Hobbs - Why The Hate?

[cc_star]

I've not been around this corner of the interweb for too long, but I have noticed that one of our better players and certainly one of our finest future prospects - Hobbs, comes in for a lot of criticism around here, hate may be too strong a word but there seems to be a groundswell of opinion to get him replaced.

Fair enough I'll give you he hasn't hit last season's highs, but he's rarely played with the same partner and anyone who knows even the slightest thing about football will tell you you need a settled back line or at the very least a partnership in the centre of defence along with a commanding, vocal goalie.

Hobbs is a young lad, he has proven he has a fantastic talent, but has a slight loss of form but its not his fault Sousa didn't have a clue about defending or what our players should be doing when the opposition had the ball. Therefore the months of the all important pre-season were wasted along with almost a quarter of the season's worth of games.

This has caused the side to ship goals by the truckload and consequently as a central defender obviously a loss of form for him.

Sven hasn't been here long enough to develop a settled back 4 and because of the lack of talent at the club has had to sign 3 players on loan, all of who are defenders - that's quite an upheaval in anyone's book, meaning Hobbs hasn't played in a settled defence. On top of this we have the added issue of Davies being injured for Saturday meaning Hobbs has to change defensive partner yet again.

From one game to the next it's been Hobbs + Moreno, Hobbs + Morrison, Hobbs + Vitor, Hobbs + Davies and now thanks to an injury it going to have to change yet again, it's no wonder he can't hit last season's form if he doesn't know what his partner is going to be doing from one game to the next, and lets not forget some of the game in which he's not looked great he's had the keeper changed every game as well from Weale to Logan to Ikelme and back to Weale again - How is anyone supposed to find form?

The last thing we need is yet another centre half coming in, upsetting the apple cart even further with another 4 or 5 games having to go by before an understanding partnership is formed, but that hasn't stopped those on here baying for more signings and preferably another centre-half, before we know it we'll go through that many transitions, upheavals and changes that we'll be back in the bottom 3 and we'll have another 07/08 season on our hands again.

On top of that don't forget Davies is potentially only here for a month, meaning more changes if he doesn't stay on.

Do people on here want our brightest prospect to succeed or are they really saying they want yet another loan signing in the back line.

I believe this constant chopping and changing could see us in a full on relegation battle, this is exactly what happened when Martin Allen signed 14 players in one summer followed by about another 100 players Holloway signed, wholsesale change won't see us rising up the table, we need Hobbs to be an ever-present and we need Davies to stay on and partner him, failing that Hobbs needs to build a partnership with Vitor, yet another player added to the mix would be disastrous.

All good winning sides who don't ship goals have one thing in common and that's a partnership in defence, all great centre-halfs have one thing in common, and that's a consistent partner.

It's a shame we need to build these partnerships during the season, when we need results, most teams do this in the summer - but we all know who to thank for that!

[Geordie]

Who hates him

If they do they are

[davieG]

Why the over reaction to some justified criticism?

[1964FOX]

I like Jack Hobbs and think he will turn out to be a excellent defender, hopefully at Leicester but can understand people having a go because at present he is not playing as I would expect him to be and he appears to have lost some of his confidence. As I said I think he will come good just give him time.

[cc_star]

Why the over reaction to some justified criticism?

Because it's a ridiculous over-reaction that people think making yet another signing will solve anything, when we already have the talent at our disposal. I think I've already suggested the reason for him not hitting last season's incredibly high standards, and none of them are his fault, so perhaps the 'justified' criticism would be better pointed elsewhere?

[muzzieizzet]

I love Jack Hobbs. And I mean that.

[Corky]

I don't think there's "hate" towards him, just people struggling to understand why he hasn't looked anything like the player he was last season.

We shouldn't sell him anyway, he's still got a long career ahead of him and can develop here under Sven's leadership.

[Kilworthfox]

I can't believe any true fan hates Hobbs! I am sure you may have mis read or mis judged others reactons, when they start burning shirts, start to worry!

[Thracian]

Quite how Sousa fields the blame for Hobbs' failings this season i don't know. Poor contol and lack of focus/awareness is just that.

Player's form does fluctuate - particularly that of young players - and it is true that Hobbs might have been affected by circumstances like Pearson's departure and the composition of the team around him but, for all those challenges, he's expected to cope and his personal performance is down to himself.

The points you make are very good ones but I don't think there's any hatred for Hobbs. Play well and you get praised, play badly and you're likely to be criticisd.

[foxoffderby]

Hate? dont know what your taking about Willis. Hes had a bad season but hes not hated, in fact most us put him as one of the first names on their teamsheet. I think he just needs an experienced head around him. Steve Walsh was the same when arrived at the club.

[sdb]

He's one of my faves. He's justly got some stick for recent performances but he'd still be first name on the team sheet for many. Only the morons who want a complete overhaul want him out. (the ones who think signing 15 new players = guaranteed promotion/world domination)

[mountsorrel fox]

Hobbs! well what can i say one of the best centre backs in the championship! In a few more seasons he will be an excellant premiership player, and i mean it!

[MPH]

i like Hobbs

[Tommy G]

I'd play Vitor for a few games and allow Hobbs to get his head together and head down in training

[Kitchandro]

I don't think anyone 'hates' Hobbs.

He has not played well for the majority of this season and for that he deserves some criticism. But I agree it's not all his fault. I think he is missing someone like Brown to partner him. I would like to see Tunchev partnered with him as he is good in the air and experience - just as Brown was.

I think he is one of those players that will be given a chance by the fans because he had such a great season last season. We are all desperate for him to find his form. He just needs a confidence boost.

I do agree with your point that we should not be looking to get rid of a load of players and bring in new ones. IMO we should let go of the deadwood - Neilson, N'Guessan, etc, and build quality signings around our important players - Hobbs, Tunchev, (hope he plays soon) Wellens, King, Dyer, Waghorn, Fryatt. These players are key to us and the future of the team at this time.

We should only be replacing the absolute cack, not players who are out of form like Hobbs, Fryatt and Gallgher. These players just need to be fully fit and confident and be given a run of games, then they will be fine.

I think a lot of people are really going over the top with 'lets get rid of him' stuff.

[lestajigs]

I like Hobbs. All you haters lay off him, so wot player don't go through a rough stint??