Spearing

T

trfc2019

Well-known member
Well what a great start we (Tranmere) have had.....

I was just wondering what your views on Spearing was last season? He seemed a really good signing when he joined on paper but has been awful so far.

He cannot run, has lost possession in his own half about 10 times in the last couple of games etc, he has just been so off the pace

Was he starting to look that way for you? Or is it a classic player turns rubbish when he joins for us again!!
 
In One word “yes” he was an honest grafter but got very prone to a mistake. Always firefighting ,never progressive
 
He probably suited out style of play over the last couple of years in that we slowed it down and were defence minded. He was good at breaking play up and making an easy safe pass. I always thought he was guilty of poor passing when we were attacking but always put that down to his team mates not making themselves available to him.
 
Really interesting comments from Tranmere.
I wasn’t unhappy when I read our Captain had left and not many footy fans feel that way.
Sadly, I think injuries are starting to take their toll on Jay. I’m sure he’ll improve but he might have ran his course as a real game influencer?
 
Chunky just about sums up my thoughts. He could be decent but those occasions were diminishing and that was probably why he was only offered a one year contract (probably on reduced terms) by us. Can't fault his effort though. We have certainly got better now
 
trfc2019 said:
Well what a great start we (Tranmere) have had.....

I was just wondering what your views on Spearing was last season? He seemed a really good signing when he joined on paper but has been awful so far.

He cannot run, has lost possession in his own half about 10 times in the last couple of games etc, he has just been so off the pace

Was he starting to look that way for you? Or is it a classic player turns rubbish when he joins for us again!!
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Just a very safe and unadventurous option. Our midfield was so bad at times last season that Spearing was still the option with most quality on the ball, but he has limited physicality and pace and rarely picks a forward pass.
 
I think the reaction of fans of the club a player is leaving is always telling and our fans weren't really bothered. He gave us some great memories, the penalty against Accrington, and he always showed passion but last season he frustrated alot of us by doing exactly what you just described. I thought he needed to take a step down to league 2 because he just wasn't cutting it with us and I do think he will do OK for you, but he isn't the talismanic leader some make him out to be. I do wish him all the best, like I said he gave us some good memories.
 
just a thought, if the tranmere pitch gets anything like last season, feeney won't be doing what he's best at hugging the line and sending crosses in
 
Hi all, thanks for the replies.

On the pitch, its been relaid so its superb, just a shame we are playing hoof ball and not passing on it!!

Feeney came off the bench and did more in 55 minutes than any other player has in 4 games

As for Spearing, more worried after reading some of those statements.
 
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Agree with what others have said. He's a top pro, good guy and leader, let's be honest, the guy has played in a Champions League Final, what L1/2 player wouldn't respect him?
He did the simple things well, worked hard and sat in front of our defence but was very limited other than that.
When we went back post boycott I was expecting someone with his experience to be completely bossing games at L1 level, dictating play and standing out, I was hugely disappointed. Can't remember which game but in one game in the space of 10 minutes he gave the ball away cheaply 3 times, leading to a goal and 2 huge chances that the opposition should have scored.

That said, due to the huge turnover in players and such a young squad I was a bit surprised when he left, although not really disappointed.
 
Produced very little for us but didn’t do a lot wrong. In Robson we have 10 x the player Spearing was
 
trfc2019 said:
Hi all, thanks for the replies.

On the pitch, its been relaid so its superb, just a shame we are playing hoof ball and not passing on it!!

Feeney came off the bench and did more in 55 minutes than any other player has in 4 games

As for Spearing, more worried after reading some of those statements.
Click to expand...

Feeney I liked a lot. He's a good player, no question. Just doesn't fit anymore.

Spearo, he's a player I never really completely 'got.'

Some fans really liked him as he's clearly 100% committed but my view was that he was neither fish nor fowl. He did break up play, but he was never dominant as his physique didn't let him be and he can pass but he seemed to be over conservative. So he's not quite an enforcer and not really a play maker. He's just kind of 'there'

He's not a player I disliked at all, I just never really felt the love as much as some.

That said, we went through a period where when he wasn't fit, we fell apart. The last game against you was an example. He didn't start and the midfield was hopeless first half. He came on and whilst he himself didn't blow anyone's mind, his talking and energy clearly organised and galvanised the rest of the midfield and we battered you (to no avail) for about 30 mins straight.

He had some excellent games for us, he was especially good when we were up against a better team and he'd nip in and stop attacks.

Like someone said above, I always wondered if I wasn't fully appreciating him as the rest of our side was one dimensional and not making use of the possession he'd win back and his conservative passing was as we were really static under last two managers.
 
trfc2019 said:
Well what a great start we (Tranmere) have had.....

I was just wondering what your views on Spearing was last season? He seemed a really good signing when he joined on paper but has been awful so far.

He cannot run, has lost possession in his own half about 10 times in the last couple of games etc, he has just been so off the pace

Was he starting to look that way for you? Or is it a classic player turns rubbish when he joins for us again!!E
Click to expand...

Your description is very accurate. Hardly anyone blinked when he left, He lives locally to Tranmere doesn’t he?? I think he’s made a move which suits him more than anything.

As for Macdonald, I notice he didn’t start yesterday for you. Great going forward but defensively needs to be better.
I wouldn’t expect too much from Feeney either, he was useless for us until last season when he had a big target man to aim at. If you’re not set up like that he won’t be effective.
 
Echo what others have said.

Honesty pro and gives everything, just sadly it ain't good enough now. His balls were always sideways, so I really wasn't fussed with him going (or Feeney but only as we have faster replacements) but wish him all the best.

All good look to you with promotion as really were unlucky to go down.
 
I wish all three the best of luck. I think they will do well, and probably Tranmere as well in time.

Feeney has one priceless skill, which is the ability to hit a dangerous cross without having to beat his man. I would have kept him, if only as a useful sub.
 
I agree with td53, but I do think he's better than the OP suggests he is doing, so far for Tranmere. And a good player to have around the dressing room. I wonder how fit he is? Hope he improves for you. Thought MacDonald would be a starter for you.
 
Chunkylad said:
Really interesting comments from Tranmere.
I wasn’t unhappy when I read our Captain had left and not many footy fans feel that way.
Sadly, I think injuries are starting to take their toll on Jay. I’m sure he’ll improve but he might have ran his course as a real game influencer?
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Nail, Hammer, Hit right on the head. 👍🏻
 
On the whole I was disappointed with Spearings time with us. I thought he would grab games by scruff of the neck but never seemed to. Thought he was a good captain though and was competitive. Good luck to Tranmere who I thought were the best away support at Bloomfield Road last season.
 
glasshalffull said:
I wish all three the best of luck. I think they will do well, and probably Tranmere as well in time.

Feeney has one priceless skill, which is the ability to hit a dangerous cross without having to beat his man. I would have kept him, if only as a useful sub.
Click to expand...

Yep agree. I always really liked Feeney and could never understand the grief he got on here. NC played him pre-season which made it a bit of a surprise when he left. But as td53 said - I think it was more of a case of spots available.
 
I think we are all of the same mind. In the context of the last 5 seasons, Spearing was a decent player and his commitment couldn't be questioned. However, he doesn't fit in the progressive direction of the post Larry era. Feeney same, but a great player with a couple of seasons at League One level in him for sure.
 
There was a time not too long ago when you weren't allowed to criticise Spearing on here. Then we signed Ronan and KDH on loan, and everyone realised the level required to win games in league 1, and Spearing wasn't at that level. He's a good player to have at a club - a great example, good leader. But he isn't league 1 standard. I think when Tranmere get going, which they will, he'll do ok for them though, as will Feeney. Amazed Macdonald hasn't started.
 
He was a good player for us in L2 but his game deteriorated in L1. I guess it was age catching up with him as he just didn't have the legs, passing ability or presence in the middle of the park. He never lacked effort however and quite often in the bigger games he came to the fore. A good pro and no doubt will eventually have a decent impact on some of your younger players as he is a leader on/off the pitch.
 
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