Quote leicester_rhino="leicester_rhino"He's a great member of the squad, and a key part of the 17 on each of the last 3 GF wins. You shouldn't write him off in favour of an unproven antipodean.
Sorry to go all G1 on you like'"
I don't think Kirke's input in last years GF was that 'key' TBH.
Kirke got back into the reckoning after the ousting of JT in '07. When he came back from injury. He offered a safe pair of hands and was a steadying influence. Didn't drop much ball, good tackler, attracting a few defenders when on the ball and looked for a quick PTB. In short he was a coaches pick for those reasons. He wouldn't win a game but he sure as hell would be steady enough to not come up with the big error or blunder.
That was fine with me and his selections in the last 3 GF show this.
BUT this season his performance hasn't been there and his work ethic is off the pace. He seems to put the same stint in regardless of whether he's on the pitch 25m or 45m. He has needed to step up a level this season but has failed to do so. He's a big unit and is towing out there with the added game time he's having to do. But rather than relishing the opportunity he's letting it overcome him.
For me I always judge on form. And Ambler is doing Kirke's job better than Kirke!! He's the steadying influence that Kirke once was over the last few games.
