Rankin????

[rollloh8r]

can anyone please tell me the reason we still have this man at the club? let alone starting matches. he's no good!!!!!

 

[The H]

because he has 1 year left on his contract....

 

[Mr Cynical]

I actually think he's alright and a good player to have in the squad. He's reasonably quick and can play wide or up front. Good to have on the bench. Certainly wouldn't start him ahead of DJ, , Tabb or Brooker or even Rhodes when he's fit..

 

[rg12bee]

I actually think he's alright and a good player to have in the squad. He's reasonably quick and can play wide or up front. Good to have on the bench. Certainly wouldn't start him ahead of DJ, , Tabb or Brooker or even Rhodes when he's fit..

So who would he start in front of then??????????????

 

[LboroBee]

I think he's a good striker, simply needs to start more than 2 games in a row to get some confidence. He had a run of games for Grimsby & did well for them even tho they went down (looked awesome against us that day, 1st May 2004).

 

[bees66]

Did well for them even tho they went down (looked awesome against us that day, 1st May 2004).

He was by far the best player on the pitch that day I really hope he does better this season now that DJ is kicking his heals

 

[rick lovesey]

The goal at Southampton was one of the best goals in the FA Cup..............I think the BBC had it in their top 6. That is what he is capable of, and it must be incredibly frustrating for him and all concerned that he is in danger of being regarded as a serial underachiever. If those chances would start going in the net then who knows? The clock is ticking on the contract, I hope he sorts himself out very soon. If he can't score goals he remains a good option wide on the right of midfield.

 

[Les Beeavinu]

I think he's a good player with no confidence. Hopefully it isn't a personality trait and the combination of DJ and an expiring contract brings the best out of him. He needs to deliver now.

 

[JTofBFC]

I think he's a good striker, simply needs to start more than 2 games in a row to get some confidence. He had a run of games for Grimsby & did well for them even tho they went down (looked awesome against us that day, 1st May 2004).

errr............he started 42 times for us last season (and came on as sub a further 8 times). total contribution 10 goals.

Is that enough. I dont think so. His back pass to the keeper after 5 minutes on saturday sums the blokes career up.

Why would anyone have no confidence after 5 minutes of the first game. No talent more like.

 

[Mr Cynical]

So who would he start in front of then??????????????

That's the whole point!! he shouldn't! I said he's alright for the bench..

 

[wanderer paul]

amazing. one match finished, and we won by the way, then people come on here having a pop at all sorts of players, he didn't do this, he done that, if your that good then why aren't you out there. stop this crap. rankin isn't best as a striker, he's better right side of midfield, less pressure to score. he's got what MA wants. thats good enough.

 

[Luton Bee]

According to Soccerbase he has the same ghoals per game ratio for his league career as a certain D. Burton at 0.19

 

[Banana]

Someone at the training ground today said that if Rankin displays gets one or two goals soon then he'll get 20 this season. Rankin bangs in goals for fun in training and will come good. People should remember his vital goals in the cup at Hartlepool away and at Southampton away.

I wonder if there's a connection in the fact that both of these were away from home.

 

[mattfarr89]

According to Soccerbase he has the same ghoals per game ratio for his league career as a certain D. Burton at 0.19

but burton did more than score, rankin does f*ck all

 

[Braemar Malc]

Look fellas, leave the geezer alone - the season's only just started

 

[abee]

Someone at the training ground today said that if Rankin displays gets one or two goals soon then he'll get 20 this season. Rankin bangs in goals for fun in training and will come good.

He probably makes "millions for fun" when playing Monopoly as well....

Banging them in at training is one thing (wasn't it Kevin O'Connor who was known as Shearer because of his goalscoring exploits at training) and being able to blank out the pressure and expectation during the real thing is another.

For my money Rankin thinks too much to be an instinctive striker. You can see him weighing up the options and usually picking the wrong one. I'm not anti-Rankin and he must have something about him to have attracted the attention of different managers but it is just that with his pedigree I thought we were expecting a bit more.

 

[Aberdeen flyer]

One game in and we are already finding the sacrificial lamb....wouldn't it be good just to back the players MA puts out....so who's turn will it be next...a couple of bad performances by Owusu and suddenly we should never have signed him ???

I remember lots of people on here getting on Nelson's case last season...havn't heard much today slagging him off...perhaps it was the two first class saves he made and the fact that he has only had 45 mins pre-season...but I am sure it won't be long before the moaners get on his case again...perhaps for wearing the wrong coloured top or something equally crass.....

 

[abee]

I remember lots of people on here getting on Nelson's case last season...havn't heard much today slagging him off...perhaps it was the two first class saves he made and the fact that he has only had 45 mins pre-season...but I am sure it won't be long before the moaners get on his case again...perhaps for wearing the wrong coloured top or something equally crass.....

Thanks for reminding me.

Have you seen the coloured top that Nelson wears......it's a disgrace.....I never thought that I would live to see the day when a Bees goalie kits himself out in.............(continues for 89 pages).......now Bankole......there's a goalie who knows what to wear and how to look the part and if I was the manager I would.......(continues for 119 pages)

 

[JTofBFC]

Someone at the training ground today said that if Rankin displays gets one or two goals soon then he'll get 20 this season.

Oh, who was that then..........and when is soon?

70 minutes on Saturday of nothing and then Campbell comes on and creates more in his first 5 minutes on the pitch.

Rankin has been buzzing around the lower leagues (Bradford, Barnsley, Grimsby, Brentford) doing **** all for the last few years. He isn't going to come good not this season not ever.

I'm sorry if that is seen a slagging a player off after one game but his performances last year didn't justify him a starting place this year yet he seems to have got one somehow. I wonder what DJ after saturdays performance or Fitz who has a genuinely acceptable goals ratio will think when Rankin is preferred again on Wednesday.

Martin knows best, yeh yeh yeh, well it didn't seem that way after the game on Saturday.

As for the "he scored two important goals in the cup last year" argument, well so he did and we were grateful but you cant just brush 30 odd sub-standard league performances under the carpet. Can you??

I hope IF he plays he does score but one decent game ever 4/5 isn't going to get us promotion. We have better options.

(and no paulwanderer I cant do any better myself .........is that relevant?)

 

[longb.02]

cant wait till his contract runs out, not good enough

 

[Downbeat Bee]

He didn't do much on Saturday, but lets give him a bit of a chance (admittedly he had several last year).

I'd like to know:

Why did MA start with him on Saturday?

 

[Aberdeen flyer]

Thanks for reminding me.

Have you seen the coloured top that Nelson wears......it's a disgrace.....I never thought that I would live to see the day when a Bees goalie kits himself out in.............(continues for 89 pages).......now Bankole......there's a goalie who knows what to wear and how to look the part and if I was the manager I would.......(continues for 119 pages)

 

[Bush Tuckerman]

I thought Rankin was pretty handy on Saturday to be honest he ran at their back four a couple of times and had them all over the place!!

It's a shame however that he seems to miss kick or scuff every attempted shot...maybe some new boots would do the trick!

 

[Edmundo]

Why are some people determined to be so negative at a time when we have a 100% record?

 

[Sweepy]

I understand after one game and one win that nobody is supposed to be at all critical.

I have an idea to prevent dozens of similar threads popping up this season. Can we have it written into the Code of Conduct that players and coaching staff are not to be criticised under any circumstances?

 

[JTofBFC]

Why are some people determined to be so negative at a time when we have a 100% record?

I'd say wanting Campbell in the team instead of Rankin is being positive not negative.

Did you happen to notice when the goals were scored that gave us the 100% record.

 

[Bush Tuckerman]

Why are some people determined to be so negative at a time when we have a 100% record?

I am not sure that people are being negative - I would hope that it is more constructive discussion on the relative values of certain players

I personally thought that Rankin was pretty effective especially early on - i do however reckon that if he'd buried that early chance his confidence would have been sky high for the rest of the game - possibly the season - that didn't happen and he scuffed a couple of further efforts later on...a shame!

We should stick with him though!!

Similarly I thought Frampton had a good game defensively at left back - however I am sure that Tillen would have given us alot more punch going forward...

 

[davido_i]

I have a theory.

Martin Allen backs the players still here who made up the team that over-performed for him last year. So players such as Rankin & Framps get the nod even though their positions are clearly under threat from new players & Martin says "you've earned the start from last year, now go & prove to me you can do it again this year".
Of course, the new boys will get opportunities, where they will need to prove to the manager that can make a significant contribution at first team level to get the first team place. DJ has done exactly this in one short cameo, it will be very interesting to see if this is enough to get a start or whether MA needs more proof of his ability to thrive at this level when coming off the subs bench to warrant giving DJ a start.

 

[Edmundo]

I am not sure that people are being negative - I would hope that it is more constructive discussion on the relative values of certain players.

Not exactly the tone of the opening post on this thread, which I would say is of a wholly unconstructive nature.

Perhaps Rankin started because of his form in pre-season - training and games? Perhaps the manager has seen more of this than we have? And last season he spent a lot of time as a winger, not a striker, which will have lessened his chances of scoring.

 

[Boston Bee]

Ed, why isn't it legitimate after his 40 or so starts last year to say that nothing suggests he'll do any better this season? Goalscoring was a depressing flaw with that squad and sticking with what didn't work and doesn't look like changing in the short term is a concern.

So that I don't come off all negitive, I think Rankin should think about recrafting himself as an attacking right side midfielder. He does have some bite in his tackling, isn't afraid to work hard, has a good engine and gets to the endline well (though can't remember a good cross from him...). At RM, with the 'pressure' to score a bit less, he might become a really useful member of the Brentford story 2005-2006. And might score some goals.

Not exactly the tone of the opening post on this thread, which I would say is of a wholly unconstructive nature.

Perhaps Rankin started because of his form in pre-season - training and games? Perhaps the manager has seen more of this than we have? And last season he spent a lot of time as a winger, not a striker, which will have lessened his chances of scoring.

 

[Edmundo]

Ed, why isn't it legitimate after his 40 or so starts last year to say that nothing suggests he'll do any better this season?

I didn't say that discussing Rankin's abilities isn't legitimate, but I can't be the only one who gets teed off with the virulent tone of some of the comments about our players ... and here I am specifically referring to post #1 on this thread.

 

[Bush Tuckerman]

Not exactly the tone of the opening post on this thread, which I would say is of a wholly unconstructive nature.
.

fair do's - have just re read from the top and I agree

 

[Boston Bee]

Ok, fair enough Ed. I'm not complaining, as it's great all the new voices on the GPG, but there does seem to be a lot of 13 year old rollloh8r types lately.

fair do's - have just re read from the top and I agree

 

[bigmac]

Rankin had a good game on Saturday, he worked hard and caused a few problems, we won 2-0 why the hell are our players getting slagged off. Heaven forbid the player if he reads this thinking he had a good game on Saturday and then sees he is still getting slagged off. Rankin is obviously a confidence player, so cant we just back him!!

 

[Paul O'Brien]

Yeah. After all he's had a stinker of a run. He hasn't scored in regular season games since - ooohhh - the last game of last season. That's a run of one match without scoring. What a dud.

Bear in mind that a) Rankin was one of 12 players who didn't score for us on Saturday and b) Even Shearer and Van N don't score every game. So let's leave off him until he's had a real bad run this season.

 

[SmiffyBee]

who are these "supporters" who get on players backs as soon as the season starts ?

we dont want to act like sheep, but c'mon, give him a few games ! Its very early in the season...lets see what he can do this year....he should be able to improve on his return from last year..as he has more competetion up front now

 

[Grumpy old man]

Someone at the training ground today said that if Rankin displays gets one or two goals soon then he'll get 20 this season. Rankin bangs in goals for fun in training and will come good. People should remember his vital goals in the cup at Hartlepool away and at Southampton away.

I wonder if there's a connection in the fact that both of these were away from home.

I seem to remember that he missed a sitter at home that caused us to play at Hartlepool

 

[Boston Bee]

who are these "supporters" who get on players backs as soon as the season starts ?

we dont want to act like sheep, but c'mon, give him a few games ! Its very early in the season...lets see what he can do this year....he should be able to improve on his return from last year..as he has more competetion up front now

How many games, remembering that we had this conversation a year ago: Give him 'til Christmas for chrissake! Give him til spring at least, people! Give him until the end of the season, I'm sure he'll come good!

What have you seen that suggests that he "should be able to improve on his return from last year", because better players have arrived?!?

 

[NorthamptonBee]

I personally thought that Rankin was pretty effective especially early on - i do however reckon that if he'd buried that early chance his confidence would have been sky high for the rest of the game - possibly the season - that didn't happen and he scuffed a couple of further efforts later on...a shame!



Similarly I thought Frampton had a good game defensively at left back - however I am sure that Tillen would have given us alot more punch going forward...

I said the same about Rankin, I feel that chance was crucial to his season.

Frampton is a good solid player who gives his all. Loads of time for him but....
No pace and how easily did Cleveland Taylor do him on the run? Dobbo, EH and Framps have little pace between them and that scares me. Sam Tillen seems to have plenty of pace so left midfield helping out Framps could be the answer?

 

[Gee Bee]

What I find strange is that he gets slagged off for not scoring, then its highlighted he only got 10 goals last season. The exact same as Burton, who has hero status.
Well as he actually played a majority of his games as a wide midfield man, scoring 10 goals is actually quite a good return!!

 

[SmiffyBee]

How many games, remembering that we had this conversation a year ago:

5

Give him 'til Christmas for chrissake! Give him til spring at least, people! Give him until the end of the season, I'm sure he'll come good!

Reminder, we came 4th last year-a massive improvement on the season before
Rankin was one of the squad that helped us do this !

What have you seen that suggests that he "should be able to improve on his return from last year", because better players have arrived?!?

I have seen better players arrive (Owusu/DJ)
ipso facto-He will have to score more to keep his place
Last season his competition was mainly Matt Harrold (when he {Rankin} played up front) then later Scott Fitz II

 

[Les Beeavinu]

What exactly did Rankin do wrong on Saturday? I know he didn't score but how many chances did we actually create? DJ has got all the plaudits but I only recall him having one shot on goal from the penalty.

Unless we expect Rankin to both make chances and score them, I don't think he can held responsible for not taking non-existant chances. In general, I thought he did no worse than any other player on field on Saturday.

 

[LboroBee]

I seem to remember that he missed a sitter at home that caused us to play at Hartlepool

point ?

 

[up the bees]

you cant complain at his commitment to the club he always trying 110%

i think this could be a good season for him getting 15+

 

[Boston Bee]

Five games Smiffy?

And let me say what I said in another thread: If you play him as a wide midfield player I have a LOT of time for Rankin. I'd pen him in as the right sided midfielder in a 5-4-1 immediately, I'd play him on the right when we're in a 4-4-2 really - as long as we have solid holding central midfielders in the side. I'll bet from that position he would score more than 10 goals, if we had dangerous target men distracting defenders playing in front of him!

Just don't think he can be considered an answer up front, especially with Lloyd, DJ, Fitz Jr in the side. My opinion.

And I'll let it go, since I appear to be riling a lot of people.

Well as he actually played a majority of his games as a wide midfield man, scoring 10 goals is actually quite a good return!!

 

[Boston Bee]

Reminder, we scored 3 less goals than we gave up. Finishing 4th was despite our strikers, not because of him.

I've seen better (sic) players arrive also. That's why I'm advocating not playing Rankin up front.

Reminder, we came 4th last year-a massive improvement on the season before
Rankin was one of the squad that helped us do this !



I have seen better players arrive (Owusu/DJ)
ipso facto-He will have to score more to keep his place
Last season his competition was mainly Matt Harrold (when he {Rankin} played up front) then later Scott Fitz II

 

[Mr Tree]

i quite happily berated him from the brook road on saturday - i'd much rather see dudley or fitz get a chance, rankin had his last year and still looks fat and panicky in front of goal...

 

[Simon T]

How many games, remembering that we had this conversation a year ago: Give him 'til Christmas for chrissake! Give him til spring at least, people! Give him until the end of the season, I'm sure he'll come good!

What have you seen that suggests that he "should be able to improve on his return from last year", because better players have arrived?!?

Would anybody care to remind me how many goals Dean Holdsworth scored the season before he hit 38 for us? I think he struggled to make double figures and people were calling for a new number 9 then.

I'm not saying Rankin will score 38 for us this year but sometimes good strikers do have bad runs and I'm sure MA wouldn't be playing him if he didn't think he was capable of scoring lots of goals for us. We have more competition at striker this year so if MA doesn't think he's up to the job I'm sure DJ or Fitz will get a chance to show they should be one of the starting two up front.

 

[SmiffyBee]

and still looks fat and panicky in front of goal...

he speaks highly of you too

 

[Mr Tree]

admittedly i panic a lot more than he, but then i'm paid a lot less for it