Thursday 14th August, 20082 years ago, mid-August
Make Topp happy – take the wrapper off him
Billy Topp is not happy at City and some say he wants to go. I’m not surprised is his not that keen. No one comes all the way from Chile to sit on thier backside.
Toppy came over this time last year and took ages to sign. He spent ages on the injury table after that but when he did play he looked the part. The turn against Shrewsbury was a class above and every time he plays he shows a bit of a brain and a lot of a heart. He is Bazza Conlon with flicks and he is ready to go.
So what does he get? He gets to play on the right wing while we go after Luke Beckett and end up with Michael Boulding. He is sitting on the sidelines as we bring players in over his head. No wonder he is unhappy.
So here is a thought. Why not give him a go?
Everyone keeps saying how Boulding is not match fit yet and hasn’t had a proper pre-season so why are we playing him and why aren’t we playing Topp? Topp was good enough to give money for how come he isn’t good enough to play over a guy who is supposed to be half fit?
Players need games and since he came Topp has not had the chance to get a dozen under his belt. If Stuart McCall wants to know why he is unhappy that is probably it. The solution is to give him that chance and show a bit of faith in the skills he showed that made us sign him.
Since Topp has been here he hasnt shown the necessary determination to get fit and apply himself to this physical league and McCall knows this. Its a shame because he clearly has natural ability but he also needs to show himself to be an athlete – and this comes first.
I appreciate he has had his injury issues but everytime he appeared last year he consistently carried too much timber. Its up to him now to show the right atitude so that he can be picked. Its not worth ‘giving him a go’ because there are no dress rehearsals in the league. Every point counts, and athleticism at this level comes first, ability is an added bonus!
I think Blakey is being a little harsh, apparently Topp is fit and did very well in the pre-season run outs he got. Thorne and Boulding are goal poachers – 6 yard specialists, Conlon is strong and a target man. There will be games that suit these different styles, butWilly gives us something a little different up front i.e.the ability to hold a ball, beat a man (or two) and create opportunities out of nothing.
I think this is a real test of Stuart’s man management skills, maybe he isn’t Stuart’s ‘man’ but now’s the time to swallow some pride and give Topp a go. Just hear the noise the crowd makes when he comes on, he gives the whole place a lift.