Spence

BoroMart said:
It did happen though, and has happened, I noticed it last night but his pace got us out of trouble as he recovered. A better forward would have been in behind him and we could have conceded.

Djed, largely had a good game last night, agreed, however, some of his failures were stark, such as holding onto the ball in at the wrong time and therefore losing it, not making the right run to create space for the teammate on the ball, and yes switching off defensively and not reacting to the runner. But, saying that, he played fairly well in spite of those issues.
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Agree!
 
I lost count of how many times he lost the ball going forward last night, it seemed like every time.

He also lost the ball in some dangerous places in our own half from his usual sloppy passing.

Went on a couple of good runs in his first couple of games under Woody which got the crowd going, and thats it.

He's had more than enough chances to impress this season and he's failed every single time.

Each to their own and I know people can see/interpret games differently, but i'm astonished some people are saying he had a good game last night.

People keep playing the "age" card too, but he's simply nowhere near good enough for a top half champ club chasing a playoff position.
 
DanBoro4499 said:
I lost count of how many times he lost the ball going forward last night, it seemed like every time.

He also lost the ball in some dangerous places in our own half from his usual sloppy passing.

Went on a couple of good runs in his first couple of games under Woody which got the crowd going, and thats it.

He's had more than enough chances to impress this season and he's failed every single time.

Each to their own and I know people can see/interpret games differently, but i'm astonished some people are saying he had a good game last night.

People keep playing the "age" card too, but he's simply nowhere near good enough for a top half champ club chasing a playoff position.
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It was easy to count as every other player did the same, usually useless hoofs to give Coventry a chance to attack us. Howson could hardly do a thing right till a bright bit of play late on. And McNair gave the ball away countless times in dangerous areas. All three had the same pass % success figure give or take 1%.
 
BoroMart said:
I think he still has a lot to learn, he has great pace, an engine, amazing balance, but it's decision making that is the issue. Still only 20 though, time to improve
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I think he has a lot to learn but I honestly believe he will be premier league footballer for a top six team in a couple of seasons.
 
Redlips said:
I think he has a lot to learn but I honestly believe he will be premier league footballer for a top six team in a couple of seasons.
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Can't see it, hopefully proves me wrong though.

By 20 you usually have players ready to make the technical step up but he is miles away. Take away his pace, not sure you're left with much.
 
I thought Djed played well last night and when he came in as sub at the weekend.
To me he showed clear improvement in those two performances.
Spence has a lot of natural attributes to his game, pace, ease of movement and some skill.
What he has lacked is concentration and decision making and game awareness.
I think there have been signs that he is learning and paying attention to what the coaching staff are telling him. There is a good player in there, and potentially a very good player. If he continues to listen and develop he will do well for us and himself.
 
Alzi said:
Can't see it, hopefully proves me wrong though.

By 20 you usually have players ready to make the technical step up but he is miles away. Take away his pace, not sure you're left with much.
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John stones had a few iffy seasons at Barnsley and at Manchester City.

look at him now he is outstanding a Rolls Royce footballer.
 
Neil Warnock commented that Djed could either become a Premier League player or a non-league player.
By that, I take it he means it boils down to Djed`s attitude: either he thinks hes made it [in which case he will drop down and out of league footi] or he uses his obvious talent by getting his head down and nose to the grind-stone and work hard to prove his worth.
For me he is a bit immature - playing "skippy" "look at me" on occasion, rather than looking up and playing for the team.
Its those moments that make the difference between a consistently good talented player and someone who doesnt realise its not all plain sailing.
 
I thought he had a good second half last night. When he first came in he used his pace to skin defenders and get a cross in whereas now he seems more intent on beating them with fancy step overs and tricks leading to him losing the ball. As NW has said he could be a top Premier League player or a conference player.
 
20 years old and played 20 odd games and people expect him to be a world beater and want to write him off because he isn't.

With that attitude Bola, Djiksteel, Browne, Johnson wouldn't be here after their poor starts to their MFC careers.

If there's anyone who can sort him out it's Warnock. Ideally Spence would be out on loan learning and making his mistakes playing for someone else whilst he did it but we haven't got the strength in depth to send all the young players out on loan.
 
As an attacking full back despite having the key attribute of pace he is woeful going forwards, he's meant to be able to create but he just invariably passes sideways when he gets near the box as when he tries to take anyone on he loses the ball. As a defending full back we already have a better option in Fisher.

Unfortunately he is part of the problem at the moment, I hope he follows Tav's progression and steps it up.
 
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Redlips said:
I think he has a lot to learn but I honestly believe he will be premier league footballer for a top six team in a couple of seasons.
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That is a bold shout.

Premier league maybe but I’d be surprised at top 6. Hope you’re right though.
 
Redlips said:
I think he has a lot to learn but I honestly believe he will be premier league footballer for a top six team in a couple of seasons.
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That really is one of the most unbelievable statements i've read on this board.

He'll be nowhere near the premier league in a couple of years, unless he goes to watch a match - feel free to bookmark this thread :)

Also, people comparing his potential progression to John Stones, thats absolutely ludicrous. In terms of technical ability Stones was on a different planet to Spence at his age. He had a mistake in him of course, but spence shows nothing to suggest to me he's going to be a top player.

Been consistently awful for a while - hence he barely plays anymore.
 
Boro fans will be well aware of players we have produced through the Academy and also imported young into the club. Some have ended up playing in the Indian Leagues, lower and non-league. They demonstrated a high level of skill and dexterity, but their attitude undermined their ability, because they couldnt effectively marry up the two.
In a cut throat business that makes a big difference.
Im sure fans can think of examples.....
 
Of course for a young lad you’ve also got the confusion of being encouraged by one manager to go forward as he wanted to play that way and by another the importance of the defensive side leading to him inevitably being caught in two minds.
plus the fact you get the impression he might be a bit of a cocky little get.
 
thought he had a good game last night too, especially second half.

Was surprised when the gazette gave him a 5 but yet bola a 6, thought spence was better than bola last night personally.

There's a player in there I think, he has a good nak of winning the ball back further up the pitch too. Obviously still improvements to be made but I thought it was promising last night - think his role in our winner is being looked over quite a bit too.
 
DanBoro4499 said:
That really is one of the most unbelievable statements i've read on this board.

He'll be nowhere near the premier league in a couple of years, unless he goes to watch a match - feel free to bookmark this thread :)

Also, people comparing his potential progression to John Stones, thats absolutely ludicrous. In terms of technical ability Stones was on a different planet to Spence at his age. He had a mistake in him of course, but spence shows nothing to suggest to me he's going to be a top player.

Been consistently awful for a while - hence he barely plays anymore.
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I see where you are coming from Dan. I was stunned Spence was selected last night and don't personally see that he played well last night. I think his concentration and application is really poor.
I can see he has some ability, or at least some attributes that should enable good ability, but I have doubts over whether he will ever blossom. I can't remember the last match he played where I thought he looked a player...and I speak as one of the ones initially most excited by his early appearances.
I hope he proves me a wrong.
 
fmttmadmin said:
Not sure I see the value of singling out a 20 year old prospect for some potentially confidence-busting criticism straight after Boro have just won a game on the road. Exactly how is this thread going to help anyone?
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You are entitled to your opinion, as are other posters on a forum designed to enable supporters to discuss differing views about all things Boro - including players.
 
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