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>Lee to give McLaren the boot
5:00pm Thursday 13th November 2008
Paul McLaren may have to bow to his captain and hand over the free-kick reins for the time being.
The midfield playmaker’s delivery from set-pieces has been a key weapon in City’s goal-happy start to the campaign.
But as he builds up for Saturday’s trip to his home town, McLaren faces a battle on his hands to keep taking the free-kicks.
Graeme Lee carved a reputation for leathering a dead ball from distance during his Sheffield Wednesday days. And after last week’s thunderbolt winner at MK Dons, the City skipper has clearly got a taste for it again.
A Lee free-kick also teed up the last league win, when Barry Conlon nodded home against Bury after the defender’s effort had smashed the bar.
So McLaren will reluctantly step aside should Lee fancy his chances again at Adams Park.
He said: “I’m sure Spike will be taking the next few after the goal he got last week. With Baz scoring one off his free-kick in the Bury game as well, he won’t want to give them up.
“I might have to wait my turn for a bit but I don’t mind as long as the goals are going in.”
McLaren has double the incentive for wanting to turn in his own stellar display in his native High Wycombe.
It is also his 32nd birthday on Monday and the McLaren clan will be out in force in the stands.
He added: “My parents live only ten minutes from the ground so dad’s trying to sort out as many tickets as he can. I’ve got a lot of mates coming along so there’s big pressure on me to perform well.
“But it’s a great game for us and I’m looking forward to it. I definitely feel we can go there and get a good result on the back of the MK Dons win.
“Everyone dug in down there, especially in the second half when they were on top, and we deserved to go through. It bodes well for this weekend and another big game.”
Wycombe came into the Football League in 1994 – the same season that McLaren turned pro – but he was never tempted to get involved with his local club.
“I was always at Luton when I was a kid,” he said.
“Wycombe were just forming as a league club and I don’t think they had a great youth set-up at the time so there was never a real chance of going there.
“I’ve played at Adams Park a few times but I’ve never been connected with the club. I don’t really know any of their players.
“Wycombe itself is not a big football town like some. It’s a nice little ground and I always enjoy playing there but they are never going to attract loads of people however well they might be doing.
“We know it’s going to be a tough game on Saturday. Wycombe don’t let many goals in – or score that many either – so it will be tight.
“But our confidence is high from the FA Cup win and I don’t see why we can’t go down there and pick up something.”
Your Say YourBradford
M4CC4 71, Wibsey says...
11:22pm Thu 13 Nov 08
LeftWanting wrote:At last, a report that leaves Leftwanting with 'no comment'.
No comment
More like this please Simon Parker.
Reckless, Adelaide says...
4:26am Fri 14 Nov 08
LeftWanting wrote:you jest!
No comment
Reckless, Adelaide says...
4:31am Fri 14 Nov 08
land-lack .... mmmmm yeh
Freddy, says...
4:38am Fri 14 Nov 08
If they could practice this in training,then as they BOTH position themselves to take the kick. The opposition would not know who is taking it. On a pre arranged signal from the two players,they both run at the ball,but one takes the kick. The other runs in,acts as decoy, or looks for any rebound.
If Luton Town become relegated from the league, and eventually cease to exist. (I do not want this to happen). I think a major part of the Luton Supporters, will migrate to Wycombe.
Freddy, says...
4:44am Fri 14 Nov 08
Attach it, and the 'Sun' to the TAIL of your Aircraft, and pull it back!.
We do not see much Sun here,only RAIN.
Citys' Shirts need to be re-designed and made 'WATERPROOF'!
Reckless, Adelaide says...
12:42pm Fri 14 Nov 08
Spenvalleyspartan, Heckmondwike says...
1:23pm Fri 14 Nov 08
Waynus, BD6 says...
3:33pm Fri 14 Nov 08
Freddy wrote:A good suggestion Freddy and one that I thought of myself. However, I dismissed it for the following reason.
It would be very interesting to see BOTH players preparing to take any free kicks, around the 'Box' areas. If they could practice this in training,then as they BOTH position themselves to take the kick. The opposition would not know who is taking it. On a pre arranged signal from the two players,they both run at the ball,but one takes the kick. The other runs in,acts as decoy, or looks for any rebound. If Luton Town become relegated from the league, and eventually cease to exist. (I do not want this to happen). I think a major part of the Luton Supporters, will migrate to Wycombe.
If both players line up for the ball, are we not weakening the ability to put height in the box. If McLaren was to take the freekick, I would expect Lee to be one of the players trying to attack the delivery, not standing beside McLaren. I think they should share the responsibility, but when McLaren takes the set-piece, Lee should be trying to get on the end of it.
Freddy, says...
3:57pm Fri 14 Nov 08
"Spenvalleyspartan" -Sorry for the early bird posted comment (04:38 etc.). When I wake up early, my best footy and scoring ideas occur!. Only whoever the lucky woman is, she is too tired, and can't take anymore!.
(Had just driven to Kent and back that evening,and was overtired!)
Waynus, BD6 says...
4:25pm Fri 14 Nov 08
Freddy wrote:Cheers Freddy. Was the mis-spelling of my username deliberate? How very dare you!
"Wanus" -Agreed, I had not thought of that aspect of positioning and height. I am just trying to score a 'Goal!'-from my armchair!!. "Spenvalleyspartan" -Sorry for the early bird posted comment (04:38 etc.). When I wake up early, my best footy and scoring ideas occur!. Only whoever the lucky woman is, she is too tired, and can't take anymore!. (Had just driven to Kent and back that evening,and was overtired!)
Should I be looking to 'report' your post for failing to be in the spirit of these message boards! LOL
You should have had my security words: "thus-idea" - not being able to sleep, THUS posting your IDEA!
Freddy, says...
8:51pm Fri 14 Nov 08
Spenvalleyspartan, Heckmondwike says...
9:01pm Fri 14 Nov 08
Freddy you stud. Never leave a women in bed to post who is better at set pieces Lee or McClaren! Strange bloke you are!
Reckless, Adelaide says...
11:28am Sat 15 Nov 08
Waynus wrote:Yeh well both ideas mean options.... taking in to consideration Waynus's idea my security words might give a clue....
Freddy wrote:A good suggestion Freddy and one that I thought of myself. However, I dismissed it for the following reason.
It would be very interesting to see BOTH players preparing to take any free kicks, around the 'Box' areas. If they could practice this in training,then as they BOTH position themselves to take the kick. The opposition would not know who is taking it. On a pre arranged signal from the two players,they both run at the ball,but one takes the kick. The other runs in,acts as decoy, or looks for any rebound. If Luton Town become relegated from the league, and eventually cease to exist. (I do not want this to happen). I think a major part of the Luton Supporters, will migrate to Wycombe.
If both players line up for the ball, are we not weakening the ability to put height in the box. If McLaren was to take the freekick, I would expect Lee to be one of the players trying to attack the delivery, not standing beside McLaren. I think they should share the responsibility, but when McLaren takes the set-piece, Lee should be trying to get on the end of it.
take-pass
xlnt stuff.... so one as a decoy or looking to use the height and nod in from the others free kick, & if the taker see's a gap because of the decoy, he finds the net direct. Just make sure the ref signals direct free kick first......
LeftWanting, Heaton says...
1:17pm Sat 15 Nov 08
Reckless wrote:Everything you think of is RECKLESS
Waynus wrote:Yeh well both ideas mean options.... taking in to consideration Waynus's idea my security words might give a clue.... take-pass xlnt stuff.... so one as a decoy or looking to use the height and nod in from the others free kick, & if the taker see's a gap because of the decoy, he finds the net direct. Just make sure the ref signals direct free kick first......Freddy wrote: It would be very interesting to see BOTH players preparing to take any free kicks, around the 'Box' areas. If they could practice this in training,then as they BOTH position themselves to take the kick. The opposition would not know who is taking it. On a pre arranged signal from the two players,they both run at the ball,but one takes the kick. The other runs in,acts as decoy, or looks for any rebound. If Luton Town become relegated from the league, and eventually cease to exist. (I do not want this to happen). I think a major part of the Luton Supporters, will migrate to Wycombe.A good suggestion Freddy and one that I thought of myself. However, I dismissed it for the following reason. If both players line up for the ball, are we not weakening the ability to put height in the box. If McLaren was to take the freekick, I would expect Lee to be one of the players trying to attack the delivery, not standing beside McLaren. I think they should share the responsibility, but when McLaren takes the set-piece, Lee should be trying to get on the end of it.
Reckless, Adelaide says...
9:14pm Sat 15 Nov 08
LeftWanting wrote:hahhahaha that's hilarious, stop it, no stop, yer making my sides hurt with all the laughing.
Reckless wrote:Everything you think of is RECKLESS
Waynus wrote:Yeh well both ideas mean options.... taking in to consideration Waynus's idea my security words might give a clue.... take-pass xlnt stuff.... so one as a decoy or looking to use the height and nod in from the others free kick, & if the taker see's a gap because of the decoy, he finds the net direct. Just make sure the ref signals direct free kick first......Freddy wrote: It would be very interesting to see BOTH players preparing to take any free kicks, around the 'Box' areas. If they could practice this in training,then as they BOTH position themselves to take the kick. The opposition would not know who is taking it. On a pre arranged signal from the two players,they both run at the ball,but one takes the kick. The other runs in,acts as decoy, or looks for any rebound. If Luton Town become relegated from the league, and eventually cease to exist. (I do not want this to happen). I think a major part of the Luton Supporters, will migrate to Wycombe.A good suggestion Freddy and one that I thought of myself. However, I dismissed it for the following reason. If both players line up for the ball, are we not weakening the ability to put height in the box. If McLaren was to take the freekick, I would expect Lee to be one of the players trying to attack the delivery, not standing beside McLaren. I think they should share the responsibility, but when McLaren takes the set-piece, Lee should be trying to get on the end of it.
Reckless, Adelaide says...
9:16pm Sat 15 Nov 08
Did you hear about the Huddersfield fan who dreamed of promotion, ..... ????
Yeh by the end of the season he was still Left Wanting.
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Paul McLaren celebrates his 32nd birthday on Monday and a large contingent of his family and friends will be at Saturday’s game
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LeftWanting, Heaton says...
7:08pm Thu 13 Nov 08