Poor Harper, hope he doesn't ever read these comments, would probably give up on life. He gets my thanks for his contribution anyway, seen a lot worse players in a City shirt in recent seasons.
Fair comment as far as I see it. To be honest all this Harper bashing is getting a bit boring now.The management obviously like what he does ,he's not everbody's cup of tea but to cheer when he comes off his pathetic. UTT( that includes James Harper).
Harper may be known as a somewhat defensive minded player, however take a look at this video of his goals for Reading in the 2007-08 season. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1D2UGjbgzE In all of the goals he has scored Harper has made a forward run to latch onto a through ball, made a run high up the field to support an attack, or a late burst into the penalty box. This shows that he is better suited to the role of a box-to-box midfielder as that's where he excelled at Reading. We can't really expect him to perform to an adequate level as a ball winning midfielder as I think we can all see, he's not the best tackler in the world. What we really need is a proper ball winning midfielder or a defensive midfielder. Unfortunately we've used up all our loans so we'll have to wait until the summer, or give Apkan a try.
I can't believe the stick Harper gets. Even from people who say they watched him to see what he does. I wasn't particularly watching him but I can remember plenty of occasions were he has got the team out of dangerous situations. He is in the right place at the right time more often than any other player. Often that just means marking an opposition player off the ball, or closing someone down, or getting in the way of a shot.
Personally I'm happier to see Harper in the side than recent incumbents such as Marney, but then I REALLY hated Marney's 'style of play', so I don't know if that compliment is a bit back handed, anyway I'm happy with our progress and if NP sees fit to include him in the side for the time being then that's more than good enough for me On a more serious note, what the f**k does BrownP think he's playing at by winning successive games?!
Harper may run around like a headless chicken at times but ****ing Koren is a lazy twat. Koren may be more gifted as a footballer but on no less than 3 occasions when we had a break on Koren was kogging forward...yes, ****ing jogging...at least harper tries...bit like Ashbee...**** but a trier....***an the same, Garcia the same....how come nobody slated Ashbee for the same issues as the others...you lot do my my head in at times........ Chester was shocking too...he cannot head or pass a ball...or at least he didnt on Saturday.......nobody mentioned Chester.... Hobbs was good but made several mistakes....one of which they had a good chance of scoring with...terrible pass to them. Dawson was his usual self...slowed everything down going forward but fairly solid defending....no mention of him. Our useless keeper redeemed himself with a couple of good saves...his fault alone for their goal....not a dicky bird. Fryatt missed a good chance...nothing there is always one to be picked on and yes, he has had some bad games and some not so bad but his contribution is there...just like Ashbee or anyone else who is not so gifted....his slide into Chester was comical though....shows committment to win the ball, not a lack of effort. My rant over...UTT
I think you'll find you're on your own with the criticism of Chester westand. Guzan and Harper both made howlers on Saturday, these things happen and single errors are not the reason fans tend to get on a players back. It's what they contribute overall that they are judged on and for me, Harper just doesn't contribute enough(I'd accept that Koren hasn't been doing enough recently either, though at least he can conjure up a bit of magic from time to time).
I agree with weststand Chester though a great player didnt look clever saturday which was more down to Pearson tampering with a back 4 which has worked well to accomadate and justify bringing in Hobbs. Koren is strolling through games and pissing me off and i cant agree with the treatment Harper got when subbed he missed a sitter and every bad touch or pass was felt round the ground on the day we was asked to back the team we cheer off one of our players who has played a part in what is a massive turnaround in our fortunes. Sometimes im just embarassed to be a city fan!
if you read the orignal post i am not criticising Harper just making an observation !! I voice my opinion of which i am entitled very rarely on any of the boards but when i do, i say it as i see it, agree or not as the case maybe. I just think that for games against the better footballing sides like Norwich, he is less effective. I dont agree with some who say that we would be over run in midfield if he is not playing, i think we would be better served by players that are comfortable with the ball at their feet. Players who can play their way out of situations rather than pass it around the defence. A bit like Norwich did on Saturday, they played us off the park in midfield for most of the game. I dont dislike him as a person because i dont know him. Also as previously said i think he will become a squad player next season, as i am sure NP will strengthen that area along with every other position. UTT
Koren is lucky he scored a few earlier in the season because he's been a bag of **** for the last 15 games. Walks about for the majority of the game and I noticed against Burnley he was scared to enter a number of challenges. Misplaces it nearly every time he gets it. If people want Harper dropping, Koren should definitely get the same calls - Koren has the ability but clearly believes his place in the team is guaranteed.
Couldn't agree more Peter with that statement, Harper is putting in a proper shift and Koren is swanning around unnoticed and maybe is not that bothered.
I don't think Harper or Koren put in enough effort to be honest. The midfield at the moment really lets the team down.
ffs, both were brought in on Free transfers when the club was potless. What do you expect of them? World beaters that cost nothing/ Do me a favour. You get what you pay for ffs.
ffs ffs ffs ffs. Just a bit of effort ffs. Koren's an international captain, and was very good for WBA, so I expect a bit more from TBH ffs. Harper was an economy purchase and it shows ffs. He should be out the team, it's not like we only have two central midfielders ffs. ffs.
I'm a leader not a follower OLM...if i'm on my own with critisism then so be it...we all see the game differently which is why debate is a good thing.....unless it becomes a witch hunt then I have to agree to disagree and bow out of the debate. I don't think Harper is as bad as most make out...clearly Pearson, our manager and the professional in this sport tends to agree with me rather than you lot who slate him...not that I am right but Pearson surely looks for certain things and must get them to play week in week out
