What do McClaren and Jol see in Jenas? And what did Eriksson?
I don’t want to start shooting down Spurs players already at this stage of the season but it’s something that has wound me up throughout last season and in Saturday’s opener…what is it that McClaren and Jol see in Jermaine Jenas and Eriksson in the past?
In my opinion Jenas should be our Lampard/Gerrard but he flatters to deceive every time he steps out onto the pitch. Not once in his season long career at the Lane has he ever stood out as a clear man of the match. Yes he chipped in with some vital goals which claimed a few vital points in our quest for European football but he has never stood head and shoulders above his team mates in any one game like Lampard and Gerrard do.
At £7m he was not cheap and with time on his side his best, we hope, is yet to come. Having watched his dire performance on Saturday it did not look to me as though he was worthy of inclusion in our 16 man squad let alone an England World Cup squad member.
He should be the driving force in our midfield, taking the game to our opponents, running at them with pace and hitting them hard and fast on the counter. But what did we see of him? All I saw was him receiving the ball turning so his back was to goal and holding it until the nearest player moved closer to him.
Maybe it will take time for him to get used to not having Carrick next to him but even last season he did not do what we all wanted to see him do – taking the opposition on. The only time I remember thinking what a great game he was having was at home against Arse**l last season and even then that was only in the first 20 minutes and after that he faded.
I think he is a confidence player and possibly him not getting a look in for England has knocked it but he should be thinking about the opportunity he has in front of him to make his name the first on Jol’s team sheet week in week out.
With Zokora in the centre of the park it should allow JJ even more room to express his footballing ability going forward and hopefully they will forge a good partnership in the very near future. Those who point the finger of blame at Davids for Saturday’s abysmal performance are wrong in my opinion – Jenas played without passion desire or will to succeed which I feel that only Davids gave us whether he be past it now or not.
JJ – you have a lot to prove and we hope you do. Us the fans want to see you succeed more than anything especially in the shadow of Carrick leaving but it’s up to you to pull your finger out and live up to the expectations you have set yourself and we the fans expect.
JJ if you’re reading, liven up and make yourself indispensable to the team. I’m sure Danny Murphy would love the opportunity and faith that big MJ shows in you.
Good luck tonight, I’ll still be cheering you on and my money is on you for first goal…
Article submitted by nickgo
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