...played pretty well against Southampton, I thought. After looking out of place and confused against Reading, he seemed to get settled in yesterday. Of course, we'd all like to see him scoring and he probably needs a bit more confidence to get into the box and translate what he's been doing in the youth team onto the Championship pitch, but a couple of things caught my eye:
Firstly, his pass for Wellens' goal. Just a simple one, but it showed a degree of awareness that is vital if a young player is going to make it. The likes of Ashley Chambers never had that.
Secondly, his winning of free kicks at vital moments. He had already drawn a few late challenges, including one or two that could easily have been booked and almost got a penalty but for an impeccably timed challenge (from where I was, anyway). But the free kick in injury time on the edge of Southampton's box stood out even more, for the maturity to know that it was of the team's benefit not just to win it but to win it there and at that time.
He has a lot to learn, granted, but he showed commitment to the cause and seems to have the basics: What he lacks can mostly be made up with experience. I hope Sven was as impressed as I am, and I think he probably was - After all, I doubt he'd be willing to let Waghorn and Howard depart and leave us with just three recognised strikers in the squad if he wasn't, Maynard or no Maynard.
Jeff Schlupp...
posted on 28/8/11
I agree with what you say but he has to be played as a stricker and not a winger. It's been said before but 4-4-2 is defiantly our best formation !
posted on 28/8/11
I just hope we don't send him out on loan! I also hope e keeps his place and plays against Cardiff in the league cup!
posted on 28/8/11
I agree with what you say, he's an incredibly intelligent striker.
What I really like about him is that as soon as he gets the ball, his first instinct is to turn and run at the defenders. This is what all the best strikers do, you can tell he wants to get goals.
Hopefully if Nugent's injury isn't too bad, I would like to see Schlupp partnered by him upfront, because as quick as vassell is, his final product to find his partner is not always the best and he doesn't quite hold up the ball as well as Nugent.
posted on 28/8/11
Schlupp scored in the League Cup against lower league opposition but he has still has to cut it in the Championship. Still lacks experience and toughness and may need to go out on loan. It would be a shame to ruin a good prospect by pushing him too far, too soon. And it is time to stop overlooking Steve Howard. Not a pretty sight but he is cunning, hard and panics defences. He should be on the bench as an alternative to people playing pretty football who needlessly give the ball away. If Howard has the ball the opposition can't score. He could do a good job for us as a 60-minute player for one more season.
posted on 28/8/11
Agree Dunge Schlupp come of age yesterday and the future for him and us is bright. Pacey, Exciting and will score goals without doubt.
posted on 28/8/11
I too agree with Dunge that Schlupp is breaking through, and worth keeping very close to the first eleven. But like longtime I would do the same with Howard, who still brings something our others don't.
posted on 28/8/11
Schlupp definitely has potential to be a good player for us.
Having watched him this season, i think he is going to be a good goal scorer if played as part of a front 2. When he played against Bury in a 4-3-3, he looed isolated, rarely won a header and didn't hold the ball up which to me suggests he's not a target man.
However, his first touch, eye for goal and ability to turn on a 6 pence suggest he'll thrive given the right service.
I think he'll be excellent if used well.
posted on 28/8/11
Great work out for Schlupp yesterday and perhaps being thrown in at the deep end without him having time to dwell on his opportunity was to his advantage. He's nowhere near the finished article and at times looked a bit out of his depth, but his overall play was intelligent and he definitely grew in stature after his assist for Wellens goal. Hope to see a lot more of Jeff Schlupp over the coming season.
posted on 28/8/11
Schlupp was good, I wanted him to score when he came on, hopefully this break will be good for Nugent to recover from that injury, hopefully not to serious but we played well with 4-4-2, just need the defence to improve!
Just need a striker with us looking likely to let Howard and Waghorn go.