Halford Debut

[royalsteve]

Thought he was awful personaly. Clearly not fit enough as he looked shagged for the last 20 mins at least. Didn't overlap Little once. Disappointing.

I however accept it was his debut, he is only young and he will get better.....I hope..

er first start in 3 months?!

[royalsteve]

The old boy next to me was moaning about Harper not being able to tackle. That was the first moan I have ever agreed with

Well, we all know that anyway

[TFF]

I have to agree that that cross field throw was a very interesting variation.

One that has very limited use though !

Our throws last season were very effective when we usually threw short but did so very quickly, accurately and to feet. ALmost be definition along throw means the defence is stood waiting for it

Well yes, and the limited use is it's beauty. Do it two or three times and the opposition have to cover areas they normally wouldn't in that situation, freeing up space in other potentially more dangerous areas.

From the comfort of my sofa I was screaming for some of our players to come short for the ball, especially for the first couple of throw-ins when surprise was on our side, leaving perhaps a lone striker in the box.

Defensively his long throw has obvious and immediate benefits. We'll have to be smarter using it going forwards or the opposition will soon learn to deal with it.

[rg6royal]

The old boy next to me was moaning about Harper not being able to tackle. That was the first moan I have ever agreed with

Well, we all know that anyway

agreed. have noticed that alot, but despite that he's an excellent player and his fitness is amazing even in the added on time he was sprinting up and down the pitch.

[paultheroyal]

Thought Halford did ok - look forward to us utilising his throw more.

[biscuitsrus]

Should stick to basketball!

[International Royal]

I thought Halford did OK after a very nervy start. Like SC says there is a defensive system and it takes time to learn. It will have been a wake up call for him especially the fitness levels. It looks like he is going to be one for next season.

[Victor Meldrew]

I thought Halford did quite well and his performance prompted a bloke in front of me to suggest that he would be our starting right-back next season.
What I liked was how comfortable he was on the ball.
With the midfield 4 (agree with Vision) all having poor games I thought the rest did well to keep it to 1-0.
Duberry I also thought did well against the form central striker in the Premiership.
One thing I found odd was that at times the strikers seemed unaware that Halford's throws would travel so far but once they get used to it then the throw becomes a useful weapon but hopefully only occasionally otherwise it will become too predictable and easy for the opposition to read.