Well, he had a good game against Wolves (not great but good). It's wrong to suggest his recent performances have given any indication of anything. One good performance does not mean much. In terms of his 'huge strength of character', I really don't know where you get that from. It doesn't take character to carry on playing poorly. If anything he has let a poor season get to him, showing a pretty weak character by letting his confidence drain away. The really poor finishing we have witnessed is a sign of this. If he puts some top quality performances in week in week out, then yes, let's start taking about character and quality. Till then you are just voicing a hope, which we all share.
I think he does a lot of work that isn't always acknowledged. He mops up loose balls, tackles to win back possession, switches play, brings defenders into play to allow fullbacks to get forward. It's not the glamourous work, but it's still effective. I think it's typical of his position really, Denilson used to get a lot of similar stick, but he did the quiet work quite effectively. As did Gilberto, although in a flair team, he got his fair share of goals over the years. It's a position that isn't usually known for it's glamour, but is the engine of the team. Personally, whilst Ramsey has still got areas of his game that need to improve, I think he's doing a fairly decent job in there this season.
Just a cursory glance on this board and it makes me hold my hands up in disbelief at just how many Arsenal fans have been slagged off and blamed by fellow fans for being critical of our team. Everyone has an opinion, how about respecting that.
Likewise for those who have supported our players and manager. I agree with the second part of your post
Yep, he definitely needs to improve. Personally I think it will come. I also believe that he's shown enough this season to base that opinion on observation. One thing is for sure, I think we all want him to succeed, at least I hope that's what we all want
This is where I really don't understand what you are watching. Ramsey's tackling has been dreadful this season. As an example: Tackles per game: Ramsey 1.7 Arteta 2.6 Song 2.9 Coquelin (in his 8 matches) : 3.4 - higher because he played FB for more than 50% of his games Dispossessed per game: Ramsey 2.8 Arteta 1 Song 1.4 Coquelin 2.4 Rosicky 1.2 Ramsey has been poor in terms of tackling and losing possession. These stats will be no surprise to anyone who has followed us this season. Forget the poor finishing, what he needs to do is work hard on his strength and technique to hold players off and avoid being dispossessed and his pace, which will help him close down and make more tackles.
To be fair, his stats also show that he has a better pass rate completion that Fabregas had last season. So you either agree that stats are worthwhile in showing how good he is or not.
Pass completion rate statistics are completely useless as they include all the 5 yard sideways passes. When talking about passing stats that give more insight: Ramsey: Accurate long passes per game = 3 Accurate through ball per game = 0.2 Key passes per game = 1.8 Passes per game = 57 Arteta Accurate long passes per game = 5.4 Accurate through balls per game = 0.2 Key passes per game = 2.1 Passes per game = 80 Song Accurate long passes per game = 3 Accurate through balls per game = 0.7 Key passes per game = 1.2 Passes per game = 67 So, of the three central mid fielders, Ramsey overall is the least effective passer this season. For the record Arteta also has a higher pass completion rate (although it's a meaningless stat) Getting dispossessed and having a lack of tackles compared to your peers is far more insightful. The same as goals scored and assists are important stats. To say that all stats are important or none at all is simplistic. Bottom line is Ramsey has not had a good season tackling, so I have no idea where you get that idea from.
So is using some stats to support your argument and dismissing those that don't. I think the most accurate thing to say is that it's been a mixed bag for Ramsey this season.
Here's another stat: Turnovers per game (loss of possession due to poor control) Ramsey 1.7 Song 1.0 Rosicky 0.7 Arteta 0.6 Coquelin 0.1
someone actually described Ramsey as " brilliant " . Feck me , if thats brilliant , i need a new adjective for Mr Messi.
Stats are fine, but can be misused to draw the wrong conclusions. The passing stats I have posted are far more indicative of effectiveness. Accurate long passes per game - passes over 25 yards Accurate through ball per game - an accurate pass between opposition players in their defensive line to find an onrushing teammate (running through on goal) Key passes per game - the final pass leading to a shot at goal from a team mate Passes per game - as it says. Along with the other stats I have posted Ramsey comes at or near the bottom of all statistics for CM's within our team. He has been the weakest, and this is why he gets stick
I dont take the slightest notice of stats . I generally believe what i see with my own eyes , week in week out. Song has made mistakes but he is still a valuable player makes some deep runs causing opposition some headaches. Walcott has made some mistakes but he doesnt make them every game and has flashes of real skill. Djourou has been fairly anonymous but hasnt caused too much concern . Ramsey gives me cause to curse most every game i see. There are not enough positives to outweigh all the mistakes , THATS why he has annoyed a lot of fans .
Ramsey has been our worst midfield player this year, whether you look at stats, or just take a view on what we see week in week out. The comments we saw about him being 'brilliant' from one person were just an over the top reaction to the criticism he gets. I do think if he can get some confidence, toughen up mentally and physically a bit, and work on his pace, he has the talent to make it at Arsenal. But given his performances, as many have said, he should not be learning on the job at Arsenal. That's why a loan could be the best thing all round.
Out of those passes, could you please tell us how many of them WERE ASSISTS FOR GOALS? He may have a higher success rate in passing than Fabregas did, but that means nothing as it includes all the useless side passes and back passes, but when it comes to assists between the two, Ramsey is no where near, and that's the stat that actually matters. Lest you forget, Denilson at one stage had the highest passing success rate in the team and league! So give us a break.
Indeed. 'Percent completion rate' (for which Ramsey is not even leading our team and is ranked 79th across the main European Leagues, and 28th in the PL), is just used to justify the 'he's brilliant' comments. The pass completion leader in the PL is Lean Britton of Swansea, and Per Mertesacker is also ahead of Ramsey in 14th place in the PL For the record, Ramsey has 4 assists.
I agree, to a point. CM is a difficult position to master, as you have to be both good at attacking and defending. I agree that Ramsey's main strengths should be in attack, but his defensive duties are equally as important. I'm glad to see his confidence returning, it's not been an easy season for him, but he deserves a lot of credit for his work rate and attitude. He is one player who deserves the support of our fans, as he's always given 100% for Arsenal
He has not always given 100% in my view. I feel sorry for him because of his injury, but I do recall one situation this year where he clearly gave up after losing the ball against Swansea which led to one of their goals. His defensive work has been poor this year as well as his attacking play. He has been poor all round. He does run a lot though.
