Alex Hartridge

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Grecian in Guzz

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Exiled 40 milesish West
Bridgy 81 said:
I like Alex Hartridge and I’m pleased we have him under contract until summer 2024 (and hopefully beyond).
I know he’s had a few instances in the last couple of games which have led to a goal against us and a red card for him but overall this season I think he’s been more than good enough.
Whenever I’ve seen him he appears to me to play with composure and a decent level of physicality.
Plus being left footed gives us good balance in the formation we generally set up at the back.
One thing I have noticed though is that he sometimes plays very slowly i.e. taking more time to pass the ball than perhaps necessary thus allowing himself to be closed down more than he needs to.
I appreciate the latter may be part of our newer tactic (as I understand it) of encouraging opponents to commit more before we release the ball but I’m not sure that suits everyone in our team, especially the central defenders.
My preference for the back three would be to concentrate on nullifying threats on our goal then playing the ball quickly and simply to a wingback or a midfielder to do the more attacking and creative stuff with the occasional longer ball forward down the line our up the middle if a striker is clearly free and in a good position.
I’m fine with Gary changing us to being a more possession based team (provided it’s possession with purpose) but I’d prefer our central three (including Alex) to be concentrated on their defensive responsibilities first and foremost and leave our quicker and nimble players further forward to implement the more complex tactical strategies, where less damage will be done if they don’t succeed.
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The other attribute that Alex brings is his lone throw which unlike our overused short corner routines is not used enough IMHO.
UTC
 
S

SaintJames

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Dec 3, 2020
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Bridgy 81 said:
I like Alex Hartridge and I’m pleased we have him under contract until summer 2024 (and hopefully beyond).
I know he’s had a few instances in the last couple of games which have led to a goal against us and a red card for him but overall this season I think he’s been more than good enough.
Whenever I’ve seen him he appears to me to play with composure and a decent level of physicality.
Plus being left footed gives us good balance in the formation we generally set up at the back.
One thing I have noticed though is that he sometimes plays very slowly i.e. taking more time to pass the ball than perhaps necessary thus allowing himself to be closed down more than he needs to.
I appreciate the latter may be part of our newer tactic (as I understand it) of encouraging opponents to commit more before we release the ball but I’m not sure that suits everyone in our team, especially the central defenders.
My preference for the back three would be to concentrate on nullifying threats on our goal then playing the ball quickly and simply to a wingback or a midfielder to do the more attacking and creative stuff with the occasional longer ball forward down the line our up the middle if a striker is clearly free and in a good position.
I’m fine with Gary changing us to being a more possession based team (provided it’s possession with purpose) but I’d prefer our central three (including Alex) to be concentrated on their defensive responsibilities first and foremost and leave our quicker and nimble players further forward to implement the more complex tactical strategies, where less damage will be done if they don’t succeed.
Click to expand...
Insightful post Bridgy. I believe also we are a better team with Alex but what you say in terms of how slowly Alex takes to repurpose the ball has been a long standing one well before GC. Alex has many attributes but if his issue is ‘speed of thought’ delaying decision making this will hold him back from playing much higher in the pyramid
 
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Memphis09

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Apr 21, 2021
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1,103
Cowshed Grecian said:
Hartridge is probably a contender for player of the season..I agree with the comment saying he’s slow with the ball, I often think he dwells with it too long before playing it..he needs to sharpen up abit.
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What how could he possibly be a contender for player of the season
Brown
Nombe
Sweeney
All have been far far better than him
He might be in with a shout if he could pass the ball to a city player
 
Cowshed Grecian

Cowshed Grecian

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Mar 9, 2022
Messages
1,186
Memphis09 said:
What how could he possibly be a contender for player of the season
Brown
Nombe
Sweeney
All have been far far better than him
He might be in with a shout if he could pass the ball to a city player
Click to expand...
I’d argue the toss on him being better defensively than Sweeney has this season.
 
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