I think I've seen Paris score two (very well taken) winners fairly recently - at Grimsby with their player down in the box and one where he got sent off seconds later... Hartlepool maybe?
My issue with Matt Bloomfield is very similar to @arnos_grove and @Vital. He's clearly a lovely guy - intelligent, friendly, kind, passionate. In many ways inspirational. But what does he bring on the pitch? If you look at the various aspects of being a midfielder I'm not sure he's best at any of them. Here's how I'd rank our midfield on...
The great thing about Bloomfield though is that he seems to accept he's not an automatic first choice but works hard, is always ready to play when asked and will play any role without any kind of ego. A brilliant player to have in the squad, just not necessarily in the team.
@aloysius - Good post. I would however dispute your ranking for Bean on running, unless you are referring to pace only. To me he seems to cover more of the pitch than anyone except O'Nien.
@aloysius - It is worth noting that Matt Bloomfield was our top scorer of the players you list this season, yet you list him 3rd. In fact, he only scored 2 less than the others combined.
Bloomfield - 5
O'Nien - 3
Saunders - 1
Gape - 1
Freeman - 1 (Checkatrade)
Rowe - 1 (Checkatrade)
during that amazing run of form we had pre and post Christmas, Matt Bloomfield had possibly his best ever run of games in a Wycombe shirt. I'd imagine that played a huge part in earning him a new contract
@mooneyman fair point - speed would be a far more accurate description
@clifty04 again fair point - but worth noting Saunders only here for half a season and the year before O'Nien scored four to Bloomfield's one.
@eric_plant - clearly Saunders is exceptional at picking out the classy ball but often he's one step ahead of the player he's passing it to. O'Nien may not play so many hollywood passes but almost every time he gets the ball he gets it to another Wycombe player. That gives him first place in my book.
Totally agree with @aloysius description of Matt Bloomfield. Charming, articulate, friendly and totally loyal and committed. But, until this season, when he has put in so many sterling performances, I had never quite seen what he brought to the party. In my book, he was never one of those players whose omission from the team sheet before kickoff made me think "oh no, Bloomfield isn't playing ".And, to be fair, I didn't feel like that this season, even though I think it's been his best. Well deserved contract renewal though.
Just one other small point. As a champion of Nick Freeman, I couldn't help noticing what to me seemed like an inconsistency in the rankings which placed him third in creativity but sixth in passing ability.
@floyd said:
If you don't think Sam Saunders is the best midfielder at the club you're probably not in a position to rate the rest of them.
Only really looked at rankings for Bloomfield and Freeman. Certainly on positioning and running he should be higher. Classiest midfielder at the club. (Does that qualify me to make a few more judgments?!)
@floyd if that was meant for me, I struggle to see where you decided I thought otherwise. He's clearly the most talented midfielder in the squad. Unless, of course, you're aiming your criticism at Gareth Ainsworth who, sadly, has not exactly used him consistently or got the best out of him since January.
now that's a decent point, although we don't know where he's been with his fitness
with a full pre-season under his belt, I'd be disappointed if we don't base our team shape/tactics around getting Sam Saunders on the ball as much as possible next season
Saunders looked the business on Saturday which, no doubt, helped Bloomfield and Bean to improve. I think we have a decent squad that sometimes Gareth needs to use to inject some late energy rather than just shoring up at 85 minutes! Sad about Wood and Thompson, but it was inevitable as (Spurs game aside) neither has really set the team alight and challenged for a permanent slot this year. Freeman, Southwell and Muller need to come good next term I think. The good thing is we have the nucleus of a team that should challenge next season. I look forward to @rmjlondon 's insider knowledge over the empty summer months.
For me Bloomfield has had a great season by his standards however I think the goal scoring has painted over the cracks I find he often goes missing in games and I forget he's even on the pitch for the first 20, 30 or even entire first half, that was the case again on Saturday where it took 20 mins to notice him
It's interesting seeing so many people saying that they don't really rate Bloomfield and rate him pretty averagely across all areas, yet then say it's a deserved contract extension!
I think it was @floyd i remember disagreeing with, somewhere in the 7-10 years ago area about Bloomfield. My view was that he didn't really defend well, didn't offer much going forward, not good in the air or fast, so what was his actual role. Floyd told me he was a "midfielder" rather than any other incarnation, attacking, defending etc
Strangely, i prefer him now in his role than back then. I think he fully earns his role, especially in a 3 where there's not quite the emphasis on him to be either of the specialised attacking/defending mids.
I also chuckle at how much whinging at refs he does now compared to the old days!
I see Rowe is rated higher than Bloomfield in mid by quite a few too. I think he's a lot better in the air, and tackles better, but that goes with the territory of a defender playing in midfield!
Bloomfield doesn't seem to do that much that well, but he has seemed to lift the team at various points over the last few seasons when he's been available and playing well despite their being seemingly better options available. It's an odd one, and I'm certainly glad he's here again next year.
Bloomers fits into the mould of a harassing midfielder that will run his socks off that Gareth likes. However, he has too many games when all he is doing is running around. On Saturday I believe he should have been changed with O'Nien at half-time but Ainsworth would never do that. He has a contract for another season but I think he will become a more occasional player with Gape, O'Nien, Saunders and Freeman playing more often
Reading the above comments on Woody and Thomo confirmed to me that they played their best games on the two occasions that the rest of the team played the passing game rather than hoofball. Its sad to see them go if we are to continue playing as we did last Saturday.
I've noticed Bloomfield is particularly strong. That's a thing, I guess. He's a good guy and clearly all about the team. Since he's not out of his league, I suppose that makes him a valuable squad member: like Johnny says, I could see him fitting in well as a reserve midfielder who can be used to rotate Gape, O'Nien and Saunders, and maybe Freeman, who I've liked a lot in the very little time I've seen him play, next season.
Thompson Wood and Bean can go free up wages for younger better talent we could get in enought of this emotional attachment alot you fans seem to have we are a football club not a charity .
@HCblue , he's deceptively strong. He's one of those players you'd probably look at as an amateur and think you could give him a real shoulder barge, but he's got that stocky build and been beefed up a bit, and more than holds his own in that department for his size.
I thought last season was more of a "oh, a new deal, really?" moment, and this season not for a second debatable.
I would think O Nien should be the first choice for the roving energetic midfielder though. Would like him further forward as he has goals in him and feels a bit wasted further back.
Saunders certainly should be the focus though, when fit, certainly our most silky player, and probably measurable against anyone in league 2.
Comments
I think I've seen Paris score two (very well taken) winners fairly recently - at Grimsby with their player down in the box and one where he got sent off seconds later... Hartlepool maybe?
Are Rowe, DeHaviland and Muller on contract in to next season?
@Fit2drop Yes, all 3 until June 2018.
My issue with Matt Bloomfield is very similar to @arnos_grove and @Vital. He's clearly a lovely guy - intelligent, friendly, kind, passionate. In many ways inspirational. But what does he bring on the pitch? If you look at the various aspects of being a midfielder I'm not sure he's best at any of them. Here's how I'd rank our midfield on...
Breaking up play: Gape, Bean, O'Nien, Rowe, Bloomfield, Saunders, Freeman
Creating chances: Saunders, O'Nien, Freeman, Bloomfield, Gape, Rowe, Bean
Scoring: Saunders, O'Nien, Bloomfield, Freeman, Gape, Rowe, Bean
Running: Freeman, O'Nien, Rowe, Gape, Bloomfield, Bean, Saunders
Passing: O'Nien, Saunders, Gape, Rowe, Bloomfield, Freeman, Bean
Positioning: O'Nien, Gape, Bean, Rowe, Bloomfield, Saunders, Freeman
The great thing about Bloomfield though is that he seems to accept he's not an automatic first choice but works hard, is always ready to play when asked and will play any role without any kind of ego. A brilliant player to have in the squad, just not necessarily in the team.
@aloysius - Good post. I would however dispute your ranking for Bean on running, unless you are referring to pace only. To me he seems to cover more of the pitch than anyone except O'Nien.
@aloysius - It is worth noting that Matt Bloomfield was our top scorer of the players you list this season, yet you list him 3rd. In fact, he only scored 2 less than the others combined.
Bloomfield - 5
O'Nien - 3
Saunders - 1
Gape - 1
Freeman - 1 (Checkatrade)
Rowe - 1 (Checkatrade)
sorry, is that bizarre ranking thing above suggesting that Luke O'Nien is a better passer of the ball than Sam Saunders?
But it was an unusually high scoring season for Bloomfield.
during that amazing run of form we had pre and post Christmas, Matt Bloomfield had possibly his best ever run of games in a Wycombe shirt. I'd imagine that played a huge part in earning him a new contract
@mooneyman fair point - speed would be a far more accurate description
@clifty04 again fair point - but worth noting Saunders only here for half a season and the year before O'Nien scored four to Bloomfield's one.
@eric_plant - clearly Saunders is exceptional at picking out the classy ball but often he's one step ahead of the player he's passing it to. O'Nien may not play so many hollywood passes but almost every time he gets the ball he gets it to another Wycombe player. That gives him first place in my book.
bloody hell
Totally agree with @aloysius description of Matt Bloomfield. Charming, articulate, friendly and totally loyal and committed. But, until this season, when he has put in so many sterling performances, I had never quite seen what he brought to the party. In my book, he was never one of those players whose omission from the team sheet before kickoff made me think "oh no, Bloomfield isn't playing ".And, to be fair, I didn't feel like that this season, even though I think it's been his best. Well deserved contract renewal though.
Just one other small point. As a champion of Nick Freeman, I couldn't help noticing what to me seemed like an inconsistency in the rankings which placed him third in creativity but sixth in passing ability.
If you don't think Sam Saunders is the best midfielder at the club you're probably not in a position to rate the rest of them.
substitute "player" for "midfielder" and it's still the best point anyone's made all day
could probably chuck in "by miles" as well, just for emphasis
Only really looked at rankings for Bloomfield and Freeman. Certainly on positioning and running he should be higher. Classiest midfielder at the club. (Does that qualify me to make a few more judgments?!)
@floyd if that was meant for me, I struggle to see where you decided I thought otherwise. He's clearly the most talented midfielder in the squad. Unless, of course, you're aiming your criticism at Gareth Ainsworth who, sadly, has not exactly used him consistently or got the best out of him since January.
now that's a decent point, although we don't know where he's been with his fitness
with a full pre-season under his belt, I'd be disappointed if we don't base our team shape/tactics around getting Sam Saunders on the ball as much as possible next season
bit like we did on Saturday actually
Saunders looked the business on Saturday which, no doubt, helped Bloomfield and Bean to improve. I think we have a decent squad that sometimes Gareth needs to use to inject some late energy rather than just shoring up at 85 minutes! Sad about Wood and Thompson, but it was inevitable as (Spurs game aside) neither has really set the team alight and challenged for a permanent slot this year. Freeman, Southwell and Muller need to come good next term I think. The good thing is we have the nucleus of a team that should challenge next season. I look forward to @rmjlondon 's insider knowledge over the empty summer months.
@aloysius your "passing list" was:
Passing: O'Nien, Saunders, Gape, Rowe, Bloomfield, Freeman, Bean
I think that places Bean too high.
For me Bloomfield has had a great season by his standards however I think the goal scoring has painted over the cracks I find he often goes missing in games and I forget he's even on the pitch for the first 20, 30 or even entire first half, that was the case again on Saturday where it took 20 mins to notice him
It's interesting seeing so many people saying that they don't really rate Bloomfield and rate him pretty averagely across all areas, yet then say it's a deserved contract extension!
I think it was @floyd i remember disagreeing with, somewhere in the 7-10 years ago area about Bloomfield. My view was that he didn't really defend well, didn't offer much going forward, not good in the air or fast, so what was his actual role. Floyd told me he was a "midfielder" rather than any other incarnation, attacking, defending etc
Strangely, i prefer him now in his role than back then. I think he fully earns his role, especially in a 3 where there's not quite the emphasis on him to be either of the specialised attacking/defending mids.
I also chuckle at how much whinging at refs he does now compared to the old days!
be better if he cut out the diving as well. It's pathetic
I see Rowe is rated higher than Bloomfield in mid by quite a few too. I think he's a lot better in the air, and tackles better, but that goes with the territory of a defender playing in midfield!
Bloomfield doesn't seem to do that much that well, but he has seemed to lift the team at various points over the last few seasons when he's been available and playing well despite their being seemingly better options available. It's an odd one, and I'm certainly glad he's here again next year.
Bloomers fits into the mould of a harassing midfielder that will run his socks off that Gareth likes. However, he has too many games when all he is doing is running around. On Saturday I believe he should have been changed with O'Nien at half-time but Ainsworth would never do that. He has a contract for another season but I think he will become a more occasional player with Gape, O'Nien, Saunders and Freeman playing more often
Reading the above comments on Woody and Thomo confirmed to me that they played their best games on the two occasions that the rest of the team played the passing game rather than hoofball. Its sad to see them go if we are to continue playing as we did last Saturday.
I've noticed Bloomfield is particularly strong. That's a thing, I guess. He's a good guy and clearly all about the team. Since he's not out of his league, I suppose that makes him a valuable squad member: like Johnny says, I could see him fitting in well as a reserve midfielder who can be used to rotate Gape, O'Nien and Saunders, and maybe Freeman, who I've liked a lot in the very little time I've seen him play, next season.
What an extraordinary memory you have @Malone. I've no recollection of that, but i'm glad you've since come round to my way of thinking!
Thompson Wood and Bean can go free up wages for younger better talent we could get in enought of this emotional attachment alot you fans seem to have we are a football club not a charity .
@HCblue , he's deceptively strong. He's one of those players you'd probably look at as an amateur and think you could give him a real shoulder barge, but he's got that stocky build and been beefed up a bit, and more than holds his own in that department for his size.
I thought last season was more of a "oh, a new deal, really?" moment, and this season not for a second debatable.
I would think O Nien should be the first choice for the roving energetic midfielder though. Would like him further forward as he has goals in him and feels a bit wasted further back.
Saunders certainly should be the focus though, when fit, certainly our most silky player, and probably measurable against anyone in league 2.