Player ratings v Port Vale

[matt_magpie]

He has had one good game since his arrival. He has been poor in all of the others, even before he got injured.. We all see things differently, otherwise life would be boring..

The general consensus on here was he had a good game against accy too, he only played 4 before he got injured and he?s had a couple of games after 4 month lay off, I?d certainly put that in the category of too early to judge.

[i961pie]

[QUOTE=kill_the_drum;40659445]I was watching the same game as you but I call it as I see it, not based on whether I like the guy or not.I

Nailed it in one

[durhampie]

I was watching the same game as you but I call it as I see it, not based on whether I like the guy or not.
I don?t think anyone had a bad first half. We pressed from the front and Edwards/Grant contributed.
The performance is ripped apart because we lost the game and we lost the game for the exact same reason we lost twice to Walsall and drew with Doncaster; we didn?t take our chances when we were on top. We should have been 3-0 up at half time, simple as that.
We aren?t going to dominate every minute of every game, especially when we?ve got injuries. Although I?m sure you think McGoldrick being injured as a good thing!
But thanks for proving my initial point. Jones has largely been a passenger since returning, and understandably so, yet he hasn?t come in for the same criticism after a long layoff.

Jones is an exception, He has proved himself to be a very good player at a higher level, whereas Edwards has not proved himself at this level, and will more than likely not..

[SwalePie]

Jones is an exception, He has proved himself to be a very good player at a higher level, whereas Edwards has not proved himself at this level, and will more than likely not..

He's played pretty well in both the Europa League and Champions League qualifying tbf.

[durhampie]

He's played pretty well in both the Europa League and Champions League qualifying tbf.

None league standard..

[SwalePie]

None league standard..

Quality Mr. Durham.

[kill_the_drum]

Jones is an exception, He has proved himself to be a very good player at a higher level, whereas Edwards has not proved himself at this level, and will more than likely not..

Jones is the exception that players should be afforded time to get match fit after a long term injury?
Righto

[the_anticlough]

whereas Edwards has not proved himself at this level, and will more than likely not..

Got to say that the balance of probabilities seem to be on your side on this.
Our fans, but only SM really, need to remember that at the business-end of a really competitive promotion race, we just can't afford to give an extended period to let a player 'get up to speed' or see if he can. Having just 1 out of 11 players off the pace in a game can cost precious points

[kill_the_drum]

Got to say that the balance of probabilities seem to be on your side on this.
Our fans, but only SM really, need to remember that at the business-end of a really competitive promotion race, we just can't afford to give an extended period to let a player 'get up to speed' or see if he can. Having just 1 out of 11 players off the pace in a game can cost precious points

By that rule then neither Jones or Edwards feature again this season. Traore will also need to get up to speed so that?s him out.
Out of curiosity, what would your starting 11 have been against Vale?

[the_anticlough]

By that rule then neither Jones or Edwards feature again this season. Traore will also need to get up to speed so that?s him out.
Out of curiosity, what would your starting 11 have been against Vale?

A lot to get into here...
Firstly, I like to think the training ground is the place to get ready for the games. And it's the responsibility of the player. Sure, the top level of sharpness can only come by playing games, but you have to expect as a paying fan that the returning player is about 90% there in terms of match fitness.

Jones isn't a good comparison. I think it was you that said he might not be a naturally fit player, and I agree with that. But when he returned, he was giving us far better than 5/10s and we know what it's all leading towards. We don't have that with Edwards and we have a much lower starting point. Traore is a unique case, but it certainly looked like we could have had more than 15mins from him and needed it too.

My starting XI? Well, like many others I was less than thrilled when I saw the teamsheet. I've been saying on here for years about not playing defenders at wing-back, so you'll have to give me that one. And I've been so disappointed with Grant and Edwards that I'd have done anything possible to start others there and have those two on the bench. Listen to Stall on this last night? We need the players in those 2 positions to produce in terms of goals and assists and generally carry an attacking threat. It's hard imagine either being the one breaking through on goal. Both need to have at least two players further ahead of them as they much prefer to give rather than receive key passes on goal.