Pratley is a good talker too, indeed that's one of the strengths of this side is that we have people like Pratley, Watson, Gunter and Pearce to encourage and organise younger players like Maatsen, Famewo, Doughty and Morgan
I also think he's slightly wasted as a "holding" player as he's super fit and does get into the box to nick the odd goal
I also think he's slightly wasted as a "holding" player as he's super fit and does get into the box to nick the odd goal
OK look I'm all for the Pratley love-in but no, no, no, no. He looks completely lost every time he plays further forward
If he times his run properly like we saw at Shrewsbury then I agree with Killer - If he times his run like he did at times last season then hell no... I cant remember the Championship team but there was one game last season where he literally got in the way when we were trying to score
Actually three times - Also scored from what I'd argue was open play against Coventry on Boxing Day. It was initially a free kick but the ball was bouncing around so much before Pratley headed it in, its a bit harsh to say he hadnt scored from open play
I also think he's slightly wasted as a "holding" player as he's super fit and does get into the box to nick the odd goal
OK look I'm all for the Pratley love-in but no, no, no, no. He looks completely lost every time he plays further forward
Apart from when he score's goals.
Pratley has scored...once for us from open play?
Twice, Shrewsbury and Doncaster in the Play-Off semi final
Ah yes, of course.
Still doesn't justify the idea that you can play him further forwards and he'll be much of a threat. Play him as DM and he can come forward for set-pieces
When everyone is fit, I'd rotate him and Watson at the base of the diamond... I think they're similar players, and against the cloggers in this league you don't need both
I think it’s when we’re playing the cloggers is exactly when we need both. See the Northampton game. The reason we won that was because players like Pratley are never going to be intimidated by the physical teams in this division. They’ll fight just as hard as the Northampton players and they’re better footballers.
We needed two defensively minded midfielders less against a team like Fleetwood because their plan was to try and out football us meaning our ballers had room to play their stuff. It actually made for a much closer competition but in my opinion only because our more skillful players are still finding their peak fluency.
He's played really well last year and this (relatively speaking given he doesn't have much football to his game) but won't be in the first choice 11 once we have everybody fit - he's a great player if trying to grind out a win / win ugly but not the answer if we want to start smashing teams and not be hanging on for wins.
Pratley is often judged on his ability with the ball. But that's not what he's here for. Bowyer, talking at the time Prats first signed:
"He's definitely something that we need. We have a man coming through the door - someone who is going to compete and fight and we were lacking that towards the end of last season.
"He's seen it, been there and done it, he's got promotions so he knows what it takes."
i understand what his game is and stand by my statement.There will be times and games when we need a 'dog' man but he will not feature in the line up when we just go out to win our bread and butter games - as bowyer says, we've just been setting the team up to compete at the moment as he hasn't had tome to work on patterns of play etc going forwards -once all r fit and he has had time to do that, Pratley won't be in the starting line up. I respect and appreciate everything Pratley does but i'm pretty sure he doesn't expect to be first name on the teamsheet either.
He's played really well last year and this (relatively speaking given he doesn't have much football to his game) but won't be in the first choice 11 once we have everybody fit - he's a great player if trying to grind out a win / win ugly but not the answer if we want to start smashing teams and not be hanging on for wins.
Pratley is often judged on his ability with the ball. But that's not what he's here for. Bowyer, talking at the time Prats first signed:
"He's definitely something that we need. We have a man coming through the door - someone who is going to compete and fight and we were lacking that towards the end of last season.
"He's seen it, been there and done it, he's got promotions so he knows what it takes."
i understand what his game is and stand by my statement.There will be times and games when we need a 'dog' man but he will not feature in the line up when we just go out to win our bread and butter games - as bowyer says, we've just been setting the team up to compete at the moment as he hasn't had tome to work on patterns of play etc going forwards -once all r fit and he has had time to do that, Pratley won't be in the starting line up. I respect and appreciate everything Pratley does but i'm pretty sure he doesn't expect to be first name on the teamsheet either.
That’s your opinion. Not fact. I think he plays even when all are fit.
Never understood the love in for this guy, yes his a trier, but he can barely pass the ball, feet are at 10 and 2
He was superb in the run up and during the play offs. MOTM in Donny second leg. Had a great season for us last season. Admittedly, he’s not been good this season.
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I also think he's slightly wasted as a "holding" player as he's super fit and does get into the box to nick the odd goal
I cant think of many other clubs in League One who have that sort of Midfield General
Leuth 0
Leuth is talking about runs from Midfield from Pratley
Still doesn't justify the idea that you can play him further forwards and he'll be much of a threat. Play him as DM and he can come forward for set-pieces