Ryan Harley - being written off too soon?

[Hungry Joe]

I've been frustrated at times with Harley but have seen enough quality and promise to hope we stick with him and develop him. I know NSC loves a scapegoat but I am genuinely surprised at the level of slating he gets here. Or am I just plain wrong?

 

[Braders]

He's obviously got ability , just doesn't appears to be showing it

 

[Bruntburger]

I thought that myself until a 17 year old with more talent, guts and goal scoring ability showed me what Harley misses!

 

[Wozza]

I have no problem with us 'developing' him... in the development squad.

 

[Rich Suvner]

it's rare i take a disliking to an Albion player like i have with Harley - but imho, for just cause.

as stated, Forster-Caskey has impressed me more in two games. Harley clearly rates himself to be of a standard in excess of what he actually delivers.

 

[Mellotron]

I've been frustrated at times with Harley but have seen enough quality and promise to hope we stick with him and develop him. I know NSC loves a scapegoat but I am genuinely surprised at the level of slating he gets here. Or am I just plain wrong?

I think it's similar to the at times irrational hatred of Murray on here when he was playing well week in, week out. People don't like Harley's BODY LANGUAGE.

He does look a BIT like he doesn't give a shit, I have to be honest.

 

[Rugrat]

Showing the odd touch of quality shouldn't allow him to get a starting berth until he can show more of this quality for sustained periods in the game, it's way too much of a luxury we can't afford. I doubt he'd shine in the Dev squad as it will be a massive blow to his (or anyone's) pride. It's difficult to see a future for him here and reckon he'll do better dropping down a league and trying to improve from there

 

[WhingForPresident]

JFC looks 100x more talented, gutsy and passionate than Harley has done all season, as well as being nearly 10 years younger. No-brainer really.

 

[Rich Suvner]

I think it's similar to the at times irrational hatred of Murray on here when he was playing well week in, week out. People don't like Harley's BODY LANGUAGE.

He does look a BIT like he doesn't give a shit, I have to be honest.

agreed about the body language, but Murray delivered the goods in his position.

 

[Husty]

being massively shown up by a 17 year old who's played 4 first team games. nuff said.

 

[Peter Grummit]

I thought that myself until a 17 year old with more talent, guts and goal scoring ability showed me what Harley misses!

This was exactly what a number of post-match conversations I had on saturday boiled down to.

PG

 

[Hungry Joe]

I wonder how he'd perform alongside a big, hard-tackling central midfielder though? I don't think our midfield set-up has played to his strenghts.

 

[Mellotron]

I wonder how he'd perform alongside a big, hard-tackling central midfielder though? I don't think our midfield set-up has played to his strenghts.

As others are saying, now JFC has come through, we don't need to wonder about it. If JFC ends up playing most of the rest of the season, I think Harley will move on in the summer.

 

[Sitch]

Can people stop comparing him to JFC. JFC is obviously going to be a star in the making, he's 17 and he's showing a lot of potential.

 

[Albion Dan]

I wonder how he'd perform alongside a big, hard-tackling central midfielder though? I don't think our midfield set-up has played to his strenghts.

Im sorry but he just isnt good enough for this level. He needs much more time to control the ball than he will ever be afforded in this division, and he is also very lighweight and mostly halfhearted. All things that probably made him look fine in Div 1 against lesser opposition but he hasnt shown me anything that makes me think he can deliver. A very poor signing.

 

[WhingForPresident]

Can people stop comparing him to JFC. JFC is obviously going to be a star in the making, he's 17 and he's showing a lot of potential.

Alright then.
He has no strength, no pace, he can't tackle, he has no passion, no guts and no desire whatsoever. Also, for a "set-piece specialist," his dead ball skills are diabolical, bar the one against Peterborough.
Possibly my least favourite Albion player of all time. Would be delighted if he proved me wrong, but there is no way it's going to happen (feel free to quote me on that)

 

[Hungry Joe]

I agree he needs to show more but the question is are people writing him off completely too soon? Or is this just a sign of the times on messageboards? He's a Brighton player and one who's shown, albeit fleetingly, moments of real class and ability. It's not as simple as 'now we've got JFC coming through we don't need him'. Patience people, patience, you might be pleasantly surprised. Just slating him all the time isn't going to help him or us.

 

[Acker79]

JFC has been playing the same system of football for at least a season and a half. Harley has had half a season in and out of the team. I'd be more surprised if JFC wasn't more comfortable in it. We're constantly being told our system isn't the easiest to get used to, so of course a player that has had longer will better slip into it.

 

[kano]

Not saying hes been perfect but i think his good moments have been overlooked and his bad ones blown out of proportion for some reason.

I honestly dont think hes been as bad as people make out/have convinced themselves.

 

[Bold Seagull]

I agree he needs to show more but the question is are people writing him off completely too soon? Or is this just a sign of the times on messageboards? He's a Brighton player and one who's shown, albeit fleetingly, moments of real class and ability. It's not as simple as 'now we've got JFC coming through we don't need him'. Patience people, patience, you might be pleasantly surprised. Just slating him all the time isn't going to help him or us.

I agree with you HJ, our centre midfield has been dysfunctional at times, mainly because the blend of players is not quite right, but that doesn't mean any one individual is culpable. Scott Parkers career is a case in point, looked the business for Charlton, awful for Chelsea, average for Newcastle, outstanding for West Ham in a poor team, and performing well for Spurs. Parker at Chelsea looked like a Harley for us, 'out of his depth', but had Chelsea stuck with him, he'd probably be playing every game for them now.

I'm a bit glass half full with most players to be fair, but Harley has shown promising glimpses of why Gus signed him.