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Post by jimexotic on Dec 11, 2022 20:02:26 GMT
I don't think Lockyer is better than Mepham and the fact that the latter is four years younger, improving and proving himself to be a decent top flight defender in a team that aren't exactly great proves that he should be getting the nod over him. Don't get me wrong, I think Lockyer is decent enough but if we're dropping players that are cutting it in the top flight for Lockyer we're going backwards. The problem with our centre backs in the World Cup was the disorganised mess in front of them that Ampadu had to try and clean up coupled with this weird fascination with trying to play it out from the back but looking like they were doing it underwater on muddy ground.
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Post by bale-droed on Dec 11, 2022 23:55:51 GMT
Cabango. I’d personally be picking (if we stuck with 3cbs) Davies Rodon and Lockyer with Hughes and mepham in the squad as cover. Our best option to qualify for 2024 involves a lot of players 29-35 imo Yes, I see the logic there. You should really pick players based on ability, performance levels etc. but, I just think he’s a better player. He has some really strong attributes .. I suppose you don’t have Prem clubs sniffing around if you aren’t doing something right. Granted I haven’t seen Lockyer this year. Has his performance levels gone up? I know he was in and out of the Luton team last year in periods, but he must be doing something right! I think I’ve always viewed him as an old school defender with limited ability on the ball. 7th highest rated defender in the championship this season. In our current system that’s far too impressI’ve to ignore. Now obviously our first choice 3 are playing at a higher standard. But I’m surprised at the praise mepham has gotten from a few of you. Last season in the championship towards the end Mephams future was unclear at Bournemouth due to him being dropped and there was talks he would move on. He’s now only getting a game because of very poor lack of recruiting that was heavily criticised, in fact it was the worst transfer window in the history of any premier league club according to many. I’d be incredibly surprised if Mepham is starting games in the premiership come the first game of February. Comparing Mepham last season in the championship with toms current championship season I think Tom should be in that back 3 ( if we play that formation I’d personally like to see 442) . As always though Mepham is in the premiership and I’d be delighted for him to prove me wrong and win player of the month for January and become a legend for Wales but I cannot see it happening |
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Post by CrackityJones on Dec 12, 2022 11:06:46 GMT
Im amazed Hughes never got a call up, even just to see what he's about on camp.
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Post by talyfan on Dec 12, 2022 11:40:53 GMT
Think he's just been unlucky. That before and around him we've had Neil Taylor and Ben Davies, and then with RND being younger than him.
Although, surprised he wasn't ahead of James Lawrence in the pecking order.
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Post by iot on Dec 12, 2022 11:56:39 GMT
Yes, I see the logic there. You should really pick players based on ability, performance levels etc. but, I just think he’s a better player. He has some really strong attributes .. I suppose you don’t have Prem clubs sniffing around if you aren’t doing something right. Granted I haven’t seen Lockyer this year. Has his performance levels gone up? I know he was in and out of the Luton team last year in periods, but he must be doing something right! I think I’ve always viewed him as an old school defender with limited ability on the ball. 7th highest rated defender in the championship this season. In our current system that’s far too impressI’ve to ignore. Now obviously our first choice 3 are playing at a higher standard. But I’m surprised at the praise mepham has gotten from a few of you. Last season in the championship towards the end Mephams future was unclear at Bournemouth due to him being dropped and there was talks he would move on. He’s now only getting a game because of very poor lack of recruiting that was heavily criticised, in fact it was the worst transfer window in the history of any premier league club according to many. I’d be incredibly surprised if Mepham is starting games in the premiership come the first game of February. Comparing Mepham last season in the championship with toms current championship season I think Tom should be in that back 3 ( if we play that formation I’d personally like to see 442) . As always though Mepham is in the premiership and I’d be delighted for him to prove me wrong and win player of the month for January and become a legend for Wales but I cannot see it happening 7th highest rated defender, and yet not a guaranteed starter for Preston. I know he starts most games, but he's been on the bench a few times too (last weekend wasn't a one-off). If he was seen as one of their best defenders/players, never mind one of the best defenders in the championship, that wouldn't be the case. Completely disagree with you on Mepham. There's a reason Bournemouth splashed out £15m on him in the first place. He was a really good defender for Brentford - great on the ball and good at the traditional defensive stuff. He had a bit of a baptism of fire in the premier league where he struggled and lost confidence and form as a result. But he's now regained that confidence, is playing incredibly well week in week out in the premier league, to the extent where he's been named Bournemouth's player of the month at least once (there's definitely a case that he's been their player of the season to date). He's been good or decent for us for a while. He was better than Rodon at the world cup (not saying much, I know). He made one or two errors a couple of years back and just became a scapegoat for a lot of fans where Rodon could do no wrong. But I remember thinking at the time, when Embolo terrorised our defence in the Euros, or when the Dutch scored those early goals against us in Rotterdam, Mepham was getting all of the stick even when Rodon was more at fault. He and Davies have been our best performing defenders this season, at club level and for us. |
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Post by cadno on Dec 12, 2022 12:21:05 GMT
Im amazed Hughes never got a call up, even just to see what he's about on camp. Morgan Fox never been capped either, both unlucky |
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Post by bale-droed on Dec 12, 2022 14:53:57 GMT
Im amazed Hughes never got a call up, even just to see what he's about on camp. Morgan Fox never been capped either, both unlucky I think rhoys wiggins could also be considered as unlucky! |
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Post by bale-droed on Dec 12, 2022 14:59:09 GMT
7th highest rated defender in the championship this season. In our current system that’s far too impressI’ve to ignore. Now obviously our first choice 3 are playing at a higher standard. But I’m surprised at the praise mepham has gotten from a few of you. Last season in the championship towards the end Mephams future was unclear at Bournemouth due to him being dropped and there was talks he would move on. He’s now only getting a game because of very poor lack of recruiting that was heavily criticised, in fact it was the worst transfer window in the history of any premier league club according to many. I’d be incredibly surprised if Mepham is starting games in the premiership come the first game of February. Comparing Mepham last season in the championship with toms current championship season I think Tom should be in that back 3 ( if we play that formation I’d personally like to see 442) . As always though Mepham is in the premiership and I’d be delighted for him to prove me wrong and win player of the month for January and become a legend for Wales but I cannot see it happening 7th highest rated defender, and yet not a guaranteed starter for Preston. I know he starts most games, but he's been on the bench a few times too (last weekend wasn't a one-off). If he was seen as one of their best defenders/players, never mind one of the best defenders in the championship, that wouldn't be the case. Completely disagree with you on Mepham. There's a reason Bournemouth splashed out £15m on him in the first place. He was a really good defender for Brentford - great on the ball and good at the traditional defensive stuff. He had a bit of a baptism of fire in the premier league where he struggled and lost confidence and form as a result. But he's now regained that confidence, is playing incredibly well week in week out in the premier league, to the extent where he's been named Bournemouth's player of the month at least once (there's definitely a case that he's been their player of the season to date). He's been good or decent for us for a while. He was better than Rodon at the world cup (not saying much, I know). He made one or two errors a couple of years back and just became a scapegoat for a lot of fans where Rodon could do no wrong. But I remember thinking at the time, when Embolo terrorised our defence in the Euros, or when the Dutch scored those early goals against us in Rotterdam, Mepham was getting all of the stick even when Rodon was more at fault. He and Davies have been our best performing defenders this season, at club level and for us. Look it’s a good point about the 15 million. Would love it if he’s playing in the premiership in two years and as solid as Ashley Williams but I can’t see it. Hope he proves me wrong. You are correct though he has been made a scapegoat at times when blame should’ve gone elsewhere , perhaps his errors go back to the lack of confidence from it playing at the end of last season. Maybe he’s a real confidence player and needs to finish this season with Bournemouth finishing 17th and he wins player of the season |
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Post by Belle Vue on Dec 12, 2022 16:56:02 GMT
Page wouldn’t know about him , same as Southam Hales at Stockport ( who will be playing at a much higher level soon )
Page not interested in looking at new talent ( regardless of age )
These 2 players would surely be a better fit , both playing regular football with plenty of experience
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Post by allezlesrouges on Dec 12, 2022 17:38:39 GMT
Page wouldn’t know about him , same as Southam Hales at Stockport ( who will be playing at a much higher level soon ) Page not interested in looking at new talent ( regardless of age ) These 2 players would surely be a better fit , both playing regular football with plenty of experience Strange accusation to throw at Page in my opinion |
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Post by marsvolta on Dec 12, 2022 18:05:05 GMT
Page wouldn’t know about him , same as Southam Hales at Stockport ( who will be playing at a much higher level soon ) Page not interested in looking at new talent ( regardless of age ) These 2 players would surely be a better fit , both playing regular football with plenty of experience Strange accusation to throw at Page in my opinion Especially as Page was reported to have gone to watch him last season, haha |
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Post by jimexotic on Dec 12, 2022 18:24:02 GMT
Page wouldn’t know about him , same as Southam Hales at Stockport ( who will be playing at a much higher level soon ) Page not interested in looking at new talent ( regardless of age ) These 2 players would surely be a better fit , both playing regular football with plenty of experience Where do you see Macauley Southam-Hales going that will put him in the shop window for a call up? |
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Post by rushy on Dec 12, 2022 21:01:19 GMT
Strange accusation to throw at Page in my opinion Especially as Page was reported to have gone to watch him last season, haha Let's see who's named in the March squad, that will tell us a lot. |
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Post by marsvolta on Dec 12, 2022 22:34:47 GMT
Especially as Page was reported to have gone to watch him last season, haha Let's see who's named in the March squad, that will tell us a lot. I personally think Hughes’ run of form has come too late in his career and we’ll go with some younger full backs for the Euro qualifiers squad. As you say, we’ll find out when in March and the later in the games in June. |
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Post by insertname on Dec 12, 2022 22:58:24 GMT
I guess it does have to be pointed out that we’ve heard no noise from the player about a call up. Maybe he doesn’t actually consider himself Welsh or want to play international football….because otherwise it does seem odd he’s never been called up to train with the squad.
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Post by talyfan on Dec 12, 2022 23:43:19 GMT
I guess it does have to be pointed out that we’ve heard no noise from the player about a call up. Maybe he doesn’t actually consider himself Welsh or want to play international football….because otherwise it does seem odd he’s never been called up to train with the squad. He has I'm sure he did an interview with local news saying he's just never had contact from FAW. He's from Cardiff. |
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Post by insertname on Dec 13, 2022 2:11:27 GMT
Ah okay, I don't recall seeing anything in this thread about him talking about eligibility maybe I missed it or it was posted elsewhere.
In that case as per my previous post it does seem strange that there is an experienced, regular(ish) championship starter at a decent side who has had no involvement.
I hope Page starts to cast a wider net going forward.
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Post by talyfan on Dec 13, 2022 7:13:35 GMT
www.lancs.live/sport/football/football-news/preston-wales-world-cup-hughes-25439873?int_"Nope, I've had no communication," said Hughes. "They have got my number! I've had nothing. I have got no idea - going off the previous record, I don't think I'll be going anywhere. It'll probably be feet up for a week somewhere. I wouldn't say it gets frustrating; I'd be more frustrated if I was in bad form myself and had myself to blame. But, I feel like I am playing well and that there is not a lot more I can do myself. So, if I don't go, then at least I know I'm fine with that."
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Post by CrackityJones on Dec 13, 2022 9:23:24 GMT
Hughes is born and bred in Wales. I can see why he's not getting selected now, we have younger players performing well at the same level. I find it odd that he was overlooked when Giggs was casting his net out wide enough to pick James Lawrence. Hughes is at least on par, probably better and certainly more versatile than calamity James.
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Post by jbt95 on Dec 13, 2022 11:40:29 GMT
I guess it does have to be pointed out that we’ve heard no noise from the player about a call up. Maybe he doesn’t actually consider himself Welsh or want to play international football….because otherwise it does seem odd he’s never been called up to train with the squad. I’ve spoken with his dad before, by pure chance, and he was on the verge of a call up in 2019 before getting injured. He must defo consider himself to be Welsh, was born and raised in Bridgend I believe. |
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Post by marsvolta on Dec 13, 2022 12:49:46 GMT
Don’t forget that when Lawrence was first selected in 2018-2019, Hughes had just been transferred to Preston from Peterborough and he hadn’t hit the run of form he’s currently on.
In fact, can you imagine what this forum would have been like if we’d have selected a lower league player who’d spent most of his career with Newport and Peterborough ahead of someone who was playing for one of the top sides in the top division of the Belgian league and playing in Europe?
It’s easy to say now that we know Lawrence isn’t that great but I don’t recall anyone criticising the call up at the time. If fact I’m sure that there was a lot of praise for identifying the player.
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Post by allezlesrouges on Dec 13, 2022 14:54:51 GMT
Especially as Page was reported to have gone to watch him last season, haha Let's see who's named in the March squad, that will tell us a lot. And if we change a few faces around then I guess that will tell us a lot too? |
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Post by allezlesrouges on Dec 13, 2022 15:00:40 GMT
Hughes is born and bred in Wales. I can see why he's not getting selected now, we have younger players performing well at the same level. I find it odd that he was overlooked when Giggs was casting his net out wide enough to pick James Lawrence. Hughes is at least on par, probably better and certainly more versatile than calamity James. Yeah certainly feels like the time he should have had a call up. I think the James Lawrence thing was a bit of a gamble in hindsight - "look we've found a left-footed ball playing defender with a prestigious footballing education, and 100+ senior games to his name". If he had actually turned out to be decent then it would have been a genius move, it just turns out he wasn't that good Kieron Freeman even had a run out back then as well, so it's surprising Hughes didn't. I feel Hughes should be 3rd choice LCB for us on paper, however, I'm not sure we should be continuing with a back 5. Either way I feel bringing Hughes in now should only really happen if we have several injuries |
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Post by rushy on Dec 13, 2022 18:16:06 GMT
Let's see who's named in the March squad, that will tell us a lot. And if we change a few faces around then I guess that will tell us a lot too? Most of all and crucially, the named squad will tell us where we are with Page. |
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Post by marsvolta on Dec 13, 2022 20:07:51 GMT
And if we change a few faces around then I guess that will tell us a lot too? Most of all and crucially, the named squad will tell us where we are with Page. Not really. I don’t think it’s possible for Page, or anyone else for that matter, to name a squad without there being outrage about the players not selected. If Hughes gets picked, it means someone else misses out, and that players stock will suddenly rise and we’ll be back to square one. |
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