I wonder if he wished he had played CM his entire career.

claretcarrot93 wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 13, 2023 11:35 am

I wonder if he wished he had played CM his entire career.

He’s just a terrific footballer who can seemingly play anywhere. We’d forgotten just how good he was because of the injuries.

He played central for Charlton before coming here.

Quickenthetempo wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 13, 2023 11:46 am

He played central for Charlton before coming here.

I didn't know that!

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 13, 2023 11:39 am

He’s just a terrific footballer who can seemingly play anywhere. We’d forgotten just how good he was because of the injuries.

Signed in just to like this. He's proven a fair few people wrong, myself included.

Wouldn’t have suited a CM in Dyche’s system, though. Now he’s playing in a 3 and on the left side, it does suit his profile. While not comparing the players as such, De Bruyne was a wide player in his early career, it was only really Pep that brought him more central, yet still utilise his exceptional crossing, JBG is similar in that sense.

Best thing about him this season has been his fitness, bet he’s been loving it.

“The signing of the season!”

RVclaret wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 13, 2023 11:53 am

Wouldn’t have suited a CM in Dyche’s system, though. Now he’s playing in a 3 and on the left side, it does suit his profile. While not comparing the players as such, De Bruyne was a wide player in his early career, it was only really Pep that brought him more central, yet still utilise his exceptional crossing, JBG is similar in that sense.

Best thing about him this season has been his fitness, bet he’s been loving it.

David Silva as well

claretcarrot93 wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 13, 2023 11:59 am

David Silva as well

I used to love watching David Silva.

He’s having a great season. Wonder if he’s doing anything differently training wise.

Silva was a joy to watch.

It's brilliant to see players like JBG and Barnsey enjoying injury-free (touch wood) Indian Summer's to their careers.

Unusual to see someone like Rowls misuse the apostrophe s, or should it really be Rowl’s?

I think he as benefited from different training and that as been been shown with the amount of games he as played .

Clive 1960 wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 13, 2023 12:32 pm

I think he as benefited from different training and that as been been shown with the amount of games he as played .

The fact we finally have squad depth aids that situation, if he's not 100% then we still have more than adequate replacements and he can be rested.

Never doubted him. Wonderful player who has had a torrid time with injuries.

Wand for a left foot.

Hopefully he can be like Ryan Giggs who made a similar move inside and improved his fitness as he got older. Just less like Ryan Giggs off the pitch!

He reminds me a little bit of Odegaard. Seeming to have time on the ball as soon as he gets it.

I do wonder whether “Dyche fit” was beyond the capabilities of some players and their bodies broke down. Hope so, because it may mean he stays fit now.

He's one of the few players that doesn't become world class by not playing on here

CleggHall wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 13, 2023 12:28 pm

Unusual to see someone like Rowls misuse the apostrophe s, or should it really be Rowl’s?

I probably had two sentences in my head as I was typing.

There was a particularly strong challenge where he went down in the first half and my heart sank, because in previous years that would be him gone for the next few months. Finally seems to have gotten over his injury problems, love seeing him back to his best!

My favourite player following the retirement of Sir Michael Duff

RVclaret wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 13, 2023 11:53 am

Wouldn’t have suited a CM in Dyche’s system, though. Now he’s playing in a 3 and on the left side, it does suit his profile. While not comparing the players as such, De Bruyne was a wide player in his early career, it was only really Pep that brought him more central, yet still utilise his exceptional crossing, JBG is similar in that sense.

Best thing about him this season has been his fitness, bet he’s been loving it.

Gordon Harris, Willie Morgan, Ralph Coates. Trevor Steven went the other way.
Willie and Ralph both moved central after Alf Ramseys wingless wonders won the World Cup and wingers disappeared for a year or three.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 13, 2023 12:17 pm

I used to love watching David Silva.

As long as it wasn't against us!........They've not really managed to replace him yet.

Taffy on the wing wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 13, 2023 3:50 pm

As long as it wasn't against us!........They've not really managed to replace him yet.

He played a pass right in front of us a few years ago that led to a goal against us and I actually applauded. I was soon put in my place by those around me (supposed friends) but he made passes that no other player even saw.

I don't like him out wide at all, too one paced and predictable, I think the move central has really shown a new side to him we never really saw, his passing ability.

He has a nice wife too

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 13, 2023 4:31 pm

He played a pass right in front of us a few years ago that led to a goal against us and I actually applauded. I was soon put in my place by those around me (supposed friends) but he made passes that no other player even saw.

Silva was simply, a fantastic footballer to watch. Wether on tv or live, it was a privilege to watch him.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 13, 2023 11:39 am

He’s just a terrific footballer who can seemingly play anywhere. We’d forgotten just how good he was because of the injuries.

Chuck him in pegs then

KRBFC wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 13, 2023 4:45 pm

I don't like him out wide at all, too one paced and predictable, I think the move central has really shown a new side to him we never really saw, his passing ability.

I see a lot of similarities between JBG and Wade Elliott. Both were brilliant crosses of the ball and give them half a yard and they were lethal but as you say for out and out wide men they were both a bit one paced and sometimes easy to mark.

Both Wade and JBG were/are really comfortable on the ball and good at carrying it and so playing more centrally gave them more space to go either way and create more attacking threats. There's also the added benefit that they could then pop up unmarked on the wing and deliver a brilliant cross from time to time.

Thought Wade was brilliant in that promotion season in his more central role and I think JBG has been equally as good playing behind the striker and now showing he can be just as good a little deeper.

A pleasure to read a positive thread, and yes JBG has arguably been the surprise package of our season.

I was certainly among those who thought his best days were beyond him, mainly due to his horrific injury record, however he's definitely one who has hugely benefited from VK taking charge.

2 goals and 7 assists are impressive numbers considering he's not played every week, but it's more his calmness in possession which marks him out for me.