Time for a rest .......

[Brownie]

It was great to see Niko taking advantage of all the balls in behind as he reverted to his favoured style of play on the shoulder of the last defender. I think when we play the less direct approach without Fellaini it gives more scope to play through midfield and so allows more space for Jelavic to find nice little positions in which to display his strange technique and scruffy socks.

 

[Steven Naismith]

6 goals in 17 league games this season mate, still not a bad striking ratio. Granted it's worse than his absolutely brilliant form last season.

Mer good point, still though we do need him to hit 20 or so for top 4 imo. His goals were winning us games last year and with them this year we would be winning and not drawing so many. I think he'll pick up new year, he just needs that brace and that little run of goals and he'll be off, if we start giving him them sexy little cut backs eg Villa away he'll be slotting, needs to swerve being offside though or are we not playing it to him early enough?

 

[Royal Blue Jersey]

In previous games he hadn't had any chances to miss, but he was contributing alot to our play, and scored the real chances he got - Sunderland, Spurs - this game was just a one-off bad performance. It happens to everyone. He received the ball in dangerous areas alot more, but was offside alot of the time. Once he became aware of the fact he wasn't having his usual influence, you coudl see it affected him - note one particular instance where he miscontrolled a simple pass and it just rolled out of play. That is not something you could really level at Jelavic - that his touch or movement has been poor. It hasn't been, he just wasn't getting chances.
Today those skills deserted him so that he couldn't capitalise. I really don't believe its indicative of any wider dip in form, because he has not been miscontrolling passes and getting regularly caught offside before today. Just a one-off.

 

[Brownie]

In previous games he hadn't had any chances to miss, but he was contributing alot to our play, and scored the real chances he got - Sunderland, Spurs - this game was just a one-off bad performance. It happens to everyone. He received the ball in dangerous areas alot more, but was offside alot of the time. Once he became aware of the fact he wasn't having his usual influence, you coudl see it affected him - note one particular instance where he miscontrolled a simple pass and it just rolled out of play. That is not something you could really level at Jelavic - that his touch or movement has been poor. It hasn't been, he just wasn't getting chances.
Today those skills deserted him so that he couldn't capitalise. I really don't believe its indicative of any wider dip in form, because he has not been miscontrolling passes and getting regularly caught offside before today. Just a one-off.

Most offside player in the league before start of play today I believe mate.

 

[Allezfan]

I really don't believe its indicative of any wider dip in form, because he has not been miscontrolling passes and getting regularly caught offside before today. Just a one-off.

I've been watching him miscontrolling passes and gettiung caught offside all season. I've watched him miss a load of free headers and one on ones too.

He's not in form.

 

[ijjysmith]

Most offside player in the league before start of play today I believe mate.

He definitely still is now then.

 

[Gwladys St. Glory]

What little I've seen of Naismith, I can see why they had a decent partnership...in Scotland. I'm actually not knoicking it, it just won't work very effectively here.

 

[Eggs]

...if he wasn't putting in a shift I would be concerned. Not scoring but trying. His touch looks poor, but it keep the faith. Always pick your strongest team and Jella gets a game every week. A hat-trick is coming.....you heard it here first!!

 

[SheedyBracewellReidSteven]

Offside way too many times today. Wonder if he feels he doesn't have enough pace so he goes a bit early. Don't think it can be a case of the pass being delayed too long every time. He is a poacher. He can do FA all game as long as he slots key chances....e.g. Spurs.

 

[Shaun4658]

I didn't see the game today but listened to it live ob the offical site.sharpey seemed to be critical of jelavic and at the end seemed to miss a sitter from 3/4 yards out..maybe its time to rest jela up,take some of the pressure off him.throw anchiebe in or vellios.on a side note anyone know how long gibson will be suspended for

He needs a goal mate. He lacks confidence at the minute. Resting him won't help. All he needs to do is take one of the many chances he's still getting, and he'll be off on a scoring run again.

The goal will come.

 

[davek]

He's defo lost his mojo. Snatching at chances.

 

[tim cahill]

He needs a goal mate. He lacks confidence at the minute. Resting him won't help. All he needs to do is take one of the many chances he's still getting, and he'll be off on a scoring run again.

The goal will come.

People were saying that before he scored vs spurs. They also said it before his goal vs sunderland.

 

[Shaun4658]

People were saying that before he scored vs spurs. They also said it before his goal vs sunderland.

It's not like he's nowhere to be seen mate. He's getting into the right positions. His best chance today was blocked by a great last ditch effort by the defender, so he was unlucky today. He was falling for his other main chance, so again he was unlucky there.

He has quality, that we know. Keep playing him I say.

 

[samcdavies94]

He needs a goal mate. He lacks confidence at the minute. Resting him won't help. All he needs to do is take one of the many chances he's still getting, and he'll be off on a scoring run again.

The goal will come.

How many times have we already said that though?

 

[slimspek]

I think he must feel double the pressure when you take into account that he is really are only starting forward. I mean out of Vellios, Anichebe, and Naismith, Jelavic is only one who has proven himself to be a consistent goal scoring starter. Having said that he needs a break. Either put him on the bench or take him off early when he is having a torrid game like today. With Jelavic's current form Vellios and Anichebe are hardly a step down.