If it is Watson, it is a pity. He had a period of looking decent enough and combining well, but of late has had few opportunities and done little. Hard to get fluency when you're not playing much. I know this isn't necessarily a popular opinion!
I beg to differ. While I feel for Watson, he is not the answer to our woes at present. What's worse, he is actually ruining attacking chances created by others through his own inattention regarding the offside rule. If we can replace him with a better player, I am all for it, and wish Watson well for the future.
and no young player should be asked to be the solution to problems at their club. Same with the heat Ridenton's copping. We might decide we expect them to be ready to be pushing for a starting berth and they aren't good enough, but that's different to giving them a bit and scapegoating them for not being the complete article.
I mean how long was Krishna in the squad before he actually broke into the first team and what were the reactions to his first spell off the bench? Flat track bully I believe was the expression used by many
I've given up on Watson for his constant inability to stay on side. You want time in the first team you at least need to give the impression you have a clue and are making an effort. Maybe I'm being harsh, but that's where I've got to with him.
With Ridenton I agree - I think he is starting because he is about as good as we've had allowing for injury and unavailability and Finkler's issues, and it's not his fault he is getting selected. Singh arguably better but I presume the balance of the three mids has just worked in Ridenton's favour. Plus Singh's relative inexperience and physical stature. But Ridenton's worked his butt off. While I agree he hasn't yet shown enough to be a guy that helps you be top 4/6 as a starter, I'd say he's shown enough to be persevered with in the squad. Watson, well others are making the call, and what I think doesn't matter, but...
I do not think that is harsh. There needs to be a balance between two objectives - wanting to "develop young NZ footballers further by giving them an A-League outlet" and the commercial objective of "having a successful team that can challenge for top four placing regularly". If we were properly harsh, few locals would be given a chance on the park.
I do not think Watson was expected to be a game-changer. But just for comparison's sake, we have Watson as a supersub, while WSW had Brendan Santalab - a quality striker riding the pine for many games and only coming on in the second half as a supersub. While we do not have a Santalab-like player, at present time I'd rather give Singh a chance as a potential supersub (due to his age) than Watson.
Even if I did not expect Watson to score regularly, at least I would like him not to ruin our offensive moves with his offsides. If he can re-learn that particular awareness at a lower grade, all is forgiven.