Yep, I said on the other thread that when he got his first I almost shed a tear of joy. I'm not sure what I was happier for - we scored more than one, we went ahead , or Jay Rod had scored. Genuinely pleased for him, as are most of the squad looking at the pictures.
At various times different posters on here have said all JRod needed was a ball to bounce off his bum into the net and he would be off and running and getting more. Time will tell if they were justified, but it is a start.
His first was a 'tap in' to some, but I noticed straight away how his confidence went through the roof once it went in.
His first goal is the same he has been missing in the last few games, as the lone striker he must get into the 6 yard box. second goal is something we have all seen from him, he has a good shot on him. a run of games and we may see the J Rod of old. shame his first touch is still shyte though
I have never quite understood this phrase, though it seems to be bandied about by all. In order for real confidence to arrive, one needs a little more than a lucky bounce off the bum or shin to score a goal. Yes, it may mean that at least the player is getting into positions to score, but Jay Rodriguez has always had the potential to be better than that. The criticism that I would suggest was correct, was that after his extensive injuries, he seemed to have lost the ability to be in the right place at the right time. Quite obviously, he's not quite the instinctive sort, like Charlie Austin, in that way, otherwise there would be no problem, so he required and requires coaching. Well, today he was in the right places at the right times. And although he didn't get many chances, he didn't need many either. So his confidence shot skywards because he did the right things and they worked. And that's way, way better than having the ball go in off his bum.
Stats at the end of the season will be the true test. He's missed two sitters in the last two games and scored a brace today. I couldn't be happier to see him back amongst the goals but its totally wrong to post a thread like this because the fans havent been wrong till now and they still have to be proven wrong. I do think he will prove to be a worthy squad member and the more he plays the sharper he will get and the quicker he will look. Stoked for him first and foremost.
I agree with those saying they preferred the first goal. Lovely passing, running and thinking from the team and good poaching. Nice to see us find a striker in the box. I wouldn't say the second goal was something we've seen plenty of from Rodriguez though. As far as I can tell today was only his third league goal for us from outside the box (and one of those was the Sunderland goal earlier this season that the keeper should have saved easily). If he's able to improve his shooting from distance that will help him adapt his game. Looking at Saints' YouTube video of his goals most of them fit into three categories. Defensive mistakes (mainly caused by Poch's high pressing style), Rodriguez running with the ball and/or out-pacing defenders and chances created by little 1-2's and headers in and around the box. It's noticeable that a lot of his goals were set up by Rickie Lambert. I'm not sure getting the ball wide and crossing it suits him as a striker. He and Boufal might work well together on the edge of the area if they can strike up an understanding. Like others, I'm delighted he scored today but want to see him stay fit and keep performing for an extended period before I get too excited. Better strikers than Jay Rodriguez have struggled to adapt their game after losing their pace.
You preferred the first goal? You bloody PlayStation weirdos. The second goal was the best goal. You can tell by using your eyes.
As a former centre forward, I disagree. Scoring a goal does something to you. It makes you walk taller, puff your chest out further. I can hardly recall me scoring a screamer from outside the box. I probably did, but the lucky deflected bounce off a quite considerable arse meant just as much as any other goal to me. I couldn't tell you how many times teammates would grumble at me after they'd skipped passed three defenders, drilled one from the edge of the area, only to see the keeper push a shot on to the post for me to stumble the rebound over the line. "Lucky bastard" they'd say. "Read the papers" would be my retort. These days my response would be different: "I'd rather be lucky than good"
Spot on. People love to say I told you so though which means one week someone's right, the next week someone else is.
Thank you Jaidi. After 16 years of marriage I have now seen this is why my wife always changes her mind.
I'll also add that a lot of people do try and see both views and discuss them, but then the black or white view hits.
Didn't realise there was a JRod thread. Posted this on the match day tthread. Ok, it is only one match, but I am really hoping that this is a sign of JRod getting back to proper match fitness. In his first season he took quite a long time to settle, and show his true qualities at a higher level than he had previously been playing, and many, myself included, doubted whether he would make the step up. It is because he did come through and prove himself then, that I have never written him off during his long battle back to fitness now. There is a massive difference between being fit and being match fit, and we will now hopefully see the benefits of Puel giving him game time, even when he wasn't firing on all cylinders. Could this be the equivalent to Pelle being injured last season, and Koeman having to include Long, leading to improved performances? #feelinghopeful
