Craig Bellamy

[Peatcheo]

Surely one of the best/shrewdest signings this season by any team! He has been brilliant so far. I understand he needs to be rested, but I genuinely think he has been one of our top three performers so far this season and I am so glad we re-signed him. Lets hope for more of the same!

 

[King Binny]

Isn't it an irony that 2 of our better players were the cheaper signings?

Sorry for being thick but I don't really understand where the talks about his physical conditions/problems in terms of playing regularly comes from. His minutes played in Championship last season equates to 33 full matches and as also involved in 5 +/- international matches with Wales. The season before, he featured in 32 EPL matches (mins played equal to 26 full matches) Understand the need to handle players of his age and medical history with care but he's not as incapable of coping with string of games as what some make him out to be.

 

[The Slugmonster]

[quote author=Binny link=topic=48100.msg1453261#msg1453261 date=1325406678]
Isn't it an irony that 2 of our better players were the cheaper signings?

Sorry for being thick but I don't really understand where the talks about his physical conditions/problems in terms of playing regularly comes from. His minutes played in Championship last season equates to 33 full matches and as also involved in 5 +/- international matches with Wales. The season before, he featured in 32 EPL matches (mins played equal to 26 full matches) Understand the need to handle players of his age and medical history with care but he's not as incapable of coping with string of games as what some make him out to be.
[/quote]

Me either Binny I reckon we could have Bellers and Maxi as constant starters and even with all the spoofing about Bellamys legs, thighs, calfs...whatever. if we had those 2 either side of suarez since day1 we wouldnt be too far wrong in my eyes!

 

[King Binny]

[quote author=The Slugmonster link=topic=48100.msg1453264#msg1453264 date=1325407224]
[quote author=Binny link=topic=48100.msg1453261#msg1453261 date=1325406678]
Isn't it an irony that 2 of our better players were the cheaper signings?

Sorry for being thick but I don't really understand where the talks about his physical conditions/problems in terms of playing regularly comes from. His minutes played in Championship last season equates to 33 full matches and as also involved in 5 +/- international matches with Wales. The season before, he featured in 32 EPL matches (mins played equal to 26 full matches) Understand the need to handle players of his age and medical history with care but he's not as incapable of coping with string of games as what some make him out to be.
[/quote]

Me either Binny I reckon we could have Bellers and Maxi as constant starters and even with all the spoofing about Bellamys legs, thighs, calfs...whatever. if we had those 2 either side of suarez since day1 we wouldnt be too far wrong in my eyes!
[/quote]

Yeah, and see how we tend to dominate proceedings (esp. from the stat while at home), we can always start with them and sub them off when we are leading (comfortably). Surely they'll be able to contribute more that way, then coming on when the team is desperate, opposition growing in confidence and our play getting panicky or with less than a quarter hour to play.

 

[The Slugmonster]

I remember seeing a headline on the offal no too far back when Kenny stated that thinking about starting Maxi gave him a headache. Most of this talking about Bellamys legs and Maxi being a credit to his profession (which was another offal headline if im not wrong) just makes me think he's pulling everybody's gaze away from downing!

 

[King Binny]

Shots 11
Goals 4 (1per 126 mins)
Accuracy 45%
Chance Conversion 36%
Chances created 20 (1per 25 mins)
Cross Accuracy 27%
Assists 2

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

[quote author=The Slugmonster link=topic=48100.msg1453264#msg1453264 date=1325407224]
[quote author=Binny link=topic=48100.msg1453261#msg1453261 date=1325406678]
Isn't it an irony that 2 of our better players were the cheaper signings?

Sorry for being thick but I don't really understand where the talks about his physical conditions/problems in terms of playing regularly comes from. His minutes played in Championship last season equates to 33 full matches and as also involved in 5 +/- international matches with Wales. The season before, he featured in 32 EPL matches (mins played equal to 26 full matches) Understand the need to handle players of his age and medical history with care but he's not as incapable of coping with string of games as what some make him out to be.
[/quote]

Me either Binny I reckon we could have Bellers and Maxi as constant starters and even with all the spoofing about Bellamys legs, thighs, calfs...whatever. if we had those 2 either side of suarez since day1 we wouldnt be too far wrong in my eyes![/quote]

Bellers:
21 Sep - starts and scores against Brighton in the CC
24 Sep - unused sub in the league
1 Oct - subbed in against Everton in the league (66th min)
22 Oct - starts and scores against Norwich in the league
26 Oct - subbed in against Stoke in the CC (81st min)
29 Oct - subbed in against West Brom in the league (81st min)
20 Nov - starts and provides an assist against Chelsea in the league
29 Nov - starts and provides 2 assists against Chelsea in the CC
5 Dec - starts and no goals/assists against Fulham in the league
10 Dec - subbed in against QPR in the league (78th min)
18 Dec - starts, scores and provides an assist against Villa in the league
21 Dec - subbed in against Wigan (72nd min)
30 Dec - starts and scores against Newcastle in the league (twice!)
2 Jan - probably subbed in again against Man City???

Maxi:
20 Nov - starts and scores against Chelsea in the league
27 Nov - unused sub against Man City in the league
26 Dec - starts and scores against Blackburn in the league
30 Dec - unused sub against Newcastle in the league
2 Jan - probably starts against Man City???

In December alone:
Henderson (6 starts, 1 assist) + Downing (5 starts, big fat zero) + Adam (6 starts, 1 assist) = 2 assists.
Maxi (3 starts, 1 goal) + Bellamy (3 starts, 3 goals + 1 assist) = 4 goals, 2 assists.

Bellers and Maxi must wonder if they should try to emulate the troika and contribute less if they want to keep their starting spots. What's the point of scoring and providing assists when their reward for helping us put goals in the net is to start fewer games and have fewer minutes? In Maxi's case, even a few "unused sub" situations?

 

[King Binny]

Very comprehensive summary, studs.

Can't help but feel that decision might be partly due to financial reasons.

Maybe some kind of clause that ensures contract extension if they make certain number of appearances - like the one that kicked in for Kyrgiakos (albeit being offloaded to Wolfsburg), esp for Maxi's case. Another reason might be the input from the Sports Science people. Can't

 

[King Binny]

Coleman capped 30 times between 1992 and 2002, will spend the next few weeks travelling the land and meeting up with as many of the Wales squad as possible.

And he is adamant the No.1 priority is to sit down with Liverpool striker Bellamy and persuade him to commit himself to the new regime. Bellamy, 33 in July, put international retirement on hold when close pal Speed was made Wales boss in December 2010 and has been integral in the country’s recent surge up the FIFA rankings.

Coleman said: “The big conversation I’ll be having is with Craig.

“I don’t know if he’s pleased I’m the new manager. He’s quite opinionated, as we all know – but I always got on well with him and I respect him.

“He came back for Gary, maybe he doesn’t want to stay for me. But I hope that’s not the case because I’d love him to stay and Wales need him – even if he doesn’t play every game.

“He’s still a speed machine, he’s our senior figure and he gets the best out of those around him. But, ultimately, it’s up to Craig.”