So no 'class players' play outside the top divisions across the globe do they? And what about the international call-ups from major nations given to players in the lower leagues? Or what about Gianluigi Buffon playing in the second tier just a few years back - did he suddenley become 'not class'?
Agreed on Amos; he is here to learn and he seems to be manning up to that. He had made mistakes, but generally he will make the defence confident and that is a big plus; those who focus on his negatives are wrong. You have also hit on a very good point and that is Dawson; although most focus on McShane (and he was simply one of a poor bunch last night), Dawson has lost the pace we need and that leaves the defence exposed - a lack lustre defence looks dire when their left channel is so exposed. My real concern is midfield, as many of us said we needed this strengthening in the summer and nohting has changed; in an effort to do both, none of those in the middle effectively broke up play, nor did they create anything other than a midfield melle that released Boro time and time again!
Why is it? As promising as Simpson looked in the first few games, he's gone well off the boil since Leeds away. Much the same as he looked fantastic for a small string of games in his first season here then just completely dropped off. I think he's a good player and has potential in there to go on and do good things, but at the moment he's far too inconsistent and is lacking a bit of quality to be a top striker in this division for a promotion chaser. I've always thought Fryatt and Simpson looked very similar in terms of their style and build up play, but one thing I've noticed is Fryatt plays off the shoulder ut last defender far more than Simpson does, and that's what he needs to be doing all the time considering he's the focal point of our attack.
I think they both play on the shoulder a lot, trouble is neither of them are ever bloody onside when they go through.
Absolutely no idea why I posted so strongly against that - I'll blame the drink (yes, I was still drunk at 6.20am ) Apologies dem_on. Whilst I agree that he's faded since Leeds, I still find it ludicrous that our top scorer can be mentioned among our "periphery" players. I'd like Simmo to be given a full season before being compared to Fryatt too much - Matty has been downright appalling at times, failing to score for 5-6 (and once, I recall, even 10) games before scoring 5 in 5. I'd prefer Simmo was given the same patience before being complained about too much. Fryatt took part in every single game last season, whether as a starter or a sub, so scored 16 in 46. Simmo has 4 after 12 games - pretty much dead on the same ratio.
That's a fair point - I rate Simmo, the fact he was kept on so long at Arsenal shows he has something about him. Pleased he seems to be living up to his billing - at last. Some players just take a lot longer in the first team. I don't think the formation we adopted last season and the season before helped any of our players.
Just a question. Why have people been talking about Bo Myhill playing in the Championship; he bench warms for West Brom? Maybe a possible deal in January?...
Completely agree with that post, obviously Leicester he made two great saves from Vardy. However the game that stood out was Bolton. He didn't let his defence have to worry about anything, he didn't let the Bolton lads have a chance, he came for every cross. He did his homework, he came up with a method to get rid of the only threat they had that day, and it was a vital reason in why we won. He is a clever keeper, never mind just a good one. Problem is we make to many mistakes for goals this year, whether its Bruce, Dawson, Mcshane, Rosie, Faye whoever, far to many of them. Mistakes that aren't down to the system, or the manager, but the players themselves, god knows why we have done so many of them.
both Mclean and Mcshane are 100% players, the problem for one is, he isn't calm enough in front of the goal, the problem with the other one is you always think there is a mistake in him in front of our goal, it must be the MC in there name, to be honest i think they have both been decent this season. Regarding the goalkeeper lets not forget he is here to learn and one day will properly be a good goalkeeper but that's the problem when you take a goalie on loan we've got to remember he is only young and will make mistakes but it doesn't help our cause overall he hasn,t done to bad but has made a few mistakes which have cost us goals, Regarding Jukupovic i remember reading the reports in the friendly s at the beginning of season and i noticed a few times he was hesitant or dropped the ball at crosses so take your pick
i remember the donny friendly, and he was beaten by a soft shot, and i wasnt impressed, but told myself to stop being stupid as you cant rate a goalie based on a friendly , but the doubht has never gone away, and there is several goals this season ive found myself wondering if a better goalkeeper would have done more to keep it out....he made a top class save last night, but it was only because he dropped it in the 1st place, should never have had to make the save in the 1st place...i think in reality hes just an ok keeper, no world beater, certainly no future man united keeper imo
It's clear to see that making moronic posts when you didn't go to the game last night is stupid. Amos stopped us ending up on the end of a complete pasting. He was arguably one of the few who could leave the field with a bit of pride. He made a number of brilliant saves and on of which he made three fantastic stops before it was cleared. The problem last night was the defence, midfield and attack! Rosey, Daws and McKenna were shocking, the rest were ordinary. Unfortunately we'll not get promoted this season unless we bring in a left back, a quality midfielder and a proper striker.
There's a reason why he's an easy target... it's cause he is terrible. I don't think I'm being tough... for some reason he has a cult status at our club which is the only reason why he is still here. He is a DREADFUL defender... absolutely appalling and the reason behind most of losses. Stop forgiving him because " he tries" that kind of attitude won't get us promoted
Thats a very good point you make about Fryatt also that run you mention was exactly when we most needed him to be scoring, I've made this point before, we went out of the play-offs when he lost his form. When he was back scoring it was too late. The 16 goals include the 5 you mention which were meaningless essentially. Simpson needs to keep playing and he will score and improve as a player, he is only 23 and needs a regular run. As for Mcshane, I have to agree with Circa he is a poor player, also like I said before he gets away with it for so long but the oppo coaches will target him all the time as a weak link.
Erm, I think you'll find his huge contract that no other club is prepared to match is the reason he's still here. He wont be here next season unless he takes something like a 60% cut.
He's far from dreadful, I don't think shyte players would get consistently selected by their country. I'll be happy to see Hobbs & Chester as the main men at CB. Was Macca to blame for our defeat at Boro? I don't think so.
