Sorry if there is already a thread but I couldn't find one.
I've seen a lot of negative reports on Fox's performance last night but I think some people are being very harsh and possibly making him a scapegoat because of his age/inexperience.
I personally thought he didn't do too bad last night. He made a couple of errors but he wasn't the only one, Ben Haim for example who has been excellent all season had a terrible game. If that was Ben Haim's first game everyone would be saying he's not good enough.
Despite the errors I thought he made a couple of good tackles and interceptions, and going forward he put a number of good balls into the box and did more down the left flank than Bulot did all game.
I did watch on Sky though, I'm sure those at the game will quickly tell me to be quiet.
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He also looked better at the end of last season when he broke through compared to this year, could be though that he's out of form a bit seeing he's not had much game time apart from cameos off the bench (i.e. he hasnt played for the U21s has he?)
Still he maybe wants to be careful as although he's playing in League Two, Tarieq Holmes-Dennis could be pushing for a place, especially if our injuries mount as Id be surprised if he isnt recalled (If he can be)
Against Bolton as left midfield he looked wrong I agree, and there were a few miscontrols yesterday as well. However it is harsh in the extreme if anybody is considering in any way scapegoating a young player who certainly deserves our backing.
He's one of our own.
To me, his loan time out was too short. He simply needs to get more game time at a lower level to find his feet on a week in week out basis.
For the first its simply down to some poor loose play from Solly and unfortunately Parker reacting superbly and driving forward with it and not allowing us time to switch from possession shape to defensive shape.
McCormack was Bikey's man but allowed himself to be drawn to the ball (and virtually on top of Ben Haim). Fox imo actually reacts well to put pressure on McCormack and provide a defensive position without giving away a pen. Fox's covering position actually forced Mc to play a behind the gameline cross without even looking up, and it was sods law that went straight to Parker.
For the second he is the free defender covering the back post space behind Bikey. Bikey should be marking Rodallega, but ends up taking a line shape position behind Ben Haim and marking no one. Fox comes over to cover the player (Rodallega) that Bikey has lost, and you can see Fox is aware of the poor central position (where neither Ben Haim or Bikey have Rodallega or McCormack) as you see him gesturing to point out Mc with his left arm. He then reacts first to attempt to close the space when McCormack has the freedom of the box to strike, exactly what he should do, which would mean sacrificing his cover of Bikey with Rodallega. .
You are actually criticising him here for trying to cover and react to others poor defending. The real problem was the earlier phase when Wilson was slow to react to the Fulham left midfielder peeling wide. This left Solly too far a gap to bridge to put any real pressure on the cross.
No problem if you don't rate him, but I don't think those criticisms are valid. If you've still got it on tape please watch it again and break down the phases. Only valid criticism of the first imo is why he was so high and wide when we were still in a defensive position despite having possession, but seeing as he would have been stood next to Peeters at the time, I'm pretty sure if he didn't want him there, he wouldn't have been there.
Fox was actually ok at times going forward... Do agree he needs more games though.
I don't not rate him, but yesterday his marking was atrocious.
For me he did give the ball away for the 2nd goal, but you could argue that like Solly for the first (other players, ie JJ, on the first goal) could've done more.
I think he will go onto be a decent player with getting a run of games, but for me Wiggins is still our best choice there.
Def one got a future with us though I hope
I think maybe the more experienced Wiggins might have better placed for the goals last night .However, I also agree believe that Morgan should not be singled out for criticism. The problem when we analyse it is who should be marking who ? Zonal versus man to man. He does remind me a bit of Grant Basey in that he possibly does not have the pace of Evina or Wiggins and I am not sure that as a result left back is his best position . Maybe centre back ?
I liked him a lot in the U18's and U21's and was one of those who called for his introduction last season . I agree with AFKA that it is shame that he only had a month at Notts County last season although he did play 7 games for them during the busy Christmas period whilst Alan Sheehan recovered from his injury .I felt Fulham's movement up front made us look vulnerable at the back last night which affected Morgan. To be fair he also did make some vital interventions later on.
The left back position is going to be hotly contested in the future with Harry Lennon , Kadel Daniel ,Tareiq Holmes-Dennis and Archie Edwards all competing for the berth . Harry hasn't played much for Cambridge and can't be recalled until January ( although he is still able to play for the U21's). Tareiq is preforming well for Oxford and receiving rave reviews. Could he return after his months loan and be in contention for the left back slot or would it be better to leave him playing regularly for Oxford ? After the initial month we would have a 24 hour recall clause.
i don't think Wiggins or any of the others would have done any better in that situation our Central defence was to open
Everyone has a poor game every now and then.