Will Buckley

[BUTTERBALL]

Three years and three days ago, £1m signing Will Buckley burst on to the Albion scene by coming off the bench and scoring twice at the death vs Doncaster to win the inaugural league game at the Amex ahead of a mostly sparkling season leading Gus to rate him at £10m.

As Goldstone said in the player ratings thread - what on earth has happened to him?

He seems to have lost his pace and ability to beat players, his goals have dried up and his all round ability seems to have evaporated.

What does Sami have to do to get the best out of him and get him back to that standard again? Is he still capable of it?

 

[GingerBeerMan]

Should have taken the £5,000,000.

 

[El Turi]

His biggest asset is his pace, which looks to have been seriously affected by the numerous hamstring injuries he's suffered.

 

[clippedgull]

Three years and three days ago, £1m signing Will Buckley burst on to the Albion scene by coming off the bench and scoring twice at the death vs Doncaster to win the inaugural league game at the Amex ahead of a mostly sparkling season leading Gus to rate him at £10m.

As Goldstone said in the player ratings thread - what on earth has happened to him?

He seems to have lost his pace and ability to beat players, his goals have dried up and his all round ability seems to have evaporated.

What does Sami have to do to get the best out of him and get him back to that standard again? Is he still capable of it?

Not sure if it's physical or mental with him.

It almost seems as if he doesn't want to extend his hamstrings too much. It is worrying.

 

[scooter1]

Confidence. He's a confidence player who's not played with any confidence for around 18 months, or perhaps longer

 

[bhawoddy]

Its pretty clear his confidence has taken a battering because he's lost a yard of pace.

 

[bennibenj]

Not sure if it's physical or mental with him.

It almost seems as if he doesn't want to extend his hamstrings too much. It is worrying.

That's how I see it too buddy

 

[Rookie]

Not a inside forward but a quality winger, if we keep the formation can't see where he will fit in. Big shame if that's the case.

 

[upthealbion1970]

Not sure if it's physical or mental with him.

It almost seems as if he doesn't want to extend his hamstrings too much. It is worrying.

Vicenteitis

 

[El Turi]

Obviously it's not on the same scale but Torres and Owen are two examples of players who were never quite the same after suffering many hamstring injuries. I have a feeling the same may have happened to Buckley.

 

[JimmyJayUK]

He is utter gash now, shame as he used to be my favourite player...

 

[bennibenj]

Vicenteitis

Oh how we miss this man - we were spoilt when we had him for the handful of games he played for us, think we maybe now expect the same quality which is unrealistic - we need to get used to Agustien instead oops

 

[British Bulldog]

Agree with what people are say but the biggest worry for me is he still looked our best attacking threat today.

 

[Lawson]

I have found that Buckley can shine in the big games but seems to have lost attention and focus now that the glitz and glamour of the Poyet era has come to an end. Under Poyet he could be up an down but infrequently and he was a real benefit in the starting line up or on the bench. Never seems to have shrugged off the hangover from the Poyet play off failure.

 

[Rich Suvner]

Exactly as Watford fans said on his arrival. Can be brilliant, liable to injury, can disappear to insignificance. Last year we have had latter two. Said at time, should have sold in January. His star has rarely shone last two seasons for long.

 

[HastingsSeagull]

Always blown hot and cold. You sell high with a player like that while you have a set-up that can attract players of similar class as replacements

 

[Grombleton]

Which players who played today havent got a thread complaining about them?

 

[Skaville]

Does anyone know where Solly was today?

 

[Gazwag]

Does anyone know where Solly was today?

Back injury

 

[Not Andy Naylor]

Agree with what people are say but the biggest worry for me is he still looked our best attacking threat today.

I'll admit I'm speaking from a certain degree of ignorance as I wasn't there today, but Buckley at his least effective still makes a bigger contribution than JFC, who hasn't hurt an opposing team with a pass for over a season.

Now THERE is a player who has gone backwards. He was perfect for the Oscar team, pointlessly keeping possession with safe, short passes that seldom, if ever, did any damage. Maybe Sami will encourage him to look forward occasionally, but I think that part of his game has died off since that debut against Southampton.