13 Sep 2025 11:50:22
I have stopped contributing for a while for all sorts of reasons so this is just a cameo appearance. I have just seen that Farke has said said that James needs to shake off the difficulties he has had in the last few months. If he is talking about performances it was entirely predictable. Unfortunately for James and the team now he is a very good Championship player but what makes him that in the championship doesn't cut it in the premiership. The 30 million we paid for him from Man U was extortionate but probably worth it to help us get promoted but that's all. We've bolstered the defence but we've lost Soloman, Largie and no one has stepped up to replace Bamford. I am hoping DCL anfd co. can step up. We still haven't got a real attacking midfielder (Bogle perhaps - thinking outside the box) . It will be hard but we might get results that keep us up but it will be hard over the season.

1.) 13 Sep 2025
13 Sep 2025 12:05:59
Fair post Hess. Think the final 3rd additions is a big Let down. It’s a poor bottom 8 this season so fingers crossed.

2.) 13 Sep 2025
13 Sep 2025 12:33:22
Hess it’s not going to be easy for any of the teams that were just promoted. The reality is surviving your first season up is as best you can hope for even if it’s down to goal difference, it really doesn’t matter.

As for James you can see he is not on it atmo, hamstring injuries can linger, then there comes the mental part in your mind that you don’t want to repeat it, so you hold back that fraction in sprinting or tackles.
It’s been over six months since that injury occurred so it could be his mind that's dictating his lackluster form at present.
Last season he was one of our best players and his performances plus goals has improved, he doesn’t just have pace anymore, I think Farke and his coaching staff have improved him as a player and those vastly improved performances should in my opinion translate into the Premiership.
We wait and see.

3.) 13 Sep 2025
13 Sep 2025 13:22:21
Good to hear from you Hess, I hope you are ok. Good post and fair points. Regarding recruitment, I agree, injury prone players signed in attacking positions does worry me. I hope they keep fit and do the business, but I aren't holding my breath. After a promising start to the transfer window, the last couple of weeks of it were a big disappointment.

4.) 13 Sep 2025
13 Sep 2025 14:03:03
Good post Hess and welcome back.
As OP says James has lost his dynamic pace and that was his game really.

5.) 13 Sep 2025
13 Sep 2025 15:52:04
Good to see you mate and good post as always

Whatever is going on personally for you mate I hope you’re well and wishing you and the family the best.

6.) 13 Sep 2025
13 Sep 2025 18:25:13
We can only wait and see. I hope he can step up. Unfortunately he has never performed well at the top table. Hope Farke has done for him what Bielsa did for Philipps.