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Archie Gray

braineclipse said:
I think playing several positions can be useful for a younger player, as long as they have the necessary versatility. Gray certainly has that.

Playing well wherever he's played. Fitting into the style of play. EL may not really be a massive step up from the Championship all the time at least, but he's getting games, playing well, getting integrated and showing quality.

Is he's needed in midfield at some point this season these experiences will have helped him imo. As things are with Bergvall, Sarr and Bissouma "rotating" with Maddison, Kulusevski and Bentancur we wouldn't have room to start all of them in midfield in the EL anyway.
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That great, but we have a young talent in Philips who is also CB, who also needs game time, not out on loan to some lower league, but actual experience in the Prem and could have had some time playing with the squad like Gray, Moore, and Bergvall etc.

We need an extra player as CB, we have one, not getting a chance, every time I have seen him play, he hasn't done much wrong, if any for us.

I am all for giving players a chance, but not at the expense of other youngsters who are more suited to some roles than Gray..
 
Once fit (was on the bench last game) a full season out on loan playing games will be better for Phillips than playing a handful of games.

We also have Dorrington who can cover at CB when needed and continue to get his fitness back.
 
Chrissivad said:
Once fit (was on the bench last game) a full season out on loan playing games will be better for Phillips than playing a handful of games.

We also have Dorrington who can cover at CB when needed and continue to get his fitness back.
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You're probably right.

This season, Davies hasn't played a single minute in the PL but has played all 3 of the EFL Cup / EL games. That's the only playing time that may have been available to Phillips.
 
SkipRat said:
That great, but we have a young talent in Philips who is also CB, who also needs game time, not out on loan to some lower league, but actual experience in the Prem and could have had some time playing with the squad like Gray, Moore, and Bergvall etc.

We need an extra player as CB, we have one, not getting a chance, every time I have seen him play, he hasn't done much wrong, if any for us.

I am all for giving players a chance, but not at the expense of other youngsters who are more suited to some roles than Gray..
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Phillips would have gotten exactly zero minutes of PL football so far had he not gone out on loan. Imo loaning him out was a good decision. He seems like a good talent, but not sure he's at the level of those other youngsters you mentioned, yet at least.

We have Phillips, Dorrington and Vuskovic coming through as youngsters. Romero, VdV, Dragusin and Davies. As well as Gray who is able to do a job in the EL at least. It's not really much of an issue.
 
Just a quick note that I saw Archie Gray playing for the U21s a few nights ago.
I think he was in the 8 role but he really didn't do much.
James McAtee absolutely ran the game, he was everywhere, and Gray always seemed to be either slightly in the way or slightly not helping or just making a short pass, it was a bit frustrating to watch.
He wasn't officially "bad" it just didn't click and he wasn't really doing a great deal, whereas I feel he could be an all-action player eventually with loads of touches and interactions through the middle of the pitch.
That is the second time I've watched him for the U21s and he hasn't shone.
He is still young though of course.
And I do have great faith he will come good eventually.
I was impressed once again with McAtee, really elite performance from him.
 
Bullet said:
It was absolutely vital for Kante and Makelele; they would scamper at high speed to snuff out attacks.
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Pace is useful everywhere. But less important in central midfield than at full back for example. For sure Kante and Makelele used pace and acceleration to great effect. But for each of them there's a Busquets or Rodri.

For a midfield role I don't think Gray seems too slow at all. Even at full back he mostly keeps up well. Mobility and acceleration is more important than outright pace imo.

Some work to be done on his one vs one defending perhaps though.
 
parklane1 said:
Yep, the first move is always in the head first.
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A friend of mine played against Teddy Sherringham in a pre season friendly. Said he couldn't believe how Teddy got to the ball ahead of him every single time and had often laid it off and moved to receive the return before he'd even had time to adjust to him controlling the ball. He said it was all the more galling seeing as he was trying his very hardest and Teddy was playing at about 50% (as all seasoned pros do in pre-season). My friend was a big Arsenal fan so really wanted to give Teddy a few digs but said he wasn't even able to do that.

Another friend played against Ray Wilkins when Wilkins was playing in the PL for QPR at the real back end of his career. He said the same thing, that he couldn't get near Wilkins, who seemed to be thinking 1 step ahead of him for the whole game.... and this was somebody who had played against people like David Rocastle and Paul Merson and had no problem at all.

Positional sense, good control (with both feet) and speed of thought can sometimes be extremely underrated in football.

I can't help but think that we woudn't benefit from such a player at the base of our midfield at present. Somebody experienced, getting toward the back end of their career but who never really relied on having pace. Not sure who is out there that fits the bill but having an experienced player around 30-31 in this position who has been at a few truly big clubs and experienced winning some trophies at those big clubs would be good for our young team I think.
 
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Finney Is Back said:
I can't help but think that we woudn't benefit from such a player at the base of our midfield at present. Somebody experienced, getting toward the back end of their career but who never really relied on having pace. Not sure who is out there that fits the bill but having an experienced player around 30-31 in this position who has been at a few truly big clubs and experienced winning some trophies at those big clubs would be good for our young team I think.
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Luka might come back when he is in his forties.
 
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