torchomatic
Well-Known Member
I know. It's almost as if people have their own views on players. Mad really.
Eccles (6 Viewers)
- Thread starter standupforcity
- Start date
Perennial Lurker
Well-Known Member
And they won't ever change them , even more strange
Adge
Well-Known Member
Hmmm, had an excellent first half against Norwich but really went into his shell after they scored but not alone I hasten to add.
Has there been million pound plus bids for him-no. Will there be million pound plus bids for him in the future-probably not.
He is what he is, a middle of the road Championship player who is capable at this level.
Has there been million pound plus bids for him-no. Will there be million pound plus bids for him in the future-probably not.
He is what he is, a middle of the road Championship player who is capable at this level.
Perennial Lurker
Well-Known Member
That's fair
His progression has to be now being able to grab a game like Sheaf does , if he can do that then he can be rated on a par with some of the better midfielders in the league
BlueSkiesForever
Well-Known Member
It is and when you prove that they roll out the he only passes sideways and backwards
He does though!
Dead easy to have a high pass completion rate when you’re only passing to Rudoni, Binks, Torp, Bidwell and MVE 
He does though!
Well the stats say otherwise on that too
fernandopartridge
Well-Known Member
His ball for Haji Wright's goal vs Leeds was our pass of the season last season imo
shmmeee
Well-Known Member
Was that the one Haji put in with the outside of his boot first time?
BlueSkiesForever
Well-Known Member
Terry_dactyl
Well-Known Member
That’s the one I was thinking of earlier! Couldn’t remember who it was against.
fernandopartridge
Well-Known Member
Let's call him João Ecclēs and see how you feelOh come onI’m down for some basic stats but I’d rather actually see how a player affects a game than use some numerical value to measure it, particularly something as nuanced as positioning or how a series of passes can affect a game.
I’m down for some basic stats but I’d rather actually see how a player affects a game than use some numerical value to measure it, particularly something as nuanced as positioning or how a series of passes can affect a game.
BlueSkiesForever
Well-Known Member
His vision and passing stats have just improved by 30%
blunted
Well-Known Member
Thought his progression has been really good for three seasons. This new campaign he has looked to have dropped off in form for the first time. But so has everyone else apart from MVE, so his performances perhaps have to be put in context. Has always struggled with that killer pass that great players can conjure out of nothing. That said, he is good at stopping the opposition and doing the sensible passes (apart from recently). That should be good enough for top 6 if everyone else is doing their job properly.
BlueSkiesForever
Well-Known Member
I don’t think anyone’s suggesting that (maybe I’ve missed some comments tbf), our midfield’s struggling because there’s no one better than Eccles in midfield atm. Eccles is fine alongside Sheaf or O’Hare or Hamer but Torp and Rudoni aren’t currently at the same level as them. I think a move to 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 is needed to get the best out of the team tbh.
Hutch11
Well-Known Member
Hard to see when you're blinkeredOh come on
BlueSkiesForever
Well-Known Member
True, and I’ll admit that it’s easier for me to see the negatives in Eccles’ game because I’ve never really warmed to him for some reason, but I genuinely do wish he was a little more creative and consistent with it. He made some decent assists last year but generally I find that his passes going forward lack importance (not all, but the vast majority of them).
BlueSkiesForever
Well-Known Member
It’s just occurred to me that to see the best out of Eccles I think he needs a scenario where he’s fighting for his way to be back in the starting 11.
For the last couple of seasons he’s been a guaranteed starter and is clearly one of Robins’ favourites. I think he could be one hell of a player if he had a bit of swagger and creativity about him, I think he needs a reason to say “you know what, you better take me seriously because this is what I have to offer and we’ll be better a team with me in it”. Currently he has no reason to think that, he knows he’ll be picked almost every week and he knows that he’s a safe, steady player that Robins won’t drop unless he has to for whatever reason.
It’s just a thought but to me Eccles has always seemed like he’s younger than he actually is, there’s loads of talent there but I feel like he’s almost scared to take players on or try something daring. If we didn’t have such a woeful midfield, a bit of time on the sidelines would maybe do him some good tbh.
For the last couple of seasons he’s been a guaranteed starter and is clearly one of Robins’ favourites. I think he could be one hell of a player if he had a bit of swagger and creativity about him, I think he needs a reason to say “you know what, you better take me seriously because this is what I have to offer and we’ll be better a team with me in it”. Currently he has no reason to think that, he knows he’ll be picked almost every week and he knows that he’s a safe, steady player that Robins won’t drop unless he has to for whatever reason.
It’s just a thought but to me Eccles has always seemed like he’s younger than he actually is, there’s loads of talent there but I feel like he’s almost scared to take players on or try something daring. If we didn’t have such a woeful midfield, a bit of time on the sidelines would maybe do him some good tbh.
Ccfcisparks
Well-Known Member
Utter nonsense. You’d probably think Sergio Busquets was crap as he just played it safe
Hutch11
Well-Known Member
Respect the candid reply
I don't think he's a world beater or even our best midfielder but it gets my goat when he's dismissed out of hand like he's useless and therefore it's easier for me to see the positives
BlueSkiesForever
Well-Known Member
Tbh I never really followed his career in football as I only really watch Prem and Championship football, however trying to compare Busquets to Eccles is impossible. Eccles’ reading of the game and impact with cute short passes or long balls over the top is not going to be anywhere near the level of a Barcelona player.
Any player can play it safe, it’s what you do outside of that that matters and for me Eccles doesn’t do much other than the odd rare assist and poor corner.
BlueSkiesForever
Well-Known Member
Yeah that’s fair, and I’ll never dismiss him out of hand, I’ve said multiple times I wouldn’t want us to get rid of Eccles, I just think he needs a bit of competition for his place so he hopefully improves his all round play and creativity.
I think if things go right for him and he improves his game then maybe he’ll be known as a championship great.
Cally Fedora
Well-Known Member
Just so I understand, to be considered a good player Eccles must do the defensive screening and the grunt work in midfield. He must just improve his passing range, creativity, attacking prowess and deliver it all with a bit more oomph. So just be the perfect midfielder then. Profound.
shmmeee
Well-Known Member
Could score a few more too.
BlueSkiesForever
Well-Known Member
To be as good as everyone makes him out to be, yeah he’s got to be good defensively and good at making key passes forward
That’s literally the job of a midfielder to be an all rounder, to start attacks by anticipating the runs of your attackers and to stop the opposition from starting their attacks. Really don’t see how that’s a “profound” take on what makes a great midfielder Cally Fedora
Well-Known Member
I think I was just pointing out that what you are advising he has to do to be a better midfielder is to be a perfect midfielder. A bit like saying if he wants to be a good centre forward all he needs to do is be a good centre forward.
fatso
Well-Known Member
Tbf he's done fuck all to solve the middle east peace process.
BlueSkiesForever
Well-Known Member
Oh fairs
I just think he’s an alright midfielder and great to have in the squad (especially given the current circumstances in midfield) but he’s not as good as some on here make him out to be imo.
Hutch11
Well-Known Member
He's nowhere near as bad as some would have you believe eitherOh fairs
It's like this, there were two goals scored by him that helped put us in the PO final the year before last, I don't if they were winning strikes or not but they were two sweet strikes, that'll do for me!!
itsabuzzard
Well-Known Member
Did he use a whacker plate?
Shoulda got Kirk Stevens and his crew,or maybe Josh did a summer foreigner!!Did he use a whacker plate?
stevefloyd
Well-Known Member
He put it in a plate... .....for the oppositionDid he use a whacker plate?
Brighton Sky Blue
Well-Known Member
I feel this story needs more elaboration