What is Arblaster's 'best'

[bigpockets]

I see so many comments suggesting we need to give him space to get back to his best after such a long injury outage. But what is that? He showed promise pre-injury but nothing more than that and let's face it he's way off the pace at the moment. A year out on loan in league one will determine his future but if we're serious about the rest of this season he's nowhere near the team we can play.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

Loan him to League One?

Give over.

 

[JT89]

He's a boyhood Blade so expect a lot of people to tell you he's top end premier league quality, because the delulu is strong around here.

 

[MayorOJC]

I see so many comments suggesting we need to give him space to get back to his best after such a long injury outage. But what is that? He showed promise pre-injury but nothing more than that and let's face it he's way off the pace at the moment. A year out on loan in league one will determine his future but if we're serious about the rest of this season he's nowhere near the team we can play.

He was excellent for the first dozen games last season before his injury. Should be back to his best by start of next season.

 

[Balham]

Arblaster's pre-injury potential was mid-table Premier League as a minimum. We rushed him back as circumstances dictated that we were short of midfielders but as we've gone slightly mad and now have 6 central midfield senior pros on the books we should take the opportunity to give him a break away from the first team to get his sharpness back. It feels like we're trying to let him play himself into form but it's clearly not happening.

At the moment, the short passes which came so naturally to him aren't coming off, the decision making is slightly delayed and his 180deg turns - which were a true strenght - are laboured. All that is resulting in a player who is used to naturally maintaining possession and moving the team up the pitch not being able to do so.

In my mind, the midfield hierarchy is:

1: Riedewald
2= Peck, Phillips
4 Soumaré
5 Rothwell
6= Davies, Arblaster

The first four on that list all bring something slightly different. Davies would be higher if he could be relied on; Arblaster will be higher once he's back up to speed. That will happen but probably not for another 6-8 weeks.

Final thought: as it stands, I would expect our starting midfield next season to be Riedewald and Arblaster. If they're both on their game, that will be among the better midfield duos in the 2026/27 Championship.

 

[LBA_Blade]

Arblaster's pre-injury potential was mid-table Premier League as a minimum. We rushed him back as circumstances dictated that we were short of midfielders but as we've gone slightly mad and now have 6 central midfield senior pros on the books we should take the opportunity to give him a break away from the first team to get his sharpness back. It feels like we're trying to let him play himself into form but it's clearly not happening.

At the moment, the short passes which came so naturally to him aren't coming off, the decision making is slightly delayed and his 180deg turns - which were a true strenght - are laboured. All that is resulting in a player who is used to naturally maintaining possession and moving the team up the pitch not being able to do so.

In my mind, the midfield hierarchy is:

1: Riedewald
2= Peck, Phillips
4 Soumaré
5 Rothwell
6= Davies, Arblaster

The first four on that list all bring something slightly different. Davies would be higher if he could be relied on; Arblaster will be higher once he's back up to speed. That will happen but probably not for another 6-8 weeks.

Final thought: as it stands, I would expect our starting midfield next season to be Riedewald and Arblaster. If they're both on their game, that will be among the better midfield duos in the 2026/27 Championship.

Current out of that list only Peck, Rothwell and Arblaster will be here unless we sign down Jairo for a longer term. Even so with Jairo signing it does put us a bit thin again, although I am not a huge fan of a bloated squad, squad rotation is needed.

 

[I should coco]

I see so many comments suggesting we need to give him space to get back to his best after such a long injury outage. But what is that? He showed promise pre-injury but nothing more than that and let's face it he's way off the pace at the moment. A year out on loan in league one will determine his future but if we're serious about the rest of this season he's nowhere near the team we can play.

Yes a lad who looked like a world beater eaerly last season, and has had a year long injury, deserves no slack.

'Nothing more' - have you got a memory issue?

Fuck it, chuck him under the bus with Canon and Davies, it's the Bladesway.

Our 'fans' really do boil my piss. I wonder sometimes if I shouldn't just support a top side like Coventry......

 

[Silky Sabella]

He's a boyhood Blade so expect a lot of people to tell you he's top end premier league quality, because the delulu is strong around here.

Also, if Blaster had not sustained his ACL injury, peck would not be a regular first team player. Also, with pecks attitude towards Arblaster, he has jumped into a pair of dead man's shoes

 

[bakeblade]

Arblaster's pre-injury potential was mid-table Premier League as a minimum. We rushed him back as circumstances dictated that we were short of midfielders but as we've gone slightly mad and now have 6 central midfield senior pros on the books we should take the opportunity to give him a break away from the first team to get his sharpness back. It feels like we're trying to let him play himself into form but it's clearly not happening.

At the moment, the short passes which came so naturally to him aren't coming off, the decision making is slightly delayed and his 180deg turns - which were a true strenght - are laboured. All that is resulting in a player who is used to naturally maintaining possession and moving the team up the pitch not being able to do so.

In my mind, the midfield hierarchy is:

1: Riedewald
2= Peck, Phillips
4 Soumaré
5 Rothwell
6= Davies, Arblaster

The first four on that list all bring something slightly different. Davies would be higher if he could be relied on; Arblaster will be higher once he's back up to speed. That will happen but probably not for another 6-8 weeks.

Final thought: as it stands, I would expect our starting midfield next season to be Riedewald and Arblaster. If they're both on their game, that will be among the better midfield duos in the 2026/27 Championship.

I was surprised Rothwell didn't come on today, rather than Blaster

 

[mattbianco1]

Peck has a much higher ceiling. Id love them both to form a formidable partnership for years but I honestly see 1 in the PL and the other being a Ben Whiteman / Regan Slater

 

[fifty shades of blade]

Also, if Blaster had not sustained his ACL injury, peck would not be a regular first team player. Also, with pecks attitude towards Arblaster, he has jumped into a pair of dead man's shoes

Peck's attitude towards Arblaster? Wtf are u on about?

 

[ben1987]

Peck has a much higher ceiling. Id love them both to form a formidable partnership for years but I honestly see 1 in the PL and the other being a Ben Whiteman / Regan Slater

He does currently.

Last year Arblaster was a much more forward thinking midfielder whose first thought was usually to take the ball on the spin and go forwards.

Peck has added to his game this season but first and foremost he used to be very safe in his passing and keep possession as priority taking very few risks.

Arblaster had the higher ceiling because he was a goal threat and had the ability to pick a wider range of passes.

Unfortunately, that injury has not only robbed him of a years football and the development that comes with it. It’s killed his mobility, which is hopefully temporary. In that 13/14 months Peck has really grown as a footballer and has comfortably leapfrogged Arblaster… for now.

We’ll be in a better place to judge Arblaster next season. I had a partial ACL rupture and even once I’d been declared fit it took me 6 months to fully regain my mobility and trust in my knee. That’s just playing 5’s and 7’s twice a week. Players who miss a pre season can look off it for months. Players who miss a year and a pre-season take many months to regain full match fitness.

When you compare stats for last season, Arblaster played far fewer games than Peck but had scored more, had more assist and had more key passes at a time where they were at a similar stage in their development. Worth looking at some of the early season highlights to remember what he was capable of.

Brighton, amongst others with their track record and scouting network were keen on Arblaster. They don’t watch shitters.

The fan base need to be patient with him. He shouldn’t have been thrown back in when he was and shouldn’t have played as many minutes as he has. It’s going to take time to see if he can hopefully regain his mobility and catch up on that lost year of development.

It doesn’t need to be a competition with Peck either…they’re both talented footballers with potential. Let’s hope they both realise it. If Arblaster regained his mobility the pair of them could actually work together in a midfield.

 

[FTPE]

He's a boyhood Blade so expect a lot of people to tell you he's top end premier league quality, because the delulu is strong around here.

Port Vale Fans Views On The Return Of Oli Arblaster — The View From

“Firstly, an absolute disaster for us. Secondly, what a pleasure to have him playing for us. Amongst the most talented midfielders this century to play for PVFC. “ “No surprise, he should be playing in the Premier League. The best player I’ve seen in a Vale shirt this century” “No surprises. The...

roysviewfrom.com

 

[JT89]

Port Vale Fans Views On The Return Of Oli Arblaster — The View From

“Firstly, an absolute disaster for us. Secondly, what a pleasure to have him playing for us. Amongst the most talented midfielders this century to play for PVFC. “ “No surprise, he should be playing in the Premier League. The best player I’ve seen in a Vale shirt this century” “No surprises. The...

roysviewfrom.com

Ah yes, a few Port Vale fans thought he was world class based on 20 decent games in League One, that's that proven then.

 

[Simple Blade]

Don’t worry about this lad. He has everything you need to be a Premiership player but he needs a full pre season first.

 

[nopigfansintown]

Brighton's scouting department liked him before his career threatening injury and you didn't. I know which one I'll take notice of.

 

[Sheffsteel]

Peck has a much higher ceiling. Id love them both to form a formidable partnership for years but I honestly see 1 in the PL and the other being a Ben Whiteman / Regan Slater

Not sure how you can say that.

There’s a significant difference between the 2 (this years Peck v Arblaster before his injury)

Peck can’t score…..zero composure in front of goal and struggles to even hit the target, noticed he has loads of shots blocked.
Whereas Arblaster had a good habit of coming up with goals…..think he has/ had more power in his shots and he was good at hitting the target.

Also Peck never does killer passes whereas Arblaster could.
Peck strength is constantly showing for the ball (making himself available) and very consistent at sideways passing retaining possession.
Another strength is Peck is combative with a strong will to win. His tackling was poor (often late) but it’s improved this season but he still lacks pace.

A few of us on the Kop were discussing Arblaster and this season we put him in a similiar boat to Soumare.
This season the game just looks a little too quick and too physical for Arblaster, he seems more rushed and lost his speed of thought.

Just before his injury his strength was reading the game and knowing what pass to make before the ball had even arrived.
His party piece skill was receiving the ball facing his own goal….then swivelling 180 degrees with the ball running away towards the opposition goal.

It’s clear Arblaster isn’t up to speed (mentally and physically) with the Championship.
Most people think it’s a given that with time this will come….and I’m expecting him to come good next season
but who knows if the injury has permanently effected his game.

 

[Houston_Blade]

Also Peck never does killer passes whereas Arblaster could

Completely disagree with this, 3 examples in the last 2 games as proof:

Peck can’t score

This must have been a mirage….

 

[Maurice Maurice]

Sydie Peck is streets ahead of Arblaster, always has been. Even before the awful injury, Blaster was way too slow to be anywhere near Premier League standard. Sydie's gone from strength to strength, his energy and fitness is outstanding and for a young player, his influence on the game is a job to behold.

Blaster should be a lot further down the recovery route than his displays suggest, he's slower both physically and mentally and I fear the worst for him, which would be sad but that's football. I hope I'm wrong.

I'll sit back and expect the usual 'WTF do you know about football' etc. and all I'll say is look at Sydie and look at Blaster when they're on the pitch together, the difference is off the chart.

UTBFTP

 

[Houston_Blade]

I don’t think it needs to be a competition between Peck and Arblaster, both are good and are different players.

 

[Sheffsteel]

Completely disagree with this, 3 examples in the last 2 games as proof:

View attachment 232303View attachment 232304View attachment 232305



This must have been a mirage….

View attachment 232306

You’ve shown 3 photos…..now do you want me to show 500 photos to show how he passes sideways most of the time and puts most of his shots over the bar.
Also in those photos he’s only making forward passes because there’s no one at the side of him……making a sideways pass impossible.

Of course they’ll be games where he tries a forward pass and the odd game he’s scored too but he’s scored 4 goals in 80 games.
So he averages a goal every 20 games……he’s a 2 goal a season man….which is low for a midfielder.
Just checked and Arblaster has only scored 4 goals too (thought it was more) in 70 matches….so he’s not that much better.

I’m 1 of Pecks biggest fans and was one of the few who was defending him early season when everyone was highlighting his weaknesses and ignoring his strengths.
We were losing bottom of the league so as usual our fans were looking for a new scapegoat….and some chose Peck.
So I’m now doing the opposite to offer balance…..he still has the same strengths and same weaknesses.

I do have a theory that Pecks success really depends on who he is partnered with.
He’s looked great next to Giro and Vini Souza last season whilst sometimes looking poor-ish with Soumare and Arblaster.
On another thread someone said Peck reminds them of Coutts and I can see the similarities.
Peck always runs into space showing for the ball and makes constant sideways passing keeping possession and control.

 

[Freddie]

Peck's attitude towards Arblaster? Wtf are u on about?

He’s a pig. Just ignore.

 

[mattbianco1]

Whereas Arblaster had a good habit of coming up with goals

What defines a "habit"?

Arblaster has scored 2 goals

 

[mattbianco1]

Peck is a like a metronome, always shows for the ball and makes constant sideways passing keeping possession and control.

In the voice of Roy Keane... But that's his job

He's a holding midfielder.
Arblaster is more box-to-box than Peck.

 

[Sheffsteel]

What defines a "habit"?

Arblaster has scored 2 goals

I checked on Wikipedia afterwards and realise that now ha ha. 2 goals is pretty low/ poor.
Last season I remember him having a spell in early season where he looked a goal threat with his shots from outside the box.

 

[Jimmy Fleck]

Technically- he can be premier league level. He can receive the ball in congested space and turn to progress play and his passing can be superb (e.g. pass for seriki for third goal v Leicester). However physically he’s way off it given his injury but that can be improved over time.

 

[loyalblade95]

I checked on Wikipedia afterwards and realise that now ha ha. 2 goals is pretty low/ poor.
Last season I remember him having a spell in early season where he looked a goal threat with his shots from outside the box.

Scoring goals from CM was a real problem for us last season, and it's still a bit of an issue this season, maybe some more goals from our midfield might have gotten us a few more points or some better results in key games.

In total we scored 3 goals from CM last season (Arblaster 2, Tom Davies 1), with only a few from the CAM position (mainly O'Hare), which was way too low for a 3rd placed team.

This season we've got about 5 or 6 already, 4 from Peck and 1 or 2 from Riedewald (wasn't his Leicester goal given to O'Hare after the match), but thankfully O'Hare is chipping in with more goals, which quite a few of us criticized him for last season, and rightfully so.

 

[Houston_Blade]

You’ve shown 3 photos…..now do you want me to show 500 photos to show how he passes sideways most of the time and puts most of his shots over the bar.
Also in those photos he’s only making forward passes because there’s no one at the side of him……making a sideways pass impossible.

Of course they’ll be games where he tries a forward pass and the odd game he’s scored too but he’s scored 4 goals in 80 games.
So he averages a goal every 20 games……he’s a 2 goal a season man….which is low for a midfielder.
Just checked and Arblaster has only scored 4 goals too (thought it was more) in 70 matches….so he’s not that much better.

I’m 1 of Pecks biggest fans and was one of the few who was defending him early season when everyone was highlighting his weaknesses and ignoring his strengths.
We were losing bottom of the league so as usual our fans were looking for a new scapegoat….and some chose Peck.
So I’m now doing the opposite to offer balance…..he still has the same strengths and same weaknesses.

I do have a theory that Pecks success really depends on who he is partnered with.
He’s looked great next to Giro and Vini Souza last season whilst sometimes looking poor-ish with Soumare and Arblaster.
On another thread someone said Peck reminds them of Coutts and I can see the similarities.
Peck always runs into space showing for the ball and makes constant sideways passing keeping possession and control.

You said “Peck never does a killer pass”, I found 3 in the last 2 games, all leading to goals.

He’s a decent player is Peck and I don’t think an Arblaster thread is one where he should be beaten up for the parts of his game that differ to Arblaster, particularly when recent evidence suggests he does possess a killer pass and as you’ve said, with the right player alongside him, he can exhibit more of that side of his game.

 

[bonobo]

I think where we are now, we do need to be getting game time for Arblaster as the season progresses. See if we can get back some of his confidence, even if the stamina will take time. Obviously Peck starts ( ideally alongside Jairo). But some rotation opportunities.We need to be looking a team building and in an ideal world Arblaster would be Pecks ready made replacement, if he goes in the summer.

 

[bornablade]

This reminds me of those early years of the internet in the mid 1960's when we used to discuss issues on the Sheffield 2 forum (before postcodes).

Who was better Mick Jones v, Alan Birchenhall?

Made no difference we sold them both within 2 months of each other.