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Player Archie Gray

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bk_spur said:
It’s possible Spence can fill in for both on a 3 man rotation.

RB: Porro 2/3, Spence 1/3
LB: Spence 1/3, Udogie 2/3

Everybody gets an equal share of games minutes in this scenario, but it could be tweaked of course
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And once again rolling the dice on hoping to not get injuries.

We, are big enough club to not even think about putting ourselves in a position like this.

You not wrong, it is possible, but it runs a massive risk again. And I squarely blame this on Levy, but he is gone now, and hopefully the new head honchos will by accordingly when given the chance.
 
GinolasLeftFoot said:
And once again rolling the dice on hoping to not get injuries.

We, are big enough club to not even think about putting ourselves in a position like this.

You not wrong, it is possible, but it runs a massive risk again. And I squarely blame this on Levy, but he is gone now, and hopefully the new head honchos will by accordingly when given the chance.
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I don't disagree at all, and of course I wish we'd signed proper FB cover.
 
manmountainbutters said:
Yes. Him too. He’s squad player standard if we want to kick on.
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...and I think hat's precisely the point .

As a SQUAD player, he's an excellent option to have...
But for the last few seasons, he's been first choice, and as we saw when he was injured longer term, the alternatives weren't up to standard... you could say very hit and Biss!

But to have someone of his experience and ability as an option off the bench, is exactly the strength of depth we're trying to achieve.

Him AND Gray were regulars last season, which wasn't really fair on either of THEM or the team... but both him AND Gray are absolutely great players to have cone off the bench.
 
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1882 said:
...and I think hat's precisely the point .

As a SQUAD player, he's an excellent option to have...
But for the last few seasons, he's been first choice, but as we saw when he was injured, the alternatives weren't up to standard... you could say very hit and Biss!

But to have someone of his experience and ability as an option off the bench, is exactly the strength of depth we're trying to achieve.

Him AND Gray were regulars last season, but both him AND Gray are fine players to have off the bench.
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Agree
 
VonnegutBusy said:
Very happy that Gray will be able to be used sensibly this season rather than flogged week in week out like last season.

He is currently 5th choice 6 and 8. Maybe will get some mins at RB in the domestic cups.

Think he's in a great place to develop now under Frank and with the likes of Palhinha around but he will not be playing much this season outside of another injury crisis.
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Charlie F said:
I think FB could be Gray's position.
Has shown nothing in midfield to suggest he is top 6 midfielder.
For one thing he is a non existent goal threat. We have had enough of those with Skipp , Winks and many more before them
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Stateside Spur said:
FB is his easiest point of entry to get minutes this year.

We have 3 FBs in the squad right now and if we are going far in several comps, he is going to have to spell Porro at RB. Spence isn’t going to be able to both be our LB and cover Porro’s days off.
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Teach said:
Why can’t he cover RB? Your post makes no sense at all. Those three could rotate quite easily, three into two means they get a rest every third week.
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Archie Gray is not a fullback. He quite obviously do not have the attributes to play that position. And he never will be very good fullback.
This place needs explosive first few steps. To beat opposition to the ball or to catch up to them while running back.

Last season he was used there as last resort and it did not look really good.

If continuing with that is alternative then we should have rather loaned him out for the season.
I do assume he will get minutes and chances in midfield. One game done and next one likely to be vs Doncaster. And then build from there.
 
TheSpurEst said:
Archie Gray is not a fullback. He quite obviously do not have the attributes to play that position. And he never will be very good fullback.
This place needs explosive first few steps. To beat opposition to the ball or to catch up to them while running back.

Last season he was used there as last resort and it did not look really good.

If continuing with that is alternative then we should have rather loaned him out for the season.
I do assume he will get minutes and chances in midfield. One game done and next one likely to be vs Doncaster. And then build from there.
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...and he was being questioned and doubted as a CB too!!

Thing is, in all probability he's being lined up as a future long term CM/DCM/#6 (whatever you wanna call it...) But primarily, the objective of that coveted position is essentially being TWO different players: a DEFENDER and a MIDFIELDER...

Gray gaining valuable defensive experience last season SHOULD stand him in good stead for the season ahead.

He needs to think in 2 footballing languages... That of the defender, but also a midfielder who would need to break up play (Paulinha style) but maybe also to play further upfield (Sarr maybe?)

I see him as a utility player for now, and a very useful one at that... A bit like Gary Ma butt used to do, he had both midfield AND defensive responsibility until he settled in one position.
That's Gray.

I can see a world where him, Sarr & Bergwall form the mainstay of our midfield... With an array of more forward thinking young midfield/attackers to compliment them!

Remember we've got the likes of Devine, Moore, Donley & Abbott all still out on loan....
One or two of them have to come back and stick, surely?
 
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1882 said:
Remember we've got the likes of Devine, Moore, Donley & Abbott all still out on loan....
One or two of them have to come back and stick, surely?
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One would hope so, we need more if our academy players coming through.

And for me, Gray is gone a be a fantastic DM in the future. One with an ability to pass and create.

I just think we are winging games. Bring him on for the last 15 along side bents to help provide some additional cover or move to a back 5.
 
TheSpurEst said:
Archie Gray is not a fullback. He quite obviously do not have the attributes to play that position. And he never will be very good fullback.
This place needs explosive first few steps. To beat opposition to the ball or to catch up to them while running back.

Last season he was used there as last resort and it did not look really good.

If continuing with that is alternative then we should have rather loaned him out for the season.
I do assume he will get minutes and chances in midfield. One game done and next one likely to be vs Doncaster. And then build from there.
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I honestly thought he was ok at FB… great engine, can carry the ball. I don’t see that 360 vision a modern DM needs…..
 
TheSpurEst said:
Archie Gray is not a fullback. He quite obviously do not have the attributes to play that position. And he never will be very good fullback.
This place needs explosive first few steps. To beat opposition to the ball or to catch up to them while running back.

Last season he was used there as last resort and it did not look really good.

If continuing with that is alternative then we should have rather loaned him out for the season.
I do assume he will get minutes and chances in midfield. One game done and next one likely to be vs Doncaster. And then build from there.
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Agree. Anyone that thinks Gray’s future is at full-back doesn’t get the game.

Even in the EL against lesser opposition last year he was well below standard. Doesn’t have the acceleration to deal with top level wide players.
 
TheSpurEst said:
Archie Gray is not a fullback. He quite obviously do not have the attributes to play that position. And he never will be very good fullback.
This place needs explosive first few steps. To beat opposition to the ball or to catch up to them while running back.

Last season he was used there as last resort and it did not look really good.

If continuing with that is alternative then we should have rather loaned him out for the season.
I do assume he will get minutes and chances in midfield. One game done and next one likely to be vs Doncaster. And then build from there.
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Only speaking for myself, my post was not an opinion on whether I believe he can be a good FB or not, but that his easiest path to getting minutes looks to be covering Porro in the “lesser” matches.

He isn’t even getting a spot on the bench in the league now and that’s with Solanke and Kulusevski on the mend. It looks apparent to me that he’s last in the pecking order re: the midfield.
 
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