Gray

Cirrus_Minor · Post by **Cirrus_Minor** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 5:45 pm

I thought he was very good today. Often on his own and against a few defenders but ran the line well and took the game to them. Our only real threat.

Conroy92 · Post by **Conroy92** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 5:49 pm

Not for me I'm afraid. I'll agree he works hard and makes runs to get in the right position, unfortunately he then loses the ball far too easily. We need better quality next year.

elwaclaret · Post by **elwaclaret** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 5:53 pm

Works hard but without support he never looks to me like there is going to be any end product. A good (ok very good version) of Ian Moore.

ewanrob · Post by **ewanrob** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 5:53 pm

Can't deny his effort, but a step up to much for me.

Wilsdenclaret · Post by **Wilsdenclaret** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 5:53 pm

Man Of The Match today

Diesel · Post by **Diesel** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 5:55 pm

Hmmmm, some people are easily pleased.

MACCA · Post by **MACCA** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 5:56 pm

I'm his biggest critic, But felt sorry for him today. Often left on his own against 2 if not 3 United players.

Ran the channels , held the ball up and tried his hardest. Think he even chased his own header once.

He really was expected to create his own chances.

The best would struggle with the "service" he received today.

icu81b4 · Post by **icu81b4** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 5:59 pm

Well out of his depth at this level. Why does he insist on reversing into the opposition, he rarely ends up with the ball, and is often out of position, but beggars can't be choosers.

Whitgord · Post by **Whitgord** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 5:59 pm

I usually think he is not good enough but today I actually thought he played well and gave their central defenders something to think about. One great chase down toward the police box in the second half. With the absolute lack of drive from the midfield he was never going to do much more than he did today. Certainly gave more than Barnes who really huffed and puffed but created nothing.

KefkaClaret · Post by **KefkaClaret** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 5:59 pm

He was good today against a great defence, like he was against Spurs. I then go on to hope he should easily be able to do it against a poorer defence which he never seems to do. If he plays like that against Palace he will score.

Papabendi · Post by **Papabendi** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 6:02 pm

more than adequate performance today. cant do it all on his own, needs support

DCWat · Post by **DCWat** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 6:06 pm

Needs support and we don't give him the sort of service that he wants, often enough.

He does make the wrong choice too regularly and instead of driving forward and taking a man on, he will take an extra second, which is all defenders at this level need.

Acting Claret · Post by **Acting Claret** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 6:12 pm

Needs to stop being 10/20 ft offside hoping to get an advantage, got fouled today on the edge of the box, the ref gave a free kick only for the liner to call offside.

Steve-Harpers-perm · Post by **Steve-Harpers-perm** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 6:13 pm

Spent the entire game having to run out wide and try to control 'passes' fired at him chest height. If only we could actually play the ball to him in the box.

Leisure · Post by **Leisure** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 6:15 pm

Diesel wrote:Hmmmm, some people are easily pleased.

So who was better than him today???

Blackrod · Post by **Blackrod** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 6:16 pm

Last season I thought the PL would be a step too far for him. I thought many were quick to jump on his back but I now think his game is far too limited. We don't play too his strengths but for me he is poor on the ball and doesn't look up to it.

cblantfanclub · Post by **cblantfanclub** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 6:18 pm

Thought he put a shift in today by his standards. Worryingly many others didn't which is not usual for us and was the minimum we needed.
Not a good time to be giving less than 100%.

Pstotto · Post by **Pstotto** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 6:18 pm

Sky Sports only gave him 5. he was the only player actually prepared to take them on. How we needed a Glen Little or a Taffy today. Ward should at least have had a go at taking his man on, regarding attacking wing play. They showed their fear, based on that silly first goal where the cross came over BEHIND the attack, only for then to cut that out and break with only one back.

watsonsclarets · Post by **watsonsclarets** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 6:19 pm

Out of his depth, I will have a wager he signs for a club higher than us in the next season/couple of seasons.

Somebody told me today to get players with pace and power cost money

My Reply is you have to feed the pace and power.

Is he supposed to create everything himself we do not even play channel balls we simply just hoof.

I suspect his career from now on will be dominated by this league not lower.

TVC15 · Post by **TVC15** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 6:24 pm

Our best player today - fed on scraps for the whole game and only denied by some very good defending by Bailly.

Barnes was completely nullified by Feliani and we should have changed it much earlier to at least try and give United something different to cope with.

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 6:26 pm

Defo one of our best players today. I do wonder what game some of you watch to be perfectly honest.

cutsy123 · Post by **cutsy123** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 6:26 pm

I dont kno wot people see in gray. He isnt a prem striker.

He is very poor on the ball. Doesnt kno what to do against prem defenders to take them on. Apart from his hold up and a powerful shot he isnt good enuf for the prem. Neither is vokes

We are missing fire power and thats what keeps you up

Stayingup · Post by **Stayingup** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 6:32 pm

Did well today. My mom. Had hardly any service. Needs Defour on the pitch. Can't say we have a better striker.

cutsy123 · Post by **cutsy123** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 6:34 pm

Stayingup wrote:Did well today. My mom. Had hardly any service. Needs Defour on the pitch. Can't say we have a better striker.

Barnes is the best we have for me

Diesel · Post by **Diesel** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 6:34 pm

Leisure wrote:So who was better than him today???

Not really what I'm getting at.

Hipper · Post by **Hipper** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 6:41 pm

I thought he was good today too, our only real threat.

His control was OK too and he didn't have many options when he received the ball. What he lacks I think is pace off the mark. He can run fast but he doesn't start off with a quick burst like, say, Wade Elliot did.

watsonsclarets · Post by **watsonsclarets** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 6:42 pm

cutsy123 wrote:I dont kno wot people see in gray. He isnt a prem striker.

He is very poor on the ball. Doesnt kno what to do against prem defenders to take them on. Apart from his hold up and a powerful shot he isnt good enuf for the prem. Neither is vokes

We are missing fire power and thats what keeps you up

FIRE Power needs feeding, I'm sorry but a great striker would struggle in our system to consistently score in this league we simply do not create enough

lakesclaret · Post by **lakesclaret** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 6:44 pm

Works hard and did well today I thought in the service he had.Though he's a decent player he isn't quick enough at this level ( for the style he plays) He's a hard runner for the ball but carries far too much muscle and vaguely reminds me of Rocky training on the beach

warksclaret · Post by **warksclaret** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 6:46 pm

We needed a big performance from Barnes & Gray today, even if it was holding the ball better and showing more close control

Brady slowly showing his worth and hopefully him and JBG will be our wide men until the end of the season. Our strike force needs to be sorted before pre-season. Vokes, Barnes and Gray are not going to get better. Can carry one of them as the fourth striker but not all three

Think with Vokes out time to go 5 in midfield with Gray as the striker but with a midfield of JBG, Joey, Hendrick, Defour, Brady. WE need to shore up particularly with Ben injured. Cant say I am confident tonight.

cutsy123 · Post by **cutsy123** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 6:52 pm

watsonsclarets wrote:FIRE Power needs feeding, I'm sorry but a great striker would struggle in our system to consistently score in this league we simply do not create enough

We have the delivery. Brady and gudmunson are more than capable

All 3 strikers can go for me. Bring a well known finisher in. A defoe type player who carve ther own chances

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 7:03 pm

Each to their own but Gray is just not effective at running channels. When was the last time he had a shot on target?

His premier league stats read
28 apps
8 goals (2 penalties) which is fine if he gets two more.
0 good chances created which is crap
18 shots on target not very good

When strikers play with two up top they're expected to create for themselves sometimes. Although I admit we are poor creatively but the front pair should do a lot better.

quoonbeatz · Post by **quoonbeatz** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 7:12 pm

Up front on his own today.

claretblue · Post by **claretblue** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 8:04 pm

'...Needs support and we don't give him the sort of service that he wants, often enough...'

Defour!

Vegas Claret · Post by **Vegas Claret** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 8:05 pm

Brentford will be ****** off if we go down

bfc1984 · Post by **bfc1984** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 8:09 pm

Would score 20 goals a season for a top 6 side,pace,strength and a terrific finisher.Spends too much time wide are chasing his own bad first touch from deep.his only Cristism his touch would be a top player elsewhere

bfc1984 · Post by **bfc1984** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 8:10 pm

Critiscism

Woodleyclaret · Post by **Woodleyclaret** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 8:26 pm

Best game in a while but let down badly by his team.mates not supporting his efforts.

fidelcastro · Post by **fidelcastro** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 8:28 pm

bfc1984 wrote:Critiscism

No. You're still wrong.

Rileybobs · Post by **Rileybobs** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 8:38 pm

Thought that was his best game for a while and he was our best player. He had Blind on toast, unfortunately Bailly was unplayable. He was very unlucky not to score with a neat turn and shot which was superbly blocked in the first half.

Shore claret · Post by **Shore claret** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 8:39 pm

Thought he did really well today and showed by United's best player being bailly having mark him.

SGr · Post by **SGr** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 8:46 pm

I'd say his showing was only good when you compare it to what he's capable of doing

Duffer_ · Post by **Duffer_** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 9:46 pm

SGr wrote:I'd say his showing was only good when you compare it to what he's capable of doing

Would have been fairer to add "...and who he was playing against."

UTC!

3putt · Post by **3putt** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 10:49 pm

SGr wrote:I'd say his showing was only good when you compare it to what he's capable of doing

I'd say it was good compared to the rest of his team mates and absolutely outstanding when compared to Barnes.

He was our only threat today (as usual) and he has an almost impossible job, no one to link with and poor service. On a couple of occasions he did well down the channels only to find nobody in the box to cross too.

He really does have to try and feed off scraps without doubt he his first touch is poor at times, but equally he will do some really good stuff in games which his critics seem completely blind too.

As has already been said, I believe he will go on to have a really good career in the Prem and will be a recognised goal scorer, just not going to happy our hoof ball tactics.

Wile E Coyote · Post by **Wile E Coyote** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 11:13 pm

I would say its impossible to tell whether he's up to the job or not.
Playing for us can't be easy, we were a very good championship team and therefore could dominate other teams .
Playing where he does, like Ings and Vokes in that division, chances came along more frequently.
Here in the Premier league, he is fronting a fairly poor side with little in the way of creativity or supply.
Not sure how even a top flight striker woud fare given our limitations. How is Gray meant to score or shoot when most of what comes his way is hopeful balls punted over the heads of the midfielders ?
We are more or less inept at crosses, so that rules that out. Not his type of thing anyway, even if we could manage an occasional cross that stays in play.
A lot of moves break down through poor passing elsewhere. If when he does get involved, its usually a case of being outnumbered by the best defenders around.
Very harsh to suggest he is not up to standard in my opinion.
Other decent sides have the luxury of effective and attack minded midfields, and they get the ball forward often. Gray, Barnes, and Vokes are definately isolated for huge amounts of time in most games.
If he was playing for Liverpool or City or Chelsea and misfiring, then fair enough, but he is stuck up front with us.

California Colner · Post by **California Colner** » Mon Apr 24, 2017 3:34 am

All you hear is Gray's pace.
Can any one of on here tell me when he last beat a defender with his pace?
Yes he is quick
Is he any quicker than most prem defenders ? I don't see it
Look at Rashford when he came on, that's what I would say is pace
To be honest I think he will be replaced next season.
This is not my views on the game today, I've been saying that he is not prem standard all season.
I have praised him when played well, today I thought he played as well as he can, but when he's up against class players it's not good enough. We had no shots on goals today! That to me tells the truth were we are at, we are playing at home and have no shots.
I'm hoping we have enough points on board to keep us up and then rebuild for next next season, we can't rely on the defense keeping a clean sheet to win games we have to score goals. Our away record tells the story, can't score against teams that are below us
I know this season is about survival and staying up
Next season has to change and no doubt Sean will be already on it.
Mean while important game next week lets hope for a win !!!

3putt · Post by **3putt** » Mon Apr 24, 2017 9:05 am

California Colner wrote:All you hear is Gray's pace.
Can any one of on here tell me when he last beat a defender with his pace?
Yes he is quick
Is he any quicker than most prem defenders ? I don't see it
Look at Rashford when he came on, that's what I would say is pace
To be honest I think he will be replaced next season.
This is not my views on the game today, I've been saying that he is not prem standard all season.
I have praised him when played well, today I thought he played as well as he can, but when he's up against class players it's not good enough. We had no shots on goals today! That to me tells the truth were we are at, we are playing at home and have no shots.
I'm hoping we have enough points on board to keep us up and then rebuild for next next season, we can't rely on the defense keeping a clean sheet to win games we have to score goals. Our away record tells the story, can't score against teams that are below us
I know this season is about survival and staying up
Next season has to change and no doubt Sean will be already on it.
Mean while important game next week lets hope for a win !!!

To me it's not a question of whether Gray is good enough or not (I definitely think he is), it's about the awful lack of support and supply. As Wile E Coyote says above, it's questionable whether or not even a top Prem striker could do much with our style of play. I'm hoping and praying that we scrape through this season and if we do, it will be down to a great keeper and back four. I'm not sure that would work again. SD really does have to start being a bit more adventurous and get some creativity and attacking flair in our play.

aggi · Post by **aggi** » Mon Apr 24, 2017 11:03 am

The main issue with Gray yesterday was the lack of support. When he got the ball in the channels there was no one bursting in the box to allow an early cross. In stead he'd have to turn back, Utd would double up and he rarely had the skill to keep the ball at that point.

It's been an issue with us all season that we don't break with pace and load up the box with players. Part of the issue is that we don't have many (any) players with pace who can do that, and the other part is that tactically we don't seem to want to risk committing too many players forward. Utd were often able to press Gray with 2 or 3 men when he got the ball as there weren't other players making runs to occupy them.

lucs86 · Post by **lucs86** » Mon Apr 24, 2017 11:21 am

It was his best game in quite a while, his touch and link up play was better than normal and he was unlucky not to score with the turn and shot that I think Bailly blocked.

Only let down for me the time in the first half when he got in down the right and cut onto his left instead of flashing it across goal for Barnes who was steaming in. It was a good opening and it was the wrong option unfortunately.

Don't know if it was because he was putting himself in the shop window or because it was a big game on TV but based on yesterday I'm sure the clubs said to be interested in him would have thought he's comfortably good enough for this level and worth a stab at up to £20m.

Really hope he carries on from yesterday because playing like that against weaker opposition he'll score the goals that keep us up.

Colburn_Claret · Post by **Colburn_Claret** » Mon Apr 24, 2017 12:25 pm

Conroy92 wrote:Not for me I'm afraid. I'll agree he works hard and makes runs to get in the right position, unfortunately he then loses the ball far too easily. We need better quality next year.

Definitely a grafter, but his technique leaves a lot. On the positive, it's his first season at this level and in a different, more positive system, he might find the chances increasing.
I noticed all Blind did was hold him up, no need to dive in and challenge, because eventually AG gets himself into a position where he just loses control of the ball.
I'm not of the opinion that we need to get rid and get better, just give the lad himself a chance to improve, so long as he understands his own weaknesses he'll be alright.

jlup1980 · Post by **jlup1980** » Mon Apr 24, 2017 12:47 pm

You can't compare him to Rashford as we never put the ball into him in a one-on-one position or even in front of him to run onto. It's always passes out wide, usually at chest height, when he has his back to goal. Rashford, or any other striker, would struggle in our team. I personally thought he did all he could yesterday. He was so isolated it was beyond a joke but he still managed to hold onto the ball and bring someone else into the game; no mean feat when you have 3 or 4 defenders hassling you!

The fact is yesterday was all about the lack of contribution from Barnes and Boyd. I thought Gray and Brady were involved in the game whereas Barnes and Boyd offered the square root of f-all. That was the problem. We can't expect Gray to do it all by himself.