Having looked at this board post Cheslea there are various threads giving stick to people who really don't deserve it. Ferdinand (didn't bring this on himself, scum bag Terry did), Kenny (last years player of the year), Hughes (okay does deserve a bit and got it wrong yesterday, but has got a lot right in recent weeks as well), Fernandes (ploughing loads of money in the club so cant knock him!!). BUT SWP is an absolute disgrace and does not deserve to put the shirt on ever again escapes without a mention. Likely this is because he has been so bad that we have come to expect it but he did 2 things yesterday which are unforgiveable and sum him up. I was in with the prawn sandwich brigade so had perfect view of him as they countered at the end and he lightly jogged back then the ball went out of play and he pretended to limp. At the final whistle, every player stayed on and at some point went over to acknowledge the fans and SWP instead went straight down the tunnel. Guy doesnât care about the club. Stick him in the reserves and bring on Smith instead in that situation.
I disagree. He's been crap but I think it's more a simple lack of ability and a huge lack of confidence than not caring. I think he's put the effort in when he's had the chance but either doesn't have the legs or the state of mind to pull off things that were natural to him in the past. We've seen glimpses of him being a decent player (Newcastle at home, Wolves away, West Brom at home) but it's generally been poor and got worse as the season's gone on. He's a confidence player and that confidence drained away when he was playing well but had no luck in the early months of the season. Since then he's played massively within himself and Hughes hasn't been able to get any more out of him than Warnock could. If we can offload him then it'll be to everyone's benefit but if we're stuck with him, a year of running at Championship left-backs might get that confidence back. Either that or he'll still not be good enough and become even worse.
Championship could well be his level, because Premiership certainly isn't. I think you're right though, the standard of full-backs in the championship is far lower and he might get some of that confidence back. Currently, he appears to be a similar but possibly inferior version of Hogan!
" BUT SWP is an absolute disgrace and does not deserve to put the shirt on ever again escapes without a mention. Likely this is because he has been so bad that we have come to expect it but he did 2 things yesterday which are unforgiveable and sum him up. I was in with the prawn sandwich brigade so had perfect view of him as they countered at the end and he lightly jogged back then the ball went out of play and he pretended to limp. At the final whistle, every player stayed on and at some point went over to acknowledge the fans and SWP instead went straight down the tunnel. Guy doesnât care about the club. Stick him in the reserves and bring on Smith instead in that situation.[/QUOTE] Your a bit late mate,he's been hammered on here for weeks, most of it deserved, lack of ability is his problem.
As a sho...vertically challenged person too, I would love to see SWP do well, but since that offside goal vs WBA he has been dire...I accept lack of confidence is a big factor, but yesterday, he was the only one who did not look gutted. He seemed to leave the pitch smiling as though it was nothing to do with him. I accept the whole team played sh~~e, but Clint and Anton...and Joey and Mackie even Cisse at least appeared to be ashamed and and angry and acted as though it mattered to them....yes I know they could have shown they cared in the previous 90 minutes. He is the worst offender on take the money and run brigade..He is first against the wall come the revolution in my book
Massive 'let down' for me. All speed and no end product. To think this guy has played for England is laughable!
He has had a torrid season but this lack of ability stuff is crap. This is a player who has had a decent career with top EPL clubs and with England. As Watford said he is a confidence player with no confidence and this gets worse with each game he plays. To my mind the problem was initiated by Warnock when he persisted with him week-in-week-out even when it was obvious there was a serious problem building. It's as though he thought dropping SWP and the other players he had spent the money was not an option. Given his performances I think its unlikely we will be able to get shot of him this summer so it may be wise to stop these attempts at crucifying the guy and hope that he can turn it around in the close season.
We need to offload but I dont think we'll find a championship club looking for his services, league one beckons for him. Maybe Doncaster will take him?
His challenge isn't his height... it's retaining the ball, attacking defenders, passing to others, working hard for the team...
I'll second that apart from the fact that he is still a good player underneath and will storm back eventually and grab a winner against city he is our Torres
Sorry Aaaagh, but I just don't think he's ever been a top class player. Commanded big fees but whoever he's played for he's usually been a bit part player - averages just over 20 starts and less than 10 subs appearances per season over 13 years. And a lot of these appearances came several years ago early- mid 2000s. It's not his fault, and I agree no point in crucifying him over ability he has not got.
I do not get how deluded so many on here appear to be consitently making excuses for him. Watford you say he doesn't have the 'legs or confidence' to pull off things. My 2 examples in OP were that he didnt run back when they countered and he went straight down the tunnel without acknowedging the fans. He had been on the pitch 5 minutes so your excuse of 'legs or confidence' doesn't work. Peter1954. I'm not late I have consitently slagged him off on here as well. My grievance I clearly outlined inOP were that other less deserving people were getting stick. I don't want him anywhere near the team. Smith has hardly played this season but he can make an impact. Everton and Wigan know all about that. Why we persist with SWP is based on reputation. He never picks a player out from a cross he just lumps it aimlessly into the box. As i've said all season we can't wait for him to frediscover any sort of ability. He's a mercenary who signed for us because no one else would give him the moey and a lengthy contract to a player pushing 30. What he did against Chelsea was inexcusable and he deserves all the abuse he gets. Fernandes, Kenny and Ferdinand on the other hand dont deserve the abuse they have got The guy has 30+ England caps so must have a bit of ability. You can gra the odd one if your rubbish and have a good run of games but not get 30+ caps.
Also went MK home and away this year and the league 1 left back had him in his pocket so Championship players won't have a problem
