We need to distinguish between 'he was crap for us' and 'he's a crap player'.
He was indeed pretty poor for Charlton and so as Clem states he doesn't all of a sudden deserve plaudits for what he did at SE7.
The humble pie is rightly aimed at anyone who said he is a useless player. He is clearly not as he is in the Championship team of the year. One season at Charlton does not define a players career.
The fact he has made it I to the Championship team of the year should give RD hope that even a relatively modest investment could see us top this league as it isn't actually that good!
The fact he has made it I to the Championship team of the year should give RD hope that even a relatively modest investment could see us top this league as it isn't actually that good!
Having someone who in my opinion is a top class manager and can get the beat out of his players has had something to do with Bournemouths success this year! Yes they've invested money but there are more than the one case where he's got the best out of his players. .
Liked him going forward for us but he was appalling defensively. That Preston game in the cup must be the worst performance from a defender I've ever seen.
That was a great game didn't we have both Michael Alonso and Francis self destructing.
No, Alonso played in the JPT against Brentford when we lost 3-0.
My main memory of him was how uncomfortable he was on the ball. Yes he delivered a couple of decent crosses but when he was in his own half he either belted it forward aimlessly or was caught in possession thinking about who to pass it to.
Francis was one of the worst players I have seen play for us along with Pavel Abbott and Peter Shaw. But fair play to him for turning it around, it just shows what good manager can do for a below average player. I wish him nothing but good luck.
Liked him going forward for us but he was appalling defensively. That Preston game in the cup must be the worst performance from a defender I've ever seen.
He was hooked at HT, because he had imploded. He was a terrible defender for CAFC, but the games i saw that seasons he looked like an obvious wing back, in a 3-5-2. (not for CAFC as we had Solly waiting his turn.) where he could spent his time going forward instead of backwards.
what a snide remark Clem. "He's done OK for Bournemouth " ?
Voted by the players in the championship team of the season 2015.
Voted Bournemouth POTY in 2013.
1st team player for cherries since he turned up in Dorset.
Having tipped him to be successful in an attacking team in the champ, i will say he should get Mullered in the Premier.
Some players operate on confidence. He joined us as a well rated player, but spiralled and was rarely anything other than terrible for us. I think it's great that he's taken a step down and developed so dramatically. Might be kicking a ball in the premiership next year...
Francis was one of the worst players I have seen play for us along with Pavel Abbott and Peter Shaw. But fair play to him for turning it around, it just shows what good manager can do for a below average player. I wish him nothing but good luck.
See this is the thing IMO.
There is no getting away from the fact that the majority of the performances he gave for us were crap and so for his Charlton career alone the bold elements apply.
But that's one season out of his whole career. 90% of his career suggests that he isn't below average. He is in the Championship team of the season and a key player for a side light years ahead of us.
For us rubbish. But not a crap player, and not below average. If he is, then what the bloody hell does that make Morgan Fox? (and thats not a dig at Fox)
Agreed Damo, it seems that for whatever reason (bad luck, loss of confidence, hostile reception, sheer coincidence) his worst ever season was at Charlton. He was well rated before he joined us. He's done very well indeed since leaving. Sometimes that just happens. He may even have become a better player for his time here and making it through, even if his actual performances were... less than good.
Francis has revelled in an attacking role at Bournemouth, in which he has great partnerships with his midfielders. Whilst at Charlton, he had to do a lot more defending in a much poorer team. It was clear he had some talent and he definitely had the physical attributes. Part of the reason he used to whack the ball at Charlton was probably down to the fact that there was rarely another Charlton player within 30 yards of him wanting the ball.
I thought his best game for us was at Tottenham in the FA Cup where Keith Peacock had obviously given him licence to attack. I think he will do ok in The Premier League.
Still have nightmares about that Preston performance. Danny Mayor utterly humiliated Francis that night.
Humble pie? You are joking aren't you? He was total and utter crap when he played for us. I get the impression that he couldn't cope with the step up from Southend to a bigger stage.
He's done ok for Bournemouth. That doesn't change the fact that he was consistently appalling everytime he put a red shirt on.
Was just about to type exactly the same thing. You can't unsee that performance.
I'm delighted that he went to a club that suited him and improved his game. But he was toilet for us, no bones about it.
EDIT: And he'll be taken apart in the Prem I'm afraid.
We need to distinguish between 'he was crap for us' and 'he's a crap player'.
He was indeed pretty poor for Charlton and so as Clem states he doesn't all of a sudden deserve plaudits for what he did at SE7.
The humble pie is rightly aimed at anyone who said he is a useless player. He is clearly not as he is in the Championship team of the year. One season at Charlton does not define a players career.
Exactly right. To get into the first team of a Championship level club, he has probably passed through the scrutiny of 50 or more managers, coaches, performance/fitness specialists and along the way he has passed sufficient tests to become a first team regular at a level most of us could only dream of reaching. To call him a crap footballer, is to say all these professionals got their judgment terribly wrong and we know better. As you say, he may well have not played well for us, but crap footballer? no! Just as Kevin Lisbie and Simon Church aren't either.
Comments
He was indeed pretty poor for Charlton and so as Clem states he doesn't all of a sudden deserve plaudits for what he did at SE7.
The humble pie is rightly aimed at anyone who said he is a useless player. He is clearly not as he is in the Championship team of the year. One season at Charlton does not define a players career.
He was pants for us but he obviously wasn't playing sh*te on purpose and I never understood the abuse he got at the time.
he's obviously not that bad a player but it just didn't work out for him here.
don't think he'll pull up to many trees in the prem (if he even makes it there)
But fair play to him for turning it around, it just shows what good manager can do for a below average player. I wish him nothing but good luck.
He was a terrible defender for CAFC, but the games i saw that seasons he looked like an obvious wing back, in a 3-5-2. (not for CAFC as we had Solly waiting his turn.) where he could spent his time going forward instead of backwards.
what a snide remark Clem. "He's done OK for Bournemouth " ?
Voted by the players in the championship team of the season 2015.
Voted Bournemouth POTY in 2013.
1st team player for cherries since he turned up in Dorset.
Having tipped him to be successful in an attacking team in the champ, i will say he should get Mullered in the Premier.
There is no getting away from the fact that the majority of the performances he gave for us were crap and so for his Charlton career alone the bold elements apply.
But that's one season out of his whole career. 90% of his career suggests that he isn't below average. He is in the Championship team of the season and a key player for a side light years ahead of us.
For us rubbish. But not a crap player, and not below average. If he is, then what the bloody hell does that make Morgan Fox? (and thats not a dig at Fox)
I thought his best game for us was at Tottenham in the FA Cup where Keith Peacock had obviously given him licence to attack. I think he will do ok in The Premier League.
I'm delighted that he went to a club that suited him and improved his game. But he was toilet for us, no bones about it.
EDIT: And he'll be taken apart in the Prem I'm afraid.
The boos when he was announced getting his medal were pathetic.
Who would have thought he would reach the Prem before Chris Solly who has gone backwards this year.
Simon has been a revelation down on the south coast with a manager who clearly recognises his strengths and allows him to play to them.
I hope he'll continue to show what he can do in the Prem.
Well done that man !
Incidentally, Philipp Lahm, one of the best full backs ever, modern or otherwise, is 5ft7.