Haji Wright (12 Viewers)

[Calista]

Let's not pretend he wasn't dog shit awful before turning things round.

You keep passing off opinion as fact. Let's not pretend you didn't drastically underestimate the abilities of Haji and Eliis around this time last year. You weren't the only one, there were several on here giving them way too much stick when it was clear they needed time.

 

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[Viktor17]

Wright was unplayable for 30 mins Friday - outstanding, if he can keep that level up when fully match fit - wow.

 

[wingy]

You keep passing off opinion as fact. Let's not pretend you didn't drastically underestimate the abilities of Haji and Eliis around this time last year. You weren't the only one, there were several on here giving them way too much stick when it was clear they needed time.

Indeed they could have been used a lot more from the start but that meant alienating certain members of the squad IMO!

 

[Terry_dactyl]

Very reminiscent of a young Covkid68 playing as a 9 year old for Binley Juniors back in 1976

Sign him up!

 

[Boicey]

You keep passing off opinion as fact. Let's not pretend you didn't drastically underestimate the abilities of Haji and Eliis around this time last year. You weren't the only one, there were several on here giving them way too much stick when it was clear they needed time.

In an interview Haji said him and Simms made a really poor start.
That's just a fact. Even he said it.
But happy days at the moment.

 

[Calista]

In an interview Haji said him and Simms made a really poor start.
That's just a fact. Even he said it.
But happy days at the moment.

Yeah they (and the team) weren't clicking, but they were not dog shit awful and they didn't deserve online abuse, to be called lazy, to be ridiculed as donkeys, or to have people offering to drive them to Istanbul. Their attributes were there to see from the start, even when the end product wasn't great.

But as you say, happy days now. They will pose an awesome threat in this league.

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

What probably struck me the most on Friday was how aggressive he was, especially in taking defenders on but also in using his body to push them out the way.

He clearly has the speed to take defenders on though and has the strength and height to stand toe to toe with an opponent, yet he had an annoying habit of appearing too languid at times last season and preferring a safer option or making the wrong decision altogether.

I think the causality of that was when he first arrived the physicality and pace of the league was probably a bit of a shock to him.

The intelligence and and alertness of his general play against Oxford was also much better than he's previously shown. Still some work to do for sure but if he keeps that up he'll be an absolute nightmare for defences all season and will comfortably hit 20+ goals.

 

[steve cooper]

Yeah they (and the team) weren't clicking, but they were not dog shit awful and they didn't deserve online abuse, to be called lazy, to be ridiculed as donkeys, or to have people offering to drive them to Istanbul. Their attributes were there to see from the start, even when the end product wasn't great.

But as you say, happy days now. They will pose an awesome threat in this league.

This is it, calling out a bad performance is one thing, but people need to realise that some of the early comments were abuse, and I'm sure those posters wouldn't be happy if such abuse were aimed at them.

 

[steve101]

I thought Wright looked more confident and aggressive against Oxford compared with last season. Hopefully he continues this as it changes him to a top player. If he can be more consistent within games he will be Premier league quality.
I think at the moment at least, Simms is going to be hit or miss. He will score goals but desperately needs to improve his touch.

 

[Boicey]

I thought Wright looked more confident and aggressive against Oxford compared with last season. Hopefully he continues this as it changes him to a top player. If he can be more consistent within games he will be Premier league quality.
I think at the moment at least, Simms is going to be hit or miss. He will score goals but desperately needs to improve his touch.

Simms is an interesting one. Sometimes very uncoordinated. But hopefully lots of potential for good coaching to progress him.
Both confidence players for sure. Hope they can help each other.

 

[Warwickhunt]

Watching You Tube highlights and I would say Wright was a monster in this game everything that was good in attack came from him. Be lucky to keep him in January if he keeps this form going. Mind you same applies. MEV as well!

 

[Grendel]

He was very tentative when he came here - almost timid.

Success I guess makes confidence and self belief and he looks a different guy.

Hes got a swagger, he’s a good looking guy and seems to have a bit of star quality about him

 

[Telfer85]

One thing you also wouldn’t have seen him do last year was that great bit of defending right at the end to win a throw in our corner. Just when you thought they would get one more chance he put in a great effort to muscle that player off the ball and give it the biggun to the crowd.
Playing that role on the left he does have to have more defensive responsibilities than he would probably like and he has improved in that area considerably. That combined with his attacking improvements means his overall game has come on leaps and bounds. His form will be crucial to us doing well this year.

 

[Gynnsthetonic]

Watching You Tube highlights and I would say Wright was a monster in this game everything that was good in attack came from him. Be lucky to keep him in January if he keeps this form going. Mind you same applies. MEV as well!

If Doug wants the promised land nobody of their quality will be leaving end of this window or January's!

 

[shmmeee]

I have genuinely never seen professional footballers with ball control as bad as Haji and Ellis at the start of last season. Trampolines for feet the pair of them. Pretending otherwise is ludicrous.

 

[Tommo1993]

I have genuinely never seen professional footballers with ball control as bad as Haji and Ellis at the start of last season. Trampolines for feet the pair of them. Pretending otherwise is ludicrous.

Adebola?

 

[The Great Eastern]

I have genuinely never seen professional footballers with ball control as bad as Haji and Ellis at the start of last season. Trampolines for feet the pair of them. Pretending otherwise is ludicrous.

You clearly weren't around when we had Bobby Gould or, later on, Tom English.

 

[shmmeee]

You clearly weren't around when we had Bobby Gould or, later on, Tom English.

True. I was not

 

[SleepyGinger]

Just needed a tad less pace on the cross

Cross was fine Simms just didn’t sort his feet out

 

[itsabuzzard]

Cross was fine Simms just didn’t sort his feet out

Busy unstrapping the trampolines.

 

[Calista]

I have genuinely never seen professional footballers with ball control as bad as Haji and Ellis at the start of last season. Trampolines for feet the pair of them. Pretending otherwise is ludicrous.

The mistakes and poor play were there alright in the early games, which got some people's knickers in a twist and it blinded them to the talents that were obvious to everyone else.

It's often the way on here - look at how people have overlooked some of Torp's great play the other night, just because he didn't do the greatest job trying to cover the right back position and it led to a goal.

 

[Robinshio]

The thing with our forwards is if they are all on their game we will have 1 or 2 free men. Next time it may be simms but he was well marked on Friday creating space for others

 

[Como]

On a related subject how to your order a Haji shirt, the online Shop does not seem to offer player specific shorts?

 

[CCFCSteve]

The thing with our forwards is if they are all on their game we will have 1 or 2 free men. Next time it may be simms but he was well marked on Friday creating space for others

Agreed. All the chances fell to Wright on Friday and if I’m being overly critical he probably should’ve had another goal really. Simms was feeding scraps but he’ll just get on with his job, which is usually occupying both CBs, do the dirty work and hope next time some of the chances come his way.

 

[Jamesimus]

He was very tentative when he came here - almost timid.

Success I guess makes confidence and self belief and he looks a different guy.

Hes got a swagger, he’s a good looking guy and seems to have a bit of star quality about him

He seems like a quiet chap. But can’t say he’s not confident / composed now.

I enjoyed seeing him make a tackle after his 2nd goal and giving some to the fans to get them to make more noise. Wouldn’t have seen that last year.

 

[skybluecam]

I have genuinely never seen professional footballers with ball control as bad as Haji and Ellis at the start of last season. Trampolines for feet the pair of them. Pretending otherwise is ludicrous.

Simms yes, Wright no. He wasn’t even that bad, just had the expectation of being our record signing and a dry spell in front of goal with some bad misses.

All that’s changed is he’s upped his conversion rate from terrible to average.

 

[Gibbo]

If this has been said already sorry but...

At one point on Friday in the 2nd half Haji had a long cross field ball coming towards him and had a marker right on his back. He controlled the ball perfectly on his chest, killing the pace of it instantly, then turned and left the defender for dead. Got 3 yards away before the defender even realized what had happened.

It was contender for 'champagne moment' of the game

 

[Mr Panda]

He seems like a quiet chap. But can’t say he’s not confident / composed now.

I enjoyed seeing him make a tackle after his 2nd goal and giving some to the fans to get them to make more noise. Wouldn’t have seen that last year.

Confidence and a sense of belonging make all the difference.

If our own performances at work suffer because of lack of confidence then it’s the same for a footballer

 

[Alkhen]

 

[Oggysstarjumps]

This is a great spot. Thanks for sharing!

Great interview too - what a cracking bloke.

 

[robbiekeane]

You know what’s better than all the frothers being proved wrong when they were spurting vitriol for months?

Watching them absolutely squirm now and try to double down and sell their make believe world Truly great to watch

 

[long way home]

I posted last season Wright was an enigma and nothing has changed my mind as yet. He can show everything in 90 odd mins the good, bad and ugly are all on show. But what i do like and always have liked is when he clears his mind, commits to his decision and goes for it, he really is a joy to watch. If we play like we can he will get and create plenty of chances to be top scorer.

As for Simms, he has definitely improved as a player from when he 1st signed. And can see him kicking on again this season, he has just got to stay aggressive and chances will turn into goals soon enough. Both are brilliant signings and will prove to be good assets for the club.

 

[Johhny Blue]

Wright was fantastic against Oxford. After a slow start he was just as good last year. He is, along with Ewijk and Sheaf a player who would be the first name on every championship teamsheet

I believe the rules state that you’re only allowed one first name on the team sheet

 

[The watchmaker]

What probably struck me the most on Friday was how aggressive he was, especially in taking defenders on but also in using his body to push them out the way.

He was very tentative when he came here - almost timid.

Hes got a swagger, he’s a good looking guy and seems to have a bit of star quality about him

I think the lack of aggression was the thing that really stood out early last season. I was never part of 'Team Panic' but there were times he just flopped under any sort of challenge. He'd look up at the ref but - "you're never getting that in the championship" and it made him look weak. I could see why he didn't appeal to some fans who were used to combative Gyokeres.

My assumption (perhaps ignorant) was that this was a cultural trait learned at former clubs. Either way it is something that he and the club have worked on and he looks proper at home now. If he stays fit it could be a big season for him.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

I think the lack of aggression was the thing that really stood out early last season. I was never part of 'Team Panic' but there were times he just flopped under any sort of challenge. He'd look up at the ref but - "you're never getting that in the championship" and it made him look weak. I could see why he didn't appeal to some fans who were used to combative Gyokeres.

My assumption (perhaps ignorant) was that this was a cultural trait learned at former clubs. Either way it is something that he and the club have worked on and he looks proper at home now. If he stays fit it could be a big season for him.

It was a confidence thing I’m sure.