I don't understand all this crap about not being ready for the league. I subscribe to the view that if they're good enough they're old enough. How old was Rooney when he made his debut for Everton or when he signed for Man U? 10 million quid to sit on the bench - i don't think so! So my message to SB is play him or risk ruining his development. Rant over!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah sure. Just play him too much, crush his confidence and then set his development right back. Some players can hack it in this league at a very young age. Some can't. It's better to be safe than sorry, so if Bruce feels it's too soon to be throwing him in the deep end, then that's how it is. Mind you, I think Bruce has already went against his philosophy. Through pure desperation he's already thrown him on during two must-win games and relied on him to get the winning goals. If Bruce had any common sense, the first few games for Wickham would have been in situations where you guys were already comfortably winning, so Wickham could get used to EPL games without such intense pressure. There's already more than enough there due to his price tag.
The lad is raw but enthusiastic and a hard worker as well. He chased balls down today that only a bright eyed 18 year old would and I like that. I'd give him an extended run in the team and let him find his feet like a man. He will only improve (as Welbeck grew in stature last year) by more game time and our full support. I have no doubt he would get the latter but whether numb nuts will let him, is in the hands of the gods. As a footnote, my thinking is based purely on quoting the absolute opposite of anything Chapwaz says, as generally he is so wrong about just about everything in the whole world, its a safe bet to just do or say the opposite and be okay.
