Williamson/McDonald

[boo radley]

This is not meant to be a choice, Its just my thoughts on if Williamson is being given enough credit?
We all know how good McD has been for us but I think that Willo should be given greater credit for this.
The outlet he offers for McD has been exceptional, movement off the ball and confidence in his own ability to relax and play in others have been a massive bonus.
8 or 9 goals so far and goodness knows how many assists? + the confidence he offers to Lowton to play together has been one of the big pluses.
McD having another confident on the ball player to use as an outlet and receive back from has also helped him develop his game.
Now some may say that when Willo has moved central whilst McD has been injured he has not been able to produce as much as McD but that is probably because he has not got himself or an equivalent type player to use as the outlet on the right.
I also think his defensive contribution should not be overlooked. He does not put in crunching tackles but uses the modern way of running an opponent into another tackler and picking up the loose ball and developing a play from the back.
As much as people want us to keep McD, if we are about to move forward and develop again we need both these players.

 

[Pinchy]

We certainly do. Both are proper footballers, but with different gifts. They could well complement each other in central midfield at Championship level.

 

[stannyblade]

very good points there Boo

 

[blade too long]

I think wed have stayed up if the pigs had kicked the shit out of him in the derby 1-1 draw at swillsborough , meaning he missed most of last season, Hesa bread and butter easy passer, keeps it simple but moves us forward

 

[Guesty]

Do you mean Willo should be given greater credit than he has been, or greater credit that McDonald? I'd agree with the former and disagree with the latter.

Williamson can be an exceptional player, he contributes goals and assists and is one of our best players when the chips are down (he's rescued or help rescue a great many bad situations this season). However it's McDonald that makes this team tick, just look at the collapse in form during his injury. Having the pair of them fit and form seems to be key.

 

[Grecian2000]

Unfortunately, whilst agreeing with your points Boo, I suspect Willos current contract is seen as unsustainable at the club now (same as Evans, Cresswell, that Millwall bloke) and unless we can a) go up and b) re-negotiate then I don't think he'll be around as long as we'd like (or need).

 

[tomtheblade]

Agreed Boo, it's no use having one skillfull, passing player with good movement if there's no-one else around to thread the ball through to him, interchange balls with and make runs for (and vice versa). I think for too long at sufc we've been stuck with the notion that having one player of this ilk (ie michael brown) is enough to keep the team flowing, but it isn't. I think you need at least a couple in the middle to make things happen. I just really hope we can get promotion this season so we can hold onto these 2 players and build and improve the team around them.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Good point Boo. I think it's also worth mentioning how well Williamson has worked with Lowton. If you don't have an out and out winger you need an overlapping full back to provide enough width. Williamson's composure and skill combined with Lowton's great runs on and off the ball has been very effective this season. To an extent the same can be said for LJF and Quinn on the opposite side.

 

[mickerz-blade]

Excellent together tonight. What an outlet Willo is for Mc Donald.

 

[boo radley]

He scored, won a pen and set up Ched's second.
also nearly got in on a far post cross in the 1st half and was the nearest to getting on to Ched's shot that came off the post.
So cool under pressure when he was defending, when most would have just booted a ball down the wing to clear pressure, he noticed no runner so he held and worked to win a throw. And loads of other incidents like that in the game. Why more people aren't raving about how good his season has been I don't know.

 

[Pinchy]

I hereby rave. Isn't it 10 jgoals now? Pretty good from midfield and there's much more to his game too.

Let's not forget what he had to overcome to even play the game again, let alone excel.

Well done Willo, a proper footballer.

P.S. I don't like my question mark, though I know some will say it's entirely appropriate! Can I have an Avatar thing, please?

 

[bartman]

Thought Willo was the best player on the pitch today. Great movement,work ethic and his passing was excellant especially when playing short. Ched wasn't bad either,mind

 

[Highbury_Blade]

I

P.S. I don't like my question mark, though I know some will say it's entirely appropriate! Can I have an Avatar thing, please?

You have to find one yourself

 

[super_pig]

been raving for ages boo.. can't understand how he's slipped under the radar tbh

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

The beauty of it is that a lot of the players are starting to receive praise. This is reflected in how well we're doing.

Simmo for improved performances, Collins for his solidity, Lowton for his attacking prowess, McDonald, Doyle, Ched and even Cresswell for his hard work for the team. This is to mention just a few.

Certain players have stood out as exceptional but almost every player has produced a decent level of performance consistently. Thats why we're 2nd. Some dont get enough credit but its the same at every club.

 

[Foxy]

Willo this season has been mixed for me, he works well with Lowton and we look far more balanced with McDonald in the middle and Willo providing an outlet out wide.

With the current first choice line up, he'll play very well, a few tweaks and movement due to injury and he tends to hide a bit.

 

[Dec]

Willo this season has been mixed for me

I thought you couldn't say that sort of thing nowadays...

 

[Silverware]

McDonald's improved ever since he decided to pull his socks down !

 

[Cool Clint]

After what Williamson went through to be playing as good as he is is great.
I'll join the Willo appreciation society. He has been as good as Collins McDonald and Ched this season and I think he does not get enough recognition for that.
9 goals and how many assists, please someone?

 

[SotonBlade]

After what Williamson went through to be playing as good as he is is great.
I'll join the Willo appreciation society. He has been as good as Collins McDonald and Ched this season and I think he does not get enough recognition for that.
9 goals and how many assists, please someone?

10 goals isn't it after the one on Wednesday?