Being JFC

[Not Andy Naylor]

The main issue with JFC among people I speak to is that he was a player who looked immensely promising when he first made the squad but hadn't developed as hoped for whatever reason and that it wasn't helping him to keep being picked when he was struggling in a struggling team.

Everybody surely wants him to succeed and play well, but although he does so in the England under-21 team, it hasn't happened for him recently with us. That could be because of the coaching, the amount of pressure on him, or the quality of the players around him. I'm told he didn't exactly shine on loan at Oxford, so maybe he's one of those players who raises his game in better teams. Most likely he thrives on confidence and the Amex crowd (and I've been guilty) doesn't exactly give him that.

 

[Gazwag]

So it must be JFC's fault then? Not Hyypia, or Greer, or Dunk nor Stockdale, it's all down to JFC.

Stockdale loves it when jfc plays it gives him a massive confidence boost same way Cms loved it when Barnes played

 

[Mellotron]

Still have absolutely NO IDEA what sort of midfielder role suits JFC? Any thoughts?

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Still have absolutely NO IDEA what sort of midfielder role suits JFC? Any thoughts?

The one he plays for England?

 

[Halcyon]

I was at the game last night and thought he had a tidy if unspectacular game. Sitting in front of the back four he mostly made short passes to release players like Ward-Prowse and Hughes - reminded me a bit in part like the role Bridcutt used to play for us, receiving the ball from the defence and short passes to release play. Apart from a misplaced first pass of the game, thought at times he showed good strength and ability on the ball (at one point holding off 3 German players) and had a helping hand in the 3rd goal.

 

[Mellotron]

The one he plays for England?

According to some people he "wins possession" for them. How does that work? I'm genuinely not looking to have a go at the fella as I think he has some ability but tackling isn't high on his list of attributes for me.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

According to some people he "wins possession" for them. How does that work? I'm genuinely not looking to have a go at the fella as I think he has some ability but tackling isn't high on his list of attributes for me.

Listening on 5Live last night, the Radio Teesside commentators mentioned him winning tackles several times. I can remember at least three occasions during the game, because I was thinking 'good'.

 

[Horses Arse]

I'm not sure why you think I'm surprised. I think he's right about JFC, and I think he's been right in backing Barber too.

It was your 'heaven forbid' bit that made me think you were surprised, perhaps I missed the sarcasm.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Still have absolutely NO IDEA what sort of midfielder role suits JFC? Any thoughts?

This one;

I was at the game last night and thought he had a tidy if unspectacular game. Sitting in front of the back four he mostly made short passes to release players like Ward-Prowse and Hughes - reminded me a bit in part like the role Bridcutt used to play for us, receiving the ball from the defence and short passes to release play. Apart from a misplaced first pass of the game, thought at times he showed good strength and ability on the ball (at one point holding off 3 German players) and had a helping hand in the 3rd goal.

 

[8ace]

I was at the game last night and thought he had a tidy if unspectacular game. Sitting in front of the back four he mostly made short passes to release players like Ward-Prowse and Hughes - reminded me a bit in part like the role Bridcutt used to play for us, receiving the ball from the defence and short passes to release play. Apart from a misplaced first pass of the game, thought at times he showed good strength and ability on the ball (at one point holding off 3 German players) and had a helping hand in the 3rd goal.

Maybe his physique allows him to play that role against u21 players but he's not (yet) strong enough to do that in the Championship

 

[Mellotron]

This one;

Baffling. Why has he so rarely done this for us? He's looked at his best for us when he first came through, as an attacking midfielder gobbling up chances behind the strikers.

 

[Rookie]

Maybe his physique allows him to play that role against u21 players but he's not (yet) strong enough to do that in the Championship

The German team he was up against last night was full of top flight experience.
Personally I've always seen JFC as an attacking player arriving in the box, but that deep role he plays with England could be interesting especially with quality players (kayal and Stephens) in front of him

 

[theyellowdinosaur]

The German team he was up against last night was full of top flight experience.
Personally I've always seen JFC as an attacking player arriving in the box, but that deep role he plays with England could be interesting especially with quality players (kayal and Stephens) in front of him

I think Ince is a better defensive midfielder than JFC, however I think that JFC should watch how Kayal plays as he can learn a lot from him, its just annoying seeing JFC perform for England then not perform for us. I don't agree with that JFC is a poor player he just seems to be anonymous in games.

 

[8ace]

The German team he was up against last night was full of top flight experience.

Maybe so, but I would guess that on the whole the opposition is physical stronger in Championship than at U21 level.

 

[Lush]

I've NEVER heard any abuse of JFC at a match, only on here.

 

[chaileyjem]

Bloom is right to express caution about criticism of JFC and trusting the judgement of CH. Chris O Grady and David Stockdale to a certain extent are only the latest in a very long line of players who have gone from zero to hero amongst fans (admittedly only the ones that make their opinions known publicly) who realised that they aren't half bad after all.
Even poor old Sam Baldock had started to win over some of the doubters before his injury. Things change.

PS: When is the last time Albion had an England U21 regular by the way ? -

 

[Exile]

Bloom is right to express caution about criticism of JFC and trusting the judgement of CH. Chris O Grady and David Stockdale to a certain extent are only the latest in a very long line of players who have gone from zero to hero amongst fans (admittedly only the ones that make their opinions known publicly) who realised that they aren't half bad after all.
Even poor old Sam Baldock had started to win over some of the doubters before his injury. Things change.

PS: When is the last time Albion had an England U21 regular by the way ? -

Harding and Zamora?

Hinshelwood got one call up I think, then got injured.

Latest International Update, focusing on Forster-Caskey, here;

https://nortr3nixy.nimpr.uk/conte...Forster-Caskey-continues-to-shine-for-England

 

[Justice]

I always find the JFC debate a strange one to be honest, the defenders of the lad don't really have anything to back up their support unless I missed something yet feel righteous in knocking any negativity.

 

[chaileyjem]

Latest International Update, focusing on Forster-Caskey, here;

https://nortr3nixy.nimpr.uk/conte...Forster-Caskey-continues-to-shine-for-England

This is a top read by the way and (for those who haven't clicked yet) a recommended analysis of JFC's value to the u21s and why Southgate keeps picking him.

 

[Exile]

I always find the JFC debate a strange one to be honest, the defenders of the lad don't really have anything to back up their support unless I missed something yet feel righteous in knocking any negativity.

The fact that he holds his own, in an otherwise Premiership quality midfield for England doesn't count?

What about the fact he made 31 appearances at the age of 19, for a side good enough to finish sixth in the Championship? Or do you feel they achieved that despite his presence, rather than in part, through it?