[Westbars Spireite]

hilly81, on 21 December 2024 - 09:15 PM, said:

Full disclosure. I did?t think he was good enough in the NL a few years back and should be released. He proved me massively wrong. I didn?t think he was good enough in the FL a few months back. He?s proving me wrong again. He?s been a magnificent servant to this football club over the last few years.

There was that season when he barely scored or assisted so it wasn't an unpopular opinion.

[Siberian Spireite]

hilly81, on 21 December 2024 - 09:15 PM, said:

Full disclosure. I did?t think he was good enough in the NL a few years back and should be released. He proved me massively wrong. I didn?t think he was good enough in the FL a few months back. He?s proving me wrong again. He?s been a magnificent servant to this football club over the last few years.

He wasn't good enough back then, for whatever reason. He's been plenty good enough since, and I agree, he's been a magnificent servant. My MoM too today, and a great assist too.

[Lincs Spireite]

Oldaker will be lucky to get a game if Mandy keeps playing like he does. A quality footballer that any team would be lucky to have.

[Rodders]

Mandy is great in the middle of the park role, he can get stuck in, great engine and can play through the lines. Fantastic player and found his new position.

[Mr_Pleasant]

jack bauer, on 21 December 2024 - 10:50 PM, said:

longest serving town player at present, has survived a number of managers but has found "his" manager in cook. clearly mandy had talent from day one but his stock has grown season on season, workrate not something you would have said in the same sentence as mandeville when he first joined but now the two are synonymous, james berry take note, as talented as you are with the ball you have to back it up with a desire without the ball, mandy certainly does that.

I think this is the point. Cook has been a revelation for him. And to be fair to him, whilst I had written him off after a couple of seasons (and I've never been so wrong about a player, thank the Lord) he came into a club that was dying on its aris, probably never wanted to have to go into non league, and I imagine he probably wasn't enjoying his game very much.

[dim view]

Mr_Pleasant, on 22 December 2024 - 09:54 AM, said:

I think this is the point. Cook has been a revelation for him. And to be fair to him, whilst I had written him off after a couple of seasons (and I've never been so wrong about a player, thank the Lord) he came into a club that was dying on its aris, probably never wanted to have to go into non league, and I imagine he probably wasn't enjoying his game very much.

And he was released by Doncaster. He's an intelligent lad. Somebody should ask him who/what transformed his game.

[Goku]

dim view, on 22 December 2024 - 09:59 AM, said:

And he was released by Doncaster. He's an intelligent lad. Somebody should ask him who/what transformed his game.

Probably that bloke whose job is hanging by a thread.

[Osborne again]

jack bauer, on 21 December 2024 - 10:50 PM, said:

longest serving town player at present, has survived a number of managers but has found "his" manager in cook. clearly mandy had talent from day one but his stock has grown season on season, workrate not something you would have said in the same sentence as mandeville when he first joined but now the two are synonymous, james berry take note, as talented as you are with the ball you have to back it up with a desire without the ball, mandy certainly does that.

Liam Mandeville is one of those players you either hate or love and I'm in the latter group. He works his socks off, although, in this weather,his gloves stay firmly on, and I've no doubt that some would have ago at that.
As you rightly say, James Berry needs to look at players like Mandeville to help improve his chances of making it to higher levels in the game. Everyone wants to see him do the exciting stuff,but the full back needs a hand now and again.

[Mr_Pleasant]

dim view, on 22 December 2024 - 09:59 AM, said:

And he was released by Doncaster. He's an intelligent lad. Somebody should ask him who/what transformed his game.

I think it was when we got into the National League Play-offs for the first time, there was an interview with him and another player (can't remember who). They made some pointed comments about playing Donny. I imagine being released by them hurt him, and he ended up at car crash us (at that time).

I also expect that it became easier for him when we actually started winning games. It's difficult for players to shine in a pit of cack.

[60s 70s Spireite]

dim view, on 22 December 2024 - 09:59 AM, said:

And he was released by Doncaster. He's an intelligent lad. Somebody should ask him who/what transformed his game.

I have posted this before- but he was touted as a future star when he broke into Donnie?s first team- but a change of manager did for him.
Edit - here you go
https://www.derbyshi...-ferguson-70495

This post has been edited by 60s 70s Spireite: 22 December 2024 - 10:16 AM

[whittman]

jack bauer, on 21 December 2024 - 10:50 PM, said:

longest serving town player at present, has survived a number of managers but has found "his" manager in cook. clearly mandy had talent from day one but his stock has grown season on season, workrate not something you would have said in the same sentence as mandeville when he first joined but now the two are synonymous, james berry take note, as talented as you are with the ball you have to back it up with a desire without the ball, mandy certainly does that.

Mandy was signed by Sheridan as I recall and you could rely on him being one of the first player replaced after about an hours play when the subs board went up because he seemed to run out of steam

how times have changed as he seems to have found the same batteries used by the Duracell bunny and credit to him for being the asset to the squad that he now is

[Jud]

MOTM yesterday for me and OP is right...Mandy is absolutely the new Drew. He'd better enjoy his hair while he still can.

[Zigsuk]

It?s incredible to think he was once third in the pecking order behind Jack Clarke & the other youngish midfielder whose name temporarily escapes me but who briefly returned. Where are they now?

Osborne again, on 22 December 2024 - 10:01 AM, said:

Liam Mandeville is one of those players you either hate or love and I'm in the latter group. He works his socks off, although, in this weather,his gloves stay firmly on, and I've no doubt that some would have ago at that.
As you rightly say, James Berry needs to look at players like Mandeville to help improve his chances of making it to higher levels in the game. Everyone wants to see him do the exciting stuff,but the full back needs a hand now and again.

Does Mandy play better with his gloves on? It would seem so!

[clarevoyant.]

Siberian Spireite, on 22 December 2024 - 12:29 AM, said:

He wasn't good enough back then, for whatever reason. He's been plenty good enough since, and I agree, he's been a magnificent servant. My MoM too today, and a great assist too.

I think you can say he's finally got over his lengthy battle with covid or what ever it was.

[PontePete]

Sheridan didn?t get too much right in his second spell with us, but signing Mandy has (eventually) proved a master stroke.

Absolutely love Mandy, he?s a modern day legend on and off the pitch. Nuff said.

[clarevoyant.]

Osborne again, on 22 December 2024 - 10:01 AM, said:

Liam Mandeville is one of those players you either hate or love and I'm in the latter group. He works his socks off, although, in this weather,his gloves stay firmly on, and I've no doubt that some would have ago at that.
As you rightly say, James Berry needs to look at players like Mandeville to help improve his chances of making it to higher levels in the game. Everyone wants to see him do the exciting stuff,but the full back needs a hand now and again.

You'd have appreciated his Albert Holmesesque tackle under the scoreboard though, that certainly shut one or two whingers up.

I think his main problem is he doesn't appreciate the defensive duties fully and often find himself 3 or 4 steps of the pace. Hopefully our backroom staff are working on this.

A good majority of town fans have historically liked a whipping boy though

[Osborne again]

clarevoyant., on 22 December 2024 - 11:05 AM, said:

You'd have appreciated his Albert Holmesesque tackle under the scoreboard though, that certainly shut one or two whingers up.

I think his main problem is he doesn't appreciate the defensive duties fully and often find himself 3 or 4 steps of the pace. Hopefully our backroom staff are working on this.

A good majority of town fans have historically liked a whipping boy though

When Liam tackled the lad, it took me back to watching the best right back not to Grace the top two tiers of football. Albert was another who could play in several positions,and he even played up front,as did my namesake. Mandy is a lovely player to have in the squad and he's blossomed with Cook.
As for Berry, he's not the finished article and if he left during the transfer window coming up, it would be to a league one side and getting splinters in his backside. Although, if he kicks on with us for the rest of the season he may get a bite at Championship football or even higher,and I'd love to see that.

[Goku]

Whipping boy? hmm I don?t think it?s that. I think players like Dobra, Grigg and Markanday being such pressing machines juxtaposes Berry?s more, shall we say languid style. Maybe he?s never going to be that type of player, but football nowadays values attackers who can press and if you?re not doing that then you better be damn good at other things. And he is damn good at other things, just not consistently which is why he?s a League 2 player. Sometimes he seems to get it in his head that he can?t beat his man, it?s happened a few times this season when his opposite number has been stronger and quicker than him so he passes inside instead. Or maybe that?s his instruction, who knows, but you wouldn?t get Colclough doing that.

[Dapets]

The league two James Milner is a great shout

[Osborne again]

Zigsuk, on 22 December 2024 - 10:48 AM, said:

It?s incredible to think he was once third in the pecking order behind Jack Clarke & the other youngish midfielder whose name temporarily escapes me but who briefly returned. Where are they now?



Does Mandy play better with his gloves on? It would seem so!

For me mate, Mandy can wear his gloves all the time. I'm not one of those who find it odd, in fact I'd have let him have my David Coleman sheepskin gloves if it helps lol. He's my kind of player, he never gives up, and if he plays well,town play well, usually.