Incoming? Rak-Sakyi

[Silent Blade]

JRS had some of the best defensive stats for a winger in the division last season and was far more influential at the other end.

Brooks has approved since, but I think JRS is the better player.

Sod the stats bollox, I would rather believe my own eyes!

Not surprised you have come up with "grass is greener on the other side" comment!

 

[Carlton Blade]

People didn't like JRS because he didn't smile very much, was pretty reserved in general. That's basically what it came down to

United had a better attacking and defensive record with him on the pitch than off it. Preferring Brooks is personal choice and based on the last month or so, certainly dependable. People saying JRS was shitvand didn't care was just bizarre.

 

[Pedro Verde]

Sod the stats bollox, I would rather believe my own eyes!

Not surprised you have come up with "grass is greener on the other side" comment!

JRS was pretty good
Wilder dropped a bollock when he took him off against Plymouth
He was pretty much our only threat attacking wise
Winning 1-0 when he subbed him off in no danger
Lost 2-1 say no more

 

[SwissBlade]

JRS had some of the best defensive stats for a winger in the division last season and was far more influential at the other end.

Brooks has improved since, but I think JRS is the better player.

JRS had a good season and both him and Brookes developed. Brucks still struggles with his end product, but his all round game is improved now and perhaps it would be a luxury to have them both when money is now tighter and we're still throwing money at the likes of Matos, when he's not wanted.

Its a good position to be in to have Bruckes bridging that gap between midfield and strikers

 

[Frank the tank]

Wasn't sold on him
Had great numbers but often in games if the full back stopped him coming inside early on he just took the rest of the day off
Always had the feeling there was a real player in there but confidence or arrogance stopped him from developing

 

[Blades1971]

Not sure about Rak Sayki. Looked good at times, but inconsistent. Promised a lot. Never got into top gear for us.
Looks Palace think the same.

 

[Brian Deane]

JRS had a good season and both him and Brookes developed. Brucks still struggles with his end product, but his all round game is improved now and perhaps it would be a luxury to have them both when money is now tighter and we're still throwing money at the likes of Matos, when he's not wanted.

Its a good position to be in to have Bruckes bridging that gap between midfield and strikers

Bruckes .....I like that one (Twice) , well done Swizzler another robust name to add to the ongoing list

 

[coolasanidiot]

JRS had some of the best defensive stats for a winger in the division last season and was far more influential at the other end.

Brooks has improved since, but I think JRS is the better player.

Wow how deceiving can stats be- Raky was great going forward but defensively I thought atrocious. Brooks for me was a bit better then and now clearly superior.

 

[Blade56]

Not much between Rak Saki and Brooks for me.

Brooks was as good as or better than JRS when we had him. Since Brooks is going from strength to strength, not as lazy as JRS, tracks back and links up better in attack. IMO.

 

[Blade56]

Brookes developed. Brucks

50/50 attempt

 

[ATL Recs]

Brooks was as good as or better than JRS when we had him. Since Brooks is going from strength to strength, not as lazy as JRS, tracks back and links up better in attack. IMO.

No he wasn’t now maybe he is
But you need to look at JRS stats last season he wasn’t lazy

 

[Kenilworth]

Brooks is ours
He’s a Blade
Went to KES
Looks mint in whatever Blades kit he’s wearing
Acrobatic celebration
Exciting player
Great dribbling skills
Getting more powerful
Confidence and partnership with Seriki improving all the time.

He’ll do for me.
Hope he stays and becomes a Lane legend.

 

[Caveblade]

Wow how deceiving can stats be- Raky was great going forward but defensively I thought atrocious. Brooks for me was a bit better then and now clearly superior.

Remember the Leeds game at home, we looked so exposed down that right side as JRS just didn't track back.

I was screaming at him. Potentially a great player but needs to improve the defensive side of his game.

 

[Nagima]

 Raki Sayki was deceptive on the pitch. His appearance of being laid back and poor defensively masks his real contribution.

Excellent dribbling and decent goal contributions. Defensively he is unorthodox. He often just stabs the ball away from the defender who continues forward and Jesrun or another can get on the ball.

There were games where he was poor but overall I thought he made a positive contribution. Brooks is a different type of player who is pacey anc a bit more direct.
When on form Brooks defends well and covers alot of ground. His decision making is suspect and there are games where he is not mentally switched on.

I would be happy to have him back. Especially since we have Chong and Ogbene who are not at the same level.

 

[SwissBlade]

50/50 attempt

You missed one

 

[ben1987]

I love Andre Brooks. He comes across as a nice lad. Hes improving as a footballer continuously. He’s probably the best 1v1 dribbler at the club and his link up play with Seriki has been the main positive about this season.

I feel that as a dribbler JRS was on a similar level to Brooks but I think he was a little more clinical which is what Brooks needs to improve on to kick on to the next level. He scored one v Ipswich but then sliced two out for a throw in. One of those chances in particular a premier league winger finds the far corner 9/10. I think JRS probably tucks one of those chances away.

JRS had a languid running style and not the smiliest persona which I think people tended to associate with him not working hard. He was in our top 3 creative players last season and his stats compared favourably defensively to the rest of the division. I think he was underrated as a blade, especially as he found himself in and out of the team. I’d have much rather him played over the shockingly ineffective BBD. Wingers are often confidence players who have got streaks. It was weird for me for him to score two in a game and then find himself out the line up the very next game. How was he supposed to build a run of form when he’s rewarded with the bench after scoring 2?

I’d have definitely had him back. He’s absolutely miles ahead of Ogbenne and Chong. He and Brooks could have pushed each-other on to find some more consistency as both could be prone to an off day. Could’ve also given us the option to play him and Brooks together on each side continually swapping and drifting, that could’ve been exciting.

 

[AWetFlannel]

A great signing for Stoke with loads of attacking talent. I'm surprised that his defensive statistics are supposedly good, always seemed slightly reluctant in his defensive duties but that is the norm for wingers anyway.

All depends on what the feeling is, but a reyt signing for them if it's not too high.

 

[Blade56]

Brooks is ours
He’s a Blade
Went to KES
Looks mint in whatever Blades kit he’s wearing
Acrobatic celebration
Exciting player
Great dribbling skills
Getting more powerful
Confidence and partnership with Seriki improving all the time.

He’ll do for me.
Hope he stays and becomes a Lane legend.

Love him to but the new ‘football model’ doesn’t allow that luxury for clubs our size. He’ll go for a low ish fee and big wages and sit on a bench. If he’s good enough he’ll get into first team, prove himself then get a big money move to a top club and go back on bench. He’ll then make it big or go on loans and drift down leagues. Unfortunately that’s how it works these days, money talks.

 

[KMC-1889]

What people often overlook is that teams ALWAYS doubled up on Rak-Sakyi, creating space elsewhere. Campbell & Hamer benefited massively from this.

 

[Vass Borbokis]

Wasn't sold on him
Had great numbers but often in games if the full back stopped him coming inside early on he just took the rest of the day off
Always had the feeling there was a real player in there but confidence or arrogance stopped him from developing

Because he wasn't playing infront of this season's Seriki on the right.

Seriki bombs forward constantly and offers another option for a winger, last season we didn't have that, so opposition could double up on JRS/Brooks.

I'm not saying he's better than Brooks btw. Just saying JRS would look a lot better now with Seriki behind him, rather than Gilchrist/Clarke/Hamza.

 

[ben1987]

What people often overlook is that teams ALWAYS doubled up on Rak-Sakyi, creating space elsewhere. Campbell & Hamer benefited massively from this.

On top of this, JRS played most of his football ahead of Gilchrist who was a centre back playing right back and was totally out of his comfort zone and in nose bleed territory beyond the half way line. This allows opponents to easily double up on him.

We also fucked about with the ball across the back far more last season more content with a 1-0 win. We are moving up the pitch far quicker this season. This meant that Brooks is getting more of the ball ahead of him into those 1v1 situations. With Seriki overlapping. JRS was often isolated because of Gilchrist, rarely got the ball ahead of him because we’d played 17 passes between the defenders allowing the opponents to find their structure so he often had to turn back / inside or he’d find himself in a corridor with nowhere to go.

He would have been more effective ahead of Seriki in this years more attacking team.

 

[WorksopBlade86]

Given our very obvious struggles in this transfer window, I'd have Rak-Sakyi back in a heartbeat if he's still available.

At times last season he was unplayable going forward, and with the modern day 5 subs in play, even off the bench for the last 25 minutes of matches he could be a huge asset if we need a goal.

Knows the club and plenty of the squad, so would slot straight back in and hopefully make an instant impact.

 

[1993]

Did we ever find out why he wasn't in the squad for the play off final? Can't remember him being injured. Would've been a much better option than BBD!

 

[Kenilworth]

Love him to but the new ‘football model’ doesn’t allow that luxury for clubs our size. He’ll go for a low ish fee and big wages and sit on a bench. If he’s good enough he’ll get into first team, prove himself then get a big money move to a top club and go back on bench. He’ll then make it big or go on loans and drift down leagues. Unfortunately that’s how it works these days, money talks.

You’re right

 

[Frank the tank]

Because he wasn't playing infront of this season's Seriki on the right.

Seriki bombs forward constantly and offers another option for a winger, last season we didn't have that, so opposition could double up on JRS/Brooks.

I'm not saying he's better than Brooks btw. Just saying JRS would look a lot better now with Seriki behind him, rather than Gilchrist/Clarke/Hamza.

Think seriki would get pinned back to be honest
Him and brooks work really well as a unit on that right hand side and I don't think jrs would do the hard graft to enable seriki to get forward as much
Plus brooks also passes the ball to him

 

[Bladesman]

We should have gone back in for him I think

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

Not with Brooks emerging in the way he is

 

[CaptainMorgans]

Not with Brooks emerging in the way he is

Agreed. Although I do think JRS is a great prospect.

A left winger is what we possibly could've done with to compete with (and eventually replace) Hamer. Mikey Johnstone would've been ideal.

 

[Derek1889]

I thought jrs has quality but doesnt show it hald as much has he could looked lazy in some games. But definitely has quality just needs it for 90mins and be one cracking player