Sarpreet Singh

At the start of the season he was proudly hauling gear up the terrace for the youth team training, didn't see any other contracted senior players do that. I wouldn't go judging people on attitude as it is fairly easy for people to forget the last time they lost their shark at work.

 Singh has had one appearance this season which was outstanding albeit for only 20 minutes.  The Phoenix have been very poor, that is why we are at the bottom by some margin.

So because he wants to shield Singh, the coach will continue to play a bunch of sub standard players and drop Singh.

Do you really believe that crap?

Well, it was just speculation because that was the exact reason that he gave for dropping Smith.

Forests 18 year old doing well against Arsenal.

Surely Singh needs the exposure against these Aussies sides so he knows exactly what he will be up against....Like Krishna, getting the shark kicked out of him without the referees giving him the free kicks as a result.

Anyone got anything more concrete about Singh's attitude, other than a Cole Peverley tweet (which he admits is a guess)?

If not I think that speculation should be put to bed.

100% agree

Sarpreet's very quiet and polite. Doesn't speak overly much but is confident in his ability on a football field - not hinting towards an attitude problem more that he backs himself to play and will try anything. I have known him for a number of years, but last heard from him late 2015. I highly doubt his omission has anything to do with an attitude problem. Of course this may have changed, but this was how he was 2 years ago.

My guess would be perhaps he is seen as too lightweight to be playing midfield in the a-league, and not quick enough to be playing out wide. DK is likely struggling how to fit him in consistently without wanting to rush him in too quickly and allow him to be exposed to overly physical defenders. Against Sydney there was at least one instance where he was pushed off the ball far too easily.

Good points. I wonder too if his defensive ability is not up to the levels required with the defensive pattern? He came off the bench in both 17s and 20 world cups, and brought attacking flair, but was always exposed defensively.

Really want this kid to succeed, but just don't see it happening at the Nixs.

The fact remains that this kid has far more ability and is a better player  than a number of substandard players already getting on the field.  Every player has his strengths and weakenesses and to date in the few chances he has had he has shown he has heaps of strengths.

Guess the point is are hi strengths enough to outweigh the weaknesses vs a more rounded player

Yes and what more rounded player have they had out there in recent weeks? Ridenton who struggles to  string a pass together?

Sarpreet is not a holding midfielder, he has never played there before. Use to feature heavily on the wing but as he has grown older he has been used far more centrally in the #10 role. 

You have to be realistic and realise that he wouldn't be taking out Ridenton, it would have to be McGlinchey, Krishna, Parkhouse or Burns. The only one he is near there is Parkhouse, and even still I personally would much rather a more physical and faster Parkhouse coming off the bench running at tired defenders. Compared to a technically superior Singh who wouldn't be as useful against tired defenders. Don't get me wrong I want Sarpreet to get more time but I dont see how it can be that easy to achieve for DK without being forced to use him (ie. the Vidosic drama). I do believe DK rates him higher than Rogerson, and now Rufer too given his performance against Sydney so he may get further opportunites, however the signing of the new Serbian pushes him even further out..

McGlinchy like Ridenton  is playing poorly and  Parkhouse  should not get anywhere near the field.

I  agree with you on Burns and Krishna. 

So what would your solution for the midfield be if no McG or Ridenton?

I honestly think Mcglinchey could be dropped in place of Singh (providing Ljujic is still easing into things from the bench). He started off the season well, but how many times in three and a half seasons has he been a standout? I always want WeeMac to perform but he goes missing so easily, and it doesn't help that he's a bit slower than he used to be. I guess theres the issue that Singh is probably too young, too diminutive and Ljujic's arrival doesn't help that either but when he comes on he tries things and he's exciting. Can't say the same about McGlinchey at the moment

so with us signing Matija, will that be the end of Singhs chances this season and probably next?

Yes

End of the day it is Parkhouse keeping him out of the match day squad. Parkhouse has the advantage that he can play left back but I think that's got to be the only thing that's keeping him on the bench 

It does seem odd to have both Burns and Parky on the bench from an attacking point of view.  Also with Galloway there you have cover for either side at fullback.

Thank fully it is not the case. You have to question the coach, it has taken him 20 games to finally start with this kid who has demonstrated that he has the ability. Meantime we have had suffer ponderous performances from players who were supposed to be superior.

Said in the press conference than Singh is starting next week.

Was that an awesome goal or what? Any one of us would have proudly owned that. Brilliant.

Goal

Actually Singh did Ljulic's job tonight (a screamer from a distance). So with that, will that be the end of Ljulic's chances this season?  

Tongue in cheek, but he was a bit of a passenger tonight. Singh is a young bloke but Matija is a seasoned pro and needs to put in more effort.

Ljulic obviously started well but we did hire him from Lithuania, perhapss he just isnt a league standard.

thought both played well last night. Lujic I think liked having someone like Singh to link up with... certainly more movement off the ball in the middle. They complemented each other I thought.

Quality goal!

The kid has come on recently and changed games with attacking intent.The guy was ready a month ago. Scoring a goal like that confirms the ability of the kid. Bad attitude ffs! I'd be rather put out if a bunch of imposters were selected in front of me.

Players like puts money on the gate. People pay to watch players like him and he influences others to play. If Burns can get his thumb out of his arse and start scoring and creating goals more the team will be worth watching.

Well done kid.

Burns hasn't played for two years, I'm surprised he's actually making it through the matches to be honest. I'm expecting him to hit form in a few games not now.

That's probably fair. I for one have overestimated his current playing form when he rejoined the Nix. He needs to be given that regular football to do well. At the same time he was not a "problem" player - did not cost us a missed goal, red card, or anything, in that sense I can see that even when out of form he still is a class player.

As well as the goal which was obviously outstanding, he also set up AK in the first half who should've scored. A couple of other good attacking plays as well. A couple of slightly sloppy touches as well which is to be expected at this stage.

you forgot to mention his stellar work on defence. Several times he was back in our box stealing the ball off an attacker and starting an attack from deep,

Should we thank Darije for protecting him? I mean could he cope with the kicking that Burns/Krishna/Roy/Roly gets?

But hoping to see him win us many more!