One-time 'new Gerrard' moves to Bury

[Shaggy]

Hull midfielder John Welsh has joined Bury on loan after failing to figure for the Tigers in the Premier League.

Former England Under-21 international Welsh is set to go straight into the Shakers side for Saturday's home game against Bournemouth.

Welsh, 25, has failed to hold down a regular place for the Tigers since breaking his leg two years ago.

He was signed for Hull by Peter Taylor from Liverpool in January 2006, having arrived initially on loan.

The Liverpool-born player, who has been capped four times at U-21 level, featured in six games at League One Carlisle United before Christmas.

And he he also had six starts for League Two Chester City last January.

Alan Knill's Bury are fifth in League Two with seven games of the season left, looking well set for the play-offs, but are just a point adrift of an automatic promotion place.

[dom9]

He was seen as a prospect once.

I wonder if local players have too much expectation placed on them, because of their 'local' status.

Or do we think they are better than they really are, just because they are local?

I can't think of any that have left, and been particularly successful. David Thompson, is probably the one that has done best for himself.

[red g]

He was seen as a prospect once.

I wonder if local players have too much expectation placed on them, because of their 'local' status.

Or do we think they are better than they really are, just because they are local?

I can't think of any that have left, and been particularly successful. David Thompson, is probably the one that has done best for himself.

Steve Warnock's doing well and Guthrie is a premiership regular.

[dom9]

Steve Warnock's doing well and Guthrie is a premiership regular.

They are both doing OK. Nowhere near good enough for 'top 4' sides though, which is fine - few are.

However, when they were at Liverpool, people would say that they should be given a chance etc, etc, in my opinion, because they are local, not because they were good enough. Same aplied to Welsh, Otsemoboor, Hobbs, Wright and countless others.

I appreciate that a good way to find out how good they are is to actually play them, and Warnock got more games than most, but their subsequent careers say it all to me. Most Championship players, or Premiership journeymen.

Be interesting to see how Spearing and his generation develop.

[johnly]

Its my local club that, mate lives down the road may go and see how he's getting on one weekend. There was a lot of hype surrounding him. I recall him coming on against Arsenal one time

[Guest]

It's all about consistency and believe me, being successful at this level requires exceptional quality both in terms of mental toughness and skill level. This is a tough sport and if you're not 'there all the time' you won't make it.

That's why when I look at Steven Gerrard I can only have admiration for someone like him. He's been so consistently good at this level for so many years, 10 years and still counting and maybe even his best years are ahead of him. And Carra also, both exceptional players.