Thursday 16th July, 2009last year, mid-July
The unwanted man
As a way of settling debates over the quality of City players, their destination after leaving Valley Parade is a pretty reliable measure. Two players manager Stuart McCall was criticised for ignoring last season, Kyle Nix and Mark Bower, could both be playing non-league football this coming season. Whatever the shortcomings of Paul McLaren during his year at City, he has now returned to League One Tranmere Rovers.
So as rumours of Oldham Atheltic’s interest in Joe Colbeck continue to grow – manager Dave Penny was said to be in attendance at Park Avenue last night, though whether he was there to watch Joe or non-league opposition his side face in two weeks is unclear – it’s puzzling that a significant number of City fans apparently want to help him pack his bags. If the rumours are true, Joe could be playing football in a higher division than City next season, he could be facing Leeds, Southampton and Norwich, he could be lining up alongside a player we have sadly had to acknowledge is too good for us. To make that happen, Oldham could have to paying a six-figure transfer fee. Yet still many argue Colbeck’s a rubbish player that City should have got rid of a long time ago.
The continuing negative light Colbeck is painted in confuses me – just what is about him that makes some dislike him so much? He’s a product of our youth system, at the club a good number of years, who burst onto the scene four years ago and made a great impact under Colin Todd. Asked to make the step up and follow the tough act to follow that was Jermaine Johnson, Joe clearly struggled with his confidence and quickly became a target for abuse. His stupid sending off in a crucial game against Oldham was far from his finest hour, but the subsequent booing he received in later games that season was ludicrous.
In 2007/08 he was voted player of the season – not by him mum, not by his manager, but by us supporters. I’ve just been watching some highlights of that season’s games and he was outstanding at times. Unfortunately for his cause of winning over a skeptical Bradford public, most of his better moments came during away games. He scored eight times that season, but only once at Valley Parade.
Last season Joe began in brilliant form before getting injured – look at the number of goals Peter Thorne scored before, during and after he was injured and tell me there’s no correlation – but on his return struggled to find form and found no help from the stands. I witnessed people openly laugh at him when he picked up possession, expecting him to mess up before he’d even had chance to trap the ball. I was told he was the worst player ever to wear Claret and Amber – quite an achievement given some of the garbage we’ve seen over the years. Two years on from his Easter Monday nightmare against Oldham, Joe again had a miserable bank holiday against Lincoln where he had to be taken off so visibly was his confidence battered by the barracking and booing from his own supporters.
But just like every time it’s gone wrong for Joe, he’s bounced back and showed great resilience. He’s now racked up over 100 appearances for the club, appearing high up the League Two assist chart last season and the season before. Unlike other wingers, he can rarely be accused of not trying or caring. His crossing has improved greatly since he first came into the team, there is usually an end product to his game. Sure he has his imperfections, just like the club he plays for.
So why all this hatred? It’s understandable his contract negotiations have caused some concern, but the real worry is why he might want to turn his back on this club. Maybe he’s tired of being told he’s crap no matter how well he plays, maybe he’s fed up of receiving boos when other players are allowed to get away with bigger crimes.
After a summer where the club has lost a number of permanent and loan players, maybe it’s time we made one who should be treated as integral part of our revamped squad feel more wanted.
Brilliant article.
I too never understand the grief that the “know it alls” give Colbeck.
If they look at the facts of assists and goals, aswell as the effort that each player puts in, they may realise that they actually know nothing at all.
Everybody is entitled to their own views and opinions. If you know it all and Joe Colbeck is as good as you think then a move to a higher division will prove you right.Frankly in my opinion and in the opinion of many Joe Colbeck lacks a football brain and has too high an opinion of himself and his ability. Granted he has pace and can put in a good cross once in a while but as a wide man whenever does he attempt to beat his man and get to the dead ball line ?
One incident on Saturday against Burnley summed up Joe Colbeck …Bullock had possession in midfield and there was space behind the Burnley full back for him to pass the ball into and for Joe to run onto it but Joe couldnt see it even when Bullock pointed to where he was going to pass it he still could nt see it or did nt want to see it. So when Bullock passed the ball into an empty space and was wasted Colbeck shrugged his shoulders and looked at Bullock as if he was stupid and seemed to say ” did you expect me,Joe Colbeck, to go chasing that ball” …he , Joe, was immediately rebuked by both Bullock and Wayne Jacobs for not seeing the simple but most obvious pass . If Oldham want to pay 6 figures for Joe Colbeck then bite their arms off and let us see Joe show how good he is in a higher division. If he goes onto big and better things then I will be happy to admit I was wrong and happy that City will get a feefrom a sell on clause…but meantime if he goes I certainly will not miss him.
Just for the record I am not one of you Colbeck boo boys I just dont rate him
I hope that we can get rid of Colbeck and get in some more humble footballers because in the end it is humble footballers and not footballers who are good at setting up goals who win promotion.
Also I love the idea that someone would admit that they were wrong about Colbeck if he did well at a club in a higher division. What next? The lottery numbers on Sunday morning?
I will miss Colbeck because we win when he is in the team and I like winning. Other people obviously prefer players who are more humble and have footballing brains that don’t include setting up goals.
When Stu came he said he wanted to make a team in his image, of players who would bleed Claret & Amber and fight tooth and nail for every ball every time they stepped onto the pitch. Given that, some of his player choices have absolutely baffled me.
But I do think that possibly over the last two seasons the one player to consistently embody that desire is Joe. Notwithstanding his impetuosity (he’s still a kid for goodness’ sake) there’s some impressive talent been on display and a lot of untapped potential still to come.
All I’ve ever wanted to see on the pitch were players who cared. Somehow ones that were less effective, more selfish and less interested (oh how I was disappointed to see Walsall make that signing) got the plaudits whilst Joe’s contribution was never been good enough for those who want to see him fail.
Given the right environment I think Joe will have a very long and prosperous career in football, sadly, if the rumours are true, I don’t think we’re going to get to see the best of him. And I think that will be because of the judgement from the stands. And that really disappoints me.
I’m with Jason and Gaz on this one. Joe is a tryer who chases and harries when others stroll around. Maybe I’m blind or delusional but I seem to remember that when City were sweeping all aside at the start of last season, Joe was skinning fullbacks for fun and getting frequent crosses in from the byline for Peter Thorne to bang in. He may not be the brightest button in the box but, hey, this is the third division, and we saw for ourselves how much impact more cultured thinking players like Paul McLaren made last season. Joe is quick, powerful and direct – ie just what you need from a winger in Div 3. Let’s hope he sticks around and makes the same start this year that he did last season.
Now then….I’m not a “knocker” or a “boo boy” (sounds like I’m not racist,but…)but…. for all joe’s heart on sleeve commitment, I can’t see him progressing beyond his present level.Too much of his play is head down, into the corner, shepherded by defender who has seen the videos, best outcome being a corner. If he played rugby, he’d be an outstanding try-scoring winger,diving in at the corner flag every time. Maybe a move to Odsal would pay off,since The Volcano moved south there has been a gaping void
Joe is a great tryer and has shown that he has the ability to produce much more than we saw last season. We’ve had half a season of good football from him in the last 2. Admittedly, last season’s injury didn’t help but my point is, he has shown that he is capable of being one of the top players in this division and one of the first names on our teamsheet.
The only things letting Joe down are his petulant moaning when things aren’t going his way, and some of his decision making around the penalty box. All too often he shoots when a pass is the better option and vice versa. I always believed this would come with experience and still hold the hope that it will, but after 100+ games maybe that’s questionable? What is also questionable is the coaching he’s getting. Penney obviously worked wonders with him when he went to Darlington but he hasn’t made the same progress since he came back. I’d like to see John Hendrie, undoubtedly one of the best, if not the best wingers we’ve ever had, take him under his wing. I think then we might see the raw talent turned into a top class player.
Good luck Joe, I hope to see you doing your talking on the pitch!
Certainly hope that Joe stays with us, the “pros” outweigh the “cons” and I too think he has the potential to improve. The views of anyone who gives abuse to one of their own players should be discounted – as a club we are weakened by these people. Finally one thing that Joe has got is pace, and I dont think we are strong in that department.
Could not have said it better myself Trevor. Spot on.
I feel strongly that all those who ridicule or verbally abuse any of our players has no place at all coming to the club. It helps nothing and as far as I can see is totally decremental to the cause. If you were at work and someone came up to you and starting taking the piss and having a go every time you did something your moral would hit rock bottom.
There is no need.
I feel that Joe has a place at this club and is an asset whenever he plays.
So it wasnt Colbeck that Dave Penney was looking at at the BPA friendly after all …maybe having had him on loan at Darlington even Penney only reates hims a League 2 player
Comments like this portray an agenda about Colbeck that goes beyond simply rating or not rating him as a player.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion but only Dave Penney is entitled to Dave Penneys opinion and claiming to know – or worse guessing on the flimsiest of “evidence” – Dave Penneys opinion and using it as if proven argument is beyond weak. Is it really that important to be seen as right that one has to make up evidence and put out phoney opinions from managers?
If someone doesn’t like a player then that is grand, but to just carry on having digs at that player using “evidence” like this is trying to disguise a personal agenda behind an argument. God knows what Joe Colbeck has done to deserve that because frankly it must be well beyond playing football.