Is Yuki Abe Overrated?

[Bert]

I feel he keeps possession really well, but we've too many players like this. He must be doing something right as he keeps getting picked.

[anotherharboroughfox]

Not sure on people's obsession with Danns, he's been very poor since joining us & even in the Derby thrashing where they never put a single tackle-in he lost possession almost 100% of the time the ball coming to him.

IMO Fernandes is better when on his game, but his head may be elsewhere, Abe gives his all but I think he's playing at his limit in a mid-table Championship side like we are

Yet he manages to play for Japan...?

[Guest Col city fan]

Good player we should hold on to him at least he tries

This... Abe's performances this season have been no worse than anyone else's.

And he puts in an awful lot of effort.

But he's slow IMO.. should never be played out on the right..he's best at sitting off the back four mopping up

[Thracian]

Even now it's hard to remember anything he's done of consequence. He's willing no question and he's got reasonable energy but he's a Championship lightweight - a guy who huffs and puffs but is nothing special at anything.

He's not an attack breaker in the manner of Scott Parker. He's not a visionary passer or goalmaker and he's not a goal threat. The only reason he's in the side is to please the owners.

Finnegan championed him early on and I kept trying to see what I'd missed. And just occasionally he was busy enough to be useful. But that would be it. I thought he might get the chance to take a few free-kicks or to support our attack but no - he was always just a man making up he numbers, the sort of player the opposition never had to worry about.

He's not the only one of course and I'd never question his attitude for a moment. But to win promotion we need better.

[Trav Le Bleu]

Even now it's hard to remember anything he's done of consequence. He's willing no question and he's got reasonable energy but he's a Championship lightweight - a guy who huffs and puffs but is nothing special at anything.

He's not an attack breaker in the manner of Scott Parker. He's not a visionary passer or goalmaker and he's not a goal threat. The only reason he's in the side is to please the owners.

Finnegan championed him early on and I kept trying to see what I'd missed. And just occasionally he was busy enough to be useful. But that would be it. I thought he might get the chance to take a few free-kicks or to support our attack but no - he was always just a man making up he numbers, the sort of player the opposition never had to worry about.

He's not the only one of course and I'd never question his attitude for a moment. But to win promotion we need better.

And therein lies the simple reason why you don't like him - admit it.

[Guest Col city fan]

Even now it's hard to remember anything he's done of consequence. He's willing no question and he's got reasonable energy but he's a Championship lightweight - a guy who huffs and puffs but is nothing special at anything.

He's not an attack breaker in the manner of Scott Parker. He's not a visionary passer or goalmaker and he's not a goal threat. The only reason he's in the side is to please the owners.

Finnegan championed him early on and I kept trying to see what I'd missed. And just occasionally he was busy enough to be useful. But that would be it. I thought he might get the chance to take a few free-kicks or to support our attack but no - he was always just a man making up he numbers, the sort of player the opposition never had to worry about.

He's not the only one of course and I'd never question his attitude for a moment. But to win promotion we need better.

Its a squad game Thrac... and its always useful to have players in that squad who, although not particularly exciting, are solid and give it their all.

I would guess that Abe probably doesn't moan much if dropped, and will be a willing participant when he comes back into the team.

You yourself have mentioned the pitfalls of having a squad full of prima donnas and, given your management experience, I assume that you had some solid guys in there who were never gonna set the world alight, but you had them for commitment and solidity.

Get the right manager in and Kingy/Schlupp can do the damage.. Abe needs to stay to do what he does best... no nonsense moppin up

[demon_dog]

I think he's a player that you either rate or not.

A colleague of mine thinks he's just an average player whereas I think he is actually quite good.

It's all just a matter of opinion.

[Finnegan]

Even now it's hard to remember anything he's done of consequence. He's willing no question and he's got reasonable energy but he's a Championship lightweight - a guy who huffs and puffs but is nothing special at anything.

He's not an attack breaker in the manner of Scott Parker. He's not a visionary passer or goalmaker and he's not a goal threat. The only reason he's in the side is to please the owners.

Finnegan championed him early on and I kept trying to see what I'd missed. And just occasionally he was busy enough to be useful. But that would be it. I thought he might get the chance to take a few free-kicks or to support our attack but no - he was always just a man making up he numbers, the sort of player the opposition never had to worry about.

He's not the only one of course and I'd never question his attitude for a moment. But to win promotion we need better.

You don't win games without a defence.

Yuki should be a player that appeals to you, he's a busy, energetic ball-winner that - instead of just hoofing the ball wildly up the field - nearly always looks to get the ball moving in a positive way.

He's not showy, no. But we don't need 11 Leo Messis.

Oh - and he's got man marking skills that'd make Pontus proud!

And therein lies the simple reason why you don't like him - admit it.

[breadandcheese]

Even now it's hard to remember anything he's done of consequence. He's willing no question and he's got reasonable energy but he's a Championship lightweight - a guy who huffs and puffs but is nothing special at anything.

He's not an attack breaker in the manner of Scott Parker. He's not a visionary passer or goalmaker and he's not a goal threat. The only reason he's in the side is to please the owners.

Finnegan championed him early on and I kept trying to see what I'd missed. And just occasionally he was busy enough to be useful. But that would be it. I thought he might get the chance to take a few free-kicks or to support our attack but no - he was always just a man making up he numbers, the sort of player the opposition never had to worry about.

He's not the only one of course and I'd never question his attitude for a moment. But to win promotion we need better.

I understand what you're saying but I tend to agree with Finnegan on this. He isn't the type of player who will hog the limelight and seems to conform to the Japanese stereotype of polite and deferential, which is a shame because I think his right foot is better than most in the team.

His cross for Beckford's goal against Watford was superb. You watch him do that and think, why does he not tell Konchesky or Wellens to do one when we have a corner or set-piece? Then, you learn he's got a decent shot on him, but he doesn't seem to want to take it and will instead play the pass to an overlapping Peltier (as he did in the second half when I felt he had an opportunity to take a shot when we broke but instead fed Peltier). So it's frustrating as he could offer more.

At the moment, we don't have any wingers, so as far as I'm concerned, he should be on the right of a midfield four, as he keeps his position (rather than drifiting inside), provides cover for Peltier getting forward, keeps the ball better than most, is prepared to keep moving and is technically a very good player with a good right foot. I'm more than happy to have him in the team.

[Guest Col city fan]

I understand what you're saying but I tend to agree with Finnegan on this. He isn't the type of player who will hog the limelight and seems to conform to the Japanese stereotype of polite and deferential, which is a shame because I think his right foot is better than most in the team.

His cross for Beckford's goal against Watford was superb. You watch him do that and think, why does he not tell Konchesky or Wellens to do one when we have a corner or set-piece? Then, you learn he's got a decent shot on him, but he doesn't seem to want to take it and will instead play the pass to an overlapping Peltier (as he did in the second half when I felt he had an opportunity to take a shot when we broke but instead fed Peltier). So it's frustrating as he could offer more.

At the moment, we don't have any wingers, so as far as I'm concerned, he should be on the right of a midfield four, as he keeps his position (rather than drifiting inside), provides cover for Peltier getting forward, keeps the ball better than most, is prepared to keep moving and is technically a very good player with a good right foot. I'm more than happy to have him in the team.

Youre right...

But I'd like to see a team whereby the wingers attack, and the full-backs defend.

Peltier's final ball is nowhere near good enough and asking him to bomb forward whenever possible has been part of the problem to my mind.

I'm hoping the new manager gets in a decent right winger and plays 4-4-2

[Finnegan]

My only issue with the set pieces is - surely if he's banging them in on training ground he shouldn't need to push someone out of the way and have a go? If he was consistently accurate on the training ground I'm sure the coaching team would have him taking them in games.

[breadandcheese]

Cant agree with this..

Lets have a team whereby the wingers attack, and the full-backs defend.

Peltier's final ball is nowhere near good enough and asking him to bomb forward whenever possible has been part of the problem to my mind.

I'm hoping the new manager gets in a decent right winger and plays 4-4-2

I understand what you're saying but I think our narrow midfield's been part of the problem.

Our fullbacks are too often exposed as they don't have much protection in front of them. Abe gets forward but also holds his position enough to allow Peltier to get forward. As a result, I always think our right hand side is more solid than our left flank.

In an ideal world, I agree with you, we'd have a proper right winger, but as we don't Abe is my preferred choice.

[Thracian]

Its a squad game Thrac... and its always useful to have players in that squad who, although not particularly exciting, are solid and give it their all.

I would guess that Abe probably doesn't moan much if dropped, and will be a willing participant when he comes back into the team.

You yourself have mentioned the pitfalls of having a squad full of prima donnas and, given your management experience, I assume that you had some solid guys in there who were never gonna set the world alight, but you had them for commitment and solidity.

Get the right manager in and Kingy/Schlupp can do the damage.. Abe needs to stay to do what he does best... no nonsense moppin up

But he's not no nonsense...he's too easily brushed aside. And with only five men allowed on the bench now we really need everyone in the squad to have something special as well as the basics...people who have an impact on games.

Assuming King is needed for his goals/shooting/assists/passing Abe's up against Johnson, Fernandes Wellens and Danns. We can't afford to have all of them in the squad on any one day and probably need at least one new signing who can pose a threat.

Yes, I had some solid guys including a hod carrier named Neil Stewart in midfield. He was one of the hardest (but fairest) tacklers I ever saw. Made Tiatto and Peter Reid look like wimps! Now if Abe was like him .... .

[breadandcheese]

My only issue with the set pieces is - surely if he's banging them in on training ground he shouldn't need to push someone out of the way and have a go? If he was consistently accurate on the training ground I'm sure the coaching team would have him taking them in games.

To be fair, it might just be my frustration with our set-piece takers.

I still fail to understand how professional footballers, who train every week, are unable to produce consistently good balls into the box, from a stationary uncontested ball. Wellens and Konchesky never seem to make our set-pieces dangerous.

[Thracian]

And therein lies the simple reason why you don't like him - admit it.

[Finnegan]

I don't understand these ridiculous floaty corners. What are they supposed to achieve? HOW long did we go without scoring from one?

Why were we so surprised?

Whip, pace, get in some dangerous balls for the love of God. That's what was special about Abe's cross for Beckford.

[breadandcheese]

I don't understand these ridiculous floaty corners. What are they supposed to achieve? HOW long did we go without scoring from one?

Why were we so surprised?

Whip, pace, get in some dangerous balls for the love of God. That's what was special about Abe's cross for Beckford.

Amen

[Thracian]

I don't understand these ridiculous floaty corners. What are they supposed to achieve? HOW long did we go without scoring from one?

Why were we so surprised?

Whip, pace, get in some dangerous balls for the love of God. That's what was special about Abe's cross for Beckford.

I quite agree and Spurs gave a wonderful demonstration today of how to deliver the ball into the box - early, precisely and with pace. They also had people busting a gut to get into the box but that's a different issue.

The problem with Abe, as with his shooting which occasionally shows promise - is that he doesn't shoot or deliver potent crosses very often. The odd productive cross or shot is rather like a collector's item.

I truly wish Abe had taken some free-kicks (we'd hardly had much to lose) but he doesn't and I think we've all had enough of playing makeshift wingers.

We've done it so often and it's never worked because it's always limited our goals potential.

Providing the right balls into the box from wide areas is a major issue in our side that needs to be sorted.

[Finnegan]

The problem with Abe, as with his shooting which occasionally shows promise - is that he doesn't shoot or deliver potent crosses very often.

Might that have something to do with the fact he's been playing, for the most part, as a holding midfielder?

As much as the crowd might love to yell "SHOOT" every five minutes, I can't think of many times I've seen Yuki in clear-cut shooting opportunities and he hasn't had a crack.

He usually doesn't get that far forward, he sits much deeper and mops up loose balls to give back to King, Wellens and co'. He did so to fantastic effect last season as part of that cracking little unit of 3. It's no coincidence to me that we started losing after the New Year when we, inexplicably, pulled apart that midfield trio - probably the strongest in the league at the time. And for what? Fucking Oakley? Worst thing Sven ever did.

[Webbo]

Abe's an okay player who occasionally has pretty good games. He's not half as good as some on here say. I don't believe he's premiership quality.

[Finnegan]

He's not half as good as some on here say. I don't believe he's premiership quality.

Has anybody said he is?

I may have overlooked that. I certainly wouldn't say he is.

[martyn]

I like Yuki, he has a role to play as an effective sitting midfielder. He's energetic, adept with both feet, an interceptor rather than a 'ball winner', and uses the ball simply without dwelling. Trouble is, we generally use him as the 'utility' man, he tends to be the guy to get bunted out to the wing/right side of the diamond when things are changed.

To me however, he is a wallflower, someone mentioned 'shyness', I agree. I think he could offer so much more if he believed he was an integral part of the side, and could show some more 'attitude' in his play. That also means snatching the ball off the Konchesky's/Wellens's of this world when it comes to taking free-kicks and corners. That is my biggest bugbear with Yuki, I'm not sure he has it in his mentality to be a dominating presence.

[hamptonfox]

He is never going to take you us to the Premier League, much like Danns, a little bit of flare here and there, puts in a lot of work but isnt progressive, and doesnt get us anywhere quickly from the centre of the pitch..

[Thracian]

Might that have something to do with the fact he's been playing, for the most part, as a holding midfielder?

As much as the crowd might love to yell "SHOOT" every five minutes, I can't think of many times I've seen Yuki in clear-cut shooting opportunities and he hasn't had a crack.

He usually doesn't get that far forward, he sits much deeper and mops up loose balls to give back to King, Wellens and co'. He did so to fantastic effect last season as part of that cracking little unit of 3. It's no coincidence to me that we started losing after the New Year when we, inexplicably, pulled apart that midfield trio - probably the strongest in the league at the time. And for what? Fucking Oakley? Worst thing Sven ever did.

I don't see him as being so set in the holding role. He gets forward on occasions but just doesn't seem to relish it. But we should perhaps agree to disagree. I've no desire to slate Abe. Like one or two more, he might not be brilliant, but he does give his all and I can respect that.

[andog]

My personal opinion and others I go down with is that he loses the ball too often, not effective enough, and doesn't seem to have a big presence.

We have a lot of under performing players at the moment, and a lot of inconsistency, for me we have a lot better players to not even see him on the bench.