Matt Jarvis was a big signing for us last summer but this season he’s been up and down and kind of nowhere. With the signing of Downing, which a lot of fans weren’t happy with but I think he’s alright so far, considering he’s not got a striker to cross to and Joe Cole playing well when he’s fit, Jarvis hasn’t even been in the starting line-up that much.
We signed him last year with so much promise of being amazing and now a lot of games he’s not starting, even when he has played he’s not been fantastic and yes it is very hard for our wingers at the moment but for someone we paid so much for we expect better from him. He had a very good success rate at open rate crosses last season but now he’s not. There is no doubt he is a great player he got a couple of assists this season and in one of our pre-season game I think he got 3 assists and that’s what we need, that’s the standard we are so desperate for at the moment.
He is now facing quite a bit of competition for a place from Downing and Cole. We needed a striker and got Downing which some fans weren’t happy about but I can see where Big Sam was coming from, no one expected Carroll to be out nearly as long as this and for all the hard work Downing is putting in and the good games he’s had, I think Andy would of definitely scored a fair few of the chances he’s created. Joey Cole when he’s fit always has a goal in him and is a very creative player that the team love. I think he needs to start more games as well. So we have 3 very good wingers and no striker, things are difficult at the moment and all 3 of them need to prove themselves. Based on performances at the moment when AC is back I think I’d start Downing and Cole. The game on Saturday didn’t go to plan and the whole team if they weren’t already, are under massive pressure, no fans are enjoying losing mainly because its silly mistakes like Demel’s that are getting us unstuck. Sunderland, Fulham and Crystal Palace are must wins and the fans have to be behind the players, negativity won’t help.