Yeah think we'll have to mate Though if he could be the future of our midfield if we were a championship side
He was an England International just last season and has not really had a fair crack of the whip under Pellegrino this season. When he has played with Pierre i've noticed that the team seems to have a lot more energy and control. Just a personal opinion though.
If the worst was to happen this season, the first thing I'd be doing going into next season in the Championship (as the guy in place of MP) would be to make JWP captain.
Not sure what his very brief appearance for England has to do anything, it's not like he's anywhere near the squad now is it? I agree that he brings energy to the side that we lack sometimes but I just don't see him ever being much better than decent. That may be a bit harsh actually but I do think he's slightly overrated because he's an academy player. He's got no where near the ceiling of Pierre imo. Also a lot depends on where we are in a couple of years time too... he could be the future of our midfield if we're lower half/championship, but not in a team pushing Europe imo. As Brendy says, if we went down I'd be making him captain and think he'd flourish there.
The point i'm making is that he is good enough to get selected for England if he is given a decent run in the team as he was under Puel. You can't say that he has had that same opportunity under Pellegrino until now.
And we have a lot of injuries you have to add... not exactly our strongest position either. Yes he was in a good bit of form when he got his cap and deservedly so far, but you can't class him as an international just down to that either. I'm still not 100% sure what his best position is.
That's funny because I think the opposite of that, I think that he is underrated because he hasn't had a big transfer fee.
I'm not saying I don't rate him at all... Just I haven't yet seen enough to class him as the future of our midfield, though like I say that's subjective on where we are really. Agree to disagree
JWP is improving steadily. His performance against Everton was great. If he can perform like that more regularly yes he is the future. Nb does anyone think playing him centrally might be a good option?
Over the last couple of years it seems midfielders have split into two groups; those who can tackle (DM), and those who can create something (AM). There seems to be no room for the classic midfielder anymore. That's why I like JWP and Davis so much. They're the only proper midfielders we've got.
I am a fan of JWP, if I was a RB, I would love to play with him in front of me because he works tirelessly in supporting defensively and so effective against right footed wide left midfielders who want to cut infield because that's where JWP is supporting. So to say he can't defend is a complete exaggeration. He is a very neat and tidy passer, he doesn't hang onto the ball but moves it on quickly and generally in a forward direction. His crossing and deadball delivery is unset passed in our team and our attacking threat shrinks when he isn't on the pitch. His goal scoring needs to improve and should be aiming for ten goals a season
On the goal-scoring point - I was encouraged to see him showing good strength to shield the ball and also reacting quickest inside the penalty area against Fulham (for the chance he scored there was some good fortune that the ball came to him, but the earlier chance he made himself). That's not the kind of situation we're used to seeing him in.
