Wright (19 Viewers)

[shmmeee]

Wonder if he needs to see a sports psychologist? He has everything needed to be a success at this level but seems very shy and passive.

He should see Kieran about some testosterone supplements.

 

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[Jimmy87]

Exemplary attitude doesn't seem to have been enough to prevent him being totally frozen out of the playoff games though? Given the dominant way the team played, I think there's every chance he could have helped us get into the final.

I agree, although hindsight is a wonderful thing.
I said on another post, i personally don't think he was frozen out. I think Lampard has put out the team that he thought would be what he needed to break them down, it worked to the point we got the goal we needed, but then at that point it's do you stick or twist.
How i saw it was, he had penalties in the back of his mind and wanted to keep Wright on (despite a below par performance), so if when he took off EMC, he chose to put Simms on, that would have meant switching Wright to the left and asking him to track back and defend throughout extra time, against Sunderlands fresh legs. I just don't think we'd have got that from him based on that performance, so perhaps BTA's energy was his trail of thought.
We all see things differently though i guess.

 

[Jimmy87]

TBH reading sort of between the lines it seems Haji has spit his dummy and Ellis is the victim of that. Since his injury it’s noticeable Wright has been played at CF even when it made more sense not to (BTA wide left for example, or BTA instead of Simms on). Either Lampard really likes him there or there’s pressure from the player.

There was a live game of ours Boateng was a pundit for, he alluded to this, how Wright had kept telling them he wanted to play the CF role.
From what i heard about the first leg, there was a little huff about BTA starting up front.

 

[shmmeee]

There was a live game of ours Boateng was a pundit for, he alluded to this, how Wright had kept telling them he wanted to play the CF role.
From what i heard about the first leg, there was a little huff about BTA starting up front.

Got no time for that personally. You get the impression with someone like Sakamoto if he was picked in goal his only question would be should he stay on his line or come for corners. You can pull that shit when you’re single-handedly winning games maybe, not when you’re turning it on one game in ten.

 

[biggymania]

I agree, although hindsight is a wonderful thing.
I said on another post, i personally don't think he was frozen out. I think Lampard has put out the team that he thought would be what he needed to break them down, it worked to the point we got the goal we needed, but then at that point it's do you stick or twist.
How i saw it was, he had penalties in the back of his mind and wanted to keep Wright on (despite a below par performance), so if when he took off EMC, he chose to put Simms on, that would have meant switching Wright to the left and asking him to track back and defend throughout extra time, against Sunderlands fresh legs. I just don't think we'd have got that from him based on that performance, so perhaps BTA's energy was his trail of thought.
We all see things differently though i guess.

Agree. It's all history now but in hindsight if you're expecting Wright to be taking a pen if it gets to pens (which of course you do!) you probably don't want to start him in a lone striker system. In any other game / scenario, you'd have subbed him around 60-70 minutes I think.

We could have started with BTA or Simms and brought Wright on later in the tie. Expecting him to play 120 minutes is a big ask for most players. We know in the Boro game that Simms for example spent a lot of time occupying and working that defence which made a great opportunity for BTA to come on and exploit them.

 

[Jimmy87]

Got no time for that personally. You get the impression with someone like Sakamoto if he was picked in goal his only question would be should he stay on his line or come for corners. You can pull that shit when you’re single-handedly winning games maybe, not when you’re turning it on one game in ten.

That's where my annoyance has come from. There are players there that would play in any position you told them, i get that he put in a great performance against Sunderland, probably wanted to stay there for the remainder, but if the manager decides to change things for other games then you have to accept that and still put in the same effort as your team mates and follow instructions.

 

[Legia Sky Blue]

Despite being disappointed by his play off performances, after seeing some of the possible replacements touted on here I think I would rather stick with Wright. Despite his lacklustre demeanour, injury free he is a cert for 15+ goals, which is not the case for his possible replacements. I also suspect and hope that Bassette might come back an improved and different prospect after a summer to recharge and a good pre season behind him.

 

[Jimmy87]

Agree. It's all history now but in hindsight if you're expecting Wright to be taking a pen if it gets to pens (which of course you do!) you probably don't want to start him in a lone striker system. In any other game / scenario, you'd have subbed him around 60-70 minutes I think.

We could have started with BTA or Simms and brought Wright on later in the tie. Expecting him to play 120 minutes is a big ask for most players. We know in the Boro game that Simms for example spent a lot of time occupying and working that defence which made a great opportunity for BTA to come on and exploit them.

That's the way round i would have gone, but i'm just a supporter with an opinion. I said at the time if this was a league match he'd have been hooked around that mark and we would have gone for a win, it's different when there's a lot riding on it. In hind sight i suspect he will have thought of all of these things himself, but like you say it's history now. Ifs and buts are just that.

If no bids come in and Wright stays then i hope he comes back with a clear head and we bring in players around him that will help him thrive in that position, same for any of our forwards whether they go or new ones added. We need players around them who can play this system well.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

That's the way round i would have gone, but i'm just a supporter with an opinion. I said at the time if this was a league match he'd have been hooked around that mark and we would have gone for a win, it's different when there's a lot riding on it. In hind sight i suspect he will have thought of all of these things himself, but like you say it's history now. Ifs and buts are just that.

If no bids come in and Wright stays then i hope he comes back with a clear head and we bring in players around him that will help him thrive in that position, same for any of our forwards whether they go or new ones added. We need players around them who can play this system well.

You heard any noises around MVE?

 

[Jimmy87]

You heard any noises around MVE?

Nothing at all. In January there was some sniffing about, so you'd expect that to be revisited.

One good thing from our last playoff campaign, it feels a lot better knowing that we have full control over the squad.
Last time was gutting as we knew in reality we were losing Vik and Gus, loan players returning to parent clubs etc.
Like Hull last year, think they made a terrible mistake, it was playoffs or bust for them, and it bit them badly this year.
I think DK has done well to secure players on long contracts and give us all the control moving into next season, it definitely feels like we are moving in the right direction.

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

There was a live game of ours Boateng was a pundit for, he alluded to this, how Wright had kept telling them he wanted to play the CF role.
From what i heard about the first leg, there was a little huff about BTA starting up front.

Biggest games of the season and he's having a strop, then put him a cf and he stinks the place out with one of the worse performances of the season.

Get him gone, if we can recoup our money or make a small profit we've pulled off a blinder

 

[Jimmy87]

Biggest games of the season and he's having a strop, then put him a cf and he stinks the place out with one of the worse performances of the season.

Get him gone, if we can recoup our money or make a small profit we've pulled off a blinder

I don't think it was a massive fall out or anything too dramatic, just found out after the first leg that he'd had a bit of a moan. That's why i found the second leg frustrating.

 

[We'll_live_and_die]

I think it's testament to how good Wright is that when he has a bad run of form people are calling for him to be sold or never wear the shirt again. He's a big player who is needed in the big moments. When he's not quite at the races it's far more obvious than other players as he's really good usually. Yeah he's had a bad spell after his injury but he needs to be supported, not have the extreme measures that some of you lot are calling for.

 

[clint van damme]

I think it's testament to how good Wright is that when he has a bad run of form people are calling for him to be sold or never wear the shirt again. He's a big player who is needed in the big moments. When he's not quite at the races it's far more obvious than other players as he's really good usually. Yeah he's had a bad spell after his injury but he needs to be supported, not have the extreme measures that some of you lot are calling for.

He phoned it in in both legs of a play off semi, it's no wonder people are pissed off

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

That's the way round i would have gone, but i'm just a supporter with an opinion. I said at the time if this was a league match he'd have been hooked around that mark and we would have gone for a win, it's different when there's a lot riding on it. In hind sight i suspect he will have thought of all of these things himself, but like you say it's history now. Ifs and buts are just that.

If no bids come in and Wright stays then i hope he comes back with a clear head and we bring in players around him that will help him thrive in that position, same for any of our forwards whether they go or new ones added. We need players around them who can play this system well.

Ipswich will almost definitely sell Delap and there were rumours in Jan that Leicester/Ipswich were thinking about signing Haji. When Haji is at his best, there won’t be many players in this league better than him.

As I’ve alluded to elsewhere, the 4-2-3-1 has really struggled to get the most out of the strikers with only Rudoni benefitting. 5-3-2 got much more production out of them. Haji Wright doesn’t strike me as a forward who likes to score headers (like Vik) and much prefers the ball at his feet.

As a preference, I much prefer 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 but me need to improve the squad and the tactical approach to the game.

 

[biggymania]

I think it's testament to how good Wright is that when he has a bad run of form people are calling for him to be sold or never wear the shirt again. He's a big player who is needed in the big moments. When he's not quite at the races it's far more obvious than other players as he's really good usually. Yeah he's had a bad spell after his injury but he needs to be supported, not have the extreme measures that some of you lot are calling for.

I don't agree with people completely tearing him down and questioning his commitment etc - but I wouldn't say he was "not quite at the races" - the perfomances were really poor. I'm sure he'd admit the same to himself - he looked extremely frustrated with how it was going every time he failed to control a ball, or a chance went begging etc.

Both things can be true - he can be a great player but be in an awful run of performances. He can be committed and passionate but look outwardly like he couldn't give a fuck. He can be essential to the team / squad but still need dropping or playing differently.

 

[Jimmy87]

Ipswich will almost definitely sell Delap and there were rumours in Jan that Leicester/Ipswich were thinking about signing Haji. When Haji is at his best, there won’t be many players in this league better than him.

As I’ve alluded to elsewhere, the 4-2-3-1 has really struggled to get the most out of the strikers with only Rudoni benefitting. 5-3-2 got much more production out of them. Haji Wright doesn’t strike me as a forward who likes to score headers (like Vik) and much prefers the ball at his feet.

As a preference, I much prefer 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 but me need to improve the squad and the tactical approach to the game.

That's it isn't it, when he is at his best, we know we have one of the best at this level. Only he will know if he wants to stay and believe in the project, and hopefully we can attract more players that will suit this system more and help the forwards we end the summer with.

Completely agree, i think they have all struggled and can appear isolated in that formation. We need to improve that.

I really hope we can keep hold of Rudoni, i think he's quickly become a favourite of everyone, he will be such a big player for us. Really like his growth this year.

 

[SkyBlueDom26]

Haji will have his best season for us yet next season

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

That's it isn't it, when he is at his best, we know we have one of the best at this level. Only he will know if he wants to stay and believe in the project, and hopefully we can attract more players that will suit this system more and help the forwards we end the summer with.

Completely agree, i think they have all struggled and can appear isolated in that formation. We need to improve that.

I really hope we can keep hold of Rudoni, i think he's quickly become a favourite of everyone, he will be such a big player for us. Really like his growth this year.

Every player has a price and if we can get a healthy profit on Haji, there’s plenty of players out there who can do a job. I want all of our players to do well, but I’m not overly attached to any of them and if they want out, so be it.

One of the reasons I think 5-3-2 worked well for the strikers specifically was because we got the ball in the box quicker and more often. Thats the eye test and data may prove me wrong. Rudoni deserves the plaudits he gets but Torp in that 5-3-2 setup was good at making things happen too and he also got 2 good assists v Sunderland. He is a player that direct on the ball and he had some good assists last season too (Simms v Plymouth - uncredited).

I believe we’ll keep Rudoni, he’s not ready to be in the Prem yet. If he improves next season and we don’t go up, he’s as good as gone because he’s a real talent with the profile to succeed in the Prem.

We’re all gutted after Tuesday because in recent years it feels like we’re ‘always the bridesmaid, never the bride’… when the dust settles, we’ve got a brilliant team to build on and with a few more players we can kick on and secure 3rd or 4th place.

 

[quinn1971]

Or maybe the 2nd 3rd and 4th choices looked even less likely to score, I admire you for trying to stick up for one of our players but I am afraid, no matter what anyone says he did not look up for it and continously bottled challenges! Now maybe that was because in the game he got injured it affected his mentality and apart from the obvious 3 goals he scored on his return, he hasn't seemed the same player...or maybe he is already off and didn't want another injury! who knows

not sure im sticking up for him, I just want to keep our top scorer for the last 2 seasons, and he’s done it this season by missing most of it, we just need a bit more quality in there with him, maybe your right, that injuries a effected him or he wants a move, shame if we do let him go,,

 

[MusicDating]

I don't think it was a massive fall out or anything too dramatic, just found out after the first leg that he'd had a bit of a moan. That's why i found the second leg frustrating.

When I posted the below after the first leg, I really didn't think he was actually in a huff!

Haji - 18 touches, 6 passes, 0 take-ons. Possibly worst I've seen him play. You'd have thought playing a team he'd scored 4 against, he'd be full of confidence, but he played like he was in a huff that BTA started down the middle

View attachment 43089

Mind you, he wasn't any better in the second leg

 

[steve101]

I think it's testament to how good Wright is that when he has a bad run of form people are calling for him to be sold or never wear the shirt again. He's a big player who is needed in the big moments. When he's not quite at the races it's far more obvious than other players as he's really good usually. Yeah he's had a bad spell after his injury but he needs to be supported, not have the extreme measures that some of you lot are calling for.

I don't think it is his poor form that people are annoyed about. Rather, it is his lack of effort / fight that was on display. If you can't put challenges in during a playoff then questions need to be asked.
For me personally, if I see players not performing but giving their all for the shirt, I have a different feeling. Players like Latibeudiere, Allen and Thomas-Asante give everything but equally are probably some of most criticised of players. I prefer good players showing grit than better players not.

 

[Jimmy87]

Every player has a price and if we can get a healthy profit on Haji, there’s plenty of players out there who can do a job. I want all of our players to do well, but I’m not overly attached to any of them and if they want out, so be it.

One of the reasons I think 5-3-2 worked well for the strikers specifically was because we got the ball in the box quicker and more often. Thats the eye test and data may prove me wrong. Rudoni deserves the plaudits he gets but Torp in that 5-3-2 setup was good at making things happen too and he also got 2 good assists v Sunderland. He is a player that direct on the ball and he had some good assists last season too (Simms v Plymouth - uncredited).

I believe we’ll keep Rudoni, he’s not ready to be in the Prem yet. If he improves next season and we don’t go up, he’s as good as gone because he’s a real talent with the profile to succeed in the Prem.

We’re all gutted after Tuesday because in recent years it feels like we’re ‘always the bridesmaid, never the bride’… when the dust settles, we’ve got a brilliant team to build on and with a few more players we can kick on and secure 3rd or 4th place.

That's it at the end of the day, every player does have their price. For once it's nice that we can control that and either say yes or no.

I'm the same, not particularly attached to any of them, although do have a soft spot for Tats and Rudoni. I just want them all to do well, but again the same, if they want out or it's decided we will sell then thats completely fine, as long as we are continuing to build and improve on what we have, i don't think any of us can be too unhappy.

It's always been a rollercoaster being a Cov fan, all the drama we have seen over the years, elation and deflation, it makes it all the more exciting. I'd hate to be one of those consistent mid table clubs that never do anything

 

[Jimmy87]

When I posted the below after the first leg, I really didn't think he was actually in a huff!



Mind you, he wasn't any better in the second leg

View attachment 43187

Looks like you were on the right trail of thought. Whatever the reason behind it all, i hope if we keep him that we can bring in players who will benefit him in the CF role if that's his desired position, because i believe he could really tear this league apart in the right environment.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

That's it at the end of the day, every player does have their price. For once it's nice that we can control that and either say yes or no.

I'm the same, not particularly attached to any of them, although do have a soft spot for Tats and Rudoni. I just want them all to do well, but again the same, if they want out or it's decided we will sell then thats completely fine, as long as we are continuing to build and improve on what we have, i don't think any of us can be too unhappy.

It's always been a rollercoaster being a Cov fan, all the drama we have seen over the years, elation and deflation, it makes it all the more exciting. I'd hate to be one of those consistent mid table clubs that never do anything

Like us before we got relegated in 2010/11?!

I’ll always be a half glass full kind of guy and to think that after such a roller coaster of a season that people are choosing the negatives really baffles me.

The team is useless despite finishing 5th? Come off it, plenty of teams like our players and the what we’ve got going on here at our club. That was never the case growing up for me. We were shite.

 

[steve cooper]

Wright pretty much guarantees us 15 to 20 goals per season if he stays fit. He hasn't been "worked out" by the opposition as one poster stated. There has clearly been something wrong the last few games and no-one knows yet what it is. Could be fear of re-injury, or mentality, or attitude, or it maybe he hasn't fully recovered from his injury.
Some of the insults on here and the talk of getting rid of him remind me of when he first came here, before he proved those posters wrong. I think some people will be eating humble pie again next season if he is still here.

 

[shmmeee]

Wright pretty much guarantees us 15 to 20 goals per season if he stays fit. He hasn't been "worked out" by the opposition as one poster stated. There has clearly been something wrong the last few games and no-one knows yet what it is. Could be fear of re-injury, or mentality, or attitude, or it maybe he hasn't fully recovered from his injury.
Some of the insults on here and the talk of getting rid of him remind me of when he first came here, before he proved those posters wrong. I think some people will be eating humble pie again next season if he is still here.

I don’t think he has though. You can’t argue with his goals but outside of that all the day one complaints about attitude, clumsiness, inability to pass all still stand.

 

[Jimmy87]

Like us before we got relegated in 2010/11?!

I’ll always be a half glass full kind of guy and to think that after such a roller coaster of a season that people are choosing the negatives really baffles me.

The team is useless despite finishing 5th? Come off it, plenty of teams like our players and the what we’ve got going on here at our club. That was never the case growing up for me. We were shite.

People will always be different won't they, that's life i guess.

Personally i'm not the sort to be on social media talking crap about the players on a weekly basis, i always try to see the good in anyone who plays for us, they are human after all. When i was younger the most you would get is Paul Telfer being the butt of the jokes on the terrace or something like that, but it was all in jest. Nowadays it's awful, give someone a keyboard and they use it to try and project their negative thoughts on others. They don't like it if you don't perceive the game as they do.

To call them useless despite finishing 5th is laughable to be honest.

 

[AOM]

There's also a player in simms as well

Yep, look at the Wolves and Man Utd games last year. Their defenders just couldn't deal with Simms.
He's also why we managed to get something out of that awful Sheffield Wednesday away game this season.

It's just unlocking it more often, as I understand why he frustrates so many

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

People will always be different won't they, that's life i guess.

Personally i'm not the sort to be on social media talking crap about the players on a weekly basis, i always try to see the good in anyone who plays for us, they are human after all. When i was younger the most you would get is Paul Telfer being the butt of the jokes on the terrace or something like that, but it was all in jest. Nowadays it's awful, give someone a keyboard and they use it to try and project their negative thoughts on others. They don't like it if you don't perceive the game as they do.

To call them useless despite finishing 5th is laughable to be honest.

Society in general seems to be a lot angrier. The amount of ‘stickers’ I see up and down country with the Reform logo and/or ‘Stop The Boats’ is astounding. There were a few in the away end on Tuesday but even on holiday I seen some and in most train stations of clubs and all over England.

Perhaps it’s an age thing, but I don't remember this being the case in the 90s or 00s… if someone my senior could provide some insight, please do. Please note: I have no intention of making this remotely political, it’s just an observation.

Social media is just generally quite toxic. We seen how badly abused athletes and TV personalities can get it. For all the positives of social media, it can be a cesspit.

 

[COVKIDSNEVERQUIT]

Is the way we played against Sunderland an accurate reflection of our system? Or is it just the way Sunderland forced us to play?

That's bang on the money, Sunderland did their homework and learn their lessons from when we beat them 3.0 just sit back and don't give them any space because we haven't got a Centre Forward that can run at them and beat their defence

 

[prufrock]

Yep, look at the Wolves and Man Utd games last year. Their defenders just couldn't deal with him.
He's also why we managed to get something out of that awful Sheffield Wednesday away game this season.

It's just unlocking it more often, as I understand why he frustrates so many

the problem isn't just unlocking the best performances more it's also elevating the minimum level of the out of form performances.

imo when Grimes had a couple of flat games he was still 5.5 or 6/10, that is his minimum. when Wright is off it's 2 or 3, he looks non-league at times.

 

[COVKIDSNEVERQUIT]

I get ear ache off my missus every fucking day but that don't stop me from performing.

 

[oscillatewildly]

When are Simms and Wright contracted till?

 

[COVKIDSNEVERQUIT]

Just because Lampards playing someone doesn't mean he rates them. It just means he prefers them to the alternative(s).

That's our problem, we don't have many alternatives.