2024/25 James Garner

[Osamabindiesel]

He's the whipping boy for the lads who don't really understand midfield

Even some world class central midfielders get this kind of stick. It is not a glory position whatsoever. Either you are the flashy number 10 or the crunchy tackling defensive midfielder that gets stuck in. Box to box midfielders like Garner will be the first target every time.

 

[SuperKev91]

I think long term the only option he’d have to be a starter would play in a similar role to Gana’s (he’s not on that level yet). He’s too safe with the ball and lacking real authority to be our metronome in there.

He’s a McCarthy type like Gana, if we are going to play with a ‘10’ we need a Barry type.

 

[SuperKev91]

Even some world class central midfielders get this kind of stick. It is not a glory position whatsoever. Either you are the flashy number 10 or the crunchy tackling defensive midfielder that gets stuck in. Box to box midfielders like Garner will be the first target every time.

He’s not box to box at all. He’s James McCarthy with better ball striking.

 

[Lanolin]

He's the whipping boy for the lads who don't really understand midfield

I don’t think that’s fair. I understand what he’s supposed to do and what he does, I’m just not sure he’s particularly good at it. He’s not awful/out of his depth etc, he’s just very meh. He’s been here 3 years and if I had to rank his best games the two at the top would be at right back.

 

[matty1878]

He’s not box to box at all. He’s James McCarthy with better ball striking.

 

[MACCA75]

He's the whipping boy for the lads who don't really understand midfield

Come on now, he’s mediocre. Would be massively disingenuous to suggest otherwise.

 

[SuperKev91]

He's the whipping boy for the lads who don't really understand midfield

He did Ganas job but that’s clearly not what he’s meant to be doing in that pairing. Way too passive and safe with the ball.

 

[hashbike]

There’s a lot of chat about upgrading our attack but for me revamping the midfield is as important if not more so.

It starts with having an upgrade on Garner especially for games like today where we’re expected to make the posssesion count.

He’s fine as a backup but an upgrade is sorely needed

 

[Blast_of_Cannock]

Maybe now is the time to give him a run at right back and get Doucoure in the CM role, behind Charlie.

 

[Cels]

I like James Garner and thought he did okay today.

 

[Zatara]

Getting alot of stick based on not closing down Enciso for a wondergoal.

Clearly better than Gana and id say 7/10 today. Hes just a 6 or 7 player each game.

We will upgrade him with Armstrong and need a big upgrade on Gana soon too.

Garner will be a good long term squad player.

What did he do to warrant a 7/10
[/QUOTE]

Thought he was great first half and linked well with everyone.

Second half we seemed to be trying to hold onto the lead and i felt Gana was shocking, so the midfield was lopsided.

Didnt see anything negative about his performance at all. Hes a 6 or 7 every game, today a 7/10.

Armstrong to take his place in the next 12-18months.

 

[Preki]

He's a useful and versatile squad option but the likes of him and McNeil are never going to get us in the top half as regular starters.
If we sold him it wouldn't be to anyone decent.

 

[Zatara]

He's a useful and versatile squad option but the likes of him and McNeil are never going to get us in the top half as regular starters.
If we sold him it wouldn't be to anyone decent.

Disgree with this. We dont need every player to be top class to reach the "top half".

We need a squad and players who are 6's and 7's each game have value.

If Garner is here for 5 years then im fine with that. If hes here as a squad player and someone like Armstrong is starting each game and an England player then we'll have done well.

 

[Remember-the-name]

Sell.

 

[Username.]

He's not going to get any better, and James Mccarthy was way better.