Penford let down gently

[Superfatbantam]

http://www.bradfordcityfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10266~802813,00.html

Mmmmm, seem to remember starting discussion about Todd's use of youngsters, or lack of. And now Penford, after bursting onto the scene and coping admirably is left out and presumably put back in the cupboard to rot.

The guy is a joke. I had some blind faith in him among all the Todd Out stuff, but this is taking the mick. On the one hand he says "I just felt I needed to go with the experienced lads" and then he says "we could use Muirhead and Owen Morrison to exploit any weaknesses....".

Morrison's 24, Muirhead 23 (and interestingly listed as a, wait for it, striker on the official site player profiles section!FPMSL) and Penford's 20. A lot of difference there then, and is he not forgetting that Penford has actually looked like he gives a toss and will try and sometimes can play a bit? Muirhead has run around like a headless chicken and Morrison has flattered to deceive whenever I've seen him. Not knocking them two (apart from what I have just done:rolleyes: ) but it gets my goat when we have enthusiastic, determined, committed young players who actually play well and are then dismissed by CT. I mean Colbeck quite rightly got man-of-the-match for his second half foray against Bristol City, and since, he has had what? All of 5 minutes. Penford was there when needed cos there was no-one else and now he's surplus to requirements.

Petta has done knack all all season, Windass has scored but has had a disciplinary record that Vinnie Jones would be envious of, Holloway ditto, MBW has not exactly sparkled, we've lacked service from the wings as CT has admitted so forget the two Ms, Schuey and Kearney haven't bossed it or held down a place, Cadders, Cooke, Claridge et al for all their workrate have not done what they are paid to do ie score. These are but a few of the "experienced lads" who in my opinion have not been up to the job - those missing from my list are obviously most of the back four and the keeper, who have done a fantastic job.

Wake up Todd and smell the coffee - you'll get more from 20 minutes of Penford, Colbeck and the like than you will from a lethargic 90 mins of Petta and co.

*rant over, sit back, relax, breathe, and have a cup of tea*

[king billy]

Your preaching to the converted on here fatman!! When our season was over (about 3 months ago) he should have started blooding the young uns - especially with so many players been out of contract in the summer, look how Hudders have benefited?....:mad:

[Superfatbantam]

I know most on here are converted - just got my goat, the way the article is written it is downright patronising and condescending to Penford, who not long ago was written off as a no-hoper and then went on to prove a certain Manager wrong!

Huddersfield are a shining example of how to use kids, and they were handsomely rewarded when one of em made the grade, at least for long enough to convince Blackburn to stump up more than a million for him. Who knows, Colbeck could have been our Jonathan Stead!

[Jantje]

i'd like to be proved wrong but i don't think we could have got away with putting 8 or 9 kids in and its not fair to good pros like Bower , wethers, Donovan and MBW when he's fully fit & on form to drop them jut to try a youth in the team. I agree tho that Todd is too extreme in the opposite direction.

[Mallorcabantam]

Maybe Bournmouth was not the place to be playing the youngsters -- but it gets me that he gives them a chance, they do well -- MOM even -- and if they dont live up to that in the next game they are forgotten about, some of these lads should at least be on the bench and part of the squad

[DutchBantam]

Absolutely agree.

[Jantje]

lads like Bentham & Wright have been on the bench several times without getting a chance. Todd even moved Petta into centre midfield which is Benthams position in one game. Pointless and a real confidence killer for the lad

[lee]

What's the chance that these lads actually aren't very good and Todd knows it, that's why he isn't playing them?

We are still in the thick of it really, he doesn't want to be throwing players on who will potentially lose us games.

Give us a chance to have a look at them for ouselves in nothing games at the end of the season if they are not of the best quality, but not when we're fighting relegation.

If one of these players comes on and has an absolute 'mare because he isn't up to the standard, and we drop another vital 3 points because of it, no doubt Todd'd get it in the neck as well.

Having said that I thought Wright did no worse than Holloway or Edghill when he came on at Col Utd, and he hasn't been given a chance since, so who knows?

[Jantje]

you are right but if he is prepared to put them on the bench week after week he should be prepared to put them on if needed and not move other players round

[lee]

Then again we have got a tiny squad, plus we've got players injured and suspended, so he might have to put them on the bench.

[DutchBantam]

What's the chance that these lads actually aren't very good and Todd knows it, that's why he isn't playing them?

We are still in the thick of it really, he doesn't want to be throwing players on who will potentially lose us games.

Give us a chance to have a look at them for ouselves in nothing games at the end of the season if they are not of the best quality, but not when we're fighting relegation.

If one of these players comes on and has an absolute 'mare because he isn't up to the standard, and we drop another vital 3 points because of it, no doubt Todd'd get it in the neck as well.

Having said that I thought Wright did no worse than Holloway or Edghill when he came on at Col Utd, and he hasn't been given a chance since, so who knows?

Good theory.

However we have seen Colbeck win MOM after being out in the wilderness for the 2 years Todd has been here.
Penford was available on a free this season yet he's come in and played as ood as MBW, Schumi, Crooks, Kearney and the rest.
Wright has played out of position once and did as well as Lewis, Edghill, Holloway, Stewart (qwhen he was at RB).
Brown was given a very small chance, scored two and was dropped after not scoring in his 5 or 6 games when he came on with 5 mins to go.
Sanasy has scored 16 in 20 and bagged half a dozen assists on loan at Farsley. Forrest has been doing ok at Halifax. Both available for free if anyone wants them.

So what does that tell you? They haven't been given a fair chance because they are crap? I think not. Todd is just a prick. Let's get McGod in asap, I'm sure he'll give lads a fair chance.

[Jantje]

Todd is definitely averse to playing youth unless absolutely necessary and i think Penford embarassed him with the quality of his performances although i think he did look tired against Bristol City at VP.

[Superfatbantam]

What's the chance that these lads actually aren't very good and Todd knows it, that's why he isn't playing them?

We are still in the thick of it really, he doesn't want to be throwing players on who will potentially lose us games..............................

...............If one of these players comes on and has an absolute 'mare because he isn't up to the standard, and we drop another vital 3 points because of it, no doubt Todd'd get it in the neck as well.

Problem is the two I mentioned have demonstrated that actually they are quite good, albeit Colbeck's had 1 chance.

Why are we still in the thick of it? We've been playing the "experienced lads" all season and they haven't kept us out of the thick of it, so one could argue they might keep us in it.

Neither of the two players I mentioned have had a mare and to me have been perfectly professional, having to benchwarm for weeks and then being used when there is no-one else only to be dropped like a lead balloon when petta is fit again.

i'd like to be proved wrong but i don't think we could have got away with putting 8 or 9 kids in and its not fair to good pros like Bower , wethers, Donovan and MBW when he's fully fit & on form to drop them jut to try a youth in the team. I agree tho that Todd is too extreme in the opposite direction.

If you read it again, I gave credit to the back 4, excluding Holloway. They have been masterful, but even they can't stop us being at the wrong end of the table if the playmakers and goalscorers aren't doing their job.

You can bet your arse Todd won't play the kids even if we are safe in a few games time. Maybe it's written in the "experienced lads" contracts that they must play every game when they are fit.

[Mallorcabantam]

What's the chance that these lads actually aren't very good and Todd knows it, that's why he isn't playing them?

We are still in the thick of it really, he doesn't want to be throwing players on who will potentially lose us games.

Give us a chance to have a look at them for ouselves in nothing games at the end of the season if they are not of the best quality, but not when we're fighting relegation.

If one of these players comes on and has an absolute 'mare because he isn't up to the standard, and we drop another vital 3 points because of it, no doubt Todd'd get it in the neck as well.

Having said that I thought Wright did no worse than Holloway or Edghill when he came on at Col Utd, and he hasn't been given a chance since, so who knows?
I agree they are young and mainly untryed but when any of them have had a chance they certainly dont look and worse than the players that CT is useing every week

[Jantje]

Fair comment, why do you think Todd won't try them out, we must have about 5 out on loan at places like Guiseley etc and i think this would be better experience than reserve football so credit to Todd for that

[Yeadon Bantam]

Holloway is on form and a very decent defender, and seems to have stopped fucking about with the ball and get rid, and his discipline problems have been wiped out too!

[lee]

Good theory.

However we have seen Colbeck win MOM after being out in the wilderness for the 2 years Todd has been here.
Penford was available on a free this season yet he's come in and played as ood as MBW, Schumi, Crooks, Kearney and the rest.
Wright has played out of position once and did as well as Lewis, Edghill, Holloway, Stewart (qwhen he was at RB).
Brown was given a very small chance, scored two and was dropped after not scoring in his 5 or 6 games when he came on with 5 mins to go.
Sanasy has scored 16 in 20 and bagged half a dozen assists on loan at Farsley. Forrest has been doing ok at Halifax. Both available for free if anyone wants them.

So what does that tell you? They haven't been given a fair chance because they are crap? I think not. Todd is just a prick. Let's get McGod in asap, I'm sure he'll give lads a fair chance.

I have to say I've been considerably less impressed with the afore mentioned players than you obviously have been, but everyone has their own opinions.

[Superfatbantam]

I have to say I've been considerably less impressed with the afore mentioned players than you obviously have been, but everyone has their own opinions.

But you're not telling me you've been impressed with the first team, back four and keeper not included?

Really?:eek:

[Dr Wisey]

Holloway is no wingback for me - could be a centre half though .

[lee]

I haven't been impressed with the rest of the team, but I'd still prefer them in the team than the youngsters who have come on.

Sorry.

[laxstax]

i totally agree with your points made here SFB. todd should just keep his mouth shut because everything that comes out either contradicts what he said five minutes previous or vastly diminishes any remaining waft of respect for him from his players and city supporters. the article is condescending to penford which is down right disgusting -- any decent manager of an office team knows how not to rub ones own team up the wrong way... it only causes trouble boiling within.