Let’s talk about Rúben’s pass…

[1955pie]

Some interesting posts on Ruben...

I doubt I'll get too many to agree, but his 1st season remains my favourite of the 3 so far (this would have to change if win promotion)...

He might not have the all-round game he has now, but he was more himself then I think. Faster and more explosive, when he finally got match fit (i.e. in the C'Field play-off game), a more powerful shot and willingness to shoot more often.

Now, he consistently does great defensive work. And he has stamina, nobody should want Ruben taking off - he had energy to do all that work in stoppage time for Maca's goal on Saturday. Each time he's withdrawn we take off match-changing ability, and there's no need, he's 26 and at the peak of his powers.

I wonder though if some things have been coached out of him of a bit over the last two years. Yes, he's the best defence splitting passer outside the Championship probably. Perhaps wanting him to concentrate on this has taken away from his shooting and finishing a bit. And he's bigger and stronger...good for absorbing challenges but maybe it's taken half a yard off his pace. The pace is still there, look how he left the Southend players for dead for Maca's 2nd v Southend, but that was a build up of speed over 20-30 yards.

Amazing player for the NL. Opposing fans seem to fear him and appreciate the chance to see him play. We should all do the same while we have the opportunity.

Personally I liked his 2nd season more. He played in a little bit more of an advanced role and got 19/20 goals.
The job he is doing now is fantastic but if we need someone up there if things get tight, he could be the one.

[laddo]

Looking back Ardley definitely underutilised Ruben, although at the start his fitness wasn't there, certainly not compared to the fitness levels Burchnall and Williams have enjoyed from the Portuguese wonder.

His ability and natural talent was there for all to see in those early days , even when viewed on streams during the Pandemic. You just had to look a little harder, but once you spotted it you looked out for it.

Under Burchnall his production (assists and goals) were incredible, along with the nice touches, turns and controls. Especially if you got to witness him in away games.

Under Williams , his overall game has improved, and he is contributing more defensively as well as producing the assists and goals. As he said himself he's having his best season in his opinion.

It's been a pleasure watching him play for Notts, and the radar struck gold with this signing.

[the_anticlough]

Agree with your last couple of lines, but not the first few. Ruben was criminally underutilised in his first season, we got the odd glimpse of what he was capable of, but the rest was sheer frustration that we couldn't get him more involved.

Ardley wasted his talent, Burchnall unlocked some of it, Williams has got it right.

I'm not sure you get what I'm saying, his 1st season can be divided in 3 parts I think

The start - amazing skills shown, some rough edges and deficiencies for sure on the defensive side, and NA's complete inability to see that our prospects rested on harnessing a talent like Ruben's over the old pros like Turner, Doyle etc who were never going to do the business for us. He didn't give Ruben enough game time, he needed to play himself into fitness a lot more. NA didn't allow him to do this. Big mistake

Banishment form the team - NA gave up on him it seems. Then he didn't play for IB's first 6 or 7 matches

The run-in - from his scoring return at Altrincham away to his bullet header at Torquay in the play-off semi, this stretch, including about 9 goals is still my favourite time of his at Notts. He was a revelation, was at the heart of everything and completely transformed our fortunes that year

There's something in that version of the player, that's been lost a bit IMO. But that's academic...he plays a defined role in LW's system and is doing it fantastically