The booing of Styles being announced in the starting lineup was a first for me; I can’t recall a time when something even remotely similar has occurred. He’s a contracted player, one of the best players in League 1, and someone who I’m sure we’re desperate to keep unless someone meets the club’s valuation. Styles completely controlled the game today and made it look effortless at times. If we can keep him then that’s fantastic and it undoubtedly improves our chances on the pitch with his drive, energy and vision from midfield; it’s akin to a new signing. If we can’t keep him then we’ll have money to balance the books or invest elsewhere. Regardless, to have our own fans booing a player like they did today is a disgrace, it achieves nothing aside from alienating the player from the fan base.
Booing styles as they did shows up how fuxking stupid a decent proportion of our fan base is. If he stays he’ll be one of our best players and one of the best players in the bloody league.
Observations from the Twitter clips: Two excellent goals. That finish from Norwood was sublime, and it's always nice to see a set piece go in. The new kit really does look wnak. If they are going to do a run of classic kits, I hope that at least they go back to something predominantly red next season. Lyons Cakes with broken TV shoulder pads perhaps?
Bloke who used to sit in front of us booed Mike Sherons name when it was announced and refused to celebrate when he scored. Michael Chopra got.booed for scoring against Donny. Pathetic that these morons still follow the club.
Can't argue with that. His improvement throughout last season was immense. He's a very, very good player.
I’ll be honest. Something clicked for me today with Styles. Don’t get me wrong I’d never boo a player playing for my team (that’s just moronic and counter productive) but I was very much in the camp of get rid. Not as good as he thinks he is, if we can get 7 figures happy days as he ain’t all that. But then watching today, yes it’s pre-season, yes it’s Crewe Alexandra, but he was absolutely outstanding! Just a class above everyone else on the field. Driving forward, beating players, killer passes, getting his foot in when needed, good energy. What’s not to like?? Now I’m desperate to keep him!! Funny old game innit?
I didn't go today, and as such, I'm still where you were before today. Yes, he's alright, but nowhere near as good as he thinks he is and if we can get a lot of money for him, then take it, particularly as we have Connell, Kane and Phillips, who proved last season they're a step above almost all other midfield setups in our division. But I'd be very happy to have my mind changed, particularly if there's a chance he stays. And I guess there is, if no one makes an offer that meets his buy-out clause, I have every confidence the board won't let him go cheap.
I can see where you’re coming from but he’s completely different to what he had at our disposal last season and if we can retain him, which I admit is remote at best, then he takes our already outstanding starting midfield three to a different level.
Absolutely, the fortunes of players and the opinions of us as fans can change in a heartbeat. I rated Luke Thomas due to his ability to drive from midfield and provide that urgency that we lacked and but I saw that in Styles today together with the awareness and guile that would really take us up a notch.
I was also wanting rid of Styles, because he lost the plot for a while. And he certainly lost interest in playing for us when he became a world class international (and that still makes me laugh now at the thought of it!). But in fairness, if he is willing to put the effort in to earn himself a move away, then thats fine. And as today proved, whether it was just a friendly against Crewe or not, it will surely benefit the team.
he was superb today. looked hungry. different class to anyone on the field. if we can keep him heceill be a real asset.
I like the new kit misen. The team looks decent TBH. A few key players missing in Connell & Phillips. Whatever happens with Styles, there are some right knob heads booing him. He's one of our own. Anyone booing him next week vs Port Vale I'll personally tell them to **** off to Swillsbrough.
Styles imo is the best player in the squad. (Collins maybe his equal.) Exceptional when he came into the side under Struhber at the age of 19yrs. and then under Val. The year we went down he was under a lot of pressure with a side with no confidence. Poor at best. And took on a lot of responsibility which in my view affected his performances. He was 21yrs of age at the time. Yesterday he was a class above the rest and if they get to a good understanding we have a decent side.
I heard the boos. Only a few morons. But I dont think Styles would have heard em as he was on the far side when he was read out. The applause would have drowned it out. I was on the lower middle. Halfway back. but it came from over to the right. And I dont think they were bairns. Some just don't climb out of nappies.