A defence of Matty James

[Monsell1976]

37 minutes ago, Tringfox said:

I just wish he’d try and take a risk now and again, he gives nothing going forward!!

It’s frustrating but it’s not his game, shouldn’t be starting, but would be an ideal squad player to bring off the bench to see the game out

[Foxfromburbage]

We should not get on his back, he's a decent squad player. The person who picked the team needs to take the criticism. 

[Beechey]

Defended him last week because he wasn't actually that bad, but for a central midfielder to only have 37 touches in 95 minutes is absolutely astonishing. Ndidi had 87, and Silva who played 58 minutes had 47. Other than the substitutes and Amartey, he had the fewest passes as well, even fewer than Schmeichel. Even fewer than Vardy. Diabate, who played for 15 minutes had almost half the passes James made in the entire match.

 

If I was Puel and Appleton, next week I would seriously consider playing Iborra instead.

Edited 3 March 2018 by Beechey

[09bballer]

He doesn't look anywhere near fit to me. I think he needs a pre-season and lose half a stone.

[lcfcdamo]

Please someone tell me how he is getting in instead of iborra how is it even possible he offers nothing absolute nothing today all he done was fill a hole!!! 

[Arriba Los Zorros]

I am and will continue to be a big defender of Matty James, but it is increasingly based on loyalty to his past performances before his big injury. He's still got the speed of thought and technical ability, but whereas he was genuinely box-to-box before and got involved all over the pitch, he now plays like a 35 year old who's legs have gone. Its such a shame as he's got the talent and a great head on his shoulders, but it looks more and more that the injuries have done for him as a top flight player.

[kingfox]

Cut out a few Bournemouth attacks in the first half but that was about it today.

 

As I said last week though I believe he's in the side because he keeps the ball better than Iborra and Silva.

[The Wizard]

Matty James would make a very good Championship midfield rock..that's about it..there's more creativity in  Riyads left index finger.

[chicagofox]

How can a player (any player) be considered a good squad player if they’re not good enough for the first team?

[Arriba Los Zorros]

12 minutes ago, chicagofox said:

How can a player (any player) be considered a good squad player if they’re not good enough for the first team?

You need back-ups that will do a job and accept that as a back-up they lack some of the abilities of those who start. Not realistic to have a squad of first-team ability players unless you're Man City.

 

Issue with James is not as a squad player, but the fact he shouldn't be starting when we've Ndidi Iborra and Silva available

[HankMarvin]

Barnsley was about his level

 

Minus the sentiment his shit for a Prem team

[Wasyls Pec Deck]

Another game where he was a passenger. Someone on Twitter saying that in one of the halves he only had 9 touches of the ball. If true, and it feels about right, that’s terrible. Not 9 tackles or passes - touches!!!

[ZeGuy]

3 hours ago, Beechey said:

Defended him last week because he wasn't actually that bad, but for a central midfielder to only have 37 touches in 95 minutes is absolutely astonishing. Ndidi had 87, and Silva who played 58 minutes had 47. Other than the substitutes and Amartey, he had the fewest passes as well, even fewer than Schmeichel. Even fewer than Vardy. Diabate, who played for 15 minutes had almost half the passes James made in the entire match.

 

If I was Puel and Appleton, next week I would seriously consider playing Iborra instead.

That's an incredible stat. Never ever have I heard of a midfielder with so few touches.

[Guest ttfn]

He’s Andy King without the (limited) goal scoring threat and 10 years of goodwill.

 

Yet another example of a player who’s got better by not being in the team.

[RODNEY FERNIO]

It just amazes me that we are starting dross like James after recently winning the title.

Smacks of something going on behind the scenes that we are not privvy to.

Preferred it when he was injured. 

[foxinsocks]

13 hours ago, Foxfromburbage said:

We should not get on his back, he's a decent squad player. The person who picked the team needs to take the criticism. 

When beeb interview they need to ask why puel is preferring james?

Why is the work rate so low?

[fleckneymike]

James

11 starts

3 wins

6 defeats

2 draws

 

Iborra

12 starts

5 wins

3 defeats

4 draws

 

Edited 4 March 2018 by fleckneymike

[NorthfieldsFox]

Some very harsh comments about a man trying his best , saying it was better when he was injured is disgraceful , good or bad he deserves some respect for coming back from that injury , please people think about what you type 

[Happy Fox]

Iborra should be starting ahead of him if we play a 3 man midfield, in a 2 man midfield it has to be Ndidi and Silva.

 

James is a backup player imo nothing more than that.

[Guest Col city fan]

I like James. He's come back from horrible injury and he's very committed.

To take us to a better level though, he must be replaced with a better box to box midfielder or a proper DM. James isn't particularly good at any aspect of the game to be honest. He doesn't create, nor score enough, nor is he quick enough.

[Marshall Cockney Fox]

He's not that bad lads, he's simply the wrong player in that line-up i.e. totally wrong blend. That's the managers fault. He can't play with Ndidi as they give zero creative / forward passing influence. Iborra when on form was demonstrating a good (forward) passing range. I think Puel got seduced by Matty's performance at the Bridge and he's been living off that for weeks

 

[chris_lcfc_85]

Some of the comments on here massively disappoint me. I have to agree that I'm surprised he's starting currently but the levels of criticism are astounding, silva was utterly poor yesterday and Albrighton was truly embarrassing 

[fleckneymike]

In defence of James he’s not exactly stopped doing anything he’s previously done. 

 

He’s never been a goal threat (6 goals in 120 odd appearance), he’s never been a creator of goals, he’s never been particularly mobile and he was seldom motm. He was always (and to a degree still is) neat and tidy, but currently he’s not the right person to guide N’didi through games nor is he ever going to drive the side on or make a tackle/foul to get the supporters going. 

 

This is as good/bad as he ever was. This is it. This is his best. That’s why I believe many of us are so underwhelmed by many of his appearances and performances. He’s not going to get better, we can’t tell ourselves to be patient because he’ll play like he did against x or y because I doubt any of us can easily remember anything he’s done. 

Edited 4 March 2018 by fleckneymike

[The whole world smiles]

5 minutes ago, fleckneymike said:

In defence of James he’s not exactly stopped doing anything he’s previously done. 

 

He’s never been a goal threat (6 goals in 120 odd appearance), he’s never been a creator of goals, he’s never been particularly mobile and he was seldom motm. He was always (and to a degree still is) neat and tidy, but currently he’s not the right person to guide N’didi through games nor is he ever going to drive the side on or make a tackle/foul to get the supporters going. 

 

This is as good/bad as he ever was. This is it. This is his best. That’s why I believe many of us are so underwhelmed by many of his appearances and performances. He’s not going to get better, we can’t tell ourselves to be patient because he’ll play like he did against x or y because I doubt any of us can easily remember anything he’s done. 

Not very often (if ever) I agree with @fleckneymike but apart from the bit in bold (I do rate his tackling and leadership). I think your pretty much spot on.

[Trav Le Bleu]

Seems he's the new Andy King in his absence.