I think Bramble could be a good signing, but we need signings in other areas. Would like Hunt to have a good half a season too, as would most. 3 points v Reading please for a start !
From the little amount of time I've seen Wordsworth I would say he's more like Tommy Miller than Garvan. Garvan had the ability to take the game by the scruff of the neck and dominate the game, even if he was having a poor game he would still want the ball, for me that's the sign of a good player. The likes of Miller and Wordsworth although both good on the ball both from what I've seen despite their ability seem to go missing in games for long periods, Wordsworth like Miller though looked like he had some intelligence in getting into the box at the right time. I agree though would be nice just to have something abit different in the team other than someone who just works hard and is solid, i think Skuse could step it up abit more as I've said he clearly has the ability but doesn't show enough intent.
" Garvan had the ability to take the game by the scruff of the neck and dominate the game " I must have missed this Owen Garvan! Granted, he was a good player, but dominate a game!? Not once did I see Garvan run the show!
I remember a bloke I played football with, was an Arsenal fan and after watching us play was singing the praises of Garvan and how he was dominating the game like a young Steven Gerrard... Overly high praise indeed (which I couldn't ever really endorse) but when he was on song he was able to dictate play far better than any player we've had since.. albeit he may drift in and out a little
When he first came onto the scene I'd never seen a 17 year old dominate a game like him before, players like him who are able to dictate play nowadays are few and far between, todays game is much more about pace and power but he made the ball do the work and always offered himself as an option for the ball. Big shame really that he wasn't able to progress in those key years (I don't think his languid running style helped) because he could've been a top top player but that's seen with many youngsters and I think that's not helped by instability at clubs, I wonder how many of our youngsters would've gone on to be better players were they at Town in a more stable era, I mean for example we've all seen the difference in Tommy Smith since Mick has settled the club down.
Garvan showed up with a lot of promise but IMO opinion stayed at the same level (he has the Gerrard hair line that's about it) much the same as Bowditch neither really improved between their first outing and their last.
I thought he actually got a little bit worse, when he first came on the scene he was generally outstanding, as he was for half of Jims reign and when ME came in that's when it changed (as it did for alot). If Garvan was on form we'd have the majority of play, Bowditch showed glimpses of talent but didn't show it or play anywhere near as consistently as Garvan. Then Jim brought in other midfielders, more tenacious as he wanted to make us 'hard to beat' and I think he wasn't in the team as much and lost his way a little, perhaps he didn't help himself but a player of his talent should have been managed better. Under Keane, I thought he was treated harshly he hardly got a look in so I geuss struggled with consistency but everytime i saw him play he still showed more than most, infact most of the time he was on the pitch in Keanes reign I thought he was our best player, but he'd misplace one pass and get subtituted!! I think all young players will go through dips but his dip came at a club who wasn't in great shape or well managed, if he had of been perhaps he wouldn't have gone on to be a top PL player but I'd imagine he'd be one of the best in this league.
