Billy Bodin

[Gullscorer]

I think Billy is doing okay, but could do better. But the same could be said of other players, looking at recent form. Don't worry, he and they will come good, and he will begin to score goals, as from the Morecambe game! Our season really kicked off last Tuesday..

[AustrianAndyGull]

I hear Billy had another good game then..................... :Oops:




JOKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Chris B]

I hear he provided the assist for the winning goal.

[gullintwoplaces]

Before the criticism of Billy starts again, I just want to say that I think he was not as bad as is being reported yesterday. What let him down was his final touch in front of goal. He caused the Morecambe defence problems with his runs, he set up Danny for the only goal and he got into good positions for at least three good goalscoring opportunities. His confidence in front of goal is not high though, and it didn't help yesterday when several neanderthals in Bristow's bench started to give him a really hard time. How does that help, you idiots? I for one think that Billy has a lot of ability and that he WILL come good soon. He has scored three so far (all in games that we won, so a real contribution!!) and does not disappear from the game.

[AustrianAndyGull]

I said it was tongue in cheek, i'm not going to continue any criticism of Billy because i've said my peace already previously. At least i can be proud of the fact i've never barracked him at games therefore i have supported him more than some even though i have been totally demoralised by some of his performances. Like GITP says, lets give him some time because undoubtedly he has lots of ability and if he works out that with that ability comes responsibilty then we'll have a very decent player on our hands.

[AustrianAndyGull]

[quote="Chris B"]I hear he provided the assist for the winning goal.[/quote]

I've just seen the highlights on FL Show on iplayer and whilst the above statement is factually correct, the manner of it implied that somehow Billy had provided lil Danny with a precision throught the eye of the needle ball or a dink over the top for him to run onto eliminating three of their defenders from the game. I was hit with a deep sadness and and regret that all Billy did was collect the ball which rolled straight to him from a Morecambe players error before turning to his side and laying off a simple 10 yard ball into the onrushing Stevens who then did the hard work. If we are somehow attempting to counterbalance the argument regarding Bodin's performances then someone is gonna have to come up with something more impressive than that. He got the ball and made a textbook pass. He's changed my mind about him now. We should really be praising Danny for making the run and giving Billy a simple option.

I'm not posting this to try and create a reaction, i've had far too much of that already re: Bodin, but again if i'm honest i cannot see how his involvement in the Stevens goal is anything other than basic and what i would expect any player in that position to do so i'm still not convinced. Danny made that goal and not Billy but i have to say well done for providing the assist. Am i being harsh?

Again. This post IS NOT A CRITICISM. It is purely me saying that what Billy did, although it led to a goal was nothing out of the ordinary and just because the stats say he made an assist it wasn't down to good play. He got the ball by default and he laid off a simple 10 yarder.

[Richinns]

[quote="Chris B"]I hear he provided the assist for the winning goal.

I've just seen the highlights on FL Show on iplayer and whilst the above statement is factually correct, the manner of it implied that somehow Billy had provided lil Danny with a precision throught the eye of the needle ball or a dink over the top for him to run onto eliminating three of their defenders from the game. I was hit with a deep sadness and and regret that all Billy did was collect the ball which rolled straight to him from a Morecambe players error before turning to his side and laying off a simple 10 yard ball into the onrushing Stevens who then did the hard work. If we are somehow attempting to counterbalance the argument regarding Bodin's performances then someone is gonna have to come up with something more impressive than that. He got the ball and made a textbook pass. He's changed my mind about him now. We should really be praising Danny for making the run and giving Billy a simple option.

I'm not posting this to try and create a reaction, i've had far too much of that already re: Bodin, but again if i'm honest i cannot see how his involvement in the Stevens goal is anything other than basic and what i would expect any player in that position to do so i'm still not convinced. Danny made that goal and not Billy but i have to say well done for providing the assist. Am i being harsh?

Again. This post IS NOT A CRITICISM. It is purely me saying that what Billy did, although it led to a goal was nothing out of the ordinary and just because the stats say he made an assist it wasn't down to good play. He got the ball by default and he laid off a simple 10 yarder.[/quote][/quote][/quote]

CANNOT BELIEVE YOU ARE CRITICISING BILLY AGAIN ANDY! :P

[AustrianAndyGull]

Ah Richinns, i said above that the post was NOT A CRITICISM, more an observation. If Chris or anyone else comes on in what i take to be a comment primarily aimed at me ( which is the way i took it but apologies if i am incorrect in this assumption) then i am entitled to reply with MY opinion. Chris made a short but precise comment about Billy providing the assist. A true fact but the way it was posted made it sound as though he was saying, 'Billy got the assist so shut up moaning about him, what's your problem?!" I've seen the goal and yes he gets the assist but that cannot justify the rectification of the criticism he has been getting. Chris made it sound like he did something amazing which makes up for his poor showings.

I'm just replying to that really as i thought it was Danny that should be praised. He saw the opportunity to get forward before the ball even got the Billy and it's little things like that that Billy should be doing on a more regular basis.

No criticism there Richinns, congrats for the assist but what's the big deal?

Don't have go at me again mate!

[Richinns]

Ah Richinns, i said above that the post was NOT A CRITICISM, more an observation. If Chris or anyone else comes on in what i take to be a comment primarily aimed at me ( which is the way i took it but apologies if i am incorrect in this assumption) then i am entitled to reply with MY opinion. Chris made a short but precise comment about Billy providing the assist. A true fact but the way it was posted made it sound as though he was saying, 'Billy got the assist so shut up moaning about him, what's your problem?!" I've seen the goal and yes he gets the assist but that cannot justify the rectification of the criticism he has been getting. Chris made it sound like he did something amazing which makes up for his poor showings.

I'm just replying to that really as i thought it was Danny that should be praised. He saw the opportunity to get forward before the ball even got the Billy and it's little things like that that Billy should be doing on a more regular basis.

No criticism there Richinns, congrats for the assist but what's the big deal?

Don't have go at me again mate!

Great news we are top 7 at he is no where near playing to his potential. Plenty more to come from him and others in the team yet.

[AustrianAndyGull]

I am with you 100%, if we can get more confidence and ruthlessness in our performances on a consistent basis then we are in for an exciting season. I'd like to see Billy on the ball more and oozing confidence. I remember when he first joined us on loan last season and we went to Crewe. We annihilated them and the 3-0 scoreline was very flattering on them. Billy was awesome, he had no fear was tricky, direct, quick and hit the post a few times and scored i believe. That is what he is capable of and that is what i haven't seen since and i don't know why. So it's unfair to say i'm having a go for the sake of picking on someone. I've seen Billy destroy Crewe in one of his first games for us. Interestingly, when he joined Crewe on loan he didn't do so well towards the end and then began being subbed and when he returned to Plainmoor with them last game of last season i was fearing the worst because the little i had seen of him he had been superb. Against us he was atrocious and i think his form has dipped severely including in his time at Crewe and i haven't seen remotely anything like his earlier form with us. He needs support but like the Oastler scenario, if he puts in many more effortless showings maybe it's time to give the boy a rest to focus again and bring someone else in. Obviously i hope he can rediscover some form and begin being effective again because that would be good for him and us.

[ferrarilover]

In fairness to Billy, he can only play the pass which needs playing. He was better without really being good on Saturday, which was at least a step in the right direction.

Matt.

[Chris B]

Andy, I'd be being disingenuous if I said my post wasn't a reply to you, but it was also to others who were more critical of him. I fully support your praise of Stevens' overwhelming contribution to the goal, but having listened to the game, I was struck by how much louder the groans and jeers were when Billy missed than when others did. There were even moans at him as he was substituted.

Don't get me wrong, I'm anything but an unwavering Bodin-apologist. In fact I remember suggesting to NickGull on here that I had never seen Billy play well out wide. He's an infuriating player at times - for me his performance at Argyle last season was useless, until he popped up with the all-important first goal. That made me realise his importance to the team, he can be and will be a real match-winner. The goals just aren't coming as regularly as we'd like for him at the moment.

If we are somehow attempting to counterbalance the argument regarding Bodin's performances then someone is gonna have to come up with something more impressive than that.

My answer to this would be my own post earlier in this thread regarding Bodin's influence on our attacking play in the first half against the division's top side:

having watched the highlights of last night's game he was involved in every single attack in the first half – nicking the ball off a Gillingham defender, controlling and lofting one through to Stevens, and challenging in the air from a goal kick. The most frustratingly tame shot actually came after Bodin had won a header on the edge of our box and run the rest of the length of the pitch to get on the end of Howe's superb reverse pass. He hasn't got his shooting-boots on yet, and you can see how much that's frustrating him, but he will come good.

You ask if you're being harsh, I can't answer that as I haven't been to the away games you have. But, I strongly believe the Plainmoor crowd likes identifying a boo-boy, and is mistrusting of signings we've paid a fee for. Bodin has the added 'bonus' that he's the son of Ling's best friend. We may not have been scintillating on Saturday or on many occasions so far this season, but it seems unwarranted for there to be so many grumblings considering our home record of W5 D3. As for Bodin, three goals in nine home matches is hardly a disgraceful return for a player lacking the confidence and form he had when he seemingly destroyed Crewe.

[Plymouth Gull]

Good post Chris.

I don't think the fact we nearly broke our club record transfer fee to bring him in, that'll always give you added pressure - just think, had we got him on a free would we be happy with what he's done so far? After all he's scored 3 goals so far from the wing.

[AustrianAndyGull]

In response to Matt, yes you are essentially correct in that he can only play the pass that needs playing and i agreed with that. My point was really directed at Chris whose post appeared to suggest that what Bodin did was much more than just a pass in the context of the argument. As if the magnitude of his assist would somehow dissuade me from making continued criticisms of the lad.

In terms of Chris's post a few minutes ago i have to once again state that i won't boo or jeer Billy for having a go and missing chances, i am somewhat more understanding and sympathetic believe it or not and won't hammer players because it's not going too well. If it's going bloody awful then i may consider it though! .

I have to thank Chris for the good post and for having the honesty to admit he was having a pop at me and why. I've no problems with that. It was a fair point he made about the assist and it was succint without the need for histrionics. I can maybe learn from that so cheers Chris.

[Dave]

All players at all levels go through the odd patch where nothing goes right, and thats is maybe what is happening to Billy Bodin right now, he had a one on one with the Gillingham keeper, Bodin went low the keeper made a good save, Billy Bodin found himself one on one with the Morecambe keeper with Tuesday fresh in his mind he trys a chip, and guess what that doesn't work either.

Could go on and on, its clear that Billy Bodin is a very good player probably the player with the most potential at our club right now but he is going through a spell where little he does is working out for him, so his confidence is low, his boot feels like a lump of lead, the football looks like a medicine ball, he questions whether he should shoot or pass and ends up doing niether, he goes missing in the game becuase he doesn't want to make a mistake and have the crowd get on his back.

Us fans stuck with Morris we stuck with saah and a few others along the way and they all came good, all we need do is give Billy Bodin our full support he will come good aswell.