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Love the guy, breath of fresh air etc etc,

BUT.........

I don't think he's ready for these big games.
Chelsea, the Derby, Arsenal he's pretty much been invisible on the pitch.
I think SWP should be back in for him against Villa and Spurs, he's got the experience, and I don't think he'll be like a rabbit in the headlights like Johnson will be.

As I said, I love the guy, and he's gonna be a star in the next 2 seasons, but for the good of the team give him a cameo last 20 to frighten the defence in the next couple of games.

tends to agree there i think.
although maybe he has just had a few off games, as have many others

Agreed mate. Also needs to work on his stamina and fitness - a good pre season with us should do the trick.

Then there is experience - only one way to get that.

I've got no issues with him whatsoever other than I think his nerves get the better of him in the big games.

He looked like he needed a rest the other day. We can't expect a player fresh from the Championship to turn it on week in, week out. It's just too much of a hike in standard.

I hate to be reasonable again, but Mancini cannot hope for a 34-year old (really? Is that all?) to come from sleepy old Serie A and hope to be effective in the far more energetic PL. Again, on far too regular a basis.

i think he needs to be wrapped up in cotton wool and protected ala giggs, fuck this world cup talk! The guy has come from div 1 to being one of our best players that cant be right, we need to nurture him and play him in the right games not rely on him to be a matchwinner in massive games when hes only in the door and has barely played at this level...

Dubciteh wrote:i think he needs to be wrapped up in cotton wool and protected ala giggs, fuck this world cup talk! The guy has come from div 1 to being one of our best players that cant be right, we need to nurture him and play him in the right games not rely on him to be a matchwinner in massive games when hes only in the door and has barely played at this level...

That's what I meant to say ;@)

Bingo Lewis wrote:Love the guy, breath of fresh air etc etc,

BUT.........

I don't think he's ready for these big games.
Chelsea, the Derby, Arsenal he's pretty much been invisible on the pitch.
I think SWP should be back in for him against Villa and Spurs, he's got the experience, and I don't think he'll be like a rabbit in the headlights like Johnson will be.

As I said, I love the guy, and he's gonna be a star in the next 2 seasons, but for the good of the team give him a cameo last 20 to frighten the defence in the next couple of games.

On the evidence of the last couple of weeks I don`t think there`s much to add.

He needs the bollocks to run at people with the hope of putting the cross in rather than bottling it cutting inside and losing the ball in a poor fashion.

Showed Evra far too much respect.. He is good enough to face him.

SWP for me please ! did anybody notice Superman "skulking" on the bench at Arsenal ? he looked well pissed off and based on the post we are reading I would say he would be a better bet than AJ at this moment. We have had a look at him now put him away for next season. Time for the experienced boys to play.

agree with OP and others, he seems to just slightly underperform against the top opposition. That might be as much to getting used to the vigours of the prem as much as anything though. He seems a sensible lad an i rekon he would cope psychologically whatever he was asked to do.. realising himself that he needs time.
Agree though that against the best teams perhaps give him a break now and again and let swp take the sting out of the oppo first.

Still young and showing it... If people remember Tranaldo was exactly the same he always went missing in the big matches early on in his career.

Vhero wrote:Still young and showing it... If people remember Tranaldo was exactly the same he always went missing in the big matches early on in his career.

what do you mean exactly by "early on"?

cheers

Bingo Lewis wrote:I've got no issues with him whatsoever other than I think his nerves get the better of him in the big games.

It's all experience for him. He can be a passenger but still contribute in certain Matches - but I'd be worried if we had to rely on him for creativity against a Top 4 side.

The Lad most definitely has a big future with City and Capello likes him. That's a good sign.

Not been great in the last few games but not been allowed to play on the left for even 5 mins out of a possible 180+ either.

Ted Hughes wrote:Not been great in the last few games but not been allowed to play on the left for even 5 mins out of a possible 180+ either.

Ted i totally agree about him getting more time on his natural side.I dont really like this new fangled wing play idea of left on right and vice versa as it means if the winger goes on the outside of his fullback he will always be trying to cross with his weaker foot.

guv111 wrote:He looked like he needed a rest the other day. We can't expect a player fresh from the Championship to turn it on week in, week out. It's just too much of a hike in standard.

I hate to be reasonable again, but Mancini cannot hope for a 34-year old (really? Is that all?) to come from sleepy old Serie A and hope to be effective in the far more energetic PL. Again, on far too regular a basis.

Guv, I don't get this statement. He had 5 months of Prem experience under his belt at the time of transfer, not sure I would call that fresh.

Spot on Bingo...Good Call mate...
I would put him on the bench and possibly consider him as an option if necessary and the game was developing in a way he could make an impact.
Definately one for next season...and we shouldn't forget Weiss for the other side of the pitch.

john68 wrote:Spot on Bingo...Good Call mate...
I would put him on the bench and possibly consider him as an option if necessary and the game was developing in a way he could make an impact.
Definately one for next season...and we shouldn't forget Weiss for the other side of the pitch.

Mate Weiss is a right winger also and raw as fook, needs a further loan spell if you ask me as hes been very up and down for bolton, not ready to step in yet