From the short highlights I get to see it looks like JET is really starting to come good. In true Arsenal fashion he seems to be very comfortable on the ball around the box and doesn't panic under pressure. Just like Martin before him has he finally realised that he is no longer playing for a top four club and that if he wants to play football for a living (and I don't mean sitting on the bench picking up a wage, I mean being part of the first team), that he has to work a bit harder. Accused of being lazy in the past I would like to hear from those who watch him to give their opinion on how he is playing now. He could be a very important member of the team in next seasons campaign and I'm really starting to like the way our team is shaping up. No need to mess around with the midfield in the summer as defenders are top of the priority list IMO. A striker wouldn"t hurt though, but the 4-2-3-1 formation is working well for us and Scotland is a good back up.
I really hope that we extend Scotland's contract. The strength of the team is in the depth of quality in the squad and Scotland poses a great goal threat coming off the bench. He did it against Leeds and again last night. I also think we should ditch Ellington to make way for another striker, someone like Ched Evans would fit the bill. Jet is still young and has lots to learn but he has made some excellent contributions so far and can only get better. I think the laziness is just in his DNA and he will never be a box-to-box player.
Would you rather see Scotland in the team before Murphy JWM? Do you think we should try to get Daryl permanently? it sounds like his height helps us defending set pieces.
Murphy has been quite handy for us as he adds some strength and the way we play with Martin and Jet almost fluid in terms of positioning I wouldn't have any complaints with him signing. As for JET we all want to see players 'Play for the Badge' etc. etc. but in reality we need players who can make things happen and he does, he clearly has ability above and beyond his team mates and probably the championship and most of the bottom half of the Premiership but he will have his off days as do all flair players but I'm not fussed, we've had too many 'steady' and 'workmanlike' players who have been dross so someone who shows a bit of quality even if it isn't for 90 minutes week in week out is refreshing
I think Murphs is doing a good job but he doesn't score enough goals. I am not sure that we should offer him a permanent deal in the summer, Scotland's goals this season have all come at vital times. Murphs doesn't seem to have goals in him although he is a great team player.
As for your suggestion of Ched Evans JWM, I couldn't agree more! we were apparently interested in the Summer but as he was under 30 fell short in PJ's eyes I imagine. Also the 20k a week he's on at the blades probably didn't help, but he's out of contract in the summer (I believe...) so would definitely be worth a shout as we could offer decent wages would really add something we have been lacking which is a physical presence leading the line. Would imagine this would be more likely is Sheff U don't get promoted
As you spend a lot of time in Sheffield, have you seen him play this season? I think he would make a great strike partner for Chopra, big man - small man combo!
This probably explains why is used more on the wing than upfront, you can't really class him as a striker, he doesn't play there enough.
As with pretty much all their players last season, he looked pretty dire, it struck me of a similar situation to Tamas where he was bought for a handsome sum and put on a high wage and never hit those heights either of those would lead you to believe and naturally the fans turned, I can't remember seeing him play much which I believe was through selection mainly rather than injury, the fact that Darius Henderson was playing ahead of him tells it's own story but a change in manager, run of matches and a better team around him (not to mention worse teams infront of him) he looks like the players they thought they'd signed. Clearly a talent but was thrown in with too much pressure last season. Haven't seen them play much this season but in every highlights package the BBC put on he looks like he has everything we would need. Dare I say it... a quicker and more mobile (plus younger and less c*ntish) Grant Holt
Just responding to SD's earlier point...yes, I thing we should keep all 3...JET, Murphs and Scotland. The latter was on a fine run of form til dropped, and comes on for 5 mins last night and bingo! He brings us several tasty options as a No 1 sub...muscle things around and unsettles defences in final quarter. I remain of the general view that we need One key fresh defender, no more midfielders, One more goalie (Wrighty is off to pastures USA I hear?)and erhaps another tall strong striker, but not essential in my humble opinion. Glad to see young Stevenson getting game time too. That's the way forward.
JET's biggest problem is staying in the game for 90 minutes. He's so influential when he's involved but so often goes missing. Perhaps his team mates can help on that front by looking for him and not letting him drift out of games. QPR had a tactic of giving Taraabt the ball and making sure they were protected if he lost it and it worked well for them. I've no doubt JET can do just as well as Taraabt in this league if we do something similar.
Spot on Sven...I like the guy, and he really shows up journeymen Championship defenders! One of our potential - read my lips - Premiership class players.
