A friend of mine living down sarf, who knew I missed the match on Saturday and that I was not happy about it posted that on my FB saying how lovely it was. She has no interest in football btw.
Another friend who has an AV season card then told me that he (Jack) has a sister Holly who has special needs and how Jack used to have her with him on the lap of honour at season’s end. Plus he is involved with the Acorn Children’s Hospice.
Of course that doesn’t make him a better footballer but, in my humble opinion, it makes him a lovely, caring young man.
I said at the beginning of the season that I would give him a season to settle in before I expressed a football opinion of him and he still has a few months to go but he plays for City so if someone calls him I will defend him. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I will just take his side! I know that makes me sound as if I am a bit silly but tough.
He is a City player. So I’ll be on his side. ;-) :-)
Well said EB!
My personal take on this is that he’s doing exactly what he’s being asked to do, which is hold the formation on the left hand side/wing at #11, certainly until the game is won and then switch to a more central #10 role, very often that’s when KDB has been withdrawn.
The output is inevitably different to a roaming #10 role for the whole game and especially different to the role he had at Villa, where he was, of course, their most talented, skillful and creative player..
Whereas at City he’s not the most talented, nor the most skillful. not creative player, the likes of KDB, Bernado, Foden, Mahrez (when he’s on his game) and Raheem, all rank with, or better than Jack, on those calls.
Pep’s teaching him to be a different player, a much more rounded player and one that I expect will, in time, be an even better and much more exciting player than the Villa one we bought.
Its not about 'fitting in', getting used to a new team etc etc, its about being transformed and improved. Something Pep has an absolutely amazing track record of doing!
I will finish by saying "watch this space" as far as our Jack goes!
As far as his personal side. I am fortunate to be good friends with a lot of Villa fans, most of whom know Jack personally and cannot speak more highly of him. A lot of the stories i will keep to myself out of respect, but virtually to a man, they love the guy! He used to wander down to the Social Club close to Villa Park after the game and have a drink with said Villa lads, where he was treated normal, with no mither and left to enjoy his post-match pint with mates he has known all his life. He is totally grounded, but enjoys life and letting off steam by going out, which is hardly a crime! If you deny him this, just ask yourself what would you be like in his position??