Deleted : duplicate, once is enough  

indiana wrote:

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RJA wrote:

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indiana wrote:

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Whilst the challenger would probably be good for Evo, I'd be happier to see him heading for Glasgow even if just as currently the best form reserve for Kyle.

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You are working on the assumption that Evo is in contention for a place in the Davis Cup team when that most likely isn't the case. I know that Leon can be pretty hard nosed about these things but bringing Evo is ahead of Kyle would be incredibly difficult to justify. It would be a massive kick in the teeth for Kyle and he would every right to be utterly furious. What kind of a message would it send to him, and frankly everyone else in British tennis. You have a player would has made consistent improvements, steadily moved up the rankings, won a challenger recently, broke into the top 100 and who has always behaved impeccably and demonstrated a fine attitude. In comparison Evo's recent run of wins have mostly been at futures level and he still has very serious question marks hanging over his attitude and behaviour. In my mind he still has a lot to do before I would even consider picking him for the Davis Cup, even if I do have reservations about how Kyle will play in Glasgow.

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No, I am not working on the assumption that Evo is in contention for a place and there has been no indication that he will even be in Glasgow. What I am saying is I personally think that he is in the second best form of eligible Brits ( leaving out Andy ) so should be in Glasgow in case anything happens to Kyle, it being a bit dangerous to rely on James being hugely reinvigorated by the Davis Cup environment though he may be. We left ourselves short once last year, in doubles in Italy, when Ross evidently didn't convince enough that he could play in front of an Andy who had been ill ( Andy eventually playing may have in the end been the best choice whoever was there, but Ross may have had to play if Andy had been more ill and could only cope with his two singles matches - Ross perhaps more there to reintegrate him into the squad was to me not ready for a Davis Cup QF ). There were enough doubts about Ross to have a Jamie or Dom on site, there are enough doubts about James to have an Evo. Say Kyle trips down the stairs and does his ankle and James' form remains very dodgy, I'd then be happier if Evo was about.

So he could be there to possibly deputise if anything happens to Kyle rather than to be first ahead of Kyle. Being ultimately ahead of James would be no kick in the teeth though to James if James continued to show poor form in practice compared to Evo when Evo to me has already been playing better than him recently.

As it happens, on as much as I know from afar, but opinions help keep this place active, as I have said previously in the Davis Cup thread, I see Kyle as still in pole position and at the moment I would go with Kyle. However, I actually do think there is a relevant big experience and big success possible doubt about Kyle and that has been discussed.

Re your various points about Kyle's progress and attitude - true, and Evo's attitude at many times - true, though re his matches - mostly future level yes, but he has shown good form at challenger level recently and is increasingly looking above future level again, this is in honesty no futures level player. Some say it is too late a run, but if he is there or getting there now, that's what matters.

And here's kind of the rub and where we appear to differ, in that what most concerns me is who is most likely to get a Davis Cup win next week, so great lad that Kyle may be, very good solid progress etc and very questionable past attitudes by Evo, if Leon considered Evo was the better bet ( and I don't think he will, nor would I from afar ), then I would support that. As to whether Kyle would have every right to be utterly furious, I disagree if the basis Evo has been chosen on is to win the tie as distinct to how many gold stars he's got in his book. And you know, disappointed though Kyle would undoubtably be, he might be more accepting than you think if understanding it to be a pragmatic ( though he might himself disagree ) selection for the win. I think often managers and coaches buy themselves some at times grudging respect if they select first and foremost on these grounds.

You say yourself that you do have reservations about how Kyle will play in Glasgow, and that's precisely why not only do I think Evo should be there as cover, the case is made by some that he should be a candidate for the team. Ironically with all he's been through I have less reservations about what to expect from Evo. However, Kyle has been the better player over a period, indeed I'd say probably consistently above levels shown by Evo for any prolonged time even in his previous best. He remains currently the better player and to me the more likely still to win a match ( or two ! ) and that's why I'd go with him, but personally not on the grounds of many of these other points.

Sorry about the length, but anyway that's why I'd like Evo to be in Glasgow ...

-- Edited by indiana on Saturday 12th of September 2015 03:30:44 AM

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 I agree with you completely, Indy. I wouldn't pick Evo ahead of Kyle if I were the DC captain. But, hand on heart, sitting at home - at this stage of Kyle's career and looking at Kyle's playing style versus Evo's, ruling out James on diabolical form alone and noting Dan's freshness and good form - if I wanted give myself a CHANCE, however small, of WINNING one of the two player 2 matches I'd probably gamble on Evo.....then bottle it! It's about the Aussie's coming up against someone who plays DIFFERENTLY from what they are used to, who has good long match fitness, and who KNOWS how to win when it matters. In my opinion, Kyle is a very good player indeed - but his style is fairly commonplace on the tour (big forehand, solid double handed backhand, clay court background, pretty average serve) - and the Aussie's are better than him. Today. Full stop. Evo is a bit different. Different spins, slows it down, then launches winners, wicked slice, nice volley play, cat and mouse.....

.....No I'd bottle it! But I certainly wouldn't pick James. I think he's all over the place right now.

Cheers, RJA, and shorter from me this time !

Yes, it is clear from the Davis Cup thread that there are quite a number of posters who would have Evo at least in the mix though that discussion has been much more focussed on simply beating Australia.

So we are really talking about the importance of winning this particular tie against the wider messages and while I personally tend to disagree re the balance ( though I do now find myself wondering a bit about the message to Evo ), I certainly do understand and appreciate your point of view here.

Madadman, If Leon picks the player he honestly believes is the best for the tie ( and I myself think that Evo has a stronger case than you make out ), that may be all the justification needed.

This will very possibly turn all very theoretical if and when Evo turns up in Turkey.