Matt James

[AG City]

Martin Kuhl mk2

[Simon79]

Have seen him live twice now & my opinion of him from watching him on tv is the same, poor man’s Cole Skuse/Marlon Pack. Didn’t Pearson say he was one of the best midfielders in the Championship? Really don’t see it & hope in some ways he’s not fit/ carrying a knock, so he can prove me wrong. COYR 

[redapple]

I think Pearson’s faith in him will be his downfall. He’s a very good all round player but I’d say only at a lower level than the championship. 
I felt we played our best football without him . Our build up play was quicker and less predictable. 

[sh1t_ref_again]

James and Williams just does not work, would leave them both out and go with our younguns 

[Super]

24 minutes ago, sh1t_ref_again said:

James and Williams just does not work, would leave them both out and go with our younguns 

They def can't play in a 2 for sure.

[robin for life]

Reminds me of Kilkenny, for every good ball they play, there's 5 bad ones and spends more time telling others to do stuff, than doing it himself. If only he knew how to point, he could be NK in disguise. 

[Sir Geoff]

We were playing much better a month or so ago with Massengo and Scott in the middle imo

[redysteadygo]

16 minutes ago, robin for life said:

Reminds me of Kilkenny, for every good ball they play, there's 5 bad ones and spends more time telling others to do stuff, than doing it himself. If only he knew how to point, he could be NK in disguise. 

Williams does this for him.

[robin for life]

3 minutes ago, redysteadygo said:

Williams does this for him.

So basically between our two central midfielders we have a replica of a player who was rubbish for us 10 years ago, very reassuring. 

[MSN Red]

11 hours ago, Dullmoan Tone said:

Did he complete a single cross today - seemed to want to play everything along the floor which was then intercepted?

He’s young and will have poor games, but today show’s he’s nowhere near the price bracket fans are quoting or PL standard- a move would just need another championship loan.

Scott’s best games were during the time James was injured.  I feel that James stifles Scott.  Our best recent performances were when we had Scott and Massengo as our central midfield. 

Edited April 10, 2022 by MSN Red

[Silvio Dante]

Agree with a lot of what’s been said - and I think, bottom line for me is I’m not sure what he’s “for” in there. I don’t see a player who makes loads of tackles, who breaks the game up or plays through the lines to move us forward. He’s just “there” - not doing anything badly but not really doing anything.

Pearson said yesterday about passive players - I think James is absolutely passive and lets the game pass him by. Last week at Bournemouth he had a good last 20 when he had to be steady to balance Massengo but yesterday we didn’t even see that.

So, for me the question is that if at this stage of his career he’s a player who is 6/10 at a lot of things when playing well, but is seeming to dip below that, and not 7/10 or 8/10 at any point, is he any more than now a backup player?

[Edgy Red]

21 minutes ago, Silvio Dante said:

Agree with a lot of what’s been said - and I think, bottom line for me is I’m not sure what he’s “for” in there. I don’t see a player who makes loads of tackles, who breaks the game up or plays through the lines to move us forward. He’s just “there” - not doing anything badly but not really doing anything.

Pearson said yesterday about passive players - I think James is absolutely passive and lets the game pass him by. Last week at Bournemouth he had a good last 20 when he had to be steady to balance Massengo but yesterday we didn’t even see that.

So, for me the question is that if at this stage of his career he’s a player who is 6/10 at a lot of things when playing well, but is seeming to dip below that, and not 7/10 or 8/10 at any point, is he any more than now a backup player?

Excellent summary

[Super]

2 hours ago, Sir Geoff said:

We were playing much better a month or so ago with Massengo and Scott in the middle imo

Scott is being wasted at the moment.

[Bat Fastard]

Experienced players often seem to to slow and disappointing and have poor availability over the season. I think they also have higher wages. Are these players  really what we need to build a great team and stay solvent?

Edited April 10, 2022 by Bat Fastard
Spelling

[M.D]

2 hours ago, Sir Geoff said:

We were playing much better a month or so ago with Massengo and Scott in the middle imo

Agree

28 minutes ago, Super said:

Scott is being wasted at the moment.

Also agree with this and I think we played better football with Max's distribution from the back although Bentley is the better shot stopper etc.

[Merrick's Marvels]

3 hours ago, Super said:

They def can't play in a 2 for sure.

Yes, it feels to me like our better performances have been with a central 3.

Can't be arsed to actually look through our results game by game to check if it's fact but that's how it feels at any rate. Plus Semenyo playing at his best up top.

James, Williams and Scott in midfield + up front Weimann and Semenyo either side of an upgrade on Martin (or at least someone to job share with him) should be good enough. Add Kalas, Klose and a couple of solid full backs and you'd expect us to be upper mid table next season.

But I'm beginning to doubt we'll ever see it, for all sorts of reasons. 

Edited April 10, 2022 by Merrick's Marvels

[Waconda]

14 hours ago, Davefevs said:

A shade below par overall.  Had some good games before his foot injury, which then hampered him.  Been indifferent since his return.

Quite obviously his legs have gone.

Nowhere near Championship level as it stands.

[Waconda]

12 hours ago, Offside said:

I thought he played well at the start of the season. Since returning from injury he has struggled. His mobility is a problem and he does seem quite weighty. Both James and Williams were poor today. I expect more from them. 

Should never be in the same midfield, not dynamic enough. The shot from Posh on 28 mins was a prime example, far to slow to shut it down.

Look like they are running in tar most of the time.

You could get away with one alongside a more athletic partner.

The idea that the Manager thinks you can pair them in midfield is a mystery.

Edited April 10, 2022 by Waconda

[Waconda]

3 hours ago, Super said:

They def can't play in a 2 for sure.

Got shot to pieces by the usual suspects when I said this months ago.

Probably a spreadsheet showing they are superb together somewhere.

Edited April 10, 2022 by Waconda

[Sheltons Army]

30 minutes ago, Waconda said:

Got shot to pieces by the usual suspects when I said this months ago.

Probably a spreadsheet showing they are superb together somewhere.

 

[Banjo Red]

If he was that good he wouldn't be here.

[Charlie BCFC]

16 hours ago, Edgy Red said:

He isn't very quick or mobile which is a big problem in the modern game. Cov fans raved about him, so not sure what has happened?

He doesn't appear to have a particularly good range of passing either, so unfortunately i have to agree with the OP.

Perhaps to do with legs around him at Coventry? Thought Hamer was superb in both games we played against them this season and their side is full of energy 

[GrahamC]

1 hour ago, Merrick's Marvels said:

Yes, it feels to me like our better performances have been with a central 3.

Can't be arsed to actually look through our results game by game to check if it's fact but that's how it feels at any rate. Plus Semenyo playing at his best up top.

James, Williams and Scott in midfield + up front Weimann and Semenyo either side of an upgrade on Martin (or at least someone to job share with him) should be good enough. Add Kalas, Klose and a couple of solid full backs and you'd expect us to be upper mid table next season.

But I'm beginning to doubt we'll ever see it, for all sorts of reasons. 

Although it is hard at present to see one, I think that’s the plan.

If Pearson had 4 defenders he trusted, I think a 3 man midfield of James, Scott & 1 other, plus a front three of Martin, Weimann & Semenyo is where we are looking to go.

Whether we ever get there, if players are sold, is as you say, doubtful.

[Clutton Caveman]

On 09/04/2022 at 21:33, Dredd said:

First off, I’m not for one second pointing fingers at him for the way this season has gone. But…

As steady as he is in the middle, I don’t see him impact a game. He isn’t massively creative, he doesn’t break up play, I’ve never seen him control a game, he doesn’t dictate the tempo, I just genuinely couldn’t describe him as a midfielder if someone asked me to.

 I would guess he’s on a decent wage so are we saying he’s been a successful signing or not?

On top of that he is slower than my Gran

[nickolas]

On 09/04/2022 at 21:33, Dredd said:

First off, I’m not for one second pointing fingers at him for the way this season has gone. But…

As steady as he is in the middle, I don’t see him impact a game. He isn’t massively creative, he doesn’t break up play, I’ve never seen him control a game, he doesn’t dictate the tempo, I just genuinely couldn’t describe him as a midfielder if someone asked me to.

 I would guess he’s on a decent wage so are we saying he’s been a successful signing or not?

Rather have Marlon if im honest!

[alexukhc]

3 hours ago, nickolas said:

Rather have Marlon if im honest!

Is ok he’s back in the summer

[nickolas]

13 hours ago, alexukhc said:

Is ok he’s back in the summer

Perfect!

[PHILINFRANCE]

On 10/04/2022 at 13:44, Waconda said:

Got shot to pieces by the usual suspects when I said this months ago.

Probably a spreadsheet showing they are superb together somewhere.

Your little digs are not exactly subtle, are they?

[Waconda]

53 minutes ago, PHILINFRANCE said:

Your little digs are not exactly subtle, are they?

On point though.

[Waconda]

19 hours ago, Clutton Caveman said:

On top of that he is slower than my Gran

Don't believe you unless you provide a spreadsheet.

Your eyes could be deceiving you.