It has been suggested on Sky that Man City is after JRod. Now I have no idea if there is any truth in this, but has JRod flattered to deceive? He arrived as a promising player, who looked exciting (after a slow start) under the Pochettino system playing with the team we had at the time. A perfect storm. sadly cut short by injury. I was a supporter of Jay as I saw something different in him that we needed...an exciting player. I can see why MP would want him, but he is now being linked to the Champions. A serious question...is he that good or did he just suit us at the time?
I agree with that...and hope he comes back as strong, but he's only been this good for a short time. We played a certain style with players that all suited each other. Why are other teams becoming obsessed with our players...can you not be a good side till you have an ex-Saints' player?
From the two seasons JRod has been with us, I thought he didn't shine as an out and out centre forward and struggled to "lead the line". However the MP system suited him far more coming in off the left to find the gaps created by SRL and Twatbeard. His pace was a real asset as was his work ethic to track back to put in a shift protecting the left back. His finishing could be frustrating as he generally would try and pass the ball into the net when a "foot through the ball" was required. Is he good enough for the very top teams like Man City? Not sure to be honest but feal like so many others (Sinclair, Rodwell, Lescott etc etc) he will end up warming their bench at best as they buy yet another world class big name striker. Then will not be able to move because of his massive wages. City need home grown players to fill their squad but don't play them If JRod wants to play football then he should avoid City like the plague but if he wants to warm their bench and pocket huge amounts of cash then fill your boots son!
Good point...Spurs would suit him better #spitsonfloor. However, I refuse to see Spurs as a step up from Saints.
I thinnk he offers something that just isn't common in football these days, namely an ability and willingness to run quickly at the defence with the ball at his feet. Doesn't work most of the time but it does work often enough that it totally bewilders the opposition defence and means they have to be prepared for it at all times. Played by a manager who can set up for it and who is willing to see the ball lost, I think JR is a diamond. It takes a great deal of confidence to do it, which is why I think he took a long time to get into his stride in the Premiership. When it wasn't working, I kept telling Vin Jr that once he did start scoring he'd never stop as he'd believe he could do it. I suspect that as well as the physical side of his recovery, we're going to have to be patient for his confidence to rise again. I'd hate to see him sold. Vin
It's suggested that Man City's main motive is to up their home grown player quota. I agree that if he chose to move there he would earn a healthy packet but merely warm their bench. Obviously he has to return from injury yet and prove his value once again before the January window. Hopefully by then his head may be back in Southampton as he observes our progress under Koeman.
I love JRod...don't think Man City will suit him though. As Onionman said, a team needs patience...the big clubs (with possible exception of Arsenal) don't give players time.
I think Ron will make Jay an even better player, hated it when some individuals referred to Jay as "one goal"..... Loved it when he proved the doubters wrong....he was the most improved player for me last season.
I've always liked his endeavour but I don't think he is as good as many people do. Clearly, he is much improved from the player that first came to us, most importantly, he was becoming very confident in front of goal; his tame shots turning into goals. One of the reasons he was so important to us was that he was different from everyone else. He had speed and was very direct. This was his asset but it was also his achilles heel in that it was what he tended to do all the time, head down, more often than not ending in that one player too many scenario and losing the ball. It was a shame he got injured because I felt he was just beginning to develop a more thoughtful side to his game. Re. Man City, he would be paid well but it would be a graveyard for him.
There's a shock Lff... You and I disagree on a player From day 1, I backed him and very loudly in this forum. So many doubters were giving him a lot of stick. Personally, I think his time off could help him be a better central player. Why? Because he will have spent so long in the gym, he will be physically stronger and possibly slightly bigger built (upper body strength) and this could give him that extra strength that will allow him to hold the ball up better and be more of a physical presence with CBs.
Whilst we're all taking a slightly shameful pleasure in the current predicament of City's neighours, I can't actually begrudge Man Utd their status in the game - it's a position that they've taken decades to establish. City, on the other hand, with their overnight elevation to the big time due entirely to the obscene wealth of their owners, are symptomatic of the cancer at the heart of the sport. **** em. As for Jay, he's shown steady improvement since joining us, and has had one great season cut short by injury. He's still pretty raw imo, and has a way to go before you could say he's really begun to fulfill his potential. His best chance of doing that is not going to be at City. Can he reach his full potential with us? Don't know really. Pretty sure he'll get plenty of game time when he comes back though. And I think he's versatile enough to fit in to any system, so I don't really buy the idea that Pochettino "made" him. I think he needs to stay and be part of the Koeman revolution.
This is how I feel too. I like Jay but he has a little way to go before he could be considered a top player. Although he's scored some very good goals for us his finishing could be better. I think his England call-up surprised most of us to be honest. Because of our status, Saints fans in general don't demand the high standard of play that the top five or six clubs expect. As was said above, he wouldn't get the patience, particularly if there was a big transfer fee involved. Something that I think Lallana will discover this season too.
Despite missing the last five games (at a time when he looked to be scoring for fun) he had the sixth highest number of goals in the Premier League. He was within two goals of: Lukaku, Giroud, Dzeko, Rooney, Bony and Aguero. Given the last few games, he'd probably have overtaken or equalled the lot of them. How good do you want him to be? Vin
Surely the only reason City would want JRod is for home grown players, much as i hate to say it if he leaves he would be better off at Spurs. Obviously hope he sees the potential here though!
I think was our most improved player last season though not sure he'll ever be a regular 20+ goal a season striker. Saying that if he can learn to put his laces through the ball when required, rather than trying to pass into the net (his decision making really) then he could be quite some player. I'm just hoping at the moment that he can fully recover.
I wonder if it is his agent spreading all these rumours. Certainly odd that stories about JRod did not diminish after transfer deadline day.
