibes are relating to Kebe.

I think it's more because he's been well below par all season, bar a couple of good performances (one was Barnsley I think but really can't remember).

He may well have struggled to come back from injury but he does look like he's playing within himself for whatever reason and he seems to have taken a hell of a long time to come back from what we were originally told was a basically a little niggle.

Taking a long time to come back from injury is sometimes a sign that a player doesn't really have his heart in it anymore.

If it was anyone else i'd agree, but he always takes ages to get back to fitness (as do most luxury players).
The tactics are different from last season, so while the rest of the side are just settling into the new format, Kebe's a few games behind.
He'll be quality again in a few weeks. McD has focussed the side on the wide men, with quick full backs in support. The left side worked well last night, but Cummings and Kebe need more time.
There was a moment in the first half when Cummings was running with the ball and Kebe was making a run, but Cummings didn't see him, so Kebe had to stop to stay on side and the momentum was lost.
I'm sure they'll work that out between them over the next few games and be a real threat again.

[The Goat was fed]

Or, instead of just spouting off a load of hot air, let's have a bit of football analysis.

The main problem with Jimmy Kebe is that he is no longer a surprise package and so teams are doubling up on him. We have seen this every game Kebe has started in this year. When he is one v one, he is unstoppable, when he is 2 on 1 he is less so.

The problem - Shaun Cummings.

He has been ridiculously solid and has improved vastly but he needs to (as McDermott would say) "join in." He very rarely gets anywhere near the opposition's byline and this puts all the pressure on Kebe. He never has an outlet. Being a good full-back is similar to being a good goalkeeper. You are expected to be a good shot-stopper/defender, but it's the extras distribution/attacking prowess that makes you a higher level player.

I'm not Griffin's biggest fan, but even though he was hardly the second coming of Cafu, he would get forward and give the opposition something to think about and Kebe someone to pass to if he hit a dead end. You can't double up on someone if it leaves a man unmarked. This season, though Cummings has been excellent defensively, we have not done enough to support our dangerman.

The difference yesterday when McAnuff came on was that Fahey was no longer "man-marking" and it's what created the space for the goal. It feels harsh to criticise Cummings, but now he is no longer liability and performing well, he needs to pick it up further. Remember when Kebe first started to flourish it was founded in a really good understanding with Griffin - that is not there just yet with Cummings. This cannot be overlooked, I would argue that the partnership between RB/LB and RM/LM is one of the most important in the game.

Basically, I'm right and you know it.

[melonhead]

hes right

[Ian Royal]

Mainly, although from what I've seen of Kebe he simply isn't at 100%, whether it's injury related, deliberate sulking or subconciously just not caring as much now he's obviously on his way out.

Griff was hugely experienced and despite his limitations offered himself for Kebe well, very occasionally going beyond him and generally giving him an option. He also put good balls forward to the strikers, both over the top into the channels and into feet. Cummings has a long way to go until he's as savvy as Griffin, and it's bound to show.

[winchester_royal]

I'd agree on that being the one area where Cummings needs to improve. A key component of the 106 team was how Murts&Shorey would race past the two wingers on the overlap so that the opposition could never shut down our main attacking outlet. Mills is starting to do this really well, but to me it just seems like Cummings lacks the confidence to really push on past Kebe. (Although this is probably because there is no way in hell Jimmy will cover him defensively)

[Wycombe Royal]

(Although this is probably because there is no way in hell Jimmy will cover him defensively)

On. Nail. Head.

[Mr Angry]

(Although this is probably because there is no way in hell Jimmy will cover him defensively)

On. Nail. Head.

Bit harsh; I thought he did some good defensive work yesterday.

[melonhead]

(Although this is probably because there is no way in hell Jimmy will cover him defensively)

On. Nail. Head.

ignoring a few times on sunday where he was back and covering, and one superb tackle in the box where he took it off their players foot and calmly dribbled and passed out of danger.
and numerous games early this season, and last , where he was obviously trying much harder in this area(possibly just more obvious due to his usual deficiencies in this area)
its also clear hes our best man to have waiting for the out ball too, so id question whether we want him back there too much.

all of that said, its clearly not his game, and something he really needs to work on.

[Hoop Blah]

I agree with Goats comments on Kebe not having as much support from Cummings as he did Griffin, in fact I even said it last week (does that make me even more right than Goat??), however, I don't go along with the idea that Kebe is unstoppable when he's 1-on-1 and that he's always getting doubled up on.

Last night Kebe had a few opportunities in a 1-on-1 with Ridgewell (a decent defender I might add) and didn't get anywhere really. He had 1 run into the box that I remember he did alright with but the rest of the time he did nothing with the possession he had. Sometimes that wasn't helped by a lack of attacking intent from Cummings but others it was just because he didn't seem interested in taking his man on or taking a risk.

Basically I just don't think he's half as good as he's been made out to be. On his day he can be unplayable but even then I'd say his end product isn't enough to make enough of opportunities his pace and trickery gets him. He had a blistering spell last year (or was it the year before) when he was creating chances and even scoring some himself but that run of form has been a purple patch over a largely disappointing RFC career.