[ad_pod ]
This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Appearing on the podcast Talking Shutt, BBC Radio Leeds commentator Adam Pope has issued his thoughts on Adam Forshaw, finding it baffling that he’s now suddenly being acclaimed after previously gaining criticism.
What’s he said?
Leeds have had another solid start to the campaign and sit third in the table after their opening six matches.
With an injury to Tyler Roberts, Adam Forshaw has deputised in a role slightly further forward than usual.
Playing alongside Mateusz Klich, he’s started each and every one of Leeds’ Championship clashes this season but is yet to find a goal for his troubles.
Supporters slammed him last term and took issue with comments he issued before the season began. However, the 27-year-old has since gained praise from the Elland Road faithful.
It’s something that commentator Pope can’t understand, claiming he’s still the same talented player as before. He told the Talking Shutt Podcast:
“Why is he now suddenly being acclaimed when he was getting rinsed? For me, he’s still the same player. I think he’s a great player and he was called the most talented player in the squad when Bielsa arrived. So, why can’t people see this like they could with Phillips for all those years? It’s the same player, he’s got a load of talent.”
Forshaw on the up?
Leeds’ number four has had a fairly convincing start to the season and has played relatively safely so far, completing 90.8% of his passes, the highest number in his career to date.
However, Forshaw has played in a role which grants him a little more freedom, one where perhaps you’d expect him to score more goals.
But that isn’t his game and in the Championship he’s not found the net since 2015/16.
It’s clearly an area that he needs to work on but it also provides evidence that he’s still the same player that he’s been in the last few years.
Watch Leeds United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below
Sitting on an average match rating of 6.83, via WhoScored, he has been fairly consistent but that’s nothing to rave about, thus making the sudden acclaim a little confusing.
There is a clear difference in the number of shots per game he’s managing, taking 2 per match in comparison to just 0.8 last term. But there is only a gap of 0.1 in terms of key passes. There is also the same difference between the number of long balls he’s played over this term and last.
Despite his consistency, Pope does have a point with what he’s said.
[ad_pod ]
