Leon Bailey (out on loan to AS Roma)

[Footy-Vill]

What's happened to his shooting? He had those two laughably bad attempts against Liverpool, can't remember any attempts against Spurs, then that atrocious miss last night. We need better from our supporting attacking players.

His goal at home this season against Man City was a great finish
And we all remember his demolishing of Everton on what I think was his debut at home.
He'll come good again.
Don't forget they have had 5 weeks without competition of league and cup games. So I'm not too worried as I see the quality is there and had an excellent pre season.
So do you rate him or are you not convinced?
I like how exciting he can be.

[aj2k77]

I just don't think he's very good. Certainly wouldn't get in a top half side, which is what we are aiming to be.

[ChicagoLion]

There is obvious talent there, he has a turn of pace, quick feet and great balance and has also shown some lovely finishing.

His decision making makes Sterling look like a footballing Einstein.

Mercurial.

[Smirker]

There is obvious talent there, he has a turn of pace, quick feet and great balance and has also shown some lovely finishing.

His decision making makes Sterling look like a footballing Einstein.

Mercurial.

Not sure he does tbh.

[markeeeebeeee2005]

I think he’s being  played on the wrong side. From memory the highlight reels where he was smashing it in Germany all his good play came down the left. Also I’m sure the times he’s ripped it up at Villa it was down the left.

I don’t think he was that bad, he was just trying things and they weren’t coming off. I think he and we can expect more from him.

[Woody17]

There is obvious talent there, he has a turn of pace, quick feet and great balance and has also shown some lovely finishing.

His decision making makes Sterling look like a footballing Einstein.

Mercurial.

I don't think he has that either.

[paul_e]

There is obvious talent there, he has a turn of pace, quick feet and great balance and has also shown some lovely finishing.

His decision making makes Sterling look like a footballing Einstein.

Mercurial.

Careful, people will be asking you to apologise to them for a post like this.

[Brend'Watkins]

Sometimes he appears quick, but a lot of times, like last night, not even moderately quick.  He's another one I'd bench for Sunday.

[paul_e]

Sometimes he appears quick, but a lot of times, like last night, not even moderately quick.  He's another one I'd bench for Sunday.

I think part of it is him being on the right. When you really see a players pace is when they're running in behind the defence but because he knows he needs to cut inside he never opens up, instead letting the defender get in front of him and then trying to square them up.

[Brend'Watkins]

Sometimes he appears quick, but a lot of times, like last night, not even moderately quick.  He's another one I'd bench for Sunday.

I think part of it is him being on the right. When you really see a players pace is when they're running in behind the defence but because he knows he needs to cut inside he never opens up, instead letting the defender get in front of him and then trying to square them up.

it might be as you say.  Even so, like a few of them, more than a few actually they look like they need a rest.

[AlexAlexCropley]

Sometimes he appears quick, but a lot of times, like last night, not even moderately quick.  He's another one I'd bench for Sunday.

I think part of it is him being on the right. When you really see a players pace is when they're running in behind the defence but because he knows he needs to cut inside he never opens up, instead letting the defender get in front of him and then trying to square them up.

it might be as you say.  Even so, like a few of them, more than a few actually they look like they need a rest.

They've just had one

[supertom]

I also wonder, aside from him scuffing all and sundry, whether the pace issue is sometimes down to his injuries. Yeah occasionally he lets loose, but I still don't think his speed has ever matched the billing he had before he signed. Could be that being a speed merchant in the German league compared to here is a different ball game. We have faster players and a faster pace of game. Sancho has been similar.

But I do wonder if he's afraid to really get up to top gear. It happened to a lot of players. It's not so much that they physically can't, but sometimes that there's a psychological speed cap on them. Happened to Owen because he always felt that extra gear might have him pull up. It also happened to Gabby once he started to get niggles.  We rarely saw him go on a surge and he confined himself to the occasional 30 yard burst.

As of now though. I don't think he's offering anything and I'd rather see Ings or Archer.

[astonvilla82]

Like many I was frustrated with him and would have taken him off, but in reality I put my trust in Emery,who will sort it out one way or another,,he has been only here for a few weeks and need to be patience

[LeonW]

Like many I was frustrated with him and would have taken him off, but in reality I put my trust in Emery,who will sort it out one way or another,,he has been only here for a few weeks and need to be patience

In Emery we trust.

[Olof's Beard]

He had plenty of pace and balance when he skinned a couple of players down the left wing to tee up Watkins vs Brentford. We hadn't seen wing play like that for years. There are other examples too. He's inconsistent but he's not lacking the attributes he needs. Whether he can add the consistency and increase his output/goal contributions remains to be seen but if he doesn't, he will lose his starting spot.