Tabb must start

[JTofBFC]

Is Martin falling into the same trap as Wally did last season. I seem to recall being at an "on pitch" forum last season before our great end of season run when MA was fairly clear that in Tabby we had a gem who would start every game for the rest of the season. It worked.

We now have a situation where he as one of our most influential players seems to be the bench warmer.

If the team were performing well in midfield and up front then I could understand it but to see the likes of the wasteful Rankin (who once again missed a sitter which would have made it 2-1 today) preferred to him is ridiculous.

Even on half form Tabby can do more damage than Rankin has all season. One great goal at Southampton and a couple of other exciting moments is the sum total of his contribution. Tabb may be guilty of missing chances too (eg had a great one last Saturday) but his overall play means he must start in the remaining 4 games.

Whilst, I was confident on Tuesday, todays performance and the fixtures we have left must mean we are favourites to be the team to finish in 7th. We'll see if the boys can dig themselves out on Tuesday but TABBY MUST START EVERY REMAINING GAME.

 

[The H]

i agree, but with 4 games in 11 days perhaps he's better coming on 2nd half with fresh legs and running at teams... i'm sure if we'd been 1-0 down at HT, he'd have had a bigger say in the result.

ps.. i think SW are favs for 7th

 

[Mr Cynical]

The problem is he has started a fair few games recently and he hasn't really performed. Have to say though, that I would have pretty much ANYONE in midfield ahead of Frampton... Most improved player maybe, but at left back. He's no midfielder and never will be, he's far too one-sided.. Would have been happier with him at centre back and Sodje in midfield..

 

[Fat Bee Slim]

Tabb's a quality player but hasn't performed at all in my humble opinion...been very very off form, and hasn't looked anythin like the player he was last year.

Although saying that, his goal yesterday was down to pure commitment and perserverance

 

[alikat]

Whilst I agree that Tabby hasn't been on top form this season, I agree with JT that he would always be a better option than Rankin, who has only shown very small flashes of good form and doesn't get "stuck in" like Tabby does. He could also have done a half-decent central midfield job yesterday, with Marcus or Rankin giving way in yesterday's team and Framps playing at left back.

The effect of a lot of games in a small space of time does seem to affect Tabby more than most players, though, but after Tuesday, it's just 3 Saturday games (hopefully before the play-offs), so Tabby must start the lot, IMHO.

By the way, did anyone else notice that, for the second time this season, we lost our next game after MA did his on the field cheer-leading bit after games (H'pool 3-1 after Soton and yesterday after Tranny)? Perhaps he should lay off this as it seems to have a bad influence on the team

 

[larrysigny]

Haven't got the exact figures in front of me - but I think you'll find Tabby has started as many games as O'Connor (for instance). He's played something like 31/32 out of 50'ish - not bad in a squad system.

 

[Waterlooville Bee]

I think yesterday was the first game that we have lost that Tabby has scored in.

Was hoping to continue the 'When Tabby scores we never lose' thang....oh well.

 

[alikat]

Haven't got the exact figures in front of me - but I think you'll find Tabby has started as many games as O'Connor (for instance). He's played something like 31/32 out of 50'ish - not bad in a squad system.

But, lazza, KO'C was out for 2 months with an injury. I don't think you'll find that Tabby was. So it's like comparing buses and planes, methinks.

 

[alikat]

I think yesterday was the first game that we have lost that Tabby has scored in.

Was hoping to continue the 'When Tabby scores we never lose' thang....oh well.

Well, we won the second half, which was all that Tabby contributed to, so maybe it still stands

 

[Claire]

tabby, tabby! he always plays well when he comes on as a sub and most teams don't have a clue how to control him!

 

[Grumpy old man]

Is Martin falling into the same trap as Wally did last season. I seem to recall being at an "on pitch" forum last season before our great end of season run when MA was fairly clear that in Tabby we had a gem who would start every game for the rest of the season. It worked.

We now have a situation where he as one of our most influential players seems to be the bench warmer.

If the team were performing well in midfield and up front then I could understand it but to see the likes of the wasteful Rankin (who once again missed a sitter which would have made it 2-1 today) preferred to him is ridiculous.

Even on half form Tabby can do more damage than Rankin has all season. One great goal at Southampton and a couple of other exciting moments is the sum total of his contribution. Tabb may be guilty of missing chances too (eg had a great one last Saturday) but his overall play means he must start in the remaining 4 games.

Whilst, I was confident on Tuesday, todays performance and the fixtures we have left must mean we are favourites to be the team to finish in 7th. We'll see if the boys can dig themselves out on Tuesday but TABBY MUST START EVERY REMAINING GAME.

JT ANOTHER GOOD POSTING - I AM GLAD YOU ARE AT LAST RECOGNIZING THE GOOD PLAYERS IN OUR TEAM

 

[Brentford St George]

I agree Tabb should start and the best place to play him is behind the front two.

 

[chizbee]

Has anyone thought that Tabby might be carrying an injury,like a lot of our players at the moment.
Obviously MA wont let anyone know our injury list.

 

[joe_brentford]

Is Martin falling into the same trap as Wally did last season. I seem to recall being at an "on pitch" forum last season before our great end of season run when MA was fairly clear that in Tabby we had a gem who would start every game for the rest of the season. It worked.

We now have a situation where he as one of our most influential players seems to be the bench warmer.

If the team were performing well in midfield and up front then I could understand it but to see the likes of the wasteful Rankin (who once again missed a sitter which would have made it 2-1 today) preferred to him is ridiculous.

Even on half form Tabby can do more damage than Rankin has all season. One great goal at Southampton and a couple of other exciting moments is the sum total of his contribution. Tabb may be guilty of missing chances too (eg had a great one last Saturday) but his overall play means he must start in the remaining 4 games.

Whilst, I was confident on Tuesday, todays performance and the fixtures we have left must mean we are favourites to be the team to finish in 7th. We'll see if the boys can dig themselves out on Tuesday but TABBY MUST START EVERY REMAINING GAME.

I think you are being a bit unfair on rankin...He hasn't scored enough goals but u can't falt his effort. I think he goes on some good runs. I always watch him carefully and he does set up people but there isn't anyone ever there to finish it. But I do agree Tabb does have to start!!!

 

[WILTSHIREBEE]

Agree we need him to start but he's got to bee 100% fit.

If not what a sub he makes.

 

[RedArmy]

I don't think he's injured, he seemed fine, I like the way Martin Allen changes the team giving everyone a rest, after a hard season. Although I think at this crucial stage we should play our best team every game now. Tabb should play the central attacking midfield role, which is his best position.

 

[sussexb]

Agree that Tabby's been off form this season - but even off form I think he's one of our best players. I think it's confidence that's been the problem rather than injuries (could be wrong obviously) and I'd love to see him given a proper run in the centre as an attacking midfielder. Don't think that can happen at the moment, or at least it won't which is a shame... Because I think that would see him get better and better.

 

[Les Beeavinu]

Agree we need him to start but he's got to bee 100% fit.

It's a concern this season that some games seem to take a lot out it. He's been out on his feet sometimes and then jaded for the next couple of games. I hope there's not an underlying problem with his fitness 'cos I think he's head and shoulders (metaphorcally of course!) above the rest in terms of his awareness on a football field.

If we had both him and Pratley in the team long term, people might even have to start dropping the "long ball merchants" tag.

 

[kevalutonbee]

Was hoping to continue the 'When Tabby scores we never lose' thang....oh well.[/QUOTE]

Wasn't that stat in the games in which he has started and scored we have never lost

 

[8 Bee]

I'm afraid that today rather contradicted the title of this thread.

I don't know what has happened to him but Jay seems to be struggling and has fallen into the form-confidence-form circle. I'm sure that in time a dose of Matin's PMA will bring him back to life.

Today, the introduction of Sir John Salako was long overdue but it would have been even better if Hunty with his never-say-die attitude had been an available option.

 

[JTofBFC]

Agreed, he was poor today. Very poor. Not the only one mind you and I still think that on average he has more good games than the likes of Rankin who frankly has had about 3 good games all season.

A new strike force is needed for next season. Somehow we need to get new blood in up front.

 

[tobyw]

Tabby looked completely out of sorts today - well off the pace.

How long is Hunty out for again..?

 

[alikat]

Yeah, I've always been one of Tabby's biggest fans, but today was a poor effort from him, and, of late, he seems to have been well below par for much of the time. It's so annoying when we all know what he's really capable of. Let's hope that he can pull out all of the stops for the remaining matches.

 

[Mr Cynical]

Tabby was very poor today. I just don't think he's a winger though, he's much better in an attacking midfield role. Also he's the type of player who likes the ball to feet and we just don't do that anymore.. :-(

Bring back the football and the real Tabby will return..

As Salako shouted from the sidelines; "tell them to pass the ball!!!"....

 

[Brain-dead Bee]

I like the fact that he doesn't hide when he's playing badly and still seeks out the ball.

He's off form at the moment, and the pitch isn't helping him, but I'd pick him ahead of Rankin any day