Gary Dicker

[cbs_stockport]

Hi, I'm the editor of the Stockport fanzine 'Clearblueskies'. As part of our preparations for the first issue of the season I'd be interested to hear your opinions on Gary Dicker, specifically...

NICKNAMES:

STRENGTHS:

WEAKNESSES

BEST MOMENTS:

WORST MOMENTS:

FUNNY/MEMORABLE MOMENTS:

HOW WILL HE GET ON HERE?

ANYTHING ELSE TO MENTION:

If anyone has a spare five minutes and is prepared to send me a couple of sentences on each point I'll make sure they get a copy of the fanzine, whether they want it or not.:D;)

Please send your responses to clearblueskies@gmail.com

Top city you live in by the way. Was over for the friendly recently and was impressed. I'll definitely be back.

[Bald Student]

A fella who visits this site occasionally called 'thegit' might be able to help you.

[thegit]

yeah Im a mate of his. But I think its only fair to let the real UCD fans have there say, im a bit biased on the subject. I'm sure they could fill you in a lot more unlike them I never got to see him play every game.

[John83]

Des? Or is this another fanzine!

[Colie]

Weaknesses! Ha. I don't think so. Great on the break out of midfield. Very composed on the ball & has no problem moving past players with the ball at his feet. Can read the game vey well. As far as I was concerned he used to run the middle of the park. I was so happy when he got called up to the Ireland U-21s & gutted when he went on trial across the water, though it was inevitable. I think he'll be capped at centre mid for the senior squad someday. For me he's the best we've had since the legendary Tony Mac.

[John83]

...the best we've had since the legendary Tony Mac.
Hey, he's not dead yet.

[cbs_stockport]

Des? Or is this another fanzine!

Another fanzine.;)

[Colie]

Hey, he's not dead yet.A legend in his own time Mr Mc.

[DmanDmythDledge]

Weaknesses! Ha. I don't think so. Great on the break out of midfield. Very composed on the ball & has no problem moving past players with the ball at his feet. Can read the game vey well. As far as I was concerned he used to run the middle of the park. I was so happy when he got called up to the Ireland U-21s & gutted when he went on trial across the water, though it was inevitable. I think he'll be capped at centre mid for the senior squad someday. For me he's the best we've had since the legendary Tony Mac.
Agree with all of that, although I don't think he will get senior caps, especially with Staunton's policy. You can tell we've been badly missing him this season.

[pineapple stu]

I believe uncyclopedia has a few words to say on Mr Dicker. Feel free to take and credit STIG, the UCD fanzine. ;)

Edit - any chance of getting hold of a few copies, incidentally?

[HarpoJoyce]

Dicker is still finding his way into the Stockport County FC side. Jim Gannon is a strategic approach to his substitutions. Gary already has 11 starts and 3 subs for Stockport's league games so far this season. Incl. tonight afgainst Tranmere Rovers.

Stockport play a containing game and hang on to the ball an awful lot. Stephen Gleeson got another man of match award tonight against Tranmere. Dicker, Gleeson and Turner use a lot of the ball and all attacks come through them. While Dicker has the most defensive role of the three.

Stockport Cty are going through a great spell at the moment but Gannon still presents a slightly defensive formation so they may draw alot more games than win. They've only lost two league games so far this season both at Edgerley Park.

Friendly fans too, including the Ludlow branch of the Stockport County Supporters Club. They appreciate the Irish connections the club are making.

[holidaysong]

Stockport Cty are going through a great spell at the moment but Gannon still presents a slightly defensive formation so they may draw alot more games than win. They've only lost two league games so far this season both at Edgerley Park.

When he was manager here, we set a world record of ten league draws in a row in the 2005 season..

[pineapple stu]

Scored his first goal on Tuesday night; the opener in a 5-0 Cup replay win over Yeovil.

[Poor Student]

With Ireland's problems occupying the two centre midfield spots you wonder if Gary might get a shot at a cap someday. He's still very young with capacity to continue developing and a step up a division higher someday would put him in the frame.

[pineapple stu]

On the Stockport forum, they reckon he's not the finished article yet (almost verbatim quote). Had a good laugh at that. :p

[Aberdonian Stu]

There appears to be much wisdom in Stockport.

[HarpoJoyce]

ITV showed all the goals of the replays last night including extended highlights of the Northampton Town v. Leeds Utd. game.
Commentary mentioned it was 'Gary Dicker's first goal for Stockport since his move from University College Dublin last year'.
(Almost verbatim and I laughed too. Christ.)

Anyway at the moment the ITV website is presenting the goals from each individual match.And installing themon the site.
http://www.itv.com/Sport/Football/FACup/VideoWall/default.html
(It appears to be approimate to the alphabeth, they havn't reached 's' yet.)

Road Trip Alert.
Stockport County are involved in another attractive Saturday to Tuesday fixtures.
http://www.stockportcounty.com/page/Fixtures/0,,10419,00.html
15:00 Sat 22 Crewe Alex. v. Stockport County,Gresty Rd.
The morning ferries should pick-up a train to to get into Crewe at 14:00.
(I just have to confirm this.)
The Stadium across the Railway Bridge and the town centre is two minutes further on.

1945 Tues 25 Stockport Cty v. Brighton & Hove Albion.
There are a number of cheap places in Manchester to stay. Stockport is 20-30mins on the train. regular service.

Liverpool - Olympique Marseilles on the Wednesday.

I'm tempted but there is little football action on Sun, Mon. because of the UEFA games in mid-week. Even a day-trip would be good but it may include getting a 0240 Irish Ferries back to Dublin Port on Sunday morning if the Stena line doesn't have an earlier one.

[pineapple stu]

Stockport drawn against Aston Villa in the Third Round of the Cup if they can get by lower league Gillingham at home in a replay.

[HarpoJoyce]

Seen the Crewe Alex. v. Stockport Cty game last Saturday. Gannon played a more longball game, upto ......... Craig Davies. it maybe 'cos he was intimidated a little by Dario Gradi returning as legend manager for Crewe. Gradi playeda defensive formation from the start. But took off a defender in the first half. Gannon put eased out his midfielders, first Leon McSweeney in the first half and then Dicker after Stockport was 2-0 up on 75 minutes.

Dicker's first touch was a shot from 20 metres with his left foot that went just over the angle post/bar. Continued crab-like effort and both defensive and attacking support followed.

Jason Taylor and Pilkington were Stockports best players.

Former Linfield forward Thompson came on in the last minute and scored. His name was on the lips of the away fans heading for the train station, incl. those who were cleared out of town and hour later when the Police closed some of the braver pubs that stayed open to serve beer.

Reads like the same-old story from Jim Gannon, two subs at half-time incl. Dicker.
http://www.stockportcounty.com/page/MatchReport/0,,10419,00.html
"...Gannon made a double substitution at half-time. Bringing on Gary Dicker and Tommy Rowe for Davies and Taylor.
...... Deep into stoppage time County had a scare when dicker lost possesion in the left-back area. Fuller hit a brilliant low cross which the diving Fon Williams did suberbly well to hold on the greasy surface."

[pineapple stu]

Greetings from Stockport where, after taking the time to travel over and see how he was doing, he's dropped. :rolleyes: Didn't even come on as a sub today; Greg Tansey is in ahead of him. Oh well. The rate they're selling players, he'll be back in the team soon enough.

[HarpoJoyce]

Greetings from Stockport where, after taking the time to travel over and see how he was doing, he's dropped. :rolleyes: Didn't even come on as a sub today; Greg Tansey is in ahead of him. Oh well. The rate they're selling players, he'll be back in the team soon enough.

You are unlucky. He is getting 90 minutes usually.
And Stockport County lost at home.

Still how are the S.C.F.C. Ludlow Fans doing?

What do you think of the Stadium (Sale Sharks Rugby League) and the surronds?

I didn't realise you were travelling I would have let some people know.

[pineapple stu]

The stadium is a proper ground; very nice. Others probably won't agree (corrugated iron everywhere), and the fanzine I picked up seems to be wanting a move.

He was dropped on Tuesday in favour of Greg Tansey unfortunately. He's got a job to get back into the team, barring injuries and fire-sales of players due to bankruptcy.

[Tipp Townie]

Just signed Gary on loan till the end of the season:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brighton/7965559.stm

Might've missed out on Gannon for manager, but at least he has the decency to give us some players instead!

I've had a look through this thread, but can anyone tell me a bit more about Dicker? ie. strengths, weaknesses etc?

[Tipp Townie]

D'oh! Didn't realise this was on the UCD forum!

Will paste it onto the 'Irish players abroad' thread instead...

[pineapple stu]

Very good technical player, perhaps not physical enough at times. Variety of views on the County message board about him, with some saying he's the best player technically they've seen in many years, and others saying he doesn't impose himself on games.

Interesting signing for Brighton - he's played 20+ times for Stockport this season, but with Tansey back, maybe they want subs off the wage bill given their current predicament. Would expect him to be a regular with Brighton.

[Tipp Townie]

Very good technical player, perhaps not physical enough at times. Variety of views on the County message board about him, with some saying he's the best player technically they've seen in many years, and others saying he doesn't impose himself on games.

Interesting signing for Brighton - he's played 20+ times for Stockport this season, but with Tansey back, maybe they want subs off the wage bill given their current predicament. Would expect him to be a regular with Brighton.

Interesting. Cheers Stu

[Poor Student]

Very good technical player, perhaps not physical enough at times. Variety of views on the County message board about him, with some saying he's the best player technically they've seen in many years, and others saying he doesn't impose himself on games.

That's pretty much how I'd sum him up. He's incredibly comfortable with the ball and seems to do amazing things 10 yards either side of the halfway line but over a long period of time you can't seem to recall him actually having contributed many assists or goals. UCD have had other talented midfielders not quite technically as gifted but they seem to have contributed more. That's not to say he is lazy, in fact he's very hard working, it's more a lack of end product to his game.

[John83]

What Poor Student is hinting at is the widespread attitude that Dicker may not be quite the finished article.

[Poor Student]

What Poor Student is hinting at is the widespread attitude that Dicker may not be quite the finished article.

I was leaving that honour to Aberdonian Stu.;)

[Bald Student]

Have you seen the episode of Pokémon where two Metapod do battle?

[cbs_stockport]

I doubt we'll see him back at SCFC. Wouldn't be surprised to see it made permanent.

If we weren't in our current predicament I seriously doubt he'd have been let go and also reckon he'd have been in the team a lot more of late. We're preparing for next season and that means blooding youngsters. Our midfield a couple of weeks ago was made up of teenagers.

[pineapple stu]

County message board reaction (http://members3.boardhost.com/marionsboard/thread/1238065953.html). Mostly disappointed, some reckon it's no great loss.

Top earner allegedly?!

[Colie]

If he strengthened up a bit (since I last saw him) he could make it anywhere. I think he's class anyways.

[HarpoJoyce]

Gary Dicker signed for Brighton & Hove Albion after he spent a loan spell there at the end of last season from Stockport County.


http://www.seagulls.co.uk/page/Latest/0,,10433~1702258,00.html
Seagulls Manager Russell Slade.." The fans will already know Gary. We only suffered one defeat while he was with us last season and he played a massive part in us staying up.
All the players warmed to him, as did the fans and the maore he played the more influential he became."

Don't want to get all Ipswich Town and it maybe kinda gay but I've always being fond of The Seagulls, 'bandages at Wembley' stuff like that.