Beckford.

[ScouseFox]

Fukcing boss today.

Looked well sharp, some moments of class (that pass to Dyer) and a helll of a lot of effort. Two or three tackles where he'd ran 15/20 yards to get there had the crowd off their feet.

Keep it up lad.

[Jimmy]

quality performance today deserved a goal

[tylesta]

Thread as turned nice now. Was like 23 pages of col.

[Kitchandro]

He's starting to win me over now. I mean I know he'll still have games where I want to knock his block off, but today he was brilliant.

Another hat-trick against Forest would do nicely.

[marbelladave]

quality performance today deserved a goal

Could that possibly be because we were not just lumping the ball in the air?......

[Kitchandro]

Could that possibly be because we were not just lumping the ball in the air?......

We did lump the ball long to him quite a few times, and he mostly brought it down very well or at least made a worthwhile challenge.

There is no doubt that performances like today from him are down to his good attitude and confidence, which he lacked a lot of earlier in the season.

[Ozwin]

His touch/chesting down is first class, he brings a ball down out of the air (it was sunny remember) like it's nothing.

[Guest Col city fan]

His touch/chesting down is first class, he brings a ball down out of the air (it was sunny remember) like it's nothing.

The best pass of the day for me was the one from Becks to Drinky who then forced a save out there keeper.

After about 80 mins... Lovely little cushioned pass.

Becks played well today, no doubt bout that.

[Jimmy]

We did lump the ball long to him quite a few times, and he mostly brought it down very well or at least made a worthwhile challenge.

There is no doubt that performances like today from him are down to his good attitude and confidence, which he lacked a lot of earlier in the season.

they were targeted though rather then just being lumps upfield

[Kitchandro]

they were targeted though rather then just being lumps upfield

Aye that is true.

But what I'm saying is his display was down to him, just as it has been since he's been here. He didn't have an easy job today when we were down to 10 men but he didn't give up or think he'd done his job.

[Ozwin]

That bit where he ran the width of the pitch almost to chase down a pretty nothing ball was immense. That sort of thing brings out the tribal chest beater in me, love it.

[Guest Col city fan]

Spherical fox has not turned up in spite of the invite!!

can't say I never tried...

lol

[Guest ttfn]

Since I last posted, it seems that there's been some heated debate ending in the threat of legal action.

Can we make this thread about cheesecake too?

P.S. Beckford did pretty much all of the things I didn't think he could do today (controlled long balls, held off defenders, showed awareness of his teammates) and virtually none of the things he's lauded for (snaffling, getting in behind defences etc). Odd, but overall I thought he played well. If he plays like that 80% of the time between now and the end of the season I may concede I was wrong.

[marbelladave]

We did lump the ball long to him quite a few times, and he mostly brought it down very well or at least made a worthwhile challenge.

There is no doubt that performances like today from him are down to his good attitude and confidence, which he lacked a lot of earlier in the season.

Still not going to games so my question was genuine. From the radio (I know, I know...... ) it sounded like the balls up to Beckford were more in the channels or over the top rather than hit at him with his back to goal......

Anyone at the game care to put me right on this?

[Kitchandro]

Still not going to games so my question was genuine. From the radio (I know, I know...... ) it sounded like the balls up to Beckford were more in the channels or over the top rather than hit at him with his back to goal......

Anyone at the game care to put me right on this?

You're right, the long balls weren't aimless most of the time, after the first 20 minutes anyway. As I said above, I just think it's a bit too simplified to say it's the way the rest of the team played today that made the difference.

He's been much improved since January and it's because his attitude, one way or another, has got better. He had some difficult balls to deal with today and he was bringing them under control. He had his back to goal with defenders ahead of him numerous time but he was calming himself and picking the right options instead of rushing himself and making a right cock-up of everything. He was chasing down lost causes and closing down defenders like he really wanted to win the ball.

I know people love to bring up the 'pressure' quote, but whatever people want to call it, it's clear that he's playing with a confidence that he didn't previously have. He seems more determined and looks more of a team player.

Like I said, I'm not stupid enough to think he won't have those frutrating, lazy, somewhat embarrassing performances again, but hopefully recent evidence is a sign that they'll be more of a rarity than a common occurance.

[dannythefox]

Another good game today. Pearson said he would get the best out of him and its happening now he's certainly changed the way he plays since arriving.

[JonnyBoy]

some people still complaining...

some wanting him out... still......

Im nervous about losing him in the transfer window.

Potential Massive asset next season for us.

Him and Nugent will have defences in allsorts, fact

[JonnyBoy]

You're right, the long balls weren't aimless most of the time, after the first 20 minutes anyway. As I said above, I just think it's a bit too simplified to say it's the way the rest of the team played today that made the difference.

He's been much improved since January and it's because his attitude, one way or another, has got better. He had some difficult balls to deal with today and he was bringing them under control. He had his back to goal with defenders ahead of him numerous time but he was calming himself and picking the right options instead of rushing himself and making a right cock-up of everything. He was chasing down lost causes and closing down defenders like he really wanted to win the ball.

I know people love to bring up the 'pressure' quote, but whatever people want to call it, it's clear that he's playing with a confidence that he didn't previously have. He seems more determined and looks more of a team player.

Like I said, I'm not stupid enough to think he won't have those frutrating, lazy, somewhat embarrassing performances again, but hopefully recent evidence is a sign that they'll be more of a rarity than a common occurance.

'Weak people feel pressure' .... Jermaine Beckford quote

[Corky]

Couldn't fault his effort and commitment.

His ball to Drinkwater deserved a finish.

[yorkie1999]

His ball to dyer was awesome, I didn't see him even look up

[Legend_in_blue]

Name one team in this league that wouldn't want him.

Answer: .........................

[marbelladave]

Kitchandro

It never is quite that simple but the frustration I saw week after week earlier this season came from 'hit and hope' balls being played up to a rather isolated Beckford and Nugent.

With the support offered to him from midfield he had the chance to do something creative for a change as he actually had options when he was in possession. It appears the ball was played through midfield quicker than usual which seemed to help, as did the support from a pretty pacy midfield.

Still, it is only one game and I expect to see normal service (4-4-2 longball) resumed as soon as the players missing today come into contention.....

[easilee]

Really does seem to be putting the effort in now and with a good return.

Wonder how he would react to the Armband for a match.

Just curious is all.

[Ric Flair]

Forget his goals or his assists and what not. The 2nd half today was the best thing I've seen from the lad all season. He's supposedly a one trick pony, selfish, limited and highly strung. Can't lead the line on his own, he ain't got the fookin mentality.

So he plays out of his skin, brings everyone in to play, with sublime control, passing and awareness. It was every bit as impressive as his recent finishing. The lads a monster, nothing touches him in this league right now. Write your mam a postcard, you'll look back at this.

[Freeman's Wharfer]

Now I've not always been his biggest fan, I don't like his attitude and I see his ability as limited, but seriously, when was the last time this guy actually did something? When was the last game where he didn't just come through 90 minutes (or less) having contributed nothing?

I can get past my personal opinions on him, I've supported him even when what he's returned on the field hasn't always warranted it, but there comes a time where we have to be realistic. When we have to stop clinging to the slightest thing he does because we want him to be successful, because we're backing the underdog that others are slating, because we're willing him to do well.

Can anyone list what he brings to the team that any other Average Joe striker couldn't? Because, for me, he's our biggest passenger. And he has been for some time now. People say all Yakubu did was score goals, and he scored goals no doubt. Maybe the effort wasn't always there but even when he wasn't scoring goals you couldn't fault his class and his technical ability. Beckford on the other hand... I'm still waiting for the goals. And whilst there not coming there's not a lot else being served up.

We can keep clinging on to the faint, fainter, faintest hope that he will come good. But whilst we do that we'll be treading water as we are at the minute. The sooner reality bites and we accept that we're carrying this guy and get rid, the better.