IMO he hasn't got enough first team experience. I'm not saying he's too young but he needs more cup games, which he will surely get this season in the league cup and FA cup. Not ready at the moment.
I fully expect him to see league action, and perhaps a handful of starts. Anything more and we're looking at a pretty special player, given our strength in midfield.
I think we're looking at a pretty special player already, in fairness, he's rated higher than Oxo, Bale and Theo were.
but he is the only CM that adds a goal threat and quick passing which is important if playing 3 in the middle
Was very impressed with him....was thinking of putting up a similar poll on the arsenal board regarding one of our talents (believe it or not!) but I would have got shot down!
Sorry, but we need to stop putting so much pressure on this lad. He's been good, but nothing special. Plus these games are all mickey mouse. Stop comparing him to other past academy products, it isn't fair. He might be good enough in a few years, but until then, just pretend to forget about him. Goes for Luke Shaw too.
My problem with him is he has two surnames. Because greedy people like him have grabbed two, people like Pele and Madonna have had to do without. So come on, play fair and give one back. And you too Philipson-Masters, Oxo, and Wright-Phillips.
If Nigel thinks he is good enough, he'll play. Friendly or not yesterday he was one of the best four players on the pitch. Frank De Boer Picked him out. He showed no fear or nerves and this was only the second time I'd seen him start and the other was Coventry in the cup. The improvement in performance was immense. I think he's going to feature quite a bit.
As you say Letiss DeBoer picked him and Lallana out as players of a high technical quality and he will have played with and against the very best
I see him getting some starts in cup games and possibly if we have suspensions or injuries in premiership games but I cannot seem him replacing, Davis, Cork or Schneiderlin in the starting line-up just yet. Fantastic talent for the future - but may be not this season.
Gently, gently catchee Monkey....is a phrase that comes to mind with this youngster. He is a talented mid fielder it is true...but he needs to be nutured, eased in and not smothered. Grant you he didn't by all accounts seem out of place when playing Ajax who are a very good team. He is going to have to play against teams of that ilk week in week out. This would take too much out of his young legs. He will need a few games of up to 30 minutes a time before he even gets a start. I can't see that happening this season in the league although he probably will get starts in the cup games.
In 12 months time I expect Hammond and Chaplow to have played more PL games for us than JWP. In 24 months time I expect JWP to have played more PL games for us than Hammond and Chaplow (assuming we don't get relegated!).
I agree guys, entirely. However, I would currently consider him one of our CM options. We have Morgan, Cork, Davis, Lallana, Deano, JWP and even Guly and I would bet that theree will be games where Nigel plays him for the last 20 or 30 minutes. If we are three down at Man City, then why not give him some experience then. I am not saying that he will be a starter in the first three months of the season, but if injuries/suspensions happen, or he has a blinder in a cup game, then I can see him forcing his way in. If he gets 30 minutes and really looks the business then he will continue to get more games. If he gets a few sub appearance here and there and doesn't look good, then he won't. But I promise that if he does have some very good cameo appearances and plays better than any of the others, Nigel won't be thinking "he's too young, I'll leave him out"
If you're good enough, youre old enough. He certainly has talent and looks a confident player like Chamberlain did. I can see him playing games this season. He's had an opportunity with Cork being at the Olympics and grabbed it with both hands so I think he deserves a reward for that.
I still don't see this. If he's given a chance and performs then he should stay in the team. Why bring him through gradually. He won't be a starter v City, but if at whatever point in the season he gets a chance and he performs, then he should stay in the team, 17 or 27. I just don't get the "bring him in gradually". If Nigel thinks he is one of our best options or performers then start him against City - I don't think he is or will, but if he gets a chance and performs, why on earth would you revert back to "gradual"?
There are 2 options that NA can take. He can throw him in at the deep end and start him against Man City (which would raise a lot of eyebrows in the national media!) or he can use him from the bench when he sees fit and play him in the cup games. Although I personally don't think he's ready, I trust Adkins and if he thinks he's ready he should start him against Man City,or at least bring him off the bench.
will davis be match fit? Cork will be fit but would only have limited time playing with the saints squad. It looks very likely that he will play against city.
