It's hard to disagree with this. You have to accept that he simply will not be the same player he used to be, that's a fact. We'd all love him to return to the type of form he was in during our promotion season where he was the fulcrum for starting many of our attacks and certainly made Taarabt's life a lot easier, but as rightly pointed out....it was 4 years ago.
Of course he probably won't be as good as prior to his first injury, but not done much in four years? However, an Ale Faurlin at 50% of that ability would be our best player! Up until the MK Dons game Faurlin was by far our best player & topped the statistics for midfielders in the Premier League. His comeback then was too quick, but did include two MOM appearances against Chelsea & Tottenham (prior to the own goal). His partnership with the Spaniard (sorry, name forgotten) in those matches were exceptional. However, he then fell foul of not being selected as HR would not pick a favourite of TF. Loaned out to an Italian side who (unbelievably) were a worse side & as a working model made us look superb! Then last season he was our best player at the start of the season & just prior to the Derby game. This season he was MOM against Hull & improved us 100% when he came on against Tottenham. How will he be after three injuries? I have no idea, but I would not consider it a waste, or a gamble for the club to invest £30k (or whatever) on a years wages for him. Peanuts compared to our other costs & the gains could be immense. Let's also forget any of the b******s that we have spent a fortune on paying him wages for all of his injury period. That is part of what insurance would have covered!
One for the medics and coaches I'd have thought. Are his knees shot? Is he back to his best in training? Don't think you need to be subjective on those questions - professional clubs will have experts for these decisions.
Totally disagree with you nines. Faurlin is one of, if not the most naturally gifted player we have had at the club for many a year. He has cruelly been robbed of game time by three consecutive knee ligament injuries, if he can recapture anywhere near his top form then we have one hell of a player on our hands. Especially, as if looks likely we will be plying our trade in the Championship next season.
Kudos for throwing that one into the mix. I completely disagree though and I'd say he's been somewhere near our best player after each of his previous injuries. The specs aren't rose tinted enough to suggest he's our most gifted player - that accolade goes to the lad that probably has an ingrowing toenail and needs a full Summer with CR to sort out. He is, however, up there on talent, is the best all round player at the club and, a rare commodity for us, someone who actually performs to his level of quality. On paper, it looks like a gamble. Seeing how he has come back each time and knowing what he gives makes it a gamble NOT to keep him. Sentiment turns it into a no-brainer for me. Fair play to you though Ninesy and you got me posting on a thread I probably would have just read so it shows it's good to put any viewpoint out there.
A very good player. But I'm not sure he ever was tough or quick enough for the PL, especially as I can't remember anybody else in our central midfield who was quick enough, and compensated for Ale's lack of it. I expect the decision on Ale will be made in the summer when we know what League we will be in (hopefully), but as someone else wrote we probably we will have a spare squad number if we are still in the PL.
