Matty James

[Leeds Fox]

His contract extension was clearly a gamble. Rather than spend a fortune on another midfielder, they knew what Matty was about and if he got/stayed fit it was obvious he would be a great asset. 

 

For me, his talent, commitment and professionalism has never been in doubt, which are traits you can never guarantee from a new signing... as we have recently found out. 

 

Edit: Also, regarding the comparisons to Drinkwater, I feel they are very different players playing the same position. Drinkwater had Kante when we won the league, but was also very suited to our style of football that year. James on the other hand might not have done so well, but in a team that wants to play football through middle but keep the team on the offensive, I think he’s great. 

 

Both good players in their own rights and I’d say the current system suits James more, in 15/16 Drinkwaters style was perfect. 

Edited 14 January 2018 by Leeds Fox

[Guest Dirkster the Fox]

Another steady game clocked up by Matty. Adrian Silva looked very good Tuesday and may be considered better in time, but still slightly off the pace for now. CP still likes MJ in the middle when fit it seems......

[FLAN]

Thought he played too safe today if that’s not too harsh. I thought we lacked a bit of drive from him. 

[Milo]

I so so so want James to be the new Muzzy. 

 

But, alas, he’s not. 

 

Doesn’t influence games as he should, doesn’t score, doesn’t create. 

 

Is an ok steady Eddie and pops up occasionally to do something good. 

 

[Foxhateram]

58 minutes ago, Milo said:

I so so so want James to be the new Muzzy. 

 

But, alas, he’s not. 

 

Doesn’t influence games as he should, doesn’t score, doesn’t create. 

 

Is an ok steady Eddie and pops up occasionally to do something good. 

 

Assisted the pen today no? Was a keyhole pass aswell. If that isn't influencing a game, I'm not sure what is.

[Lovejoy]

Better player now than three years ago in my opinion. Wasn't previously his number one fan but I think he's playing really well, can't praise the guy enough for the mental strength to get through the injury turmoil and return a better player.

[Milo]

3 minutes ago, Foxhateram said:

Assisted the pen today no? Was a keyhole pass aswell. If that isn't influencing a game, I'm not sure what is

Like I said - pops up and does something half decent every now and again...and then goes missing for huge chunks of the game. 

 

Look at N’didi...always involved, always busy...James not so much. 

 

We we have a big hole between midfield and attack. Shinji (bless him) isn’t a classic creative no. 10 and James doesn’t do enough to create and link up. 

 

As I mentioned, I badly want him to be the next Muzzy

[Marshall Cockney Fox]

1 minute ago, Milo said:

Like I said - pops up and does something half decent every now and again...and then goes missing for huge chunks of the game. 

 

Look at N’didi...always involved, always busy...James not so much. 

 

We we have a big hole between midfield and attack. Shinji (bless him) isn’t a classic creative no. 10 and James doesn’t do enough to create and link up. 

 

As I mentioned, I badly want him to be the next Muzzy

Silva is the new Muzzy. He will get forward and give impetus. But maybe James is more solid defensively and CP wants that insurance.

[ian_marshall]

Good performance today. Looked really comfortable on the ball. I'd forgotten how good his footwork is when he has the ball at his feet. He is still a class act. 

[Ike O'Noclassed]

I thought he was the new Garry Parker.

Edited 20 January 2018 by Ike O'Noclassed

[Arriba Los Zorros]

1 hour ago, Milo said:

I so so so want James to be the new Muzzy. 

 

But, alas, he’s not. 

 

Doesn’t influence games as he should, doesn’t score, doesn’t create. 

 

Is an ok steady Eddie and pops up occasionally to do something good. 

 

Seems harsh. He's never been flashy but does everything efficiently and has a really good all round game. If you look at any moves we build up, Matty James will inevitably be involved, he's excellent on the ball and his technique really makes up for what he lacks in mobility. His main problem and real weakness is propensity for injury and I imagine this has a mental side in affecting how hard he goes in games at times

[StriderHiryu]

2 hours ago, F1_AN said:

Thought he played too safe today if that’s not too harsh. I thought we lacked a bit of drive from him. 

No I think that's a good way to describe his performance. He wasn't as box-to-box as I would have liked to have seen him play.

 

Not as good as he was against Chelsea, but not bad. He had some nice touches, played the ball through for the penalty, and made a terrific tackle which set us on our way for the second goal.

[ZeGuy]

4 minutes ago, StriderHiryu said:

No I think that's a good way to describe his performance. He wasn't as box-to-box as I would have liked to have seen him play.

 

Not as good as he was against Chelsea, but not bad. He had some nice touches, played the ball through for the penalty, and made a terrific tackle which set us on our way for the second goal.

Spot on.

[TheyCallMeMrCarbohydrate]

Really pleased for him. Didn’t do much wrong at all today.

[steflcfc]

Thought Matty J had a decent game,

First half him and Ndidi were struggling in an attacking sense one should have sat back and one drive forward....both sat back.

 

Second half Matty started to drive forward first 10 mins, then Ndidi took over and Matty say deeper and it seemed to work better.

 

Both were tidy on the ball and both don’t hold back in work rate or tackling.

 

No reason for Matty to sit on the bench.

But we need a regular starter with Ndidi as he can’t keep swapping cm partners in Iborra,Silva James and King.

 

[Tringfox]

1 hour ago, Ike O'Noclassed said:

I thought he was the new Garry Parker.

Only in his frame, Parker far more creative with the ball, I find James slow and bang average. 

[ARM1968]

Decent, solid player. Won’t take us to the next level but will help us stay at this one. 

[Koke]

He has pleasantly surprised me, and many others I presume. I wasn't too sure about giving him a new contract as I didn't think he was quite up to scratch and him being injury prone worries me but he's doing a decent job atm. 

[pazzerfox]

11 hours ago, Milo said:

I so so so want James to be the new Muzzy. 

 

But, alas, he’s not. 

 

Doesn’t influence games as he should, doesn’t score, doesn’t create. 

 

Is an ok steady Eddie and pops up occasionally to do something good. 

 

I think his strenght and tenacity in the middle of the park form the basis of what we are all about.  If he continues to get into the side, his midfield bursts will improve.  You need players who will consistantly give you a 7/8 out of 10 performance, hence why Albrighton gets into the side more regularly that the flashy Gray!

 

Granted, he is not a Muzzy Izzett, but we don't need him to be!

 

I am a fan of Matty and really hopes he stays injury free for a few years.

Edited 21 January 2018 by pazzerfox

[Foxhateram]

15 hours ago, Milo said:

Like I said - pops up and does something half decent every now and again...and then goes missing for huge chunks of the game. 

 

Look at N’didi...always involved, always busy...James not so much. 

 

We we have a big hole between midfield and attack. Shinji (bless him) isn’t a classic creative no. 10 and James doesn’t do enough to create and link up. 

 

As I mentioned, I badly want him to be the next Muzzy

You can't have two N'Didi type players, it would leave a huge gap in the middle.

 

One dissaplined midfielder who holds the shape, complements N'Didi perfectly (who often gets lost in the mix, in a good way). King, James, Iborra are all of this mould, hold the ball up, keep the shape and stay disciplined.

 

Silva is our N'Didi replacement should we ever need it, he chases the battles and gets stuck in. 

 

You need balance. I am really impressed with our midfield since Puel took over. I honestly think we've got it spot on. Some people (not necessarily you) just can't see the off the ball work that these players do. 

[GaelicFox]

19 hours ago, ARM1968 said:

Decent, solid player. Won’t take us to the next level but will help us stay at this one. 

Dear me 

 

next level shite 

 

we are 7th we are top of our level 

 

we won the league 

 

But we will never be a big 6 team unless taken over by a country like Man City that’s a fact of economics 

 

Matty James is Class in the next 18 months he will be linked with one of the BIG 6 club’s 

 

Enjoy who and what we are and forget all that next level bullshit 

 

leeds , Blackburn , Sunderland , Newcastle , charlton, Crystal Palace to name but a few have all spouted that “next level” bullshite and all have been up and down and back up and down again ! 

 

[HighPeakFox]

4 minutes ago, GaelicFox said:

Dear me 

 

next level shite 

 

we are 7th we are top of our level 

 

we won the league 

 

But we will never be a big 6 team unless taken over by a country like Man City that’s a fact of economics 

 

Matty James is Class in the next 18 months he will be linked with one of the BIG 6 club’s 

 

Enjoy who and what we are and forget all that next level bullshit 

 

leeds , Blackburn , Sunderland , Newcastle , charlton, Crystal Palace to name but a few have all spouted that “next level” bullshite and all have been up and down and back up and down again ! 

 

And your tipple of choice tonight is......?

[GaelicFox]

15 minutes ago, HighPeakFox said:

And your tipple of choice tonight is......?

Lynch Bages 2007 , not the best vintage but cracking drop of Pauillac with a rare Forerib of Irish beef dinner 

 

the wine and beef being fine Irish connections 

[fuchsntf]

Lets cut all the crap..

He was a damn good find, and a damn good player.

 

Too many times we go really OTT, with our every single action, or moment in our player Analyse...

Its how players careers and form pan out, over long periods, in a game, over several games and periods.

Its the plus points you count, and th e accumalation thereof. Slip ups loss of form, regaining form, is the

measure of any player. Kane, Lingaard,Sterling  are proving that at different levels.

Nacho and Gray have just started, James is rekindling and having to restart, at the moment hes more than good

enough.

[BenTheFox]

I thought he played well yesterday. He's a very competent player and Puel seems to be a fan of his. I'm really happy for him to be honest.