10 | Jack Grealish - 2022/23 Performances

[Phil1]

Different things are being asked of him compared to his role at Villa.

He still has the same talent but Pep's using it in a different way.

If he'd gone to any other club in the league, maybe any other club in the world, he'd look roughly the same player he did at Villa, doing roughly the same role.

At Villa, he was sharp, strong, direct, and so dangerous in fast-paced attacks/counterattacks. A manager looking for a player to play that role would see the price tag Villa put on him, because of his enormous value to them, and would set their scouts to finding a "Grealish-type player" at a lower price. Because the skills needed to do most of what he did at Villa would be available at a lower price. It's not something every player can do, but there are options.

But Pep saw something else in Villa Grealish. When we bought him, articles at the time said Pep had been asking questions about him for a long time, specifically around things like what positions can he play.

There's a rare combination of skills in there - the close control, the way the ball sticks to him, la pausa, the unselfish passing instinct, the way he carries the ball, the gravity drawing opponents to him, probably dozens of other things Pep sees that I don't, and Pep is honing those skills to mould him into a player that fills a much more specialised niche than a traditional winger.

I don't think he's the answer to all our problems, it's a team game and one player can only influence so much, but I do think it's telling that many of our most chaotic matches, including the last couple, have happened in Jack's absence. He gives all his teammates around him time and space, and that makes things easier.

I think bringing him on for Phil at half-time against Bournemouth was less punishment for Phil not passing to Haaland than a wish to use Jack to keep the ball, slow the pace and help the whole team conserve energy in an already-won match. And Pep's comments after the Newcastle game made it clear - we missed the way Jack helps the team control the tempo, and that meant we played far too much at a pace that suited Newcastle.

Not every player's style and skillset suits every game and every opponent. But Jack will get plenty of game time when fit this season because - although he's still learning, and like any player he has room for improvement - he's proven to Pep that he can play that role, and play it well, and do it in a way that helps the team function at the top of its abilities.

It may not be as exciting to watch, or as likely to lead to individual accolades, as what some other players can do on the wings. But it's an incredibly useful option for us to have.

Seriously mate, I don’t know why you bother. Every time you write a well thought out, balanced post it’s ignored by the divs in this thread who just want to bang on about the same shit they always do.

 

[FantasyIreland]

Seriously mate, I don’t know why you bother. Every time you write a well thought out, balanced post it’s ignored by the divs in this thread who just want to bang on about the same shit they always do.

Yep,its been explained and outlined on numerous occasions yet the same boring comments are being regurgitated by the those who set out their stall very early.

 

[kaz7]

Yep,its been explained and outlined on numerous occasions yet the same boring comments are being regurgitated by the those who set out their stall very early.

Ha, says you , after your raz campain and kev campain you cant tell anyone else off !

 

[Keeper!]

Yep,its been explained and outlined on numerous occasions yet the same boring comments are being regurgitated by the those who set out their stall very early.

I could say similar to you and Jason Denayer but we all have differing opinions, it's what football is all about.

 

[DRAGONZ_RULE]

Different things are being asked of him compared to his role at Villa.

He still has the same talent but Pep's using it in a different way.

If he'd gone to any other club in the league, maybe any other club in the world, he'd look roughly the same player he did at Villa, doing roughly the same role.

At Villa, he was sharp, strong, direct, and so dangerous in fast-paced attacks/counterattacks. A manager looking for a player to play that role would see the price tag Villa put on him, because of his enormous value to them, and would set their scouts to finding a "Grealish-type player" at a lower price. Because the skills needed to do most of what he did at Villa would be available at a lower price. It's not something every player can do, but there are options.

But Pep saw something else in Villa Grealish. When we bought him, articles at the time said Pep had been asking questions about him for a long time, specifically around things like what positions can he play.

There's a rare combination of skills in there - the close control, the way the ball sticks to him, la pausa, the unselfish passing instinct, the way he carries the ball, the gravity drawing opponents to him, probably dozens of other things Pep sees that I don't, and Pep is honing those skills to mould him into a player that fills a much more specialised niche than a traditional winger.

I don't think he's the answer to all our problems, it's a team game and one player can only influence so much, but I do think it's telling that many of our most chaotic matches, including the last couple, have happened in Jack's absence. He gives all his teammates around him time and space, and that makes things easier.

I think bringing him on for Phil at half-time against Bournemouth was less punishment for Phil not passing to Haaland than a wish to use Jack to keep the ball, slow the pace and help the whole team conserve energy in an already-won match. And Pep's comments after the Newcastle game made it clear - we missed the way Jack helps the team control the tempo, and that meant we played far too much at a pace that suited Newcastle.

Not every player's style and skillset suits every game and every opponent. But Jack will get plenty of game time when fit this season because - although he's still learning, and like any player he has room for improvement - he's proven to Pep that he can play that role, and play it well, and do it in a way that helps the team function at the top of its abilities.

It may not be as exciting to watch, or as likely to lead to individual accolades, as what some other players can do on the wings. But it's an incredibly useful option for us to have.

But... but... but he doesn't score enough goals so he's a major disappointment! That's the go-to response, right?

 

[Lauz9888]

Seriously mate, I don’t know why you bother. Every time you write a well thought out, balanced post it’s ignored by the divs in this thread who just want to bang on about the same shit they always do.

I'm a glutton for punishment! :)

 

[FantasyIreland]

I could say similar to you and Jason Denayer but we all have differing opinions, it's what football is all about.

You are comparing apple and orange scenario.

You clearly never wanted him here,and you have continued that campaign throughout.

You are right about the end of your sentence though :-)

 

[Keeper!]

You are comparing apple and orange scenario.

You clearly never wanted him here,and you have continued that campaign throughout.

You are right about the end of your sentence though :-)

As long as it doesn't turn into a lemon situation all will be good ;)

 

[FantasyIreland]

As long as it doesn't turn into a lemon situation all will be good ;)

Those days are long gone,you might not remember ;-)

 

[jimmygrimblesboots]

Grealish no longer plays for Villa, so what have his performances for them got to do with anything now?

In our shirt, so far , he has been a major disappointment.

His performances for Villa and England are the reason we bought him, and totally disagree with your comment , Jack started 22 league games last season and we won the title , no chance Pep would have persevered with him if he was a major disappointment , i expect that sort of comment from the agenda driven media and not from our fans. He maybes slightlydisappointming for the £100m we paid , but there are very few players in the world who could justify that fee but if you break the transfer fee down over his five year contract at £20m a year , maybe Jack will prove a major success , judging any player in the first 12 months at the club is not advised , Cancelo,Bernardo ,Sterling and others would have been shown the door after their first season.