Do we BFC fans prefer 'triers' or 'laikers'..

I only ask this, as I was looking back at a few of my videos from last season and when you watch the Mellis vid it's quite hard to fathom (for me it is) why he didn't win POTY.

Don't get me wrong, I voted for Daggers. But Mellis was my next vote. I went for Daggers because of the huge turnaround in form.

But yet Perkins triumphed. And I love Perks. Key player for me.


But it got me wondering. Twas just a few days ago a thread on here asked for your best 5 players from last season. The amount of folk who didn't include Jacob was staggering, in my opinion. Yet the likes of Etuhu, Dawson and Perkins were in most peoples top 5. Hell, even Wiseman and O'Brien got plenty of mentions.


So as I say, do we prefer 'triers' at Oakwell?


Personally, I like a mix of both. But I'll go out my way for a 'laiker' any day of the week. And without your laikers (Vaz, Butts, Mellis, Higgy, Howard, Hammy) I can guarantee this board would be whingeing about too many grafters etc.

And on that note, enjoy Mellis while you can.... He's an exceptional laiker.

 

Would you agree its harder for a laiker to appear consistant as he needs movement around him a trier can still look decent even though the team are struggling?

I agree Mellis will grow into a stand out player this coming season although I don't think he'll be on his own!

 

Always been the case. We'll applaud the talentless individual who runs his blood to water, but soon get on the back of the creative ball player who doesn't run around like a headless chicken. There are exceptions. Shuker's running around routine often got confused for skill, and at the time was often cited as proof that you could have both ability and endeavour. Until some woke up and realised he was just rubbish. Nardiello, on the other hand, could sit on his arse and do sod all for three months and still get a standing ovation when leaving the pitch after 70 minutes tired cos he'd covered nearly six yards. Amazing the leeway you can get for scoring on your debut.

 

Laiker for me mate, but they can't be lazy, their effort should be put in by trying to get involved in the game, looking for the ball etc. I am a big admirer of Mellis, but for reasons unknown to me, he wasn't used enough last season. He is quality though, first name on my team sheet and build a team around him. He can devastate at this level.

 

personally I like to see someone with skill but hate the ones who think they can only show it every few games and sulk through a game if they don't fancy it

 

At different stages of a season,

Even in a match, both styles can bring something different to the table & have a positive contribution. Using the two players you've already mentioned as examples, I've seen Perkins play telling through balls and creating opportunities for the front men, despite being criticised for 'running around a lot, but to no effect'. Also, I've seen Mellis winning the ball back by making a committed tackle, despite being accused of 'having the heart of a pea'.
I have always been baffled as to why one needs to choose between the two styles and not be allowed to appreciate both.

 

Re: At different stages of a season,

Here here.

 

Re: At different stages of a season,

I'd much prefer a talented player provided they're not lazy.

It's acceptable for attacking players to not run around as much as defensive players because they need their energy for quick, decisive attacks. If you've got a striker that continually hurries defenders and chases after lost causes then they're going to get very tired, very quickly and won't be as effective when we have the ball. Centre halves rarely run around so if they're competing with a knackered striker, they'll get a tackle in or get to the ball first on the majority of occasions.