[Football] Raheem Sterling - Pundits v Fans

[Guinness Boy]

Good article on the Beeb looking in depth at Sterling's performances and showing why pundits, players (and, presumably, managers) rate him but the fans don't.

I'm with the pundits. He does what Baldock did for us in the Championship promotion side and we'd be weaker without him.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44771432

 

[aolstudios]

Spot on. There's always an ignorant fans' whipping boy. No different with the national team

 

[Kalimantan Gull]

I'm a fan, not a pundit, and I think he's fantastic. Played well and scared the hell out of them, he's one of our x-factor players.

I think its largely fans and pundits on one side, and people who want instant gratification, twitter trolls and elements of the reactionary media on the other. Its mistaken for fan opinion but its really just noise.

 

[GOM]

I'm a fan, not a pundit, and I think he's fantastic. Played well and scared the hell out of them, he's one of our x-factor players.

I think its largely fans and pundits on one side, and people who want instant gratification, twitter trolls and elements of the reactionary media on the other. Its mistaken for fan opinion but its really just noise.

It is to be hoped that he learns soon that after he has scared the opposition he needs to give the ball quickly to someone who will punish them.

 

[Pavilionaire]

Who else is there that is better in this position than Sterling?

I'd argue that he's the best of a mediocre bunch (i.e. Lallana, The Ox etc) and so deserves his place.

It's all about timing. If we had wide players of the calibre of John Barnes, Chrissy Waddle, Beckham then Sterling wouldn't get a look-in.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

It is to be hoped that he learns soon that after he has scared the opposition he needs to give the ball quickly to someone who will punish them.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

I'm a fan, not a pundit, and I think he's fantastic. Played well and scared the hell out of them, he's one of our x-factor players.

I think its largely fans and pundits on one side, and people who want instant gratification, twitter trolls and elements of the reactionary media on the other. Its mistaken for fan opinion but its really just noise.

Same.

Sterling is an essential member of a TEAM that is doing very well.

He was excellent in the Sweden game. Yes, he missed one good chance (thanks to a decent bit of goalkeeping), but it was a chance that his brilliantly timed run, and pace, made possible in the first place. He's creating all kinds of space for Kane and Alli, because no defence dare squeeze up when Sterling can outrun them like that. He's also winning a ton of free kicks and corners - the very set pieces that are the cornerstone of England's run to the semi.

SOME fans don't rate him. Some fans are not very bright.

 

[Munkfish]

You have to be blind if you can't see how Sterling was key to our success against Sweden.

He is not a natural finisher and not the most creative on the ball, But Sweden were scared shitless by him and I think he still has something left inside him to shut up his doubters.

Isnt it nice, that we are in the Semis and Arguably, Kane, Alli and Sterling all havent hit the heights we expect of them, hopefully all three can turn it on in the next two games.

Back to Sterling, he does run like a complete fruit though.

 

[A1X]

Let's be honest here, many fans will be driven by the agenda we've seen about Sterling in certain tabloids who seem to hate the successful young black man for reasons I haven't yet worked out.

 

[GOM]

explain please. I am all in favour of his speed and the fact that he scares defences, however when it all ends up with him getting lost it seems to negate the initial excitement.

 

[Easy 10]

Yes he's been wasteful when he's got into some dangerous positions and not capitalised, but he creates absolute havoc for the opposition. The happiest people in Russia to see Rashford starting in his place tomorrow would be the Croatian defence.

Southgate has been absolutely right to stick with him. Lets face it, its pretty clear by now that the fella knows what he's doing.

 

[Munkfish]

Who else is there that is better in this position than Sterling?

I'd argue that he's the best of a mediocre bunch (i.e. Lallana, The Ox etc) and so deserves his place.

It's all about timing. If we had wide players of the calibre of John Barnes, Chrissy Waddle, Beckham then Sterling wouldn't get a look-in.

Sterling plays in a different position for his club, he is much more of a wide man. I wouldnt say the Ox could play there (I wish he was fit for the WC.) but I would rather see him in the Midfield role he has been for Liverpool, Lallana is another option, Rooney would have been a third. Then the obvious selection of Rashford, but can Rashford do what Sterling is currently and I guess where the argument lies, Rashford may have put away those chances, but would he have got there in the first place?

Southgate has done enough now for us not to question his judgement this tournement, so whoever he goes for it will be in his opinion the best choice, so thats good enough for me.

 

[mickybha]

 

[Hotchilidog]

Think he's done well this tournament. Frustratingly he has let the odd chance go begging, but his ability to stretch a defence cannot bettered by any other in the squad. I thought his hunger for the ball on saturday was immense, he was everywhere. No doubt his finishing is the weakest part of his game, but his strongest his scaring the opposition and creating space and opportunities for others.

 

[Kalimantan Gull]

explain please. I am all in favour of his speed and the fact that he scares defences, however when it all ends up with him getting lost it seems to negate the initial excitement.

I'd watch the game again - look at the five-ten minutes before our first goal - constantly on the ball, laying it off, harrying them when they win it off us, winning corners. He makes so much space for others, pulling defenders all over the place, an integral part of our attack.

You seem to be focusing on one moment when he could perhaps have squared it for Kane and didn't. His work-rate is fantastic.

 

[Wozza]

Good article on the Beeb looking in depth at Sterling's performances and showing why pundits, players (and, presumably, managers) rate him but the fans don't.

I'm with the pundits. He does what Baldock did for us in the Championship promotion side and we'd be weaker without him.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44771432

It's not a straight-forward divide. Both Shearer and Jenas made negative comments about him before the Sweden match.

 

[mejonaNO12 aka riskit]

The reason some players, when it isn't going so well, seem to get away with it is that they shy away from making themselves available for the pass.

Sterling, EVERY TIME, is wanting the ball, making an option, running in behind.

That shows great mental strength. He deserves a goal for his efforts this tournament. I hope he gets it. Maybe the winner in the final.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

It's not a straight-forward divide. Both Shearer and Jenas made negative comments about him before the Sweden match.

I didn't see the pre-match.

Did they say "He's shit. Get him on the next plane home. I hope he breaks both legs, the little ****", or something about 'decision making' or 'end product'?

 

[Marshy]

Same.

Sterling is an essential member of a TEAM that is doing very well.

He was excellent in the Sweden game. Yes, he missed one good chance (thanks to a decent bit of goalkeeping), but it was a chance that his brilliantly timed run, and pace, made possible in the first place. He's creating all kinds of space for Kane and Alli, because no defence dare squeeze up when Sterling can outrun them like that. He's also winning a ton of free kicks and corners - the very set pieces that are the cornerstone of England's run to the semi.

SOME fans don't rate him. Some fans are not very bright.

Spot on.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

explain please. I am all in favour of his speed and the fact that he scares defences, however when it all ends up with him getting lost it seems to negate the initial excitement.

Kalimantan has done an excellent job of already explaining it. It's a team game especially in this team where the sum of the parts are greater than the whole. No superstars, but a great team working together. Of course, there will be mistakes, but they're young and human.
He'll do for Southgate, and therefore for me.



It's Ashley Barnes syndrome, isn't it?