Birmingham Match Thread - Sponsored by HooliHoops

[sputnik]

Personally I was in dreamland after our first home game of 07/08 season, a 1-0 win vs Everton.

Might have been your first home game of the season.

[bcubed]

I don't want to sound harsh, but if he didn't lack footballing ability why isn't he playing in the top league with a top club? He lacks the ability to finish, his crossing is hit and miss. His decision making is also suspect. Obviously no player is perfect but the reason he is playing for us and not in the premier league is the lack of these things.

So by your definition only those who play their career out in the top flight have footballing ability. No one has said McAnuff is a Prem quality player, although he did a good job in his one season there. But he quite clearly has plenty of footballing ability.

Almost no one's crossing is always good, but his record with us proves his ability in that regard. Consistently one of the top assisters at the club. His shooting is a weakness. But he still pops up with important goals every now and then. Probably his biggest weakness, as suggested by Brian, is his mental fragility, which is, I think, the root cause of his weak shooting.

I agree with pretty much all you say. Who knows why his shot is weak. He clearly has footballing ability but lacks some to be a top performer at the top level, that's my point about him and pearce, they lack footballing ability to play at the highest level but both have passion for the club which makes up for some of the lack of ability.

Have never understood the Jobi love on here. Pleased he scored but no goals since 2012 says it all. He has plenty of ability though not his shooting, but consistently makes poor decisions and looks like he lacks confidence at times. Didn't go yesterday so can't comment on how he played overall but has had some poor games this season and even his biggest fans acknowledge this so he was due a good one.

[sandman]

One of the best RFC players of the last 25 years and a great professional as well. Have never understood why certain people dislike him so much.

[stealthpapes]

I'll give you last 5 and even then ...

[SPARTA]

Agreed. It's just a sign of how far we've come when we get so frustrated and perhaps take for granted a player of McAnuff's ability. He is and always has been a top end Championship player. Hopefully he'll get a new contract in the summer and choose to stick around for what will be the start of a new era at the club.

[Ian Royal]

Best left winger we've had since I started going in '95. Convey maybe had one better season, Hunt maybe a couple of half seasons, but McAnuff has consistently produced the goods every season he's been here. Gilkes runs him close maybe (and is certainly a legend) but never performed at the top level and IMO didn't produce, as well, as long at this level.

[leon]

Best left winger we've had since I started going in '95. Convey maybe had one better season, Hunt maybe a couple of half seasons, but McAnuff has consistently produced the goods every season he's been here. Gilkes runs him close maybe (and is certainly a legend) but never performed at the top level and IMO didn't produce, as well, as long at this level.

Bollocks. Gilkes was brilliant.

[melonhead]

Against worse opposition. And still inconsistent

[Ian Royal]

Best left winger we've had since I started going in '95. Convey maybe had one better season, Hunt maybe a couple of half seasons, but McAnuff has consistently produced the goods every season he's been here. Gilkes runs him close maybe (and is certainly a legend) but never performed at the top level and IMO didn't produce, as well, as long at this level.

Bollocks. Gilkes was brilliant.

He was fantastic prior to 95 by all accounts and I'm happy to accept them. But that's just one season in the second tier isn't it? I saw him from 95/96 onwards. He was still a legend then, but he spent as much time running it off the end of the pitch or crossing into the stands as tearing up defences.

I love him, but like many of the players of his time and before, he can't really compete with the best of the last 5 - 10 years, who've just been on another level, as we have as a club.

[peterroyal76]

Is it not football law that dictates wingers must be inconsistent?

There was some dickhead in the row behind me on Saturday who early in the game when Jobi's song was being sung decided to change the words to 'Jobi's not good enough, he's not good enough', I turned around to have a look and I think he realised he was being a Cnut. In case he's on here he was the fat kid wearing the home shirt who then preceded to remove it and swing it around his fat head.

[tidus_mi2]

I think sometimes, despite being unnecessary, I can't help but laugh at some of the criticism, for example at the Derby game, McCleary didn't have the greatest game and whenever he made a mistake some bloke near me kept yelling out things like "Too many Nando's McCleary!".

[YateleyRoyal]

Glen Little was a better left winger. Even when he was playing on the right wing.

[melonhead]

only for a brief period

admittedly during that period he was the best player ive ever seen play live


and that includes anyone from visiting teams n all

[Duke the Dog2]

I would put John Salako as our best winger in terms of getting crosses in. He didn't try to beat the defender (mainly coz he was too slow). I loved Gilkes, you never knew which version was going to turn up (I do remember him sulking on the half-way line quite a lot though).

[Pepe the Horseman]

Mark McKeever is our best left winger of all time.

[YateleyRoyal]

Sekou Baradji anyone?


Anyone?

[grey_squirrel]

Mark McKeever is our best left winger of all time.

Certainly not of all time but his 5 minute cameo was certainly blitz. Had a cracker of a game down at Bournemouth if my very shady memory serves. Cannot remember why we didn't try and sign him permanently.

[peterroyal76]

Mark McKeever is our best left winger of all time.

Certainly not of all time but his 5 minute cameo was certainly blitz. Had a cracker of a game down at Bournemouth if my very shady memory serves. Cannot remember why we didn't try and sign him permanently.

Your memory is correct he did have a blinder at Bournemouth. I think we showed interest in signing him, but I think he was thought of as the next top player.