a lot of people last season, me included, hated the site of his name on the team sheet. while he still makes mistakes here and there, he's been one of our top players this year, his crossing is arguably the best in the team, and today, despite the rest of the players being o so poor, he shone out with a really good performance. his longball from the centre circle towards the end of the game tipified his performance for me. we had no midfield, and as a result, it was jordan stewart who continuied to put in the effort, and helped in part to prevent a complete embarassment. good effort jordan, rest of the team is looking more than worrying. (especially henderson ofcourse)
Were you there 1st half ? He was poor to say the least. 2nd half much more improved and seemed to wipe any fears from my mind of him slipping into old habits. Unlucky when he hit the bar !!
Except for the fact that he was 2.5 miles out of position on the 3rd goal which sealed the game once and for all. After Liverpool stopped attacking though, he played okay.
it seems to be that people all over the country hate their left backs. Certainly during my lifetime, only Paul Robinson was universally appreciated. I would guess only Chelsea (a.cole), Man utd(heinze) and Liverpool(riise) fans are happy with theirs.
Hmmm if you notice the attack came down our right and if Mariappa had held a decent position at RB the ball to Bellamy would never have happened.
taylor is mostly used in midfield these days. In addition, prior to this season he was still recovering from an injury sustained two years before that so he was hardly a fans idol. This is Clichy's first proper season so i would imagine he comes in for a fair amount of criticism. Baines i would agree is definately respected. I don't think gardner and shorey would be held in the same esteem, but obviously thats just my ill-informed opinion. The point originally intended was that left backs are probably the least appreciated players generally.
Err yeah, but that doesn't really justify Stewart being close to mid-field with Crouch storming into the box from the right, does it?
Oh please! How anyone can suggest Jordan Stewart has had a good season is beyond me. His positioning for the third goal yesterday was woeful - the fact is he should have been marking Crouch not running into the box as the ball hit the back of the net. His set pieces are on the whole abysmal. Kicking straight to the goalkeeper 90% of the time does constitute good to me. He can't pass straight and he often makes mistakes which lead to opposition goals. He does those stupid scissor kick clearances (what's with them?) and is generally crap. And what makes it worse for me is that he was exactly the same in the Championship. He'd be a good shout as a substitute left winger (especially if we needed one who could track back) but he's not suited to playing left full back. His defensive instincts are very poor. The sooner he's dropped the better.
I disagree - I think he is playing much better than last season although his best performances overall for the club came in the playoffs. He looks much more composed to me this season and is getting better at defending. Against Reading for example he made 3 or 4 crucial, potentially goal-saving challenges after our defenders had been left standing. His set piece delivery DOES leave something to be desired but he does get the odd good ball in, for example our 3rd goal against Stockport last weekend and the goal that never was against Wigan. I rate him higher than Chris Powell because as well as being able defensively he can also come forward and support the attack - and get a few shots in as he has been lately.
I agree with you on one thing - there is no one better in our squad at present for the position. As soon as there is though he should be out on his arse.
No no no, he's had an alright season. He's coped better than most expected him to and has improved slightly on some of last season's horror shows. Still needs to sort out his passing and distribution is generally poor. Why we ever sold Robbo i don't know, we STILL haven't replaced him.
its very easy to knock JS passing ability - but our tactics dictate we KNOCK the ball wide or down the centre ( if the nippy wingers aren't there then the knock frward looks pathetic -the same as when Bozo hoofs the goalkicks - if bno one is there they look awful and are wasted)- that is exactly what he is doing. If ever there is a player to back him up close by he will choos that option with a short pass. He is playing a left wing back, instructed to go forward - don't always blame JS for being out of position whn he runs all over the park doing other peoples work. Where's his ucking cover????????? Who in our team can actually pass the ball? Apart from the kick off when we put 4 passes together and then goty teh corner - the next string pf passes were when? The team were woefull yesterday - totally opposite to th epassion and pride we have seen them play nearly every game this season. Why this happened could be down to a few matters: 1) - this is the obvious choice - WE ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR THIS LEAGUE ( and that is no ones fault IMO) 2) - The Ash transfer rumours affected him and perhaps others - (questionable option) 3) - Aidy got it terribly wrong - thinking that maybe our pace upfront would have the same effect as Arsenal. ( probably close to the reason for ineptness of the team performance) 4) - Marlons Areest has had an affect on the squad spirit( doubtful) 5) - The fans were a silent bunch of losers with no passion or commitment. When we were needed to help lift a dismal display we jus went into dreary, dull mode. WHY THE HELL DO WE KEEP ALL OUR TEAM BACK WHEN THE OPPO GETS CORNERS AND FREE KICKS - aren't we meant ot be a fast counter attacking team - it govs Bozo very litte option to kick or throw out - when he does finally catch a cross and wants to kick or throw quickly. We have been doing that all season - we are meant to be a positive team - but in reallity we are pretty damn defensive. U ornsssssssssssssss Villa 2 Watford 4
I've got no fuss with where Jordan is being told to kick the ball - that's not his fault. However, the fact that nine times out of ten it doesn't reach it's target (just like a certain Mr L Doyley) is his fault. I've often wondered that about defensive set pieces too. I don't think I can ever remember a team in the past whose default setup is to have everyone back. Of course I've seen it in the last few minutes of games but never say in the 10th minute...
Cobblers - the fans should be treating every game as a cup final - this is the premiership - we wait most season for a chance in the cup to play a pemeirship team -whats the difference... The VAST majority of our fans are carp - moaning, lifeless tools.
i have heard a lot of shyte from fans this season - what has really got my goat is people laughing at our players ( quite a few times and Tamas being one of the subjects concerned) It shows total ignorance and arrogance as looking at these people they are born losers themsleves, likely to be dominated at work and at home and the only way to make themselvves big is to belittle the players.. I would love to shoot those cnuts. Chewy, our away fans are great - our home fans are not.
He can't win Jordan Stewart was our MOM yesterday, that is my opinion, and the opinion of most of the sunday papers as well!!!!! So lay off him, at least he showed some fight, as he always does, which is more than I can say for most of the team > > >
Trying hard does not cover up ineptness. Sorry. He was directly responsible for Stockport scoring last week - maybe we could remember that before running to say how great he is because 'for once' he didn't look out of place awful.
If we can't sign a decent left back in the summer then keep Stewart for one more season and loan Jordan Parkes out somewhere for a season, so he's ready to come into our team the season after! If we come back up next season then there are alot of players that will need to be shipped out of the club because they clearly can't hack it at prem level! I also don't think Jay is good enough at this level! He has been shocking for past 2 months now! Really out his depth! I like the bloke but sadly Danny has been carrying him for a while now and bailing him out of trouble! Both full backs Doyley and Stewart should go if we come back up! McNamme is too inconsistent, Francis would do a job in championship but is woeful in the prem, same applies to Spring and Henderson! Alot of re-shaping will be done this summer or next!
i thought the same. he was at fault for at least one goal but he looked to be the only player who was giving 100% and was not worried about who we were playing. he caused them a few problems, even on the right wing once after a corner i would still like to see chris powell in at left back but jordan deserves a go at left wing
Think Demerit is learning on the job though bubble. I agree that on balance he's not up to it but I do think he'll get there. He's still making some schoolboy errors from time to time but there's something about the way he plays the majority of the time which makes me feel very positive. He's not a young lad though so he has to make the grade fast or face being sidelined.
Possibly i'm being too harsh on him, but some of the defending has been school boy defending in recent months! The Van Persie one for instance was just pub standard! I have my doubts and i think Aidy may also have his! I think if aidy can get a decent centre half in it will be Jay being dropped rather than danny!
I can see that happening. After spending the money on Shittu, I think that he will be a part of the first choice CB pair even if we sign another CB.
