I'd definitely start Meyler on Wednesday. Hayden seems to want too much time on the ball. Maybe a few substitute appearances - bring him on is we are comfortable- will do him good? Also start him in the LC game V Rochdale
Fulham at home should be a comfortable win for us but changes need to be made. Both Hayden and Clucas are far too indecisive at this level and nearly cost us two goals today, with Clucas first minute back pass howler only being surpassed by yet another McGregor unbelievable fumble. All three need to be benched for Meyler, Aluko, and Jak respectively but we need to sign a good young goalie like Southend's Daniel Bentley who we could probably get for 2 mill. or less. GK errors cost us our place in the Premier last season, tens of millions in revenue, and the loss of key players such as Chester and Brady. Yet Bruce persistes with McGregor.
Too early to judge Hayden yet it's also too early to throw him into a promotion chasing side. He needs easing in and time to learn, we've just thrown him in at the deep end and he's appeared about as buoyant as chunk of granite. I would say around October time we will know whether we've a valuable player on our hands or not. If he's not quite up to it by Christmas its best for both parties he goes back. Re Canada's suggestion of playing Jak in goal, no chance. If McGregors a 50/50 chance of gifting the enemy a goal, Jak ain't far off 100%. Looking forward to seeing Hernandez on Wednesday. Hopefully a bit of time off and a pre season under his belt will hve kicked his arse into gear. Could and should stand out in this league.
Shows great promise but needs to be used in the right games. He only started @ Wolves as Meyler played 120 mins @ Accrington.
Clucas was run ragged pretty much all game, Hayden couldn't deal with how quickly he was being closed down. It will take time, and better to play them now to get them up to speed then later, after a few more of our midfield might have departed. Please god, let Snodgrass and Diame play a full season for us...
So did Davies, Robertson, Elmohamady, Huddlestone and Clucas. Did he only start him against Huddersfield because Meyler played 74 minutes against Sheff United a week previously?
The fact is he's not even as good as whats in our own u21 squad seems to be getting overlooked completely. Send him back! Nuff said.
I've hardly seen any of our u21 squad play but I expect that's a load of bollocks. It's also far too early to gauge how good he is, he's like a rabbit in headlights at the minute. He might be good enough maybe not, we'll know once he's settled down a bit.
He started at Wolves because he had started in the opening league win (and by most accounts did OK). Bruce was never going to make many changes between those two league games. Bloody hell, that was quick! I've a feeling you may be eating your words by May. But we won't know for a while.
Hayden has more potential than any of our under 21's. Whether he fulfills that no one knows. He may even flop with us but still go on to do well elsewhere. If he doesnt settle in the area etc he wont play well. You just dont drop Meyler. FACT. Is Palacios still with us?
I've been wondering that, I've seen no mention of him for weeks, I'll mention it to Burnsy, maybe he can find out at the press conference today.
He got a fair number of MOM votes for the Huddersfield game. Not enough to be in the top 3 and I'd have to check but I'm pretty sure he was 5th place in the voting (my excel sheet is on the office computer and I don't feel like walking over to it to check it out).
There was a pic in the HDM of the squad training just before Wolves, and Palacios was there, looking very involved. I think he'll sign, we'd have got shot long ago if not.
So Bruce is now talking about signing Hayden on a permanent. There seems to be a lot of hurdles in the way including; whether Wenger wants to sell, whether Hayden wants to come and whether we could afford the fee, but if it came off it could be a real coup for City. Hayden is only 20. He's played for England 23 times up to under 20 level. He's been trained at Arsenal by Wenger who has a good eye for spotting and nurturing talented young players and if he fulfils his potential we could have another valuable financial asset.
Even taking into account this poster's unrivalled title of chief U21s cheerleader, this was a truly remarkable post.
Hayden was ok yesterday, but, he was knocked off the ball 4 times in the first 25 minutes. It was a good game to play him. To be honest i think as it was John's birthday he shoulda played as well. I know he's in his 60's but he could have still ran the show.
I am better at this birthday lark than Tony Pulis, it was his birthday yesterday also but they lost 3-0 .
