Jay Spearing

[Maxiedge]

I don't think it's any coincidence our best results and performances have come with Jay in midfield even before Lucas's injury. He does the dirty work...even dirtier than Lucas.

I think the way he's stepped up from playing in the reserves (for god knows how long) to Premiership standard is highly commendable.

[Alex]

I don't think it's any coincidence our best results and performances have come with Jay in midfield even before Lucas's injury. He does the dirty work...even dirtier than Lucas.

I think the way he's stepped up from playing in the reserves (for god knows how long) to Premiership standard is highly commendable.

Which were out better performances? I cant remember Jay and Lucas starting together this season.

[Maxiedge]

I was actually thinking about last season when we went on a pretty good run (second half obviously) which eventually culminated in a thrashing of Fulham away 4-1. Jay and Maxi were starters for most of those games if my memory serves me correct.

[Rich]

I don't think it's any coincidence our best results and performances have come with Jay in midfield even before Lucas's injury. He does the dirty work...even dirtier than Lucas.

I think the way he's stepped up from playing in the reserves (for god knows how long) to Premiership standard is highly commendable.

That is simply not true. Lucas does the dirty work better than Spearing.

[Alex]

I didnt put us beating Fulham 5-2 down to Jay though. That was I think in totality down to Maxi being in the form of his life.

[Maxiedge]

That is simply not true. Lucas does the dirty work better than Spearing.

Lucas does the dirty work better than Spearing, true, but my point was that Spearing does the really dirty work. The nitty gritty stuff.

I didnt put us beating Fulham 5-2 down to Jay though. That was I think in totality down to Maxi being in the form of his life.

Oh yeah 5-2

[Mattshark]

Lucas does the dirty work better than Spearing, true, but my point was that Spearing does the really dirty work. The nitty gritty stuff.

I think his defensive play is his weakness, he makes the odd slide tackle, but his positioning and covering are poor. His short passing game is his strong point.

[The Birdman]

I think his defensive play is his weakness, he makes the odd slide tackle, but his positioning and covering are poor. His short passing game is his strong point.

100% correct
It's all or nothing on here isn't it, everyone talking about Fulham away last season yet a truer reflection on Jay's abilities was Fulham away this season, not the red card which was a sending off but the fact that leading up to his sending off Fulham cut through us down the middle time and time again.

Lucas is light years ahead of him, passing it 5-10 yards, closing down, putting his foot in are the better parts of Jay's game.
Positioning isn't.

As I've said before, if playing Jay means we get the best out of Stevie then pick him every week for the rest of this season as we don't have anyone better but don't start believing that he is the type of player to get us into the top 4 over a whole season.

I asked this question earlier and no-one answered.
Would Jay get the team for Man U, Man C, Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea, Newcastle? now ask if he would get in their squads as first option should the regular defensive midfielder for those teams be available.

For me the answer is no and no.

Along with a striker and right winger the defensive/centre midfield is another vital area for us to strengthen in the summer

[RedReet]

100% correct
It's all or nothing on here isn't it, everyone talking about Fulham away last season yet a truer reflection on Jay's abilities was Fulham away this season, not the red card which was a sending off but the fact that leading up to his sending off Fulham cut through us down the middle time and time again.

Lucas is light years ahead of him, passing it 5-10 yards, closing down, putting his foot in are the better parts of Jay's game.
Positioning isn't.

As I've said before, if playing Jay means we get the best out of Stevie then pick him every week for the rest of this season as we don't have anyone better but don't start believing that he is the type of player to get us into the top 4 over a whole season.

I asked this question earlier and no-one answered.
Would Jay get the team for Man U, Man C, Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea, Newcastle? now ask if he would get in their squads as first option should the regular defensive midfielder for those teams be available.

For me the answer is no and no.

Along with a striker and right winger the defensive/centre midfield is another vital area for us to strengthen in the summer

It’s a pointless question, that’s why.

Would Scholes, Carrick, Cleverly, Mikel, Raimeres, Song, Ramsay, Parker etc all get into ours?

Edit: Missed the second part, but again it is pointless discussing because what's good for one team isn't necessarily good for us.

[Mattshark]

It’s a pointless question, that’s why.

Would Scholes, Carrick, Cleverly, Mikel, Raimeres, Song, Ramsay, Parker etc all get into ours?

Edit: Missed the second part, but again it is pointless discussing because what's good for one team isn't necessarily good for us.

Probably.

[RedReet]

[The_weatherman]

A lot of people saying Spearing isn’t good enough for a top team. Had me wondering as I thought he was excellent playing with Lucas last year and we had some brilliant results, enough to challenge for a top 4 spot. He’s played in most of our cup games this year when again we’ve put in some excellent performances so I’ve compared results for when he’s started with Adam. (The ones in bold and underlined are with Adam in the team)

Stoke. W

Everton W

Sunderland L CA

Arsenal L CA

United L

Spurs D CA

Wolves W CA

OLdham W

City L CA

Newcastle W

Fulham L CA

Chelsea W

Stoke W

Brighton W

Exeter W CA

So without Adam alongside Spearing had 7 wins and 1 defeat (to United).

With him he's had 2 wins, 1 draw and 4 defeats.

Very interesting. Good research RedReet

[RedReet]

[kev776]

He played boss against Stoke, some lovely passing.

[Nicey]

Is he officially brilliant again then ?