Jay Spearing

[Mattshark]

He has less than 20 appearences for us, 8 of which came in 'reserve sides', under Hodgson in the Europa League. 6 League games in total (in a strong team), 3 this season against Chelsea, Everton, Sunderland this season, none of those are easy games but he hasn't looked out of his depth in any, and those are difficult games to shine in. I think if he has a strong team around him he could be a useful player, but he's never really had the opportunity. I think we should give him some more starts between now and the end of the season to see how he does.

Today was the only time he has shown anything and while he did well today, he certainly didn't do enough to warrant a permanent place.

[RedReet]

He’s a decent player, homegrown, on relatively low wages, so no need to get rid just yet. There are gonna be major changes at the club next year, but we need some level of continuity, so I’ve no problem keeping Jay as a squad player.

[truefan999]

He is 22 (23 in November). He has not developed anywhere near enough for him to have a future here. Sell him to someone like Stoke or WBA for £3-4m.

[Exiled_red]

Today was the only time he has shown anything and while he did well today, he certainly didn't do enough to warrant a permanent place.

I'm not saying he warrants a permanent place, or a place in the first 11, but I hadn't appreciated how few games he's played with the regular players. He's had probably about 8 games playing with the regulars, in some big game this season, and while he hasn't shone in those games he hasn't looked out of his depth either. Could he have a future as a squad player playing on a semi regular basis. I'm not expecting him to be a star player or even a regular starter, but I guess he could be some who could do a job for us similar to an O'Shea or someone at Man Utd.

[Charly]

He was OK....no more, no less
But it's an aberration in his overall career with us if everybody's honest. Best for all concerned for him to move on.

There is always space in the squad for players like Spearing, unless you think we can afford to spend millions on a player who is happy to spend most of his time on the bench, and still give 110% when he does get a chance.

Money is tight, and I think we need to strengthen key areas of the team, with what will probably be a limited budget, and there are players in the squad who are on a lot more, who offer a lot less (Maxi, Cole, Poulsen...).

The other thing is, he still has time to develop. I remember a time when people said the same thing about Jamie Carragher, and he turned out ok.

My point is, why are we in a rush to get rid of a player who is on minimal wages, when there it seems there are no other similar players coming through the youth team who can step in? We probably should have held onto Adam Hammil a bit longer, considering we were willing to pop £35m on a target man, despite having no wide players at the club.

[Baracus]

I hold my hands up.

I said in the match thread 'jay spearing is a gerbile and should be trapped in a cage and made to run in a wheel'

He hada better game, since that point I posted. I am still not convinced, may the improved performance was a 'kenny effect'. Still must do better, and was better than maxi and joe cole in midweek

[Rich]

First time today where i thought he's done really well.

Not sure he's ever more than a squaddie but the boy did well today.

[The Birdman]

He did well today but the best we can hope for is that he turns into a player we can trust against the bottom 8 teams and in 'winnable' cup games

[danperkins]

He had a great game today but is sub standard and we should move him on in the summer IMO

[McDermotX]

There is always space in the squad for players like Spearing, unless you think we can afford to spend millions on a player who is happy to spend most of his time on the bench, and still give 110% when he does get a chance.

Money is tight, and I think we need to strengthen key areas of the team, with what will probably be a limited budget, and there are players in the squad who are on a lot more, who offer a lot less (Maxi, Cole, Poulsen...).

The other thing is, he still has time to develop. I remember a time when people said the same thing about Jamie Carragher, and he turned out ok.

My point is, why are we in a rush to get rid of a player who is on minimal wages, when there it seems there are no other similar players coming through the youth team who can step in? We probably should have held onto Adam Hammil a bit longer, considering we were willing to pop £35m on a target man, despite having no wide players at the club.

Parts of that may be true mate, but on the flip side, I'm not comfortable with us hanging onto players who are "willing to sit on the bench", especially one at an age who should really be moving on with his career.
Look at it from Spearing's view....22 going on 23, not the most technically gifted, not very strong, a 'hassler' is probably the fairest description of him as a footballer, and he is in a squad with the ultimate aim of being a first team player. I don't see a future for him at the club, and he should really be looking at how best to advance his career.
He doesn't do a good enough job for us when called upon to start or to come off the bench on average (and today's 6/10 does nothing to change that view), so all he does is fill up our quota of squad placements.

[RichC]

He's never going to be a starter for us but certainly helps in the short term with the HG talent you need to have in the squad.

[JHP]

He did well today but the best we can hope for is that he turns into a player we can trust against the bottom 8 teams and in 'winnable' cup games

He played very well today. Hopefully he plays his next game well. Then if he does I hope he plays the next game well.

He's a young lad that could still develop well or fade away. I think he's got a great attitude and therefore in a good position to continue to develop.

I've been sceptical but would be very happy to see him develop. Only those who work with players on a daily basis can make informed judgements i.e. no one on here. How some can just write him off is beyond me.

[DannyMan2006]

Key to Man Utds success down the years has been the availability of decent squad players who have come through their academy. They are happy to sit in reserve and don't rock the boat moaning about a starting place. When they have an injury they come in and do a job. They don't pull up trees, but they don't let anyone down.

I don't see why Jay Spearing can't be that type of player for us. He's not on mega wages and he's also HG. Many positives. Is he top class? No. Is he ever likely to challenge for a first team place on a regular basis? No - We need better.

But squad players are key during a long hard season and Jay showed today that he does have a chance of being one of those players for us.

[sssiho]

The lad done well today, get rid of Poulsen and keep Spearing as a squad player.

[RichC]

Key to Man Utds success down the years has been the availability of decent squad players who have come through their academy. They are happy to sit in reserve and don't rock the boat moaning about a starting place. When they have an injury they come in and do a job. They don't pull up trees, but they don't let anyone down.

I don't see why Jay Spearing can't be that type of player for us. He's not on mega wages and he's also HG. Many positives. Is he top class? No. Is he ever likely to challenge for a first team place on a regular basis? No - We need better.

But squad players are key during a long hard season and Jay showed today that he does have a chance of being one of those players for us.

I'd agree with that, he's not first choice and never will be but if he could do a O'Shea job for us over the next 4-5 seasons without moaning etc.... well worth keeping.