I'm sorry to type this, But JWP is a weak leader., and it isn't any surprise that we are weak in midfield with him on the pitch.
It seems to me that the criticism of JWP is quite unfair. People generally agree he looks more effective higher up the pitch, but this year he is having to play far too deep, even compared to the Ralph era in which he formed a good partnership with Romeu, with both playing deep-ish in a 2-man midfield. Most teams we play line-up with 3 midfielders and it seems rare that we 'dominate' a midfield battle, yet he still runs all game and has improved substatially over the years with his defensive abilities which was the major criticism from fans during his early career. It obviously hasn't been his best season, but it is clear he has more quality than those around him and it is about time a manager played to his, as our best player, strengths.
Agreed. For a club that seems to shoot itself in the foot so regularly, dropping Prowsie would be the final shot that takes the foot off altogether.
JWP hasn’t been great this season, not many have. But his performances have dropped with the lack of a proper DM in the midfield. He just has too much to do in there and gets lost trying to play too many different roles imo. Bringing in a quality DM seems key to us improving as a defensive unit, having a functioning midfield and freeing up JWP to be the player we know he can be for us. If Lavia wants to go and will be sold, or if his seemingly innocuous 6-8 week injury that is still keeping him out 4 months later is going to continue to be a problem then maybe we need to bring in two in that position, even if one is more of a future prospect/SR investment piece that hopefully won’t have to play much this season but would do an okay job if he had to (like a Larios).
I still have faith that JWP will regain his best form as he is a class act but it is time for him to step down as the captain I feel and maybe take a bit of pressure off of him. The team's performances have steadily declined in the two and half seasons since he has had that responsibility and I would like us to sign a leader to take over in January be it a CB or CM such as a Jose Fonte or Dean Hammond type.
Although I agree a CF of type, is important, a DM with leadership qualities is paramount. Secure him & we immediately get 2x players - him & the real JWP! Coupled with another forward, I think we’ll be fine (just). Finding the first is a tall order tho.
Quite. It's easy to see why some jump on him but, our problems are not that simple to solve.For the time being let's hope NJ can find a better way of playing him and and at the same time assist in the recovery of JWP's confidence which will, I believe will spread throughout the others around him. He's a Saint through and through so let's get behind him and the team, as you say.
JWP always seems to get a load of hate. Think it’s the burden of expectations and setting such a high standard for himself. It’s very difficult to be a one man midfield in the premier league. And that’s what he’s been this season when Lavia is injured.
Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone. I have been reading on and off since 2012, so it feels like I know some of you without knowing you. As you can see I have been a member for a few years without posting, though I was tempted a few times during the Hassenhuttl debates! I think we should have kept him on, so perhaps in the minority on that one. Happy to give NJ time to show what he can do, but as we are already seeing, the squad lacks leaders and balance and anyone would struggle until we sign a decent midfielder and striker. I believe Hassenhuttl is a much higher calibre manager than Jones and the kind of guy that can draw bigger names to the club. I know that he fell out with a few players who called him inflexible, but those mentioned are hardly top players and would almost certainly need to be replaced if we are to stop circling the relegation zone on a yearly basis.
