Bellamy still got it?

Not that I want to nick a thread from the other forum but hey, it's quiet interesting.


What's everyone's thoughts on Bellamy? Will he still be able to cut the mustard at the top? He certainly has the experience and still has the legs for it, but I have to say, I have been underwhelmed with ability this season. Other than his hard work ethic, I'm not sure he is that much better than others in the team.

I can see Kimbo, Mutch, Whitts all being key players next season - but what can Bellamy look forward to?

Bellers in a quick interview gave the impression that he's happy to be used more sparingly next season and doesn't expect to start every game, and I think that's how it will pan out. He will be a useful dressing room influence and a game changing sub but will start more infrequently, as he can't play a full season any more.

Agains Slumdog...again!

Arkay Dubya wrote:


Agains Slumdog...again!

:bounce:

I'm with Slum dog and can see him being a squad player rather than a first steamer. A bloody good one at that, and one most PL teams would want.

It’s a shame that he hasn’t stayed long enough at one club over the years to make a lasting impression. Not having a clearly defined role doesn’t help – is he a winger or striker?

He was unlucky to fall out of favour at Man City when arguably he was among their most effective players at that time. At Liverpool last season he also seemed very good when he was given a chance.

His return to City obviously owed much to his domestic turmoil but he was still a good acquisition in my view – I cannot readily think of anyone who offers the same qualities at another Championship team.

I also thought he was among the best players for GB at the Olympics.

Purely in terms of goals and assists, Craig Noone was more effective this season but at the moment I would take Bellamy over him. It’s worth noting that his last spell at City was far more productive however (11 goals/11 assists versus 4/6 this time around).

I think he will play in the majority of league games next season.

I think people are too easily forgetting the work he does off the ball. He's offside an awful lot, but that can also be used to point out just how much time he spends trying to make something happen. How many of or goals this season have involved Bellamy at some point as well? I dare say an awful lot, but just because he didnt play the final pass and gain the assist he's written off.

I've also seen him being marked out of games a hell of a lot. He's a player who played at the top of the premiership last season - every other manager is going to highlight him as a threat. I remember in threads in this forum us all pointing out how he was being marked out of the game consistently. You can't therefore blame him for under performing slightly, and even then he's dragging defenders out of place to over mark him, and that has provided goals in the past.

First choice left winger every time he's fit in my opinion. Unless we sign Bale.

Red614 wrote:I think people are too easily forgetting the work he does off the ball. He's offside an awful lot, but that can also be used to point out just how much time he spends trying to make something happen. How many of or goals this season have involved Bellamy at some point as well? I dare say an awful lot, but just because he didnt play the final pass and gain the assist he's written off.

I've also seen him being marked out of games a hell of a lot. He's a player who played at the top of the premiership last season - every other manager is going to highlight him as a threat. I remember in threads in this forum us all pointing out how he was being marked out of the game consistently. You can't therefore blame him for under performing slightly, and even then he's dragging defenders out of place to over mark him, and that has provided goals in the past.

First choice left winger every time he's fit in my opinion. Unless we sign Bale.

Could we sign Bale with the sell-on money we got for him?

i think its a case of the huge difference in quality in the 2 leagues, the premier league has far more skill and technical ability which will suit a player of craig's calibre, the championships is far more physical and the ball gets lumped in either direction often as quickly as possible.
its difficult to say there is more time and space on the ball in the prem but really there is, because the quality players make it happen, which leads to defenders expecting and playing to it. i think this will give craig the opportunity to flourish and we may well see a different player next season.
i think he will win the ball in midfield and further up far more and be more effective in the final third with the added level of creativity in which the prem allows.
and of course his experience at the top level and in big games will help majorly, i doubt there will be a game against the top 7 or 8 he wont start

Arkay Dubya wrote:

Red614 wrote:I think people are too easily forgetting the work he does off the ball. He's offside an awful lot, but that can also be used to point out just how much time he spends trying to make something happen. How many of or goals this season have involved Bellamy at some point as well? I dare say an awful lot, but just because he didnt play the final pass and gain the assist he's written off.

I've also seen him being marked out of games a hell of a lot. He's a player who played at the top of the premiership last season - every other manager is going to highlight him as a threat. I remember in threads in this forum us all pointing out how he was being marked out of the game consistently. You can't therefore blame him for under performing slightly, and even then he's dragging defenders out of place to over mark him, and that has provided goals in the past.

First choice left winger every time he's fit in my opinion. Unless we sign Bale.

Could we sign Bale with the sell-on money we got for him?

Off topic, but funny you should say this. On a Football Manager a few years ago I did exactly this by accident. Went to a team and bought a player, without realising I was basically buying him back. Part of the initial sale clause was a % of the transfer fee, which ended up with me getting the player for almost half price.

On a related note, Bellamy.

He'll play occasionally and start to develop his coaching skills as part of Malky's back room team...


The old 'perform or I'll brain you with a 9 iron' school of motivation

Valley Trash wrote:He'll play occasionally and start to develop his coaching skills as part of Malky's back room team...


The old 'perform or I'll brain you with a 9 iron' school of motivation

His powers and his pace may be on the wane but he has something to offer as an impact player next season.

Both him and Whitts were fractions away from scoring more. God knows how many times they hit the post between them.





*Awaits a nerdy-statistic type to prove him wrong *