Fabian Delph's season coming up, oh no, not another injury.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I maintain he's talented. A good spell of football may be what he needs, though we're very light in central midfield especially of petrov is entering one of his tired phases (ie the second half of the season!)

Whilst Delph has had his opportunity in the first team this season, he never was and never will be a defensive midfielder. Like Bannan, he's far more suited to and advanced midfield role and it was ridiculous for Petrov to be the one of the two defensive midfielders to go walk about. Obviously Clark it much more comfortable sitting in front of the back four but I think we never got to see the best of Delph as he was asked to sit too deep.

Hopefully at Leeds they'll get him back to his best, a true box to box midfielder.

[PaulWinch again]

I agree Mark, I think Delph's future is very much as an attacking midfielder and hopefully his confidence will return.

[Risso]

With Delph, I just can't see that he's particularly good at any area of the game.  He runs around energetically, but his tackling is normally misjudged, his passing isn't spectacular, and as a supposed attacking player, I can't say that I've noticed him making good runs or having a particularly effective shot on him.  Of course he's still young, but he does seem a bit of a jack of all trades utility player rather than being a first choice for being excellent at a particular style.

[James]

Some interesting quotes from the lad in this article, lifted from Sporting Life:

Fabian Delph is hoping to stay with Leeds for the remainder of the season after joining on loan from Aston Villa.

Delph made his second debut for the Whites in Saturday's 3-1 victory over Ipswich Town.

The 22-year-old's initial deal is due to expire on 25th February, although Leeds want to retain Delph for the remainder of the season.

The Bradford-born midfielder also wants to stay at Elland Road until the summer and do his best to help Leeds win promotion.

"That would be an absolute dream for me I get the nod to stay till the end of the season. If that happens, I'd be delighted," said Delph.

"These things don't come around quickly, you've got to build.

"Hopefully if we can keep going and the fans can stick behind us then we might end up in the Premier League.

"That's the sprit that we've got, the fans were all very vocal today and we just pushed on and kept going. We've got a never-say-die attitude, that's what came across (against Ipswich) and we just carried on going.

"I would like to be playing football and if I can play here I'll be delighted, because this is my home club and this is where I've always been happiest."

[pauliewalnuts]

With Delph, I just can't see that he's particularly good at any area of the game.  He runs around energetically, but his tackling is normally misjudged, his passing isn't spectacular, and as a supposed attacking player, I can't say that I've noticed him making good runs or having a particularly effective shot on him.  Of course he's still young, but he does seem a bit of a jack of all trades utility player rather than being a first choice for being excellent at a particular style.

I've seen a fair bit of promise from him, but you're right about his tackling being frequently misjudged (that's putting it lightly).

At some point, I think the question with younger players stops being "will he make it?" (ie is he good enough to be a top flight player) and becomes "will he make it here?" (is he good enough, and is he going to get the chance to prove it here?).

It's hard to see Delph getting much of a chance with us, so i think sending him out on a decent loan is a good idea. He'll either grow as a player for it and come back to us a better option, or he'll do well enough for someone to refund us some of a pretty hefty fee we paid for him.

[Mazrim]

My thoughts on Delph.

- His passing range is brilliant if he does make the odd howler.
- He is very tenacious and needs to learn some restraint but I admire his spirit and I'd rather try and calm somebody down than motivate a lazy jackass.
- He is still very young with plenty to come if handled well.
- Injuries have coast him the chance to show consistency. There's no doubt he was coming into his own before that horrendous ACL injury.

All in all there's a really good play there if he can get a run. Maybe going back to Leeds is for the best in that regard as he has some kinks to iron out.
He was our best player in the first matches of this season I would say and the guy that was the best player on the pitch against Internazionale a couple of years ago is still there somewhere.

But he's not a specialist defensive or attacking midfielder, he's a box to box player who can play in a few other positions at need. I still have hope he will become the player he promised to be.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

As much as i would love Delph to be a first choice regular, i just get the feeling he has missed the boat. His most effective position has still not been established and when given a run of games still do not think he has been consistent enough and even became a liability with rash challenges and reckless decision making tackles .....

[barrysleftfoot]

  Like Mazrim, i was a big Delph fan.Against Ure 2 years ago, he was the best player on the pitch, and that includes Rooney.But i think that injury severely affected him.For me his touch has gone,and then his confidence.Every game i have seen him this year his 2nd touch is a tackle.

 IF he rediscovers his touch/form at Leeds, then he is a very very good player, who has a pass, good acceleration, likes a tackle and a shot.Overall a potentially very good midfielder, but needs to rediscover his pre-injury form/potential.

 Should'nt give up on him yet tbh.

[eamonn]

How did he do on Saturday?
The centre of midfield is getting crowded with options now. The emergence of Gardner and Herd, Ireland's resurrection and Clark finally being played in his best position has meant that Delph and Bananaman are now missing out having looked the lads most likely back in August. And I reckon McLeish will be in the market for a proven midfield dynamo in the summer, regardless if Petrov stays or not because all the above young-gun midfielders (as well as Ireland) can't be relied-upon to give consistent performances week-in week-out just yet.

Can't see Makoun coming back but some sort of upgrade to Reo-choker is still missing. Delph's time may have passed but McLeish is certainly a fan so if he does well at Leeds, who knows? Alternatively he could help get them promoted and we could sell him back for half of what we paid them.

[PeterWithesShin]

I know it was only in division 3 but this shows what he capable of doing. Probably best to have the sound muted!

[fredm]

Could he develop into the next former Leeds allround player for us?

People used to say that a certain James Milner wasn't a defensive midfielder/attacking midfielder (delete as necessary) but he wasn't a bad allround player.

[Dante Lavelli]

Whilst Delph has had his opportunity in the first team this season, he never was and never will be a defensive midfielder. Like Bannan, he's far more suited to and advanced midfield role and it was ridiculous for Petrov to be the one of the two defensive midfielders to go walk about.

It depends how you play your defensive midfielders.  Modric plays defensive midfield (positionally) for spurs and I'd say he has many qualities that our Bannan has.  One day I'd like to see Bannan or Delph playing as this quarter back position as I think they'd be great for the transition between defence and midfield.  I doubt it would work now but after a few years experience I think it's a change that could make Villa a much more dynamic team.

[Mister E]

I've always rated Delph and I think the disruption of the injury combined with a little bit of over-exposure and managers not deciding his best position have all conspired to blunt his talent. If he can re-find his mojo at Leeds he will provide healthy competition for MF places in next season's XI.
However, AMcL may just decide to cash in over the summer and concentrate his efforts on the MF players he currently has in the squad.

[Rick_avfc]

Bloody hell, just watched that youtube clip of his goals and he's scored some right belters.  Pity he could never score any like that for us

[richard moore]

Bloody hell, just watched that youtube clip of his goals and he's scored some right belters.  Pity he could never score any like that for us

In much the same way as we said about Alan Thompson and Sasa Curcic come to think of it...