i couldn't find the thread from last season but the stats were unbelievable. The success rate with Meyler in the team compared to when he wasn't was ridiculous. I looked the other other day what team we had out for the last time we played Swansea and forgot he played. He also played against Leicester. Anyway with thanks to top of ci. This seasons stats 12 games started. Won 5. Drawn 3. Lost 4. 14 games didn't start. We won 2.
What I find with him is he never seams to receive the ball under control! He always looks off balance when he's got the ball at his feet and it rolls out reach! But he does have something about him that picks the rest of the team up!
Meyler's typical of the classic midfield workhorse. Always underrated because there's no fancy stuff and sometimes passes go astray, a lot like one Ian Ashbee. Yes Ash is a club legend now (after the event) but I remember the **** he got from most Hull City fans, all the way up from the 4th div to the premier league. He has a goal in him too.
Thanks for digging this out again. I assume this is for this season. if you looked at last season you will get a similar pattern. That great run we had when we were winning 3-0 against Boro, Burnley ,etc, we had Meyler in midfield. I recognise he has some technical weaknesses but for me even if he isn't playing that well himself, he somehow gets the whole midfield playing more on the front foot, further up the pitch, and just does so much of the tidying up, getting a foot in. And I suspect his positioning as a right back is far better than Elmohamady's. Will be very interested to see what Silva makes of him. I think he might suit the pressing game it looks like Marco might want to play. But then maybe his technical deficiencies will count against him.
Does it matter? Better to have a lucky player than a good player! I've always liked him. I'm not knowledgeable enough on football to back this up, but I've always assumed that he does things/ fills gaps that free up other players to do the stuff that wins us games. That's why he is underrated , but statistically important (?)
If he's playing badly he should be taken off or given a rest, if he's playing well he should be given a run in the team. Same as any other player. Of course one of Bruce's grand strategies was to play players even when injured and less effective.
He had a good game yesterday. Certainly as good as Elmo has been doing. When he has a run in the team he plays well but rarely is he a good sub. So guess it could be a confidence thing.
I'm not his biggest fan as is well documented on here, but it sounded like he played well yesterday. As was said above, of the new manager can get more out of him on a regular basis, he's just the player we need. I just found him irritatingly inconsistent when playing in the top flight on a regular basis.
Meyler is underrated. Not the most technically gifted but he makes runs, causes the opposition problems and pops up with goals. I think he offers a lot more off the ball than on it and in a sense gives us something most of our squad doesn't. Should be starting in more games really, but with Huddlestone and Livermore's performances it's hard to see where he'd fit in without dropping one of them.
Good player. So what if it's a bit untidy at times? I've always thought he has the ability to drag the team forward through sheer force of will and heart at times. I think he's been embarrassed sometimes against really cultured footballing sides, and sometimes he just generally has a stinker, but he's the heartbeat of the team just as often too. If you're having 3 in midfield I'd always try to find a place for him.
