A recurring argument that I keep hearing is that people who don’t appreciate the talents of Mr. Jermaine Beckford can only like players that “run around a lot". This got me thinking whether JB is really given a bad press because he doesn’t have the work rate of someone like, for example, Martyn Waghorn. Also, in Pearson’s new world, work rate and teamwork is an oft repeated aspiration of the manager and is clearly an ethic he holds in high regard. Is JB being shifted out because he doesn’t fit the manager’s mould?
Personally I don’t understand why the two (quality and graft) can't be interchangeable. One thing that was really evident about the Spanish national side in the Euro’s was their work rate. They keep the ball, not just because they pass it so well, but because they close down so quickly when they lose it. I’ve not seen many teams work harder and I don’t hear many people accusing Iniesta, Xavi, Febregas and Torres etc. of lacking quality.
So what about our own side, does work rate or quality, make a player good. Based purely on their performances for LCFC I would speculate thus:
Dyer – runs around a lot – poor quality delivery – average
Waghorn – runs around a lot – poor quality shooting and final ball – less than average
Backford – appears lazy at times – lacks quality at times (in my opinion) – less than average
Nugent – high work rate – decent quality – good
Danns – high work rate – occasional quality – average
Gallagher – pansy – great quality – average
King (last season) – disappears from games – good quality – less than average
King (so far this season) – high work rate – good quality – good
Yakubu - appeared lazy at times – good quality – good (hmmmm)
Vardy – high work rate – jury is out on quality – jury’s out (but signs are good)
Marshall – reasonable work rate – great quality – good
Wellens (last season) – work rate faded as game went on – mixed quality – average
You may disagree with some of those assessments. Certainly people have pointed out that JB has qualities that I’ve so far failed to see from him in a Leicester shirt. The frustrating thing about JB and also Martyn Waghorn, is that there are you-tube montages of them scoring goals (for Leeds and Leicester respectively) where they’ve displayed a first touch and composure greater than anything I’ve seen from them in quite some time (or never in JB’s case). Is it the case that they have quality, but are not currently showing it?
I think there are players who are exceptionally gifted who don’t have to work for a team (I doubt Eric Cantona covered as much ground as Paul Scholes for example and maybe Yakubu was one of those players for us to a lesser extent), but generally I would conclude that, at our current level, most players will have to combine quality with a bit of graft for the team.
All of this just to say: “it’s a bit of both".
Quality or Graft? and the Beckford dilemma
posted on 13/9/12
Striker not a Sticker judging by stringy piece true will get his wish and he will be on his way when NP finds someone to have him. After Danns it will be Schmichel and Nugent fter all they where Svens signings to?
posted on 13/9/12
"But i feel he does not fit the stereo type that fans have for that position ....... "
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That's because there is no stereotype. Most fans want a striker to score goals or at least look like he's going to score goals. The level of overall contribution of what a player brings to a team is more pertinent for players who don't score goals.
It would be nice if you could categorically state that Beckford fell into one category or the other!
posted on 13/9/12
"judging by stringy piece true will get his wish"
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I think that quote by NP couldnt be more obvious that beckford is leaving - I'm sure he said the exact same thing in that Hull City interview the night before he returned to us.
posted on 13/9/12
Nev - I'm not saying that Waghorn, Schlupp or Futacs are better because they aren't. A big issue with the potential Beckford transfer is that we don't have the necessary quality up front to replace him. But he certainly shouldn't be the first name on the team sheet either at present because we need more from him than he's currently delivering. (Or delivered for too many games last season.)
posted on 13/9/12
It's interesting King had a poor season last season for many reasons i wonder as a fans favorite if he had started poorly this season would he be criticized as both Beckford and Danns?
No IMO but i am interested to see how many of the former successful europrean and international manager are playing for the club next year.......Cue True.....
posted on 13/9/12
You're getting good at putting words in other peoples mouths Nev, when did I say I want rid of Beckford, I'd much rather he stayed and was successful, all I did was give some fact to your rose tinted one sided stance!
I guess you're getting a bit like some of the others and can't countenance a view different to your own.
posted on 13/9/12
"I guess you're getting a bit like some of the others and can't countenance a view different to your own."
Sense of humour Failure there Blue i have been around these boards a long time and support the Trev's etc in there right to say what they want whether i or anybody agrees with them or not.
As soon as someone mention the word "Facts"you lose the argument. Fact Blue 9 in 39 V Fact Nev 15 last season Now whos fact is more of a fact ?
I also change my opinion rather than stick to one diatribe so you are barking up the wrong tree.
I know that any comment supporting Sven and his players is going to get you on your high horse and my glass's are blue tinted Fact.
<nev>
posted on 13/9/12
You're not getting me on my high horse Nev, I have as much fun as you, at least I can laugh as the muppet's gone and consigned to the history bin now where he can't do any more harm.
I can understand you being defensive about "Sven's" players, I'd rather see them as LCFC players though and support them all while they are here!
posted on 13/9/12
"It's interesting King had a poor season last season for many reasons i wonder as a fans favorite if he had started poorly this season would he be criticized as both Beckford and Danns?"
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I can only speak for myself when I say: "definitely". The trouble with King when he had his bad spell is that he hardly had any influence on the game at all. For me he was worse than Wellens and Danns last season.
He's a different player so far this season and is proving many doubters wrong. It's a good job really as he's probably saved us about £2m on a decent midfielder. I would be delighted if the likes of Beckford, Danns and Waghorn could show a similar upturn in form. Then there would be no debates about their places in the team.
posted on 14/9/12
Yep - I agree with this. If King had started the season poorly he would be being judged in exactly the same way as Danns.
The difference is though, that King is a very intelligent footballer who just needs to work on how he influences games and ensure he maintains his form.
Danns does not posses the ability of King, and is more required to put in the work to justify his place. As he's not a defensive mid and King is clearly in good form, I don't see an argument for him being near the starting 11 at present.