That was the question asked of me by a mate in the pub yesterday. I’m not sure it’s entirely fair because I’m not sure that he was all that bad in the first place. He’s got the talent to succeed in the top flight but didn’t seem to deliver the goods when he had a decent run in the first team at the start of the season.
Perhaps the goal against United will help get a few of the crowd off his back and give him the confidence boost he so clearly needed. It’s not going to happen overnight and he’s not about to waltz back into the side because of one scissor-kick but it’s a decent start.
And, as Paul Warburton points out in this week’s Chronicle, to think he was the answer to our left wing problem is plainly absurd.
I was especially pleased for Zoltan Gera. The Hungarian’s had a wretched time since he joined Fulham in the summer, and was rightly deposed by Clint Dempsey before Christmas from the left-wing spot.
There again, Gera is no left winger, as he showed with his air shot in front of goal only an hour into the season at Hull on the first day.
Gera himself is fired up to do an awful lot better.
I’m not happy with myself. I should play much better than I have. I don’t know why I haven’t shown my best for the club, but I hope it will turn.
The fans haven’t seen the best of me. I can do a lot more, and that’s why I’m frustrated. I signed for a new club and I need to show my best.
I had a chance earlier in the season, but I didn’t play good enough to keep my place. Clint has come in and played very well. He’s scored a lot of important goals, so it’s diffi-cult to get back in, but I’m working on it. My priority is to get back in the team and keep my place.
His last point is very interesting – and bodes well for a tricky run-in that sees us play Liverpool, Everton and Chelsea.
We can play with no fear. If we play well we can beat almost anybody.
