beckford

[SaM 12]

Having watched Beckford a few times now I reckon he is pretty poor when it comes to getting on the end of Schmeichel's long clearances. I don't know why our goalie persists in these long ball hoof up the pitch when it clearly is not Beckford (or Nugents, for that matter) game. Howard loves his flick on's from these long passes. Beckford's strength is in his ability around the box and this is where we should get the ball to him. Work the ball from defence and create the openings a la Dyer and Nugent, yesterday, against Cov.

He gets on the end of most of the long passes it's just his touch letting him down! once he sorts that out he will be bagging the goals from schmeichel

[Guest Col city fan]

Yeah alright whatever you say.

Well I'm trying to be balanced.. Obviously you arent

[Corky]

I thought he played well yesterday.

[Walshy5]

Just thought id add the fact he hasn't scored away from home for us yet.

[Christoph]

He's certainly improved but my god is his first touch awful.

[Guest ttfn]

his little chip to Marshall with his left foot was fantastic

I'm 99.9% sure he was going for goal and trying to lift the ball over the goalkeeper. Turned out well though, until Marshall spooned it.

[HoustonFox]

I said this in the match thread yesterday and I'll say again in this one. He's never been a touch(e) player, he's out and out pace and instinct and he'd get more goals if we played to those strengths. But we don't.

He has clearly put a lot of work into the more defensive side of his game and his work rate and looks like he wants to play for the team (passion?) so let's support him for that rather than getting on his back. He's scored in his last game and is clearly contributing to the team so I don't see what people's problems are. He's not a complete player, none of our players are. Lastly he can't undo the past and seems to be looking forward, we should do the same...

[eaststandtom]

still expect more from him. too easy to win the ball from. however, goals do the talking

[sphericalfox]

I'll make you a deal...

I'll watch him off the ball if you watch the number of times he gives the ball away because he has neither the touch nor the strength to keep it at feet. He does this typically at very important times in the game also, when we are usually under pressure. And I don't think I ever see him win many headers?

Beckford, for me, is the biggest culprit in the 'if you can't keep the ball you can't win football matches' scenario.

But I'll watch his runs, if you do that for me? Because some of the runs he makes really are very very good...

Deal?

[hackneyfox]

Another typically imbalanced thread IMO.

Beckford had a terrible start to his City career but is now starting to improve.

I remain torn on him because, at times he looks sensational, then he'll go and give the ball away cheaply.

His first touch IS appalling and the ball does not stick at his feet enough.

And, I'm afraid you can't get away from the stats.

There are currently at least 25 players in the division who have scored more goals than Jermaine, including some midfielders and some who have not played the number of games he has.

This is not good enough for our top striker although I DO accept that he's starting to score more.

Jury remains out for me...

Really? It doesn't read like that.

He's scored 9 in 30, not great but he does deserve to be judged on how he's played recently.

[Mission Unlikely Promotion]

He has certainly been better recently and deserves praise for that but as others have pointed out his first touch is awful

[NewburyFox]

He gets on the end of most of the long passes it's just his touch letting him down! once he sorts that out he will be bagging the goals from schmeichel

I don't see why he'll sort it out now at 28 when he's had years to improve it and failed.

[Guest Col city fan]

As usual big fella you just take the piss whilst not even attempting to contribute anything yourself.

The next time you post one of your shite blogs I'll be on the list to call you a cock.. Like many did last time .

lol

[MPH]

* City fans divided over player * SHOCK

[z-layrex]

Must be a very satisfying feeling for Nigel and his team to see them both playing so well together.

[Webbo]

I didn't think he was great yesterday even though he scored 1 and had an assist for another. He was much better against Norwich and Cardiff.

[Happy Fox]

I didn't think he was great yesterday even though he scored 1 and had an assist for another. He was much better against Norwich and Cardiff.

That is the mark of a good player even though he played not great still scored and provided an assist

[Kitchandro]

I thought he had an adequate game against Coventry. He didn't do many really bad things like he was doing for the first few months, he just didn't really impoose himself on the game. But he did have a part to play in both goals, which is obviously very important if you're a striker.

He needs a strong end to the season and a good start to next to silence his critics. He was unbelievably bad until that Forest game. Judging on the here and now though, he's doing fine. If he had been performing like this throughout the season I don't think he'd be getting much stick at all. As it is he still needs to prove that he was worth the money.

I'm not totally convinced by him but he has filled me with some belief that he can do the business long term. He needs to keep it up though.

In my opinion our midfield is still far from being good enough, as well as it has performed recently. I'm still more concerned about that than our striking options.

[Guest Col city fan]

That is the mark of a good player even though he played not great still scored and provided an assist

Is it?

Ta for that then ...

Remember... Thats now four league goals for the season and a grand total of three assists..

Getting better ? Absolutely...

But you're assertion doesn't add up.

If he keeps on 'not playing great' and scoring I'll better accept what you're saying. Not yet though.

[Happy Fox]

Is it?

Ta for that then ...

Remember... Thats now four league goals for the season and a grand total of three assists..

Getting better ? Absolutely...

But you're assertion doesn't add up.

If he keeps on 'not playing great' and scoring I'll better accept what you're saying. Not yet though.

As Kitch alluded to our striker department isn't a major concern yes we need a target man striker and I feel that will compliment the Nuge and Beckford ,but still the midfield is lightweight in the centre and could do with a defensive midfielder and another winger.

[Guest Col city fan]

I thought he had an adequate game against Coventry. He didn't do many really bad things like he was doing for the first few months, he just didn't really impoose himself on the game. But he did have a part to play in both goals, which is obviously very important if you're a striker.

He needs a strong end to the season and a good start to next to silence his critics. He was unbelievably bad until that Forest game. Judging on the here and now though, he's doing fine. If he had been performing like this throughout the season I don't think he'd be getting much stick at all. As it is he still needs to prove that he was worth the money.

I'm not totally convinced by him but he has filled me with some belief that he can do the business long term. He needs to keep it up though.

In my opinion our midfield is still far from being good enough, as well as it has performed recently. I'm still more concerned about that than our striking options.

Though I agree with most of this, don't forget that Nugent has scored plenty off the back of exactly the same midfield that has 'supplied' (or not supplied, however you want to see it) Beckford.

The supposed lack of quality crosses, through balls etc wtc has led to 13 league goals for Nuge, compared to 4 for Becks.

Anyway, I'm backing off..

Beckford does seem to be doing generally better do I'm gonna sit back and see what's what come the end of the season.

[Kitchandro]

Though I agree with most of this, don't forget that Nugent has scored plenty off the back of exactly the same midfield that has 'supplied' (or not supplied, however you want to see it) Beckford.

The supposed lack of quality crosses, through balls etc wtc has led to 13 league goals for Nuge, compared to 4 for Becks.

Anyway, I'm backing off..

Beckford does seem to be doing generally better do I'm gonna sit back and see what's what come the end of the season.

I'm not using it as an excuse for Beckford. Nugent has been far better on the whole this season no doubt. Beckford has missed some really good chances and Nugent has made quite a few goals for himself, so I'm not pinning everything on the midfield at all. Generally I just think we lack in the creativity department. Most of our midfielders have had inconsistent seasons and even if the new boys do end up being a huge improvement, we'd still be left with two who have been below par this season.

I still think we need at least one more winger and a true creative, attacking midfielder. That's a bit off topic I know but I just mean at the moment I think that's more urgent than worrying about our strikers.

[Dan]

Hate to be negative but I still have a feeling it's not going to end up all rosy with him.

[seenitall]

Wow, just got back to the board - did we lose on saturday with Becks missing again? Tut tut- he should be sold immediately for a pound, but not until we have insulted him and his family on here for a couple of days - rubbish, not good enough, its a joke!

[Number 6]

I still believe he is all about confidence. A switch was flicked once he scored yesterday and all of a sudden he wanted to try the tricks etc. He's been willing to put himself about and we've started to see first signs of some sort of bond with Nugent. He has hit the woodwork 5 or 6 times too. That small difference could make his goal tally look remarkably different. Good thing about Becks (& Nuge) is that I think they could get a goal out of nothing and that kind of skill is invaluable when the team is having an off day.