Am I alone in thinking that he isn't up to the standard required? every time he plays he seems to just run around as if he's on a photo shoot, modelling the new strip. We keep on saying that he's only young and needs time, I say that's bull***t, if he's big enough, he's old enough. A lad his size should be running through brick walls for the team and hoying his weight around so that the defenders know well and truly he's on the pitch and will walk over or through them to get to that goal. I just don't think he has what it takes to do it it the big league, hope I'm proven wrong mind, but I'm not holding me breath.
Bullshit, he's 20 years old man. He needs playing time not to be hoyed on with 10 minutes to go every now and then I saw him vs Chelsea last year in Di Canio's first game in charge and he gave their defenders a tough game, although not much of a goal threat, he certainly used his strength. Granted he hasn't shown the potential shown at Ipswich but he's 20. Most 20 year old players would struggle in the premier league. Give the lad some time man
I'm with u on this, I think the lad has been badly managed as well ever since he got here ,still young plenty of time and besides all that counts is what dicanio thinks of him
I agree to an extent BL. He, at times, is a handful but other times he flatters to deceive. I know he tries his bollocks off but in all the time we've had him, I would have expected to feel more positive about him than I do now. You know what......I saw more aptitude and ball reading from Altadore shift on Saturday in comparison to Whickam's first dozen or so games for us way back. I know it's early days but Altadore gives me a good positive feeling already - Whickham still hasn't !
you have to look at the amount of minutes hes actually played since we signed him. for me he needs a decent run in the first team and if he cant prove his worth after that shift him in january
BC nice to see you posting again but am with TVI on this one. Lets give him a run of 10 x 90 min ish games. Then judge him. Its not gonna happen but its difficult to come on as a sub and take the game by the scruff of the neck. Danny Graham got 16 games and was utter utter w*nk. Wickham has never had that chance.
Ffs he is 20, bigger players like him take time to learn their trade, look at Niall Quinn. You will not see the best of Wickham for a couple of years yet. Same people slated Henderson, look how good he is becoming Rant over.
I'm prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt , it's just that there are players younger and smaller than him making their mark in the Premier League. I think that when he gets a chance to come on, he should be like a bull at the gate, but all I see are half hearted efforts and a lot of huffing and puffing with no end result. I definitely think that he would better off going on another seasons loan to the lower leagues . I'll say once again, I hope I'm wrong about this because if he started firing on all cylinders he could be great for both us and England.
I don't think we are ever going to see the best of him if we keep using him as we do. I would offer him a contract extension, then loan him to a championship club where he will get game time It must be really difficult for a player to give 100% in training when they know they won't be playing on match day
Target men tend to take longer to be successful and learn their trade is what I'm saying. I really hope we hold onto Wickham as he will pay off in spades in years to come.
I'm don't think he'll ever get a decent run in the side. He's now on his third manager since he came to the club , and not one of the three had faith enough to let the kid have a run of games.
He's only 20, let him get some sub appearances in, we will get injuries. He's not our number one yet. He will learn, agreed a loan may work but only in January depending on how things are.
Newcastle fan in peace *and yes I am posting on your wall whilst NUFC are playing but I'm sure you appreciate why* I was disappointed when you guys got Whickham ahead of us (not sure if we were really in for him but it was reported that we were interested and I liked the look of him) as I thought he looked like he had great potential. He hasn't developed like most thought he would just yet and I'd mostly lay that blame at the feet of managers who have mistreated him. He may not have the talent to become the player that he was expected to be but he hasn't been given a proper chance yet in my view. There are youngsters (like Rooney and Milner) who get small chances in and around a first team at a young age and do spectacular things but its rare. Most of the time people need time and assurances to gain the confidence and experience to advance as players. Finally, your team has struggled over the past 2-3 seasons (don't think I'm being controversial there) and as such it becomes much harder for managers to bring in youngsters who may not deliver the goods for a long time and when they do give them a chance there is so much pressure on them. Summary: He may be really good, he may be ****. I don't think you can really judge yet and people are keen to have a go at him due to the circumstances of the past few years. Good luck for the season, in all honesty I think we'll be competing for 15th/16th place...
Fair summary haslam, the lad has plenty of time.i think us north eastern fans want everything straight away!
Everything straight away! it's 1973 since one of use have wont a trophy and we get 100,000 poor souls paying hard earned money every couple off weeks. We have the patience of saints. Look at the Arsenal fans for people who want it straight away.
Maybe te lad has plenty of time, but time is at a premium in the PL. Results are everything and clubs like ours dont have the luxury of bringing younger lads on in the first team. We need to get points on the board whenever we can! I'm all for keeping him - we paid a shed load for him! But lets get him out on loan, either to another small PL club or a good Championship club (Ipswich arent "big" enough) and let them bring him on and prove himself justifying a first team position with us.
