Gary Speed

[Happy Face 29]

Gary Speed Played 2661, scored 6, supplied 7.

Scott Parker Played 2277, scored 3, supplied 1

James Milner Played 2045, scored 3, supplied 4

Amady Faye Played 1943, scored 1, supplied 0

Nicky Butt Played 1782, scored 1, supplied 1

Jermaine Jenas Played 1631, scored 5, supplied 1

Nobby Solano Played 1519, scored 2, supplied 3

Damo Duff Played 1466, scored 1, supplied 1

Emre Played 1458, scored 1, supplied 2

Kieron Dyer Played 1277, scored 4, supplied 2

Lee Bowyer Played 1275, scored 0, supplied 3

Darren Ambrose Played 1253, scored 3, supplied 2

Charlie Zoggy Played 1016, scored 0, supplied 3

 

Added some more players of interest.

 

Always though Ambrose was a canny squad player, and he's been more effective than Duff, Emre or Butt in less games (maybe Solano too, but he's played half his games in defence) while playing for a relegation bait club.

Edited April 3, 2007 by Happy Face

[Fop 1]

Sold by Fat Fred 2½ years ago because he's career was at an end....

 

Well done Gary, and still going strong

 

 

Played just under 30 league games this season (2661 minutes), scored 6 and supplied 7.

 

Gary Speed Played 2661, scored 6, supplied 7.

 

Scott Parker Played 2277, scored 3, supplied 1

James Milner Played 2045, scored 3, supplied 4

Nicky Butt Played 1782, scored 1, supplied 1

Nobby Solano Played 1519, scored 2, supplied 3

Damo Duff Played 1466, scored 1, supplied 1

Emre Played 1458, scored 1, supplied 2

Kieron Dyer Played 1277, scored 4, supplied 2

Charlie Zoggy Played 1016, scored 0, supplied 3

 

Head and shoulders above our entire midfield. What wouldn't I give to have him back in the team?

 

Way to go Freddy, another great decision.

Well done Gary Speed, I too thought he would be past it during his last months here. I thought replacing him with Butt would be brilliant tbh.

 

But I find the stats from our squad quite shocking. First because it demonstrates that Milner has been our most productive midfield player (you can argue about the inclusion of Dyer as he played more up front quite often). Second how little is coming from Emre and third that the one with the least minutes has almost the most assists...

 

 

Actually I think that explains a lot about our lack of goals, fight and wining really this season, it's not all down to the front men (although they have been shocking at times), but there's a real lack of creativity and supply from midfield as well.

 

So I still say we need 1 quality forward (that is good in the air and can hold up play), 1 really quality creative playmaking midfielder, as well as 2-3 good defenders (maybe more if all that are leaving leave).

 

 

 

And yeah selling Speed was a very, very bad move.

[Fop 1]

I still think it was right to sell Speed because here he was finished. At Bolton Alardyce changed his fitness regime totally and uses him and the team around him to get the very best out of his experience and intelligence.

 

Were he still here then he would look finished and be getting stick left right and centre from toon fans!

 

 

He maybe has been used a bit differently at Bolton I guess, but did they really change his fittness regime that much? He was always one of those players that really, really looked after themselves and realised that if you put the time in elsewhere (and don't burn the candle at both ends) it'll pay you back on the pitch.

 

Didn't he play with Strachan and his way of looking after himself really impressed him and he always tried to emulate that or something?

 

Makes you wonder what Dyer could have been with the same attitude since his youth.

[Lazarus 0]

Anyone got roberts stats....

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ally 0]

Still find it strange at Bolton how he takes all the corners for them. You'd think they would try and make the most of his class heading ability.

[sniffer 0]

Where are all of the people who were slagging him off towards the end of his time here? No doubt thankful that the old forum is gone along with their posts. So now they can pile the blame on FS.

[Sima 0]

Don't recall many people complaining at the time when we replaced him with Butt.

 

Hindsight ftw

[Bombadil 0]

One of my favourite players, I was sad when he left.

[sammynb 3640]

Still find it strange at Bolton how he takes all the corners for them. You'd think they would try and make the most of his class heading ability.

That and their long throws. I don't remember him being able to throw a ball that far for us.

[Happy Face 29]

Don't recall many people complaining at the time when we replaced him with Butt.

 

Hindsight ftw

 

 

I've googled it and still don't have a clue what FTW means.

 

Either way though, without hindsight history would be doomed to repeat itself....moreso.

[Fop 1]

Don't recall many people complaining at the time when we replaced him with Butt.

 

Hindsight ftw

 

 

I've googled it and still don't have a clue what FTW means.

 

Either way though, without hindsight history would be doomed to repeat itself....moreso.

 

For The Win.

 

I think a lot of people thought selling him wasn't "good business" as was insisted.

 

I've no idea why people thought he was shite before we sold him, maybe not all that he was with ever increasing age, but he'd have still been a regular IMO.

[Guest alex]

Speed was struggling in a conventional 4-4-2 when we sold him. That said, SBR didn't want to sell him if the rumours are true.

[sammynb 3640]

I remember at the time it seemed like Speed couldn't make a pass to save his life but if you think about it it was also at a time when our midfield was in disarray. Robert was at his worst, not tracking back and generally looking like he couldn't give a fuck, Jenas or Dyer were Speed's central midfield partners both being extremely lightweight, neither being prone to tracking back with urgency and Nobby was constantly being hauled off by SBR at the 60 minute mark and played every game with that expectation.