Jordan Ayew - sold to Swansea

[PeterWithesShin]

Ayew should be one of the best players in this division, he should be dominating games. However considering the standard of opposition he's playing against I think he's been crap.

[KevinGage]

One of the few that you look at in our squad who -if we make it back to the top flight- wouldn't require an instant upgrade.

But there is more going on to this one than meets the eye.  Marseille came in with a late bid in August and he was apparently close to going. I wonder if that is still affecting him. Not saying he isn't trying, but he seems distracted or not fully with it.

Being benched whilst Gabby or Gestede start can't have helped his self respect either. I'd be happy to see him stay at least until the end of the season. But if by the end of the next window he has gone and we have signed a central midfielder worthy of the name, I won't be heartbroken.

I can see Benitez going in for him. It's the type of shitbag move he would try to pull to well and truly knobble us. Topflight club or French club comes in for him =  OK.  Treble chinned Fact Controller = NO K

[pauliewalnuts]

Ayew should be one of the best players in this division, he should be dominating games. However considering the standard of opposition he's playing against I think he's been crap.

Have to agree, he's been disappointing.

[placeforparks]

he'll end up at west ham.

[in exile]

he'll end up at west ham.

Why, what's he done wrong?

[Nelly]

I like Ayew but I wish he'd find a pass sooner. I think he tries to do too much, but considering the vacancies in our midfield, I can't blame him for that. He's still one of the few players we have that gets me excited for what will happen when he has it.

[supertom]

What is Ayews best position? I don't think it's any role he's played this season and certainly doesn't seem to be as a wide player. He can't play right up top. It's difficult and he is our best player, and he should be pissing this league, but I just don't think he fits into our style or system. He didn't last season really. He hasn't under 5 managers. Occasional moments of individual brilliance are exciting but he's got to show more consistency. That is difficult when he's not playing in position. But that's the disadvantage of a player like Jordan who seems the sort a system needs to be built around, whereas I don't think he can easily fit into a system that's more about the unit than an individual.

[Dante Lavelli]

What is Ayews best position? I don't think it's any role he's played this season and certainly doesn't seem to be as a wide player. He can't play right up top. It's difficult and he is our best player, and he should be pissing this league, but I just don't think he fits into our style or system. He didn't last season really. He hasn't under 5 managers. Occasional moments of individual brilliance are exciting but he's got to show more consistency. That is difficult when he's not playing in position. But that's the disadvantage of a player like Jordan who seems the sort a system needs to be built around, whereas I don't think he can easily fit into a system that's more about the unit than an individual.

We have a few of them.  Along with Ayew, I'd add McCormack, Grealish, even Kodiga to the list of players that do not easily fit into a system, unless we're ambitiously planning on employing a fluid arsenal style game-plan.

[Hookeysmith]

Moody
Piss poor decision making
Selfish
Neither goal maker or taker
The fact no one knows what is his best position (several managers not just Bruce) to my mind means he does not excel anywhere on the pitch - and that is evident other than 5 minute cameos occasionally when he feels like it

Lots of potential but would rip off anyone's hands if we could get what we paid for him - but I doubt it as he has not done anything to warrant it

[paul_e]

What is Ayews best position? I don't think it's any role he's played this season and certainly doesn't seem to be as a wide player. He can't play right up top. It's difficult and he is our best player, and he should be pissing this league, but I just don't think he fits into our style or system. He didn't last season really. He hasn't under 5 managers. Occasional moments of individual brilliance are exciting but he's got to show more consistency. That is difficult when he's not playing in position. But that's the disadvantage of a player like Jordan who seems the sort a system needs to be built around, whereas I don't think he can easily fit into a system that's more about the unit than an individual.

His best position, like a lot of forwards from the french leagues, is an inside forward/wing forward.  They're positions that don't exist in a 442 so you don't get many British players who are suited to but Martial is the same, Henry was the same, Kodjia is the same.  In English football they get pigeon holed into a striker or a winger but the best position is actually in between those 2, playing in the channel between full back and central defender.  Done well it's really effective, Messi, Ronaldo, Bale and Naymar all play in the same area although clearly at a higher level.

[ChicagoLion]

What is Ayews best position? I don't think it's any role he's played this season and certainly doesn't seem to be as a wide player. He can't play right up top. It's difficult and he is our best player, and he should be pissing this league, but I just don't think he fits into our style or system. He didn't last season really. He hasn't under 5 managers. Occasional moments of individual brilliance are exciting but he's got to show more consistency. That is difficult when he's not playing in position. But that's the disadvantage of a player like Jordan who seems the sort a system needs to be built around, whereas I don't think he can easily fit into a system that's more about the unit than an individual.

His best position, like a lot of forwards from the french leagues, is an inside forward/wing forward.  They're positions that don't exist in a 442 so you don't get many British players who are suited to but Martial is the same, Henry was the same, Kodjia is the same.  In English football they get pigeon holed into a striker or a winger but the best position is actually in between those 2, playing in the channel between full back and central defender.  Done well it's really effective, Messi, Ronaldo, Bale and Naymar all play in the same area although clearly at a higher level.

agree, its also easier to play this typeof player in leagues where they get some protection from ref.

[aj2k77]

Crap output from him this season, 4 or 5 sparks but all in all not enough contribution in a shite league.

[achilles]

Ayew should be one of the best players in this division, he should be dominating games. However considering the standard of opposition he's playing against I think he's been crap.

You can't argue with that, hugely disappointing to me, seems to be not totally focused or disinterested, take your pick!

[oswald funkletrumpet]

He should be ripping this shit league a new one but hasnt

moody and greedy on the ball id fuck him off in jan while we can still get some half decent money

[old man villa fan]

What is Ayews best position? I don't think it's any role he's played this season and certainly doesn't seem to be as a wide player. He can't play right up top. It's difficult and he is our best player, and he should be pissing this league, but I just don't think he fits into our style or system. He didn't last season really. He hasn't under 5 managers. Occasional moments of individual brilliance are exciting but he's got to show more consistency. That is difficult when he's not playing in position. But that's the disadvantage of a player like Jordan who seems the sort a system needs to be built around, whereas I don't think he can easily fit into a system that's more about the unit than an individual.

His best position, like a lot of forwards from the french leagues, is an inside forward/wing forward.  They're positions that don't exist in a 442 so you don't get many British players who are suited to but Martial is the same, Henry was the same, Kodjia is the same.  In English football they get pigeon holed into a striker or a winger but the best position is actually in between those 2, playing in the channel between full back and central defender.  Done well it's really effective, Messi, Ronaldo, Bale and Naymar all play in the same area although clearly at a higher level.

He would be helped a great deal by the ball being played through the midfield quicker and more central.  Our build up play is too pedestrian.