Wellens

[martyn]

Beckford does not 'show' for long balls, which was all we were playing today, neither is he going to 'hold up' the ball against physical defenders, that is not his game.

He wants balls played short, between the defenders, or to his feet if he is dropping off, He does a fine job of occupying the central defenders but if there is no one to run at the gaps that is hardly his fault. The only player who did that was Vassell, who got into good positions on a number of occasions only to be let down by his final ball.

Then Beckford can help make these type of balls possible by improving his movement (he doesn't have to hare around, just show some nous and intelligence with it). A lot of our long balls today occurred because our midfield had no forward option after a period of possession and ended up laying the ball back to the CB's/Kasper.

I agree that Beckford will do well given the 'service' however, it's not going to come on a silver platter for him because we don't attack with pace and make sufficient space to exploit him. He'll need to adapt his game accordingly.

[Bob Weasel Fox]

Not his best game. But he is still a fantastic player.

It's a shame when people who clearly know little about football throw their weight about behind the security of a keyboard...

Wellens was our player of the season last year but i admit he hasnt been as effective so far this season, seems a bit off the pace?

[Fox92]

Wellens was no worse than the likes of Fernandes, Beckford and oh yes, King today. You are all quick to critisize Wellens but you never ever have a bad word to say about Andy King, and he should have done better with that shot which he controlled on his knee.

Wellens' wasn't free enough today, even Nigel Adkins said that.

[Fox92]

The only reason Beckford was crap today is because he got no service from the midfield, including Wellens! Fact!

As for Wellens, worst performance ive seen from him. He did at times looked unfit. Should be dropped for the game against Boro. The problem we have is that we have no width whatsoever. We need a couple of good wingers, even give Dyer a run out! This problem is making our central midfielders look useless.

When Beckford hans't got the ball though, he doesn't look bothered. And he's rarely in the area when crosses are put in, however, he should have scored that header - did he close his eyes? I don't think he should have been brough off though. What formation were we actually playing? The television don't really know, they just make out what they think, but at times it looked like Beckford was on his own.

I think Wellens played a beautiful ball through to Vassell which we failed to turn into a goal. Did King create anything? No. Did Fernandes play well? No. It just seems people target Wellens more.

Wellens was poor today but not that bad. Fernandes easily had a worse game, Abe didn't do too much and Beckford hardly touched the ball. Wellens is easily our best midfielder and our cleverest too, suprised so many people can't see that.

Agree with that.

[Fox92]

Or slag Vassel off, apart from his header at the end he was useless

I am getting constantly annoyed about people getting on at Vassell. He wasn't 'useless' at all. He works hard for the team, and constantly chases loose balls. I think he has been our most conistant player since signing.

Vassell is underrated.

[dannythefox]

The only reason Beckford was crap today is because he got no service from the midfield, including Wellens! Fact!

As for Wellens, worst performance ive seen from him. He did at times looked unfit. Should be dropped for the game against Boro. The problem we have is that we have no width whatsoever. We need a couple of good wingers, even give Dyer a run out! This problem is making our central midfielders look useless.

Agree with this i want to see more of johnson aswell he always want to get forward looks good on the ball.

[Corky]

Wellens was no worse than the likes of Fernandes, Beckford and oh yes, King today. You are all quick to critisize Wellens but you never ever have a bad word to say about Andy King, and he should have done better with that shot which he controlled on his knee.

Go and read the post-match thread.

[bettso]

Wellens has been getting worse with every game that goes by. Could it be that his mind is being ****ed with by the ever improving fitness of Johnson?

Personally, I think Wellens or King should make way for Johnson the second he can play 90 minutes. He has more craft, composure, guile and wont slow the game down for no reason, instead he'll look to drive forward and create at every opportunity. He was itching to shoot on the edge of the area today but just couldnt find the space.

It's exciting to have a player like Johnson on the brink of coming in and I think once he and Nugent are in the team then we could be looking at a dominating formula.

[Guest ttfn]

Wellens was no worse than the likes of Fernandes, Beckford and oh yes, King today. You are all quick to critisize Wellens but you never ever have a bad word to say about Andy King, and he should have done better with that shot which he controlled on his knee.

You're like a broken record with Wellens. At least King got in to the positions to miss the chances.

Once again, as against Brighton and Saints, there was too much space in front of our back 4, which Whittingham threatened to exploit.

Arguably, that's not Wellens' fault. He's not a defensive midfielder, he's a ball player. But he's now too slow to play further up in a dynamic midfield such as the one Scen's trying to cultivate, and I can only really see him thriving in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 where he has a ball winner alongside him.

Agree with you about Vassell. Virtually always puts in a 7/10 display. We just have to accept his limitations.

[Dames]

Been saying for a while now that Wellens is over rated. He's an adequate footballer but he's hardly what some people make him out to be.

Don't get me wrong, when he has a good game he's fantastic but it seems that these games are few and far between. In my opinion the fact that he can play a fancy ball every now and then seems to fool the masses into thinking he's some sort of Beckham of the Championship. I feel that while he may have the technical talents he's just not up to it mentally. When he has time to stop and think about what he wants to do he'll look decent and play the odd nice ball but if were looking to break fast or need to get out of a situation quickly, Wellens is the last player you want with the ball because he wants to hold onto it too long whilst he decides what to do and whilst he's doing that he seems to forget he's got the ball at his feet and loses out on possession either that or he tries to rush a 'hollywood ball'. This happens more often than not.

We need players in the team with more urgency, that dont slow the play down when the team are breaking and Wellens is the worst when it comes to that.

[LCFC BEAST]

Wellens is a poor mans Paul Scholes but one bad performance shouldn't over see all the brilliant things he's done for us in the past and this season already. Does no body remember the Southampton game? Fernandes had a shocker seeing his performance last week was quality. He didn't have a good game at all. The only players who had a good game today where the back 5 bar Koncheskey.

Recall big Steve and play him with Dyer and Schlupp either side and see how things pan out for a change. One game won't kill and Sven needs a Plan B which we ultimately don't have...

[Guest Col city fan]

This is all crap... Wellens is a victim of Sven's silly system.

He's the one player in our team currently who can control a game with his vision and his precise passing. Its a shame to see such a talented footballer reduced to the spectacle we saw today because he had no runners out wide to give the ball to.

I fear that we may have to drop our most talented passer of the ball to comply with the game that Sven is insisting on playing. As for Johnson... who of you really knows whether he's gonna be the answer to anything? He's getting fitter but is definately still carrying!

Who's gonna be blamed next? King for not scoring the goals he got last year? Vassell for not trying hard enough? Dyer cos he's apparently got a crap cross?

Wellens is not having his best season granted... but the stick he gets on here is ridiculous - I personally thought Fernandes today was absolutely fooking gash! why not have a pop at him too?

How about blaming Sven for filling the team with defensive midfielders?

now theres a thought?.....

[LCFC BEAST]

This is all crap... Wellens is a victim of Sven's silly system.

He's the one player in our team currently who can control a game with his vision and his precise passing. Its a shame to see such a talented footballer reduced to the spectacle we saw today because he had no runners out wide to give the ball to.

I fear that we may have to drop our most talented passer of the ball to comply with the game that Sven is insisting on playing. As for Johnson... who of you really knows whether he's gonna be the answer to anything? He's getting fitter but is definately still carrying!

Who's gonna be blamed next? King for not scoring the goals he got last year? Vassell for not trying hard enough? Dyer cos he's apparently got a crap cross?

Wellens is not having his best season granted... but the stick he gets on here is ridiculous - I personally thought Fernandes today was absolutely fooking gash! why not have a pop at him too?

How about blaming Sven for filling the team with defensive midfielders?

now theres a thought?.....

Couldn't put it better myself.

[Dames]

This is all crap... Wellens is a victim of Sven's silly system.

He's the one player in our team currently who can control a game with his vision and his precise passing. Its a shame to see such a talented footballer reduced to the spectacle we saw today because he had no runners out wide to give the ball to.

I fear that we may have to drop our most talented passer of the ball to comply with the game that Sven is insisting on playing. As for Johnson... who of you really knows whether he's gonna be the answer to anything? He's getting fitter but is definately still carrying!

Who's gonna be blamed next? King for not scoring the goals he got last year? Vassell for not trying hard enough? Dyer cos he's apparently got a crap cross?

Wellens is not having his best season granted... but the stick he gets on here is ridiculous - I personally thought Fernandes today was absolutely fooking gash! why not have a pop at him too?

How about blaming Sven for filling the team with defensive midfielders?

now theres a thought?.....

This is a prime example of a fan that is wowed by Wellens odd fancy pass and genuinely believes him to be an extremely talented player..

Watch closer, he loses the ball with his passing attempts than he's actually successful and he only has 'vision and precise passing' when he's having either a really really good game or he's got 30 seconds to dwell on the ball and decide what to do.

He does win a lot of free kicks though, i'll give him that.

[ScouseFox]

This is all crap... Wellens is a victim of Sven's silly system.

He's the one player in our team currently who can control a game with his vision and his precise passing. Its a shame to see such a talented footballer reduced to the spectacle we saw today because he had no runners out wide to give the ball to.

I fear that we may have to drop our most talented passer of the ball to comply with the game that Sven is insisting on playing. As for Johnson... who of you really knows whether he's gonna be the answer to anything? He's getting fitter but is definately still carrying!

Who's gonna be blamed next? King for not scoring the goals he got last year? Vassell for not trying hard enough? Dyer cos he's apparently got a crap cross?

Wellens is not having his best season granted... but the stick he gets on here is ridiculous - I personally thought Fernandes today was absolutely fooking gash! why not have a pop at him too?

How about blaming Sven for filling the team with defensive midfielders?

now theres a thought?.....

Beer's just been spat everywhere, haven't laughed that hard in a while. Thanks man.

[Guest Col city fan]

Beer's just been spat everywhere, haven't laughed that hard in a while. Thanks man.

bugger off!! Im being all serious here!!! hehehehe

[EverybodyDannsNow]

Ok he didnt have his best game but calm down. He does so much for us which usualy goes un noticed. One of our best midfielders without a doubt. Also Johnson looked quality when he came on. Give him a start ahead of Yuki imo

[Guest Col city fan]

This is a prime example of a fan that is wowed by Wellens odd fancy pass and genuinely believes him to be an extremely talented player..

Watch closer, he loses the ball with his passing attempts than he's actually successful and he only has 'vision and precise passing' when he's having either a really really good game or he's got 30 seconds to dwell on the ball and decide what to do.

He does win a lot of free kicks though, i'll give him that.

course I'm not 'wowed'! fooks sake he aint that good!! ..hes the best we got at doing what he does though... and he must be as frustrated as everyone else I would have thought

[Bob Weasel Fox]

Ok he didnt have his best game but calm down. He does so much for us which usualy goes un noticed. One of our best midfielders without a doubt. Also Johnson looked quality when he came on. Give him a start ahead of Yuki imo

Fernandes and Abe were both worse than Wellens today imo

[ScouseFox]

course I'm not 'wowed'! fooks sake he aint that good!! ..hes the best we got at doing what he does though... and he must be as frustrated as everyone else I would have thought

Yeah, giving the ball away, wayward shooting, slowing the game down, diving, giving away free kicks, moaning, etc. He's boss at them.

[Guest Col city fan]

Yeah, giving the ball away, wayward shooting, slowing the game down, diving, giving away free kicks, moaning, etc. He's boss at them.

There remains simply a sheer reticence to ask whether good players may not be performing well because of the manager and the system he plays doesnt there...? so much easier to single out a player and claim he's shite. Read my above post..who's next to be targetted?

[Corky]

This is all crap... Wellens is a victim of Sven's silly system.

He's the one player in our team currently who can control a game with his vision and his precise passing. Its a shame to see such a talented footballer reduced to the spectacle we saw today because he had no runners out wide to give the ball to.

I saw Peltier and Konchesky getting forward regularly.

[ScouseFox]

There remains simply a sheer reticence to ask whether good players may not be performing well because of the manager and the system he plays doesnt there...? so much easier to single out a player and claim he's shite. Read my above post..who's next to be targetted?

I've always seen Wellens do pretty much nothing but churn out poor performance after poor performance, under 3 different managers and numerous systems. So yeah, the "common denominator" you were searching for earlier is, in fact, Richie Wellens. Because he's not very good.

[Guest Col city fan]

I've always seen Wellens do pretty much nothing but churn out poor performance after poor performance, under 3 different managers and numerous systems. So yeah, the "common denominator" you were searching for earlier is, in fact, Richie Wellens. Because he's not very good.

you dont watch the same games as I do then... last years player of the season? poor performance after poor performance? yep....

[Bob Weasel Fox]

Wellens then Naughton were by miles our best performers last season