Joe Riley...

[truewhite15]

Mooted by the Bolton News as a potential candidate for the RB spot over the next couple of days...

http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wa ... _Mr_Right/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

How good is he? Anybody know? Is he really preferable there to Robbo/Alonso/Wheater et al?

Oh, and in the same article, they propose a CB role for Muamba if Wheater is switched out there...

[t_o_molloy]

He's solid enough for the reserves, but Mark Connolly would probably be played there before him in an all honesty.
However he has been with the club since the age of 9 if that article's to be believed, so it would be nice for him to graduate to the first team after being with us for 10 years.

[scotty]

He's solid enough for the reserves, but Mark Connolly would probably be played there before him in an all honesty.
However he has been with the club since the age of 9 if that article's to be believed, so it would be nice for him to graduate to the first team after being with us for 10 years.

He'll be due a testimonial soon!

[Choppers]

I find it hard to believe Coyle will drop Alonso now.

If you were going to try and get a reserve player into the first team squad, surely a cup tie is the perfect chance to do it.

Can't see a reserve (other than Alonso, as he's clearly been on the fringe for a while) jumping into our back four, naturally right footed or not.

[jaffka]

the reserve team defenders now have a great chance to get into the first team but they must knuckle down and graft to show that they are worth it

[TKIZ!]

the reserve team defenders now have a great chance to get into the first team but they must knuckle down and graft to show that they are worth it

This, they can't just walk into the team, they have to earn it.

[t_o_molloy]

Mark Connolly's been on great form though, as has Blakeman...

[TKIZ!]

But is it a case of putting them in there for putting them in there's sake? Connolly has looked good but it could be nerve wrecking enough with a quarter final/league position on the line

[t_o_molloy]

It's only the bench, I'd rather him have to come on at Centre-back than Mumaba, I've spoke to him on Facebook and he's very confident in his own ability and is therefore very disappointed at the situation.

[Lord Kangana]

Alonso played well again today. Robbo works at right back.

The reserves are fighting for a place on the bench, or hoping someone gets injured.

I'm hoping that whatever it is thats really wrong with Steinsson gets sorted soon, as he can fill in at both fullback and centre-half when required.

[officer_dibble]

Mark Connolly's been on great form though, as has Blakeman...

I bet there is a fee involved if connolly makes an appearance.

[t_o_molloy]

Mark Connolly's been on great form though, as has Blakeman...

I bet there is a fee involved if connolly makes an appearance.

Well he plopped O'Halloran on't bench against York so it can't be that damaging...
The fee we paid for him was already £1Million when he was 17 so I can't see there being that many add-ons unless Wolves thought he'd develop into Franz Beckenbauer.
I just don't see what's the point in having a reserve team where even when they're playing well and there's injuries galore, they still don't get a sniff.

[officer_dibble]

I can't see why he isn't on the bench either, it's the only reason I can think of with any logic, money.

The lad on the bench v York we picked up on a free, right? Conolly we paid for so there could be an agreed add on which we might not want to pay unless we are convinced he is worth it.

[t_o_molloy]

All I know is we got him off Celtic, whether we bought him or he was free, I don't know, can't see us picking up a Celtic reject though.

[Tombwfc]

Surely unless we think he is so beyond shit that he's no hope of ever playing a game for us, we'll have to play any add on for making the first team eventually anyway?

[officer_dibble]

Maybe. I'm only speculating but I can't think of any other reason we wouldn't put a kid defender on the bench! Didn't have to buy his train ticket maybe??!!

[t_o_molloy]

The thing is, he's actually good, I've seen him play quite a bit this season and is Cahill-esque, not the finished article by any means but great technical ability, strong in a tackle and captain of the reserves.

[Lord Kangana]

Maybe theres something in what Coyle says, and he doesn't want to start making them big-headed and complacant by just giving them a place in the squad?

Bearing in mind that the reserves are still bottom of their group.

[TKIZ!]

In some respects you're right we should be playing the reserves if we need them. But in another we have to trust the judgement of OC. In OC we trust?

[jaffka]

in any case whatever has happened this still applies:

the reserve team defenders now have a great chance to get into the first team but they must knuckle down and graft to show that they are worth it

now is where the boys and men are seperated, if you want stop whinging, make it happen and earn it