cityfan Posted December 6, 2008 Report Share Posted December 6, 2008 Went past his defender every time, had his best game for some while and we take him off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robins_til_i_die Posted December 6, 2008 Report Share Posted December 6, 2008 Went past his defender every time, had his best game for some while and we take him off. I agree, was it just me or was Stern useless today? I was amazed he wasn't taken off and that maynard was. Sproule beat his man a few times today when he was wide but lacked end product. I thought we looked happy with the 0-0 at the end.. strange subs and too much negativity for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashley (city's no1 fan) Posted December 6, 2008 Report Share Posted December 6, 2008 Went past his defender every time, had his best game for some while and we take him off. i know ivan sproule was one of our only players who was creating something and his pace was calling swansea problems every time, so what does GJ do take him off Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidNoble Posted December 6, 2008 Report Share Posted December 6, 2008 I don't know why he was taken off but he did improve alot today. Well played Ivan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted December 6, 2008 Report Share Posted December 6, 2008 The disallowed goal incident did seem to unsettle him a bit, the red mist descended and he spent a lot of time arguing with the linesman and then the Ref. He then really seemed to get stuck in and upped his game shortly after, trying to prove a point, but was getting frustrated with decisions maybe. Perhaps Johnson thought it better to take him off before he talked or actioned himself into being sent off? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benbcfc123 Posted December 6, 2008 Report Share Posted December 6, 2008 Sproule was one of the better players today. had the left back in his pocket, if he would of stayed on we may have scored and the left back would have got sent off... but once again GJ got everything wrong and made the wrong subs. I'm really starting to doubt weather he can take us any further? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nibor Posted December 6, 2008 Report Share Posted December 6, 2008 He was utterly crap in the first half but was starting to be effective when subbed so I was a bit surprised. Not as surprised as I was to see him in the side to start with though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bh_red Posted December 6, 2008 Report Share Posted December 6, 2008 Him coming off was odd.........and again was another Gary sub masterstroke as the creativity we did actually have, went with him, much like in recent weeks when noble has gone off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamC Posted December 6, 2008 Report Share Posted December 6, 2008 I thought he was taken off because he'd contributed about 2 decent things in 80 minutes, lots of going inside and not wanting the ball when he should have been on the flank. I thought he was really poor yet again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lager loud Posted December 6, 2008 Report Share Posted December 6, 2008 I have to say I thought Sproule had a very good 15 minutes or so in the second half - just before he was taken off, so the question is a fair one. For most of the game, though, including the whole first half, I thought it was typical Sproule: his positional sense is abysmal and he makes it difficult for others to pass to him, often checking back when he should be racing into the space in front of him. And when he did get the ball, he just ran it into defenders and lost it. But he did start doing the things that would make him a dangerous player later on, including some good crosses. If he could do that more often he could be an asset to the team. For me, though, I'm not sure he has what it takes to be a consistently good player at this level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lack of Action Man Posted December 6, 2008 Report Share Posted December 6, 2008 I agree, was it just me or was Stern useless today? I was amazed he wasn't taken off and that maynard was. Sproule beat his man a few times today when he was wide but lacked end product. I thought we looked happy with the 0-0 at the end.. strange subs and too much negativity for me. Totally agree. Stern John was lazy and is only here for his wages no passion for this club. I think sproules end product was far better than Mcindoe who was absoloutely dire. Very strange dare I say poor substitutions made. Maynard and Trundle to start next week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Eamer Posted December 6, 2008 Report Share Posted December 6, 2008 I seem to remember about a month ago I called for Sproule to be given a shot, he scored the following game and was prompty dropped, good to see him given another run out. Hopefully he'll get a regular spot on the right. Gives us so much more width as opposed to when Williams came on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonwheeler Posted December 6, 2008 Report Share Posted December 6, 2008 Stern John - A34 Southbound. Nuff said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iWurzel Posted December 6, 2008 Report Share Posted December 6, 2008 Thought Sprouley had a good game today - if he could put in dangerous crosses he'd be a very big threat indeed. Keep it up Ivan! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windmillhillred Posted December 6, 2008 Report Share Posted December 6, 2008 The disallowed goal incident did seem to unsettle him a bit, the red mist descended and he spent a lot of time arguing with the linesman and then the Ref. He then really seemed to get stuck in and upped his game shortly after, trying to prove a point, but was getting frustrated with decisions maybe. Perhaps Johnson thought it better to take him off before he talked or actioned himself into being sent off? Good call this. I couldn't believe the substitution because Ivan was the most dangerous looking player on the pitch by a mile. But you're right, he did seem to be losing the plot and getting very frustrated after the 'goal' so guess GJ got it right. Still can't understand subbing Maynard mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nogbad the Bad Posted December 6, 2008 Report Share Posted December 6, 2008 Good call this. I couldn't believe the substitution because Ivan was the most dangerous looking player on the pitch by a mile. But you're right, he did seem to be losing the plot and getting very frustrated after the 'goal' so guess GJ got it right. Still can't understand subbing Maynard mind. Maynard may have been struggling with the injury he had been treated for earlier. Shame because I'd liked to have seen him link up with Trundle and still hope we'll see the pairing soon. As for Sproule, dreadful first half with the usual ballooned and overhit crosses but several good moments in the second including one of the only accurate crosses I've see from him for some time. All too many occasions when he didn't make himself available though - on one occasion Skuse was eventually crunched after he waited and waited for Ivan to show he wanted the ball and it never happened. My guess he was subbed because he was knackered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candygram for mongo Posted December 6, 2008 Report Share Posted December 6, 2008 Thought Sprouley had a good game today - if he could put in dangerous crosses he'd be a very big threat indeed. Keep it up Ivan! You have just summed it all up by using the word "IF", IF I was good enough I would be playing, but sadly I'm not. Sproule was awful in the first half, constantly coming inside, the one time he took the ball outside the full back in the 2nd half he sprinted past him and 2 others and put in a good cross, unfortunately this was the only time he did it. He stands still when he should be moving into space and is obviously not the cleverest. All these romantic notions that he had a good game today are unbelievable, he was poor, he is poor and hopefully will be replaced in January, if Scott Murray can not do better then it's time for Scott to retire, personally I think Scott is twice the player that Sproule is Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bh_red Posted December 6, 2008 Report Share Posted December 6, 2008 Good call this. I couldn't believe the substitution because Ivan was the most dangerous looking player on the pitch by a mile. But you're right, he did seem to be losing the plot and getting very frustrated after the 'goal' so guess GJ got it right. Still can't understand subbing Maynard mind. your have a point there which reminds me of something when we first signed Ivan, his reputation from Hibs was that he could be a world beater one week and the next a nutter getting sent off for going crazy. When Sproule joined, Gary said how he felt he would need to take some of the anger out of Ivan. Ivan's never been sent off for City, which is obviously a good thing, however we haven't also seen his world beater streak very often either, possibly only 3/4 times. Maybe too much anger has been taken out of his game which as improved disclinary record, but maybe taken some of the edge out of his game? just a thought? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candygram for mongo Posted December 6, 2008 Report Share Posted December 6, 2008 your have a point there which reminds me of something when we first signed Ivan, his reputation from Hibs was that he could be a world beater one week and the next a nutter getting sent off for going crazy. When Sproule joined, Gary said how he felt he would need to take some of the anger out of Ivan. Ivan's never been sent off for City, which is obviously a good thing, however we haven't also seen his world beater streak very often either, possibly only 3/4 times. Maybe too much anger has been taken out of his game which as improved disclinary record, but maybe taken some of the edge out of his game? just a thought? Look, you can flower it up any way you want, ramble on about his disciplinary record and his current good boy image, the fact is he is not very good and constantly reminds us of this fact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windmillhillred Posted December 6, 2008 Report Share Posted December 6, 2008 Look, you can flower it up any way you want, ramble on about his disciplinary record and his current good boy image, the fact is he is not very good and constantly reminds us of this fact. Ran rings round their left back in the second half. Those are just facts - he was our most dangerous player, and I'm not much of a fan of his but he does offer something different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windmillhillred Posted December 6, 2008 Report Share Posted December 6, 2008 Maybe too much anger has been taken out of his game which as improved disclinary record, but maybe taken some of the edge out of his game? Good shout, but I think there's plenty of anger still there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tunley Legend Posted December 7, 2008 Report Share Posted December 7, 2008 I think both wingers final ball was generally a let down although McIndoe in particular found Elliott for the "goal" and Stern John for the open goal that he should have buried. However, regardless of whether we have the right personnel to take us forward at present at least we were able to introduce some width in our play. Despite the scoreline I left the ground for the first time in weeks, if not months, thinking that I saw the side in red trying to play a bit of football. It makes a nice change from seeing GJ trying to recreate the John Beck days at Cambridge that he was an integral part of and long may it continue. With a bit of luck and a few changes in personnel (loyalty to the League 1 promotion players has to go out of the window now) we may well have a more comfortable ride in the middle of the table than many fans fear at present. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whites Posted December 7, 2008 Report Share Posted December 7, 2008 I personally think, and have stated on this forum that i don't think that Sproule is good enough to play in the CCC. However I cannot cast judgement on his performance today as i was unable to make it to the Gate. I also remember someone mentioning that the Swans left-back had a poor game against Cardiff, is this why GJ used Sproule today? As a winger Sproule has the ability and the attributes to be very good but unfortunaley for us is just very frustrating thus far. I hope he proves my wrong, like i do with every player that plays poorly or gets a load of stick. I will support any player that puts on a City shirt (within reason). Most of the posts i have read about Sproule after todays game have been positive (which is what this forum needs) so long may it continue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Mosquito Posted December 7, 2008 Report Share Posted December 7, 2008 I personally think, and have stated on this forum that i don't think that Sproule is good enough to play in the CCC. However I cannot cast judgement on his performance today as i was unable to make it to the Gate. I also remember someone mentioning that the Swans left-back had a poor game against Cardiff, is this why GJ used Sproule today? As a winger Sproule has the ability and the attributes to be very good but unfortunaley for us is just very frustrating thus far. I hope he proves my wrong, like i do with every player that plays poorly or gets a load of stick. I will support any player that puts on a City shirt (within reason). Most of the posts i have read about Sproule after todays game have been positive (which is what this forum needs) so long may it continue. Sproule was OK today in patches. The worst he showed today was collecting the ball on the right wing and running at speed - like a headless chicken straight across to the left wing - why the hell didn't he unleash a shot at some stage? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakes Posted December 7, 2008 Report Share Posted December 7, 2008 I was hoping Sproule would be replaced by Trundle at half time. Sproules only asset is his pace, so he needs to be more direct. His final ball is awful, at one point yesterday he cut in from the right wing ran accross the box and ended up on the left instead of taking on the full back and crossing fom the byline. I thought Trundle should have played from the start against his old club from the wing perhaps alternating sides with mcindoe. Just imagine if you had a player with Sproules pace and Trundles skill! Thought stern John did well unlucky not to score with headers in each half, should have done better with the one in the first half but the keeper made a great double save in the second half effort. Defence played well, Swansea did not trouble us too much, midfield battled well i thought Skuse played well and Elliot is still getting back to his best, needed Johnson or Noble in there as a play maker. Suprised Maynard came off but all in all good game we should have nicked. The difference between this season to last is obviously expectations. We need to consentrate on staying up then have a look at the play offs. So another point towards safety! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbored Posted December 7, 2008 Report Share Posted December 7, 2008 Sproules only asset is his pace, so he needs to be more direct. His final ball is awful, at one point yesterday he cut in from the right wing ran accross the box and ended up on the left instead of taking on the full back and crossing fom the byline. Exactly right. Johnson reckoned that the coaches had been working with Sproule in training - they need to go back to the drawing board if yesterdays poor end product is anything to go by. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Mosquito Posted December 7, 2008 Report Share Posted December 7, 2008 Exactly right. Johnson reckoned that the coaches had been working with Sproule in training - they need to go back to the drawing board if yesterdays poor end product is anything to go by. Ivan Sproule is a professional footballer why should our coaches have to waste time teaching him the basics? Ivan Sproule promised much - especially last season with his brilliant solo goal against Southampton. McIndoe on the left wing and Sproule on the right wing looked to be a winning combination. This season they're both mediocre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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