Does JCR have a future at BDTBL?

[Jan Age]

Every now and then I hear a quote that reminds me that some people see football in a complete different way to others.
JCR was the worst crosser of the ball I think I've ever seen! I like him, I'd give him another chance under Adkins but I had to laugh when you described his crosses as "almost always very good".

I have to agree with this comment... I often said that if he could deliver a decent cross he would have had a fantastic career instead of the one he attended up with... Poor end product.... However would be good to have in and around the squad.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

No,
Players have good games and bad. I don't put them into a category straight away, I don't write players capabilities off straight away just because of the odd game or two otherwise I'd not like Basham as a player which couldn't be further from the truth.
The Bradford game is where I lost my shit with him. I drew a line in the sand, stopped giving him the benefit of the doubt and concluded-this guy can't cross!
Maybe he's not as bad as I make out, maybe he makes more crossing opportunities than other players and so it just feels like he squanders more, but I believe the only reason he's played in the lower leagues for so long is due to his final product and his consistency.

Again, fairy nuff.

All I can add is that in all the time we were watching him and focusing on his crosses there was only one occasion where it went horribly awry. He cut in on his left and did overhit/float a cross way beyond the far post.

Whatever the reason though, we never scored from his crosses which indicates something wasn't working. My best guess was the time it took him to cross messed with the timing of runs into the box and also defences were able to organise.

It'd be interesting to look at the games and do some kind of analysis to see if we were misreading the games but I don't have access to the full Blades Player.

 

[sitwell]

See I don't get this , I bet most of you guys would persevere with Baxter who has done nothing all season yet get rid of JCR who although admittedly inconsistent has produced some fantastic displays ,probably the be individual of the season at QPR. So to say hes not good enough is unfair ,to see hes not consistent enough is fair.

 

[Bath Blade]

. Foulkes Jr Sr maintains that these crosses would have been ideal for Done

I always thought Campbell-Ryce's crosses would have been ideal for Peter Crouch standing on Kevin Francis's shoulders.

 

[Silent Blade]

There was a non football reason he went back to County. Also I heard it wasn't because of a fall out with Clough. James Shield tweeted that sometimes it's just better to leave things as they are as they're not for the public to know. I don't think he will be back

Patrick Suffaux , you probably missed James Shields tweet a couple of months ago. Dont know if JCR's personal situation has improved or will improve over the summer

 

[sitwell]

I always thought Campbell-Ryce's crosses would have been ideal for Peter Crouch standing on Kevin Francis's shoulders.

Amazing what a bit of research can bring up ,Francis is now a Canadian Copper.

 

[coaxingstar71]

Again, fairy nuff.

All I can add is that in all the time we were watching him and focusing on his crosses there was only one occasion where it went horribly awry. He cut in on his left and did overhit/float a cross way beyond the far post.

Whatever the reason though, we never scored from his crosses which indicates something wasn't working. My best guess was the time it took him to cross messed with the timing of runs into the box and also defences were able to organise.

It'd be interesting to look at the games and do some kind of analysis to see if we were misreading the games but I don't have access to the full Blades Player.

I'd agree with WHF here. Although I can only use mostly our home games as evidence, I thought JCR crosses were mostly in dangerous areas. Ok not every single one but on the whole they were 'in the mix' to coin a dreadful phrase.

It appeared to me that a lot of crosses went right across the box and were just perfect for someone to profit at the far post but either our forwards all went near post or were not there at all.

There could be many reasons, bad communication, lack of training on crossing, but it doesn't help when there's generally only one striker 'up top' and I'd go further to say that the reason JCR had to delay was to wait for other players to get even near the box. I'd also point out that one of my main bug bears all last season was the poor movement of all our players in the final third and this again I would suggest is a contributory factor.

Combined with our seeming lack of any tactical nous at set pieces, it makes you wonder what they did in training under Clough.

 

[grafikhaus]

Jam's final ball was almost always very good. Often across the edge of the six yard box. Sometimes near post, sometimes far post. For whatever reason our forwards weren't on the same wavelength and these rarely resulted in scoring chances. Foulkes Jr Sr maintains that these crosses would have been ideal for Done and I think he might be right: they were ideal for a poacher to feed off.

Agreed. J C-R's leaving coincided almost exactly with Done's arrival, in fact they only appeared together twice. Sure J C-R's crosses were often wasted but that's 'cos we rarely have anybody with the speed/awareness/anticipation to 'read' them. I think a Done/Billy Sharp/foxy-in-the-boxy would.

 

[Bladesway]

The "...ball rolling along goal line, please stick a toe out and tap it in..." thing, seemed to be a Blades trait until the arrival of Matty Done, he is exactly the sort of player to grab those opportunities, so is McNulty, but being on the bench meant he couldn't!

To be fair whenever McNulty started he was generally shit. Off the bench seemed his best chance to impress. I though Clough got him about right.

 

[Bladesway]

I'd agree with WHF here. Although I can only use mostly our home games as evidence, I thought JCR crosses were mostly in dangerous areas. Ok not every single one but on the whole they were 'in the mix' to coin a dreadful phrase.

It appeared to me that a lot of crosses went right across the box and were just perfect for someone to profit at the far post but either our forwards all went near post or were not there at all.

There could be many reasons, bad communication, lack of training on crossing, but it doesn't help when there's generally only one striker 'up top' and I'd go further to say that the reason JCR had to delay was to wait for other players to get even near the box. I'd also point out that one of my main bug bears all last season was the poor movement of all our players in the final third and this again I would suggest is a contributory factor.

Combined with our seeming lack of any tactical nous at set pieces, it makes you wonder what they did in training under Clough.

Sorry but as a former striker no amount of "front post, far post" training made the slightest bit of difference. You made those runs on instinct and whether 12 or 38 these runs were almost totally dictated by your gut feeling as to where the ball would be. If you were up top with someone else then that's where good partnership kicks in. You don't see him move you just know.

 

[Revolution]

To be fair whenever McNulty started he was generally shit. Off the bench seemed his best chance to impress. I though Clough got him about right.

People say this, but McNultys goals per game ratio is better as a starter than as a sub. I checked this when someone said he was better as a sub.

As for JCR, he's inconsistent but I'd take him over Flynn any day of the week. More end product.

 

[brownie4583]

I thought we looked a lot more dangerous when JCR was playing on the right and Murph on the left

 

[metalblade]

Some of JCR's crosses were very good and in the right areas but the timing was all wrong JCR would often beat his full back stop and beat him again when it would have been better to put in an early cross often momentum of the attack was lost as JCR delayed. On the other hand some crosses were awfull.

 

[coaxingstar71]

Sorry but as a former striker no amount of "front post, far post" training made the slightest bit of difference. You made those runs on instinct and whether 12 or 38 these runs were almost totally dictated by your gut feeling as to where the ball would be. If you were up top with someone else then that's where good partnership kicks in. You don't see him move you just know.

Therefore, you'd at least expect some kind of reasonable return even without any training. It just seemed to me from most the home games that too many balls into the box (delivered by JCR or anybody for that matter) seemed to go right across goal and it just needed someone, even occasionally to go far post, and yet, more often than not, there was no one there. One example of when it did actually go right was Che's first goal v Spurs, I think it was Flynn that put a great ball in, but we would have moaned it was a poor ball if Che hadn't made his run.

Like you say Bladesway, a lot of it is instinct, but if you put the ball in the right areas, you would expect a decent return. I played centre mid myself but you get to know how your team mates play and where and how they like it played to them, running onto it or to feet etc. I felt last season it seemed as if our players had little understanding of this. Easy to say I suppose when you're sat in the stands!

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Patrick Suffaux , you probably missed James Shields tweet a couple of months ago. Dont know if JCR's personal situation has improved or will improve over the summer

I did miss that. Probably because I live out of the area now but mostly because I don't use twitter. Hope the situation has improved.

 

[Jehovah]

Allowing JCR to go out on loan goes down as one of the most bizarre mangerial decisions in all of the galaxies.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Allowing JCR to go out on loan goes down as one of the most bizarre mangerial decisions in all of the galaxies.

My Spurs supporting brother in law was at a loss for words when he heard. Felt he terrorised their full back at White Hart Lane and thought he was a right player.

 

[Bladesway]

Therefore, you'd at least expect some kind of reasonable return even without any training. It just seemed to me from most the home games that too many balls into the box (delivered by JCR or anybody for that matter) seemed to go right across goal and it just needed someone, even occasionally to go far post, and yet, more often than not, there was no one there. One example of when it did actually go right was Che's first goal v Spurs, I think it was Flynn that put a great ball in, but we would have moaned it was a poor ball if Che hadn't made his run.

Like you say Bladesway, a lot of it is instinct, but if you put the ball in the right areas, you would expect a decent return. I played centre mid myself but you get to know how your team mates play and where and how they like it played to them, running onto it or to feet etc. I felt last season it seemed as if our players had little understanding of this. Easy to say I suppose when you're sat in the stands!

I maybe thought Clough knew best so didn't question too much but there are certainly questions over JCR and why he went out on loan along with why none of our strikers ever seemed to be instinctive (until Done came in). McNulty to me is instinctive as is Done. I don't know if you can train that out of someone and make them more of a machine than an instinctive centre forward.

 

[HighfieldBlade]

oh sorry I thought you said JCB.

Seriously though, I like JCR, he's a decent player down the right wing, he can terrorise some defences. Remember his goal v QPR. I think we'd do well to hang on to him for next season.

 

[coaxingstar71]

I maybe thought Clough knew best so didn't question too much but there are certainly questions over JCR and why he went out on loan along with why none of our strikers ever seemed to be instinctive (until Done came in). McNulty to me is instinctive as is Done. I don't know if you can train that out of someone and make them more of a machine than an instinctive centre forward.

I'm interested Bladesway, as an ex-striker, if you think that we need more strikers? I agree with you that Done certainly has the instinct and I (think), like you, believe McNulty has, given the chance. I think Che would give us something a bit different in raw power and pace, so I don't see why we need a 'big lump' to 'hoof it up to' and would much prefer to see us play to the strengths of the talents we already have. You DON'T need to be a six footer to win headers but you need timing, awareness and the instinct as you say.

I personally think there are more pressing priorities than buying more strikers such as a couple of centre backs, a centre mid and possibly a keeper and a left back (controversially, I'm not a big Harris fan).

 

[coaxingstar71]

I'm interested Bladesway, as an ex-striker, if you think that we need more strikers? I agree with you that Done certainly has the instinct and I (think), like you, believe McNulty has, given the chance. I think Che would give us something a bit different in raw power and pace, so I don't see why we need a 'big lump' to 'hoof it up to' and would much prefer to see us play to the strengths of the talents we already have. You need to be a six footer to win headers but you need timing, awareness and the instinct as you say.

I personally think there are more pressing priorities than buying more strikers such as a couple of centre backs, a centre mid and possibly a keeper and a left back (controversially, I'm not a big Harris fan).

Damn typing "You DON'T need to be a six footer...."

Dyslexia Untied!

 

[coaxingstar71]

Damn typing "You DON'T need to be a six footer...."

Dyslexia Untied!

Ah, just noticed the 'edit' button.......

 

[Doormat]

I hope not!
most frustrating player I can remember, seems full of talent, but delivers none. Apart from QPR I don't remember him having a good game.

 

[Bladesway]

I'm interested Bladesway, as an ex-striker, if you think that we need more strikers? I agree with you that Done certainly has the instinct and I (think), like you, believe McNulty has, given the chance. I think Che would give us something a bit different in raw power and pace, so I don't see why we need a 'big lump' to 'hoof it up to' and would much prefer to see us play to the strengths of the talents we already have. You DON'T need to be a six footer to win headers but you need timing, awareness and the instinct as you say.

I personally think there are more pressing priorities than buying more strikers such as a couple of centre backs, a centre mid and possibly a keeper and a left back (controversially, I'm not a big Harris fan).

Yes we do. We have one 20 goals a season and some potential in my opinion. It's about partnerships. Morris and Edwards, Agana and Deane etc etc. I'd have Steve Davies back like a shot, not because of his size but also his touch and ability to bring players into the game around him. I think Murphy is best up front by the way. Great and underrated finisher. Not a winger. Think we waste him out wide.

 

[bertieblade]

Let's confirm something:-----
JCR can cross a ball, it just never finds a team mate.
How many goals did he score?
How many chances did he create?

Time to move him on, although as previously stated I think personal circumstances will dictate this before his footballing ability is taken into account

 

[coaxingstar71]

Yes we do. We have one 20 goals a season and some potential in my opinion. It's about partnerships. Morris and Edwards, Agana and Deane etc etc. I'd have Steve Davies back like a shot, not because of his size but also his touch and ability to bring players into the game around him. I think Murphy is best up front by the way. Great and underrated finisher. Not a winger. Think we waste him out wide.

Interesting you mention Morris and Edwards as neither could be considered target men, yet Keith scored many goals with his head just because of his brilliant timing and reading of situations.

I didn't mind Steve Davies and he does have good technique and takes brunt of the physical challenges, as you say, it brings the other players into the game, remember Shipperley being brilliant at that. Would be ok if we got him for free but think we have other pressing priorities in terms of recruitment. I suppose we would give us something we don't currently have as well.

Think you're right re Murphy, however we'd be short of wingers then.... get JCR back!

 

[Bladesway]

Interesting you mention Morris and Edwards as neither could be considered target men, yet Keith scored many goals with his head just because of his brilliant timing and reading of situations.

I didn't mind Steve Davies and he does have good technique and takes brunt of the physical challenges, as you say, it brings the other players into the game, remember Shipperley being brilliant at that. Would be ok if we got him for free but think we have other pressing priorities in terms of recruitment. I suppose we would give us something we don't currently have as well.

Think you're right re Murphy, however we'd be short of wingers then.... get JCR back!

I think JCR or someone of his type are required. I always enjoyed watching Cotterill and while they can be frustrating if you are going to unlock teams then getting down the line and beyond the full back is the best way.

Football doesn't need to be complicated. As someone once said, there's only one way to beat them, get round the back.

 

[coaxingstar71]

I think JCR or someone of his type are required. I always enjoyed watching Cotterill and while they can be frustrating if you are going to unlock teams then getting down the line and beyond the full back is the best way.

Football doesn't need to be complicated. As someone once said, there's only one way to beat them, get round the back.

Very true, it's a cliche, but it's a simple game, even simpler in this league! I think that's one of the things I've found frustrating about the last couple of seasons watching us constantly pass sideways and not getting anywhere. I don't think I've seen any teams at the Lane and thought wow, these are a bit good, last season I thought MK Dons were probably the strongest team I saw but they bullied us out of it and were by far the dirtiest most cynical side I've seen at the Lane for many a year. Every defence I've seen has panicked as soon as the ball is in the box, but we just haven't been able to put enough pressure on them (as far a I can see).

I'm not suggesting we go back to 'hoofball' but as you say, it's simple, get down the line, get the ball across and make sure players are there to put the defenders under pressure.

One of things that I found exasperating was the amount of times the front players came short for the ball, so Harris would have the ball, Murphy comes short, man on his back and all he can do is play it back, then it goes across and the same thing kept happening, and I'm thinking why doesn't Murphy get behind the full back and make him turn round? Teams can defend all day when the ball is being played in front of them, like you say and the Barnes rap.... get round the back!

We'll have to stop this now otherwise we'll be told to get a room!

 

[United Aren't Back.]

Jam's final ball was almost always very good. Often across the edge of the six yard box. Sometimes near post, sometimes far post. For whatever reason our forwards weren't on the same wavelength and these rarely resulted in scoring chances. Foulkes Jr Sr maintains that these crosses would have been ideal for Done and I think he might be right: they were ideal for a poacher to feed off.

Sorry but what forwards William? Who were they? A puffing, exhausted false nine in Baxter, arrived as opponents got ready to take the resulting throw in.

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

See I don't get this , I bet most of you guys would persevere with Baxter who has done nothing all season yet get rid of JCR who although admittedly inconsistent has produced some fantastic displays ,probably the be individual of the season at QPR. So to say hes not good enough is unfair ,to see hes not consistent enough is fair.

Wouldn't be the end of the world if he left but, there again wouldn't mind if he stays, the lad on his day can cause the opposition problems, and I would be happy enough to see him on the bench as an impact player. Think you've summed it up pretty much right though Sitwell.