[jack bauer]

i will admit to not being oldakers greatest admirer at times but what can not be disputed is his set piece conversion, i mean what is that his 3rd this season? he is pretty darn good at this, i'd be very interested to know what his conversion rate is in matchplay. would like to see him be that bit more confident to try a few shots in open play, yes different skill i know but if we can find a pattern of play to get him into those positions, what a weapon.

[Johnnyspireite7]

jack bauer, on 01 January 2025 - 11:45 PM, said:

i will admit to not being oldakers greatest admirer at times but what can not be disputed is his set piece conversion, i mean what is that his 3rd this season? he is pretty darn good at this, i'd be very interested to know what his conversion rate is in matchplay. would like to see him be that bit more confident to try a few shots in open play, yes different skill i know but if we can find a pattern of play to get him into those positions, what a weapon.

4th, most by an English player this season in all 4 divisions apparently.

[hilly81]

jack bauer, on 01 January 2025 - 11:45 PM, said:

i will admit to not being oldakers greatest admirer at times but what can not be disputed is his set piece conversion, i mean what is that his 3rd this season? he is pretty darn good at this, i'd be very interested to know what his conversion rate is in matchplay. would like to see him be that bit more confident to try a few shots in open play, yes different skill i know but if we can find a pattern of play to get him into those positions, what a weapon.

Anyone who has watched us over the last few years knows that Oldaker is a very talented boy. His free kicks are outstanding. His general play, at times, has been very good. He?s just so inconsistent. He seems so relaxed during a game and just doesn?t influence a game like a midfielder should. Big second half of the season for him if he wants to stay at this level.

[Zigsuk]

Yes, he?s a brilliant free kicker I will give him that, but I still have reservations about the rest of his play.
I always thought Beckham overrated, indeed one of the most overrated players of all time, but the best free kick taker I have ever seen. When discussing this with a mate he said he can win you a game with his free kicks and he quoted the example when Beckham?s last gasp kick against Greece ensured we didn?t fail to qualify for a World Cup.
Back to Oldaker, it could be argued if he hadn?t played we wouldn?t have scored from the kick but I still think he needs to contribute more in open play.

[Osborne again]

The free kick and ensuing goal was worthy of anything we've seen from the best boots in the land.
David Beckham, Trent Alexander Arnold and Kevin De Bruyne, would all be proud of that strike.
I like DJ but he would help himself, when pressed, if he used both feet to accurately pass the ball. It may only take a second to move the ball to his right foot but that gives the opposition time to muscle in on him. Lots of players don't give effort in developing their weaker foot. From around 5 years old I was coached to pass and shoot with both feet and it adds another dimension to your game, although it didn't help with the direction I took in life 😂.

[dim view]

Osborne again, on 02 January 2025 - 01:42 PM, said:

The free kick and ensuing goal was worthy of anything we've seen from the best boots in the land.
David Beckham, Trent Alexander Arnold and Kevin De Bruyne, would all be proud of that strike.
I like DJ but he would help himself, when pressed, if he used both feet to accurately pass the ball. It may only take a second to move the ball to his right foot but that gives the opposition time to muscle in on him.

Banks is even worse. He does a pirouette to get the ball to his right foot. It looks balletic, but vital pace and momentum is lost. Of course, if its a 40 yard opportunity which he can't practically ever complete with his left, then you have to make allowances.

Ironically, Oldaker can use either, like Colclough, but I agree, he doesn't do it enough.

[stainlessstephen]

I quite like DJ as a player but he I'd consistent with his inconsistency.

There is a similarity with Jeff King, who was a good free kick taker - but also a liability at times.

[SpireRam]

I don?t think DJ has been great in the last month or so however he was on track to be my player of the season in the first few months. He was running the show in the middle of the park for us when he had Naylor alongside him and we had a fully fit team. I?m putting his individual dip more down to the strains of the side. Players around him allowed him to play a game that suited him more whereas our limited options are forcing him to have to do things he isn?t so good at.

But yeah on the original point, his free-kicks are banging. Deserved that one to go in at Gills too.

[Sammy Spireite]

SpireRam, on 02 January 2025 - 03:01 PM, said:

I don?t think DJ has been great in the last month or so however he was on track to be my player of the season in the first few months. He was running the show in the middle of the park for us when he had Naylor alongside him and we had a fully fit team. I?m putting his individual dip more down to the strains of the side. Players around him allowed him to play a game that suited him more whereas our limited options are forcing him to have to do things he isn?t so good at.

But yeah on the original point, his free-kicks are banging. Deserved that one to go in at Gills too.

i think you can count on one hand the number of games Naylor has started along side Oldaker in the CM, he's been at CH virtually all season so far?

Most of DJs early plaudits were with Banks at the side of him.

[SpireRam]

Sammy Spireite, on 02 January 2025 - 03:14 PM, said:

i think you can count on one hand the number of games Naylor has started along side Oldaker in the CM, he's been at CH virtually all season so far?

Most of DJs early plaudits were with Banks at the side of him.

My point was with Naylor beside him / a near full strength side. Badly worded.

This post has been edited by SpireRam: 02 January 2025 - 03:20 PM

[Osborne again]

dim view, on 02 January 2025 - 02:05 PM, said:

Banks is even worse. He does a pirouette to get the ball to his right foot. It looks balletic, but vital pace and momentum is lost. Of course, if its a 40 yard opportunity which he can't practically ever complete with his left, then you have to make allowances.

Ironically, Oldaker can use either, like Colclough, but I agree, he doesn't do it enough.

DJ needs to learn to receive and release quickly. I think that he'll be a very decent player for this level with some help from the coaching team.

[sewey89]

Zigsuk, on 02 January 2025 - 01:11 PM, said:

Yes, he?s a brilliant free kicker I will give him that, but I still have reservations about the rest of his play.
I always thought Beckham overrated, indeed one of the most overrated players of all time, but the best free kick taker I have ever seen. When discussing this with a mate he said he can win you a game with his free kicks and he quoted the example when Beckham?s last gasp kick against Greece ensured we didn?t fail to qualify for a World Cup.
Back to Oldaker, it could be argued if he hadn?t played we wouldn?t have scored from the kick but I still think he needs to contribute more in open play.

Beckham.. overrated?! 😂🤦🏻‍♂️

Also DJ is one of our most important players. Always available to receive the ball and never hides. When he?s in form, everything goes through him. People slate him because he goes backwards, but those people don?t understand how cook wants us to play, which is possession based.

[Fact Checker]

SpireRam, on 02 January 2025 - 03:20 PM, said:

My point was with Naylor beside him / a near full strength side. Badly worded.

Yep agree with this sentiment - DJ was up there with Gordon for player of the year until this last month. He?s got so much talent and if that consistency can slightly improve he?d be a championship player for sure.

[Osborne again]

sewey89, on 02 January 2025 - 03:50 PM, said:

Beckham.. overrated?! 😂🤦🏻‍♂️

Also DJ is one of our most important players. Always available to receive the ball and never hides. When he?s in form, everything goes through him. People slate him because he goes backwards, but those people don?t understand how cook wants us to play, which is possession based.

I think most people understand how Cook wants to play, it's pass pass pass, and not pass hold pass hold pass hold. Sometimes the holding midfielder will have to drop deep, but he has to either get rid or travel with the ball,but hopefully not towards our own goal. Naylor sometimes plays through the holding midfielder,who then becomes a defender until momentum can be gained. I'm not knocking DJ because I like the lad and want him to get better. I'd give him another contract now.

[fishini]

Fact Checker, on 02 January 2025 - 03:50 PM, said:

Yep agree with this sentiment - DJ was up there with Gordon for player of the year until this last month. He?s got so much talent and if that consistency can slightly improve he?d be a championship player for sure.

Championship player? Personally I think he's at his level, any higher imo is wishful thinking

[Zigsuk]

fishini, on 02 January 2025 - 05:32 PM, said:

Championship player? Personally I think he's at his level, any higher imo is wishful thinking

Agree.

[Zigsuk]

sewey89, on 02 January 2025 - 03:50 PM, said:

Beckham.. overrated?! 😂🤦🏻‍♂️

Also DJ is one of our most important players. Always available to receive the ball and never hides. When he?s in form, everything goes through him. People slate him because he goes backwards, but those people don?t understand how cook wants us to play, which is possession based.

Could Beckham head? Could he tackle? Did he have a left foot? And more importantly did he have pace? Could he beat a man?
Thought Ryan Giggs was twice the player.
As I?ve said brilliant free kick taker and good passer with his right foot.
Also incredible talent for self promotion and making money, but never as good as the hype surrounding him.

[Osborne again]

Zigsuk, on 02 January 2025 - 11:50 PM, said:

Could Beckham head? Could he tackle? Did he have a left foot? And more importantly did he have pace? Could he beat a man?
Thought Ryan Giggs was twice the player.
As I?ve said brilliant free kick taker and good passer with his right foot.
Also incredible talent for self promotion and making money, but never as good as the hype surrounding him.

Jamie Redknapp was a better player, in my opinion, but injury did for him, a pity really, although he's right about Sketchers, they're really comfy shoes lol.

[sewey89]

Zigsuk, on 02 January 2025 - 11:50 PM, said:

Could Beckham head? Could he tackle? Did he have a left foot? And more importantly did he have pace? Could he beat a man?
Thought Ryan Giggs was twice the player.
As I?ve said brilliant free kick taker and good passer with his right foot.
Also incredible talent for self promotion and making money, but never as good as the hype surrounding him.

This is the last I?ll say on it as I hate derailing threads, but I think this is such a tired and lazy argument regarding Beckham. I think because of his fame off of the pitch, it?s forgotten how good he was on it. He played for United, Madrid, Milan and PSG, you don?t do that if you?re just a free kick taker with a right foot.

He also narrowly missed out on the Ballon d?or in 1999, coming second to a freak like season from Rivaldo.

It?s obviously all about opinions and everyone is entitled to theirs, but I?d implore you to watch the 99 champions league final and the England vs Greece game back and not be swayed on your opinion that he was simply ?hype?.

[hilly81]

sewey89, on 03 January 2025 - 08:47 AM, said:

This is the last I?ll say on it as I hate derailing threads, but I think this is such a tired and lazy argument regarding Beckham. I think because of his fame off of the pitch, it?s forgotten how good he was on it. He played for United, Madrid, Milan and PSG, you don?t do that if you?re just a free kick taker with a right foot.

He also narrowly missed out on the Ballon d?or in 1999, coming second to a freak like season from Rivaldo.

It?s obviously all about opinions and everyone is entitled to theirs, but I?d implore you to watch the 99 champions league final and the England vs Greece game back and not be swayed on your opinion that he was simply ?hype?.

The idea that Beckham wasn?t very good is ludicrous. He was a sensational footballer.