Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

Wanderers Ways. Neil Thompson 1961-2021

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

Chicksen

When we heard at Rotherham that Chicksen was our new left back, who had heard of him?  Released by Div 2 Bradford aged about 27, he had to be dire.  And his 1st game didn't alter that view with a 6-1 defeat.  Since then, for me the most consistent performer.  When the ball comes to him, he controls it faultlessly and passes simply and intelligently 9 times out of 10.  I may be being generous because I've been used to watching Taylor for the last few years and before that Moxey, but how did those 2 players get 100+ Championship appearances in their career and Chicksen is struggling to find any club at all?  Simply a far better footballer, I keep expecting him to be found out, but he never is.  We have better players, like Bridcutt and arguably Verlinden, but what sets him apart is that he hardly makes any mistakes, whereas those 2 players are hit and miss, good one minute but giving the ball away the next.  Chicksen hardly ever wastes possession, and unlike our previous left backs wants the ball, wants to attack, and isnt embarrassed to receive the ball in tight situations.  He can be our left back for the next 3 years whatever division we are in (not sure where that leaves Bunney).

Featured Replies

He’s been a brilliant signing, when we signed him I thought ffs why we signing a Bradford cast off. Bradford fans giving him all kinds of shit for his performances for them. But it reminds me of Morais, he’s always give 100% every game that’s all you can ask for, hopefully he keeps it up. 

Agree, Chickens been a great addition, 7/10 min every game ive seen

Also O Grady has been great, holds it well moves it on well

Both good additions on a freebie

I was only saying to one of our lot yesterday that Chicksen had something about him. Folk don't  measure players on what they do well, but more on what they don't do so well. He's steady and doesn't do much wrong. Reminds me of Mike Whitlow.

Edited by Underpants

I thought he (Chicksen) was MOM on Saturday. Looked fresh at the end of the game and was quality in possession and distribution. Got a cracking work ethic.

Getting better week by week, puts a reasonable ball in, solid performer.

i like him.

Too soon to say. All this about him controlling the ball nicely, him passing nicely, him attacking nicely, blah, blah......he's a full back & first & foremost he needs to be a good defender.

To be clear , i like him & think he's done well so far, but it's when his defensive abilities - his tackling, his positional play, his covering & recovery etc - have been properly tested, that i'll be making a judgement.

 

16 minutes ago, bolton va va said:

Too soon to say. All this about him controlling the ball nicely, him passing nicely, him attacking nicely, blah, blah......he's a full back & first & foremost he needs to be a good defender.

To be clear , i like him & think he's done well so far, but it's when his defensive abilities - his tackling, his positional play, his covering & recovery etc - have been properly tested, that i'll be making a judgement.

 

I think most have already made their assessment in the things you have mentioned. I know I have.

22 hours ago, Sweep said:

I don't remember Mendy being anything other than terrible. Very fast, but a terrible defender.

at premier league level.

in this league, he would be world class.

its all relative.

I like Chicksen - does everything solidly without being spectacular at anything particularly. I'd definitely want to keep him till summer and probably beyond. 

Emmanuel on the other hand - if he sorts out his mental side he has everything to be a very very good player at the level above this. He just needs to stop running into people with the ball. 

12 hours ago, bolton va va said:

Too soon to say. All this about him controlling the ball nicely, him passing nicely, him attacking nicely, blah, blah......he's a full back & first & foremost he needs to be a good defender.

To be clear , i like him & think he's done well so far, but it's when his defensive abilities - his tackling, his positional play, his covering & recovery etc - have been properly tested, that i'll be making a judgement.

 

Is the defensive improvement since Hill got him and others in indicative that he might be decent defensively?

Ok the whole team has improved on that front, but as a unit the backline is, for me, the best and most consistent section.

42 minutes ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

Is the defensive improvement since Hill got him and others in indicative that he might be decent defensively?

Ok the whole team has improved on that front, but as a unit the backline is, for me, the best and most consistent section.

Aye, I feared a Coyle/Lennon type disaster when Hill was described as an "attacking" manager but the improvement & obvious work in the defence has shown him to be an intelligent manager. Having to blend in so many new players & being forced to chop & change the centre halves, makes it even more impressive.

Individually, Matthews has flown under the radar but has been rock solid & is clearly trusted by the defenders ( that should be the kiss of death for Saturday !! ) , Emmanuel looks well capable of playing at a higher level, & despite his rushes of blood, Zouma has the potential to be very good long term & back to Chicksen....as much as i like him, i'll reserve judgement until we've seen him when we're under the cosh or when he faces a really good opponent !!

  • Author

Re Chicksen's defensive capabilities or otherwise, I think after the 10 games or whatever he's played, we can be reasonably sure he's got what it takes for this division.  That's not to say someone at Peterbrough or Sunderland wont give him a roasting occasionally, but show me a full back that doesnt happen to (OK, Ream didnt get beat much for pace!).  These days passing, crossing, controlling etc is just as important in a full back, otherwise you are just coughing up possession every time you get the ball instead of creating a half chance or winning a corner.  We needed to attract a player to play for peanuts on a short term deal whilst 15 points adrift in Div 1 but who had to be an improvement on what we had in recent Championship and promotion seasons.  He beats them hands down in every aspect for me, apart from arm waving (Taylor) and "long" throws (Moxey).

On 16/11/2019 at 22:19, MickyD said:

Dunne and Ritson?

Phillips and MacEnespie

On 16/11/2019 at 21:47, Matt said:

Happy with both our full backs. Can’t remember the last time I could say that.

Dick head.

Both were dreadful yesterday. Not the only ones. Worst performance I’ve seen in a long time

  • Author

I'm not defending terrible performances, and I wasnt there so probably dont appreciate just how bad it must have been, but last time we lost 7-1 our left back was Tim Ream, as good as any of our full backs in the last 10 years.  Another top left back was Alonso, and he had plenty of nightmares for us defensively.  As I said in the original post, every full back gets roasted occasionally and I've seen enough of both Chicksen and Emmanuel  to think it wont be a regular thing in this league.

Opposition manager looks at team sheet, picks side were Verlinden is likely to play, attacks it and full back on that side gets ripped a new arsehole. And repeat.

 

18 hours ago, ErnestTurnip said:

Opposition manager looks at team sheet, picks side were Verlinden is likely to play, attacks it and full back on that side gets ripped a new arsehole. And repeat.

 

Verlinden also made a big difference against mk when he came on, by attacking their full back.

Not sure it's quite so simple, sometimes attack is the best form of defense.

That said, I'm concerned that, once down to 10 players, we apparently failed to make the necessary adjustments in defense, simultaneously weakening the midfield.

Seems things could have been done differently, but if the whole team is having a bad day then perhaps KH was always onto a loser.

 

o'grady was no better than Verlinden at tracking. in fact i'd argue he was worse.

The more i see of Verlinden, the more i think he'd be better used as an impact sub.

  • Author

Whether he starts or finishes he seems to play in bursts.  He looked like a great impact sub v MK Dons and turned the game but his explosive starts against Rotherham and Accrington brought us 2 cracking goals.  He seems to fade out of the game though, definitely not a 90 minute player.

15 hours ago, Burndens Bogs said:

The more i see of Verlinden, the more i think he'd be better used as an impact sub.

young and hungry?

And stick him on a 'pay as you play' contract.

26 minutes ago, Youri McAnespie said:

And stick him on a 'pay as you play' contract.

Aye, zero hours contract.

Minimum wage.

As and when needed.

Mike Ashley stylee.

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.