A defence of Matty James

[Dan]

James has taken King's role as the new scapegoat, that's for sure. Saying that, I don't think he's performed brilliantly. He's probably been about 6/10 which is what you get from James, a decent player, but won't create or score enough and against these defensive sides I think we need a bit more of that.

 

Silva's not played enough to be properly judged, but he's got to be worth a go next week looking at his pedigree. James I think we can safety say is a steady player, but not a lot more, Silva could be more and if we don't play him we'll never find out.

[Dan]

On 2/25/2018 at 13:32, Walkers said:

It's not enough of an excuse to start but when did we last have two centre mids with the CV that Iborra and Silva bring with them? For a club of our stature it is crazy that we have these two on the bench over somebody like James. I don't dislike the guy at all but he doesn't really bring the excitement that Silva inparticular would bring.

 

I get that new signings don't usually walk straight into a new side but we are ridiculous for this. We could sign Messi and we'd put him on the bench to start with until he proved himself

I'm getting concerned with it now if I'm honest. The amount of times we sign a player and barely see them is unbelievable. Are we constantly signing rubbish or is there more to this? I've always laughed off the latter but I'm starting to wonder if there's something in it.

[ZeGuy]

On ‎25‎/‎02‎/‎2018 at 14:32, Walkers said:

It's not enough of an excuse to start but when did we last have two centre mids with the CV that Iborra and Silva bring with them? For a club of our stature it is crazy that we have these two on the bench over somebody like James. I don't dislike the guy at all but he doesn't really bring the excitement that Silva inparticular would bring.

 

I get that new signings don't usually walk straight into a new side but we are ridiculous for this. We could sign Messi and we'd put him on the bench to start with until he proved himself

Nah Messi would sit on the bench for ever because muh, he doesn't suit our style of play and he ain't a proven PL player.

 

He'd start in the Cup against the likes of Petersborough though, score 5 then lose his place to Albrighton.

Edited 27 February 2018 by ZeGuy

[Nigel Graham Pearson]

13 minutes ago, ZeGuy said:

Nah Messi would sit on the bench for ever because muh, he doesn't suit our style of play and he ain't a proven PL player.

 

He'd start I'm the Cup against the likes of Petersborough though, score 5 then lose his place to Albrighton.

Lewandowski on the bench because muh ‘Vardeh can’t play with anyone other than Shinji”

[Strokes]

1 minute ago, Gerbold said:

That's your choice to disagree - yet anyone on here seeking to influence a manager or malign an individual player so remote from these pages would be very confused indeed. Are you stating that there's a 'Down with Matty James' movement, or a 'Defenders of N'Didi League' organising themselves on this Forum? We have little influence - especially about players who aren't mutually exclusive anyway. Aren't you doing the same to N'Didi as these others you decry are supposedly doing to Matty James. It's puerile - like schoolchildren taking sides in the playground?

He might lose possession but he's absolutely superb at dispossessing opponents and that's what we missed when Kante departed.

But I reiterate - it's not a case of choosing one over the other. Puel obviously values James. This is actually about petty vendettas being enacted on these pages. If that's your bag then go to it but it's such a trivial endeavour.

No not at all, I’m yet to defend Matty James in fact I’ve actually criticised him more than defend him. I just don’t understand why people with normally astute observations about players are so protective over one particular player and then blame other players for his mistakes. I could probably be accused of the same for Andy King I guess, so maybe I am a dickhead too...

[Danno]

I really think there has been a falling out behind the scenes, how on earth can we go into the last 20 mins of a game needing a goal and not bringing on two goal scoring midfielders, mind boggling. Can see why we keep Ndidi on since the bloke’s a machine, an aerial threat and never tires, but keeping James on is beyond belief.

[mad biker]

Did he not come within inches of winning the game for us then ?

 

[Tringfox]

11 minutes ago, DanNDH88 said:

I really think there has been a falling out behind the scenes, how on earth can we go into the last 20 mins of a game needing a goal and not bringing on two goal scoring midfielders, mind boggling. Can see why we keep Ndidi on since the bloke’s a machine, an aerial threat and never tires, but keeping James on is beyond belief.

Silva and Iborra may of been goal scoring midfielders in their own country’s but they have done very little since they joined us, having said that they haven’t really been given a chance yet!? As for ndidi, an aerial threat and machine he maybe but he does lack technical ability and does keep giving the ball away very cheaply in our so called new style of “possession based technical football”. I watched the game and there was a lot worse players on that field than Matty James, let’s just give him a break for at least one game!!

 

[weller54]

56 minutes ago, mad biker said:

Did he not come within inches of winning the game for us then ?

 

Yep.. But no cigar! 

[chicagofox]

1 hour ago, mad biker said:

Did he not come within inches of winning the game for us then ?

 

You’re referring to when he missed a free header from six yards? Yes, he did that.

[Wymsey]

Don't think he's ready for regular PL appearances just yet.

Feel that he's fourth-choice, in terms of how important he is to the team and the fact he's just starting again after injury niggles.

 

It might be quite tempting to sell him tbh, as don't personally think he can become much better.

A team like Derby or West Brom etc would suit him more imo - he's quite decent and reliable, but is quite limited.

 

[Vardinio'sCat]

23 hours ago, Tiny earl said:

Another one of babylons sycophants crawling out of the woodwork.Are you all in the same class?

?

 

Babylon's sycophant? Not really, sometimes we agree, sometimes we don't... Why not hang around, calm down the insults and get to know us a bit better. You will see that there are many different views on here.

 

Although none of us is perfect, in my experience you are better off playing the ball (the point in question) than the man (fellow posters). Terms like 'imho' and 'For me' tend to generate less heat and more light, for example.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Vardinio'sCat]

2 hours ago, DanNDH88 said:

I really think there has been a falling out behind the scenes, how on earth can we go into the last 20 mins of a game needing a goal and not bringing on two goal scoring midfielders, mind boggling. Can see why we keep Ndidi on since the bloke’s a machine, an aerial threat and never tires, but keeping James on is beyond belief.

 

How about Iborra lacks the stamina for 2 games a week in a midfield 2, got injured and then has been edged by James in training, and Silva has never quite been fit or adjusted enough to be fully trusted by Claude.

 

These are pretty much guesses on my part, obvs...

 

[Dan]

On 2/26/2018 at 10:54, Captain... said:

I think they, well specifically Silva, offers something different to James. James and Ndidi do their best work in front of the back 4 keeping it solid winning the ball and keeping it with simple passes, Ndidi has more energy and a bit more expansive, James is better at keeping  the ball. Essentially they are similar types of player.

 

Tellingly they were the most effective as a 2 against Chelsea, but this is down to the balance of that side. We had Okazaki playing his usual second striker, third midfielder role. This gives them more simple forward passes to get an attack going. On Saturday with Mahrez, Gray, Vardy all looking forwards there was only Albrighton and Chilwell looking to pick it up short. Which was the other difference against Chelsea, we had Amartey  at RB, more attacking, more energetic and less defensive minded than Simpson. Against Chelsea they had Chilwell and Amartey providing short wide options, Okazaki coming short giving Vardy more space up top and Albrighton and Mahrez doing their respective things.

 

If we have static Simpson on one side and Gray playing forwards then we lose 2 simple options from midfield, Chilwell and Albrighton were the simple balls and we had no drive from midfield.

 

No criticism of James, but the balance was wrong on Saturday and Puel didn't do enough to change it.

Totally agree with pretty much all of this. Nicely puts how I felt about things too. I don't think enough appreciate the difference having an attacking full back can make. Simpson tries his best to his credit but he's slow and technically he's Barnsley level. Amartey isn't perfect by any stretch but I think he's a bit more comfortable on the ball and getting forward, and if you have that kind of overlapping it gives the opposition something else to worry about, potentially freeing up space for players like Mahrez, Gray etc...

 

I couldn't understand his selection at all. He wants to change our style to being more possession based then picks a load of the players least suited to it. As a result it became like watching England.

[Dan]

On 2/26/2018 at 13:58, Spicer said:

Matty James is a good player in what he does. He defends well and keeps the ball moving accurately. He's quite a simple player, he has never been and never will be creative, he allows for the players in front of him freedom to play. Yesterday none of our attacking players played well and James is getting abuse for it. In defense Ndidi gave the ball away that led straight to the goal, yet nobody mentions him. James hardly put a foot wrong, yet the best player on the pitch yesterday gets blamed.

 

People are predisposed to blame him.

 

Whether we should have 2 defensive central midfielders with no creativity at home to Stoke is another matter.

Worth pointing out I'd criticise Gray before James on that game. James wasn't really that good either but Gray was anonymous in a key attacking role in a game we dominated the ball. Atrocious.

[foxes21]

Against defensive sides is it worth playing Silva/Iborra together in a 2? Silva was allowed to bomb forward the last time they played together against Fleetwood, because of Iborra’s positional discipline.

 

Whereas if we played Silva/Ndidi I think they’d be doing a lot of rotating because Ndidi likes to be everywhere, which would negate Silvas attacking threat. 

[foxinsocks]

Ndidi has to play.

Try silva at no 10.  Gray is no use there...he decamps to the wings and leaves a big hole. Silva is tricky and might do well in front of iborra and ndidi 

[Babylon]

11 hours ago, Tringfox said:

Silva and Iborra may of been goal scoring midfielders in their own country’s but they have done very little since they joined us, having said that they haven’t really been given a chance yet!?

 

 

54 minutes ago, Gerbold said:

You've contradicted yourself in your first sentence!

 

It' also incorrect as Iborra has played 153 minutes more than James, let alone cup minutes. Stats wise there is little between them as well.

[Babylon]

17 hours ago, HighPeakFox said:

You know that someone has already lost the argument when they nebulously cite 'attack dogs', like anybody here has that much malign influence over other posters.

 

[HighPeakFox]

24 minutes ago, Babylon said:

 

Where do I send my monthly fee Saint Babs?

[Arriba Los Zorros]

4 hours ago, HighPeakFox said:

Where do I send my monthly fee Saint Babs?

There is no fee required, just undying loyalty and commitment to supporting and upholding Babylon's opinions and angry posts towards those who do not agree with him in any way  #obviously #dogsofwar

 

[chicagofox]

Another Matty James special aganst Bournemouth.

[Monsell1976]

7 minutes ago, chicagofox said:

Another Matty James special aganst Bournemouth.

He shouldn’t be starting, but feel for him, he’s bang average, and a very tippy tappy, immobile footballer, we know his limitations, but the manager keeps picking him, and he’s not going to refuse.

 I think he’s doing his best, but his best isn’t good enough 

Edited 3 March 2018 by Monsell1976

[Tringfox]

14 minutes ago, Monsell1976 said:

He shouldn’t be starting, but feel for him, he’s bang average, and a very tippy tappy, immobile footballer, we know his limitations, but the manager keeps picking him, and he’s not going to refuse.

 I think he’s doing his best, but his best isn’t good enough 

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

[Colourmy]

Matty James is to Premier League football what Trabant was to the luxury car market!