[ Sat 1st Nov ] v Sleaford Town, KO 3pm UCLP AWAY

[Formic]

The linesmen were especially bad on offsides. Most times they weren't looking to see whether the attacker was onside as the ball was played. It was frustrating to watch several runs that were clearly made from behind the defender get called for offside.

Re: ELJ, he should be 3rd in-line for that position, behind Gearing and Gyasi. It's a shame that Gyasi wasn't available today because I'm sure we were all looking forward to seeing him against after last Saturday. Hopefully Gearing will play on Tuesday and then maybe vs. Wisbech as well, if not then it has to be Gyasi, ELJ is just too inconsistent and shies from challenges where the other two get stuck in.

So the best way to make him more consistent is to play him less???

I think he's the best talent we have and he's still young. He'd be one of the first names on my team sheet every week.

I agree 100%. He does make the odd mistake (who doesn't) which some fans seem to highlight far more than the good stuff he does. Take a look at his assist record - its already challenging the totals of any other Diamond player for a single season with the exception of Dunks last season, and we've only played about a third of the games we played in each of those first two seasons.

His battling to get the ball back is excellent, and when he and Confue worked together doing this yesterday they had the defenders in a real state of panic. He took some excellent corners in a tricky wind, and although he mishit a couple of dead ball kicks, others are as guilty when they try quick free kicks that don't result in the ball being delivered into a danger area.

He has improved so much since the start of the season. I remember one Diamonds boor trying to start a "Matty Gearing" chant after he made an early mistake against Sileby, and he went on to deliver a goal and two or three assists in that game, and what I thought was also a man of the match performance in the following game against Oadby.

[updiamonds]

The linesmen were especially bad on offsides. Most times they weren't looking to see whether the attacker was onside as the ball was played. It was frustrating to watch several runs that were clearly made from behind the defender get called for offside.

Re: ELJ, he should be 3rd in-line for that position, behind Gearing and Gyasi. It's a shame that Gyasi wasn't available today because I'm sure we were all looking forward to seeing him against after last Saturday. Hopefully Gearing will play on Tuesday and then maybe vs. Wisbech as well, if not then it has to be Gyasi, ELJ is just too inconsistent and shies from challenges where the other two get stuck in.

So the best way to make him more consistent is to play him less???

I think he's the best talent we have and he's still young. He'd be one of the first names on my team sheet every week.

I agree 100%. He does make the odd mistake (who doesn't) which some fans seem to highlight far more than the good stuff he does. Take a look at his assist record - its already challenging the totals of any other Diamond player for a single season with the exception of Dunks last season, and we've only played about a third of the games we played in each of those first two seasons.

His battling to get the ball back is excellent, and when he and Confue worked together doing this yesterday they had the defenders in a real state of panic. He took some excellent corners in a tricky wind, and although he mishit a couple of dead ball kicks, others are as guilty when they try quick free kicks that don't result in the ball being delivered into a danger area.

He has improved so much since the start of the season. I remember one Diamonds boor trying to start a "Matty Gearing" chant after he made an early mistake against Sileby, and he went on to deliver a goal and two or three assists in that game, and what I thought was also a man of the match performance in the following game against Oadby.

I 100% agree with you. I rate ELJ he's a great player. Every player makes a mistake now and again, yet when ELJ makes a mistake he gets a load of stick for it. (No other player seems to get stick for making mistakes)

[BartonRaz]

Re: ELJ, he should be 3rd in-line for that position, behind Gearing and Gyasi. It's a shame that Gyasi wasn't available today because I'm sure we were all looking forward to seeing him against after last Saturday. Hopefully Gearing will play on Tuesday and then maybe vs. Wisbech as well, if not then it has to be Gyasi, ELJ is just too inconsistent and shies from challenges where the other two get stuck in.

I'm not sure I could agree any less. He's an outstanding player given his age.

As for ELJ not getting stuck in... are you kidding me?! He gets so stuck in I worry about him getting sent off half the time!

[Rushden123]

I agree EJL is a definite starter for me, his speed, directness and work rate will destroy opposition. Yeah he's a bit inconsistent and frustrating at times but that's cause he's young and also he's confident enough to try things. I'm also a fan of the other 3 wide players so great options to have.

[SouthRushdenJFC]

ELJ is a technically very good footballer and you sometimes wonder why he's not playing at a higher level, then you see him talk himself into a yellow and nearly red card like yesterday and you know why.

That's just the actions of an 18 year old though and, with the right guidance, he will learn to channel that. In Andy and Paul I doubt he could have anyone better to guide him.

[Trek]

ELJ is a technically very good footballer ....

You cannot argue with the fact that ELJ has the largest number of assists, but this has been achieved on a success rate of perhaps only 20% of his crosses. This is the area that he really needs to work on to enable him to step up a level in my opinion as he can be very wasteful at times. Too much hit and hope.

[SouthRushdenJFC]

ELJ is a technically very good footballer ....

You cannot argue with the fact that ELJ has the largest number of assists, but this has been achieved on a success rate of perhaps only 20% of his crosses. This is the area that he really needs to work on to enable him to step up a level in my opinion as he can be very wasteful at times.

Yep, sometimes he delivers like a dyslexic postman

[Trek]

Yep, sometimes he delivers like a dyslexic postman

Classic example yesterday was when he did that sublime nutmeg on their full back and then seemed confused about what he should do next. All his crosses tend to be driven hard and he should be coached to finesse the ball more.

[fentiger79]

Yes, some of ELJ,s decision making or final ball is not great but then most of it is. He is only 18 and will get better and better. For me he is the first choice for the right wing. He has pace and skill and does deliver the best corners most of the time. Compare his corners to the floaty rubbish ones we normally do. I like the fact that he tries to put pace and whip on his crosses, you only need one or two to work as when they do they are unplayable, much better than 5 floaty rubbish into the box that gets dealt with every time by the keeper.

[paulg]

We're blessed with wide attacking players right now. ELJ can be wasteful at times, but so can plenty of wingers up and down the UCL, and ELJ has time on his side to refine his game. I think a lot of opposition defenders hate playing against him, and most importantly I really enjoying watching ELJ play.