Arblaster

[Nick Jansky]

Brilliant young player with international caps and a lot of PL interest in the early stages of trying to come back from a devastating injury being written off by bitter old farts with the memory of a goldfish. Some of our fans make me laugh

 

[Cheeky Blade]

That shouldn't be his decision

Never said it was.

 

[Cheeky Blade]

That's not his choice, its the Managers call,

Yes…and the manager might have discussed looked at the data and discussed with Arblaster how he’s feeling and made his decision on that.

 

[Balham]

Brilliant young player with international caps and a lot of PL interest being completely overplayed in the early stages of trying to come back from a devastating injury being written off by bitter old farts with the memory of a goldfish. Some of our fans make me laugh

Added some context.

 

[BettingBlade]

The Louis Reed reference is odd, there seems to be some kind of thought on here that he's some kind of failure despite having played 300+ football league games at 28... It's a far better career than most of the players in the academy at the same time as him have had.

It was in reference to what a previous poster had put in fairness. I do agree though that Reed has carved out a decent career but I think we all know Arblaster is a much better player and his ceiling is much higher

 

[nopigfansintown]

I won't begin to judge until next season. He's been out for 13 months with an ACL and can't get up to the required fitness this season. It's sheer desperation that he's playing all these minutes already. He should be a late sub.

 

[Tommy_P]

I'm a patient man (us Blades have to be)!! The problem with Arblaster for me is that the simple stuff has gone to shit. Not only that, but he shouldn't be starting, but as we're so short due to Jairo being unavailable and Soumare (idiot)!

More than happy to see Arblaster start fesh next season, just need some numbers in so we can see out this awful season first

 

[metalblade]

It was always going to be next season before we see Oli back to his best, he is being played through necessity.

 

[fifty shades of blade]

When I was 17 I stupidly went for a kickabout with my mates 3 days before I was due to have a trial with Buxton. Went sliding in for a low cross and my trailing leg got stuck in the ground. Broken ankle and ruptured ankle ligaments. Was out for 9 months. Never the same player afterwards. Took the edge from my speed and agility. At the level Blaster is at if he loses even the slightest bit of his athletic ability after a bad injury it will be so much harder to get back to the level needed. Feel for the lad. Hoping he gets it back.

 

[dexter101]

I think I am right that Blaster played best last season, before injury with Souza alongside.

In the same way this season we say Sydie's performances improve with Jairo.

Last night we saw Blaster and Peck together... both missed a bigger, stronger team mate to allow them to do their bit.

If we can get a few more points and avoid being dragged into a relegation battle, this season should help him to get back up to speed.

I don't mind him having minutes, as long as we aren't risking him.

 

[ben1987]

We can judge Arblaster next season so long as he doesn’t re-injure himself being thrown in at the deep end this season.

It’ll take months to get back up to speed after the length of time hes been out. If a player simply misses a pre-season they take weeks to catch up.

Let him build his strength and fitness up gradually over the remainder of the season and then he can come back fully fit next.

Brighton aren’t interested in donkeys. He used to guide round the pitch taking his first touch on the spin to break the lines. Peck has done fabulously well for us but there was a slight drop off in quality when Arblaster got injured and Peck stepped in. Peck now looks miles ahead and Arblaster needs time to catch back up both physically and mentally.

It’s a sign of just how shit our summer recruitment was that we were left with two lads in their early 20’s returning from injury as our first choice midfield pair.

 

[ancientblade]

Brilliant young player with international caps and a lot of PL interest in the early stages of trying to come back from a devastating injury being written off by bitter old farts with the memory of a goldfish. Some of our fans make me laugh

agreed but also suffering from being brought back in to the team too early hes obviously not ready know weve had problems with injuries in midfield but he really should only have been used from the bench at end of games

 

[SE1Blade]

I was gobsmacked when O’Hare and not Blaster came off.. I don’t want to think it was favouritism… but unless O’Hare was injured I can’t think of any other reason.

I can only think that O’Hare will be starting on Saturday and Blaster won’t, so trying not to over work them. Otherwise a strange decision. I thought he might even put Hamer central.

 

[Bladesman]

 

[Boroblade1889]

So, in amongst that Warnockesque word salad, if I’ve got it right….he’s describing what should’ve happened this time?…..and whose fault is it that Oli is in the “red zone”?

Confused of Teesside

 

[Pedro's Winger]

The bits I've seen he looks way off the pace.
I imagine it's fine margins at elite level football and if the injury has left a physical legacy then he's got problems.
If it's more between the ears and confidence then he might well be fine.
Fingers crossed for him.

 

[Aston max]

When I was 17 I stupidly went for a kickabout with my mates 3 days before I was due to have a trial with Buxton. Went sliding in for a low cross and my trailing leg got stuck in the ground. Broken ankle and ruptured ankle ligaments. Was out for 9 months. Never the same player afterwards. Took the edge from my speed and agility. At the level Blaster is at if he loses even the slightest bit of his athletic ability after a bad injury it will be so much harder to get back to the level needed. Feel for the lad. Hoping he gets it back.

Been there done that , 2 months before reporting to Dartmouth fucked up my knee playing rugby, the rest they say is history. Or lack of it ffs

 

[CaptainMorgans]

The tone lacks maturity, but the overarching message is spot on.

You all really do need to get off Oli's back, at least until next season.

I've also found the criticism of him ridiculous.

 

[Maurice Maurice]

The tone lacks maturity, but the overarching message is spot on.

You all really do need to get off Oli's back, at least until next season.

I've also found the criticism of him ridiculous.

I'm not on his back at all. Prior to the injury, when there were folks on here having him as a regular England international and a probable England captain I got vilified for saying that I don't think he's that good. He's never influenced a game like Michael Brown, even Michael Tonge had more impact in games and although Blaster is a smooth, easy on the eye player, I just don't think he has the pace or the presence to be an all time great.

I hope I'm wrong and I hope he gets back to full fitness and goes on to do great things. Sorry if that makes me 'blind' or 'a bitter old fart' but if that's all the likes of the message board Lenny Mclean (Nick Jansky) can come back at me with, you're kind of proving my point.

UTBFTP

 

[Vass Borbokis]

'I've not followed correct protocols and rushed a player back before he's ready and given him way more minutes than he should be getting'.

If only he knew someone who could have changed that, I don't know, someone like the fucking manager of the team.
He's the one picking the lineup and leaving him on when he's clearly miles off of it.
The lad should be building his way back up. Taking his time.

He does come out with some absolute bollocks.

 

[ancientblade]

'I've not followed correct protocols and rushed a player back before he's ready and given him way more minutes than he should be getting'.

If only he knew someone who could have changed that, I don't know, someone like the fucking manager of the team.
He's the one picking the lineup and leaving him on when he's clearly miles off of it.
The lad should be building his way back up. Taking his time.

He does come out with some absolute bollocks.

have to agree with you wilder knows full well he brought him back too early but will never admit that bring a couple of midfielders in and tuck arblaster away for the season ready for august

 

[Notts Blade 123]

Wilder treatment of Arblaster reminds me of kids' Sunday League football, where the manager continuously plays his son and praises him regardless of how he plays. He seems completely blindsided by this. I think it makes it worse with his ongoing criticism of Seriki and Brooks.

 

[dc_blade]

Again I find myself defending Wilder.

I think he's got this about right. He's calculated that a half-fit Arblaster gives us a better chance of winning games than a fully fit Matos. I think he's right.

He's also right to defend Arblaster from some of the criticism from our fans which has been (being generous) really poor. Tempted to write something stronger on that score but won't.

Those who think Arblaster was "overrated" or whatever before his injury are mistaken. At the age of 20 he was showing signs of being one of the best young midfielders in the division, maybe behind only Hayden Hackney who is a couple of years older and will be playing in the PL next season.

 

[Champagneblade]

Wilder treatment of Arblaster reminds me of kids' Sunday League football, where the manager continuously plays his son and praises him regardless of how he plays. He seems completely blindsided by this. I think it makes it worse with his ongoing criticism of Seriki and Brooks.

He could play Brooks in central midfield and Hamer out wide or he could play Burrows there if he wanted like he did last season. He could play Hamer there.

It’s not as if the decision is over-play Arblaster or start with 10 men!

Got to take what managers say with a pinch of salt at times…

 

[Bladesman]

'I've not followed correct protocols and rushed a player back before he's ready and given him way more minutes than he should be getting'.

If only he knew someone who could have changed that, I don't know, someone like the fucking manager of the team.
He's the one picking the lineup and leaving him on when he's clearly miles off of it.
The lad should be building his way back up. Taking his time.

He does come out with some absolute bollocks.

He had/has a fit Matos he could play at a push even though he isn't in his future plans.

Arblaster's situation is a worry as its lends credence to previous situations where players are being asked to play with an injury etc.

 

[Pedro Verde]

Again I find myself defending Wilder.

I think he's got this about right. He's calculated that a half-fit Arblaster gives us a better chance of winning games than a fully fit Matos. I think he's right.

It might do but its not giving Arblaster the best chance of recovery by over playing him
This is all on Wilder

He's also right to defend Arblaster from some of the criticism from our fans which has been (being generous) really poor. Tempted to write something stronger on that score but won't.

Ive not seen much criticism of Arblaster. The most comments have been hes been overplayed and shouldnt have played the amount of minutes he has

Those who think Arblaster was "overrated" or whatever before his injury are mistaken. At the age of 20 he was showing signs of being one of the best young midfielders in the division, maybe behind only Hayden Hackney who is a couple of years older and will be playing in the PL next season.

That remains to be seen

 

[Bladesman]

You can see where Wilder might get his thinking on these matters:

 

[Houston_Blade]

You can see where Wilder might get his thinking on these matters:

Makes you think!

 

[CaptainMorgans]

Again I find myself defending Wilder.

I think he's got this about right. He's calculated that a half-fit Arblaster gives us a better chance of winning games than a fully fit Matos. I think he's right.

He's also right to defend Arblaster from some of the criticism from our fans which has been (being generous) really poor. Tempted to write something stronger on that score but won't.

Those who think Arblaster was "overrated" or whatever before his injury are mistaken. At the age of 20 he was showing signs of being one of the best young midfielders in the division, maybe behind only Hayden Hackney who is a couple of years older and will be playing in the PL next season.

I think you're spot on, dc_blade
Unfortunately because of Arblaster's family connection to Wilder we're going to have to listen to ridiculous favouritism type statements for the foreseeable.

Maurice Maurice , I wasn't singling you out buddy. My frustration is with fans writing him off, comments to the effect of "he's not the same player" etc. Of course he isn't... yet.
If people add nuance to their comments.. "why is Arblaster playing, he clearly isn't ready yet " that's fine, but directly slating him is ridiculous.

I also appreciate you don't think he was 'all that' pre-injury, but I saw qualities in him that were outstanding and way, way above what one should expect of someone with so little senior football behind them.
Most notably, his ability to receive a pass, on the turn, in a congested area and advance our field position in one sweeping motion...

... Sounds simple, but it isn't.
Adam Wharton is shining in the PL because he can do it. He'll be sold for £80m+ this Summer.
Paul Scholes was the master before Xavi and Pirlo turned up...

I'm not for one second saying he's in that category, but it's a skill only elite level players can master.
He's not the finest athlete but his spatial awareness and reading of the game will dictate that he has a great career (if he does fully recover from this).

 

[Maurice Maurice]

I think you're spot on, dc_blade
Unfortunately because of Arblaster's family connection to Wilder we're going to have to listen to ridiculous favouritism type statements for the foreseeable.

Maurice Maurice , I wasn't singling you out buddy. My frustration is with fans writing him off, comments to the effect of "he's not the same player" etc. Of course he isn't... yet.
If people add nuance to their comments.. "why is Arblaster playing, he clearly isn't ready yet " that's fine, but directly slating him is ridiculous.

I also appreciate you don't think he was 'all that' pre-injury, but I saw qualities in him that were outstanding and way, way above what one should expect of someone with so little senior football behind them.
Most notably, his ability to receive a pass, on the turn, in a congested area and advance our field position in one sweeping motion...

... Sounds simple, but it isn't.
Adam Wharton is shining in the PL because he can do it. He'll be sold for £80m+ this Summer.
Paul Scholes was the master before Xavi and Pirlo turned up...

I'm not for one second saying he's in that category, but it's a skill only elite level players can master.
He's not the finest athlete but his spatial awareness and reading of the game will dictate that he has a great career (if he does fully recover from this).

Like I said, I'll be more than happy to be proved wrong. I hear the Paul Scholes comparison and I'd definitely have some of that but it was the lack of pace that stood out for me, and those split seconds are magnified the higher up the tree you go. Worrying thing post injury, and hopefully this is a fitness thing is how much slower he looks so fingers crossed that's just recuperation.

Anyway, I'm sure this debate will rumble on but one thing I'm sure we agree on, we need a big performance from all eleven of our little darlings today and that's for sure.

UTBFTP