Opinions, opinions, opinions. How's he doing? Are we seeing real progress? Is he fitter, more committed and effective than previously? Does he look like he's interested and want to be here? I only ask because plenty see his positives and many his negatives. I probably am more negative towards him if honest but really want to see him do well. He has talent and really, with a little more application and astute decision making, shouldn't he be ripping this league up? But it's not happening - why? Or is it...slowly? Discuss.
When George is “on” I think he’s great. Glides past opposition players better than anyone else in the squad. However, he doesn’t have enough of these moments. He goes too many games, or long periods in games where he’s just not doing it. I think his fitness issue is just a default moan at him nowadays but for me, it’s his consistency. Can do the remarkable one minute and then nothing the next. I think depending on how this Callum Styles is doing at Bury and continues to do up to January, with Moncur being out of contract, I think he could go in Jan.
He's definitely up for the job and valued by the rest of the team, but I don't know what to expect from him because I've not really seen what he does for other clubs when at his best. He's certainly got quick feet and a decent shot when his eye is in, but he's not really got the "wow" factor. He seems to beat men in safe areas where the defenders pass him along in a sideways motion. Sometimes passing, sometimes he'll get a cross or shot away and other times holding on too long and losing possession. He's a bit of a luxury at the moment, but at this level we can probably afford it in most games, but if someone offers more he'll be back on the bench I think.
He's a frustrating one for me. His fitness does seem better than before, although I don't know if the lower level of position plays a part in that. He can dribble fantastically at times, causing the opposition some real trouble. But then he keeps on going for too long without laying off the call to someone else. It's a bit of a love-hate relationship I guess.
For me he's the most talented player we have. The problem he's got is the expectation some fans have for him to show that talent 100% of the time, so when he makes a mistake he's a numpty. I agree in this league we can get away with him playing every week and the brilliance he has and shows on a match day is enough (in this league). Again the trouble is people expect more. He's got more and I expect in training he's probably the stand out player but we judge him on match play. I like him personally and feel a lot of the criticism of him comes from frustration and expectations. My opinion is, at the moment he's the best player we have in that position so stick with him. If someone else comes in and shows more then replace him. Just like any other player in any position.
Stendel or Winkler need to have a word with him about getting his head down and doing the job i think.
He looks more motivated this season. He's fitter and leaner. He can almost last a full game without being a passenger for the last 35 minutes. He looks as stylish as any footballer I've seen when running with the ball, but far too often he runs up blind alleys or isn't accurate enough with the killer pass or shot. While ever we play with one up front, as we don't have another experienced striker, he's the best option we have to support Moore from midfield. If we play with two strikers, like we have when we destroyed teams this season, I don't see a place for Moncur in the starting 11. I don't think it's a coincidence that our best performances against Oxford, Rochdale and Bradford came when we were playing 4-4-2 and Moncur wasn't in the side. I also think his major asset, running with the ball, is much more effective when he's brought on as a sub and he can run against tired defences. See our second goal against Bradford as an example.
He played on the left wing against Fleetwood and did pretty well. More time and space to get on the ball than in the number 10 role. The ball sticks to his toe when he’s running with the ball and he’s a good final pass/shot away from being arguably the best player in this league. I’d persevere.
He is also one of our most ineffective players on a regular basis. I agree he has talent but I don't see him as one of our best players. As Jay points out he wasn't even in the team when we had 2 strikers. Also as you say he doesn't suit our style of play at all. I would be very surprised if he isn't allowed to leave when his contract expires at the end of the season.
I agree with all that. When I say one of our best players, I mean ability. He hasn't lived up to expectations whatsoever. He had a little run under Hecky in the team at the end of the mid table finish season but that's been it. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to have worked out for him so can see him moving on.
A big problem with starting him is that you limit your options to change the game if you need to as you know that he's going to be knackered after 65 minutes and useless for the rest of the game. That forces you to use your first choice attacking sub to replace Moncur and severely limits your options if you actually want to change the shape of the team.
Seen little improvement in him, tends to move with the ball across the pitch checks back retracing his steps always trying to get a shot off rarely looking for a pass cos its all abart George. Given up on him narr and hope we try to mug sumbdi in January for a few quid or send him on his way int Summer.
