If you’re going to offer praise and compliments to a player, why the need to add in a disrespectful dig?
I know people say we shouldn’t be giving time to people like Tim Sherwood, and I do agree. But I wanted to use his ‘praise’ as the basis of this article and hand some flowers to Nicolas Jackson.
Sherwood said: “Nicolas Jackson is so unpredictable. At times he looks like someone who’s playing soccer aid who’s not a footballer; he looks like someone who’s a rapper or an actor. But all of a sudden he turns it on. He’s such a threat, especially in behind. He doesn’t mind if he misses chances because he knows there’s more to come.”
Great. You’ve praised him. But calling any pro footballer a soccer aid player is just disrespectful and out of order, especially when you are actually praising the man! And as for the rapper comment, that’s a disgrace.
People know I have not always been Jackson’s biggest fan. I think his attitude was off when he first arrived, and he was too involved in outside noise and also firing back at critics like John Obi Mikel. I encouraged him to let his feet do the talking, and that’s what he is now doing.
I see Jackson maturing, and not just with his play. His ball-striking is maturing, and so is his all round play. But he is maturing inside his own head too. Things like stopping Enzo Fernandez taking his shirt off after scoring last weekend is great to see. He also tried to stop Marc Cucurella doing the same yesterday but it was too little, too late. This kind of thing is influential and under rated, it’s good to see him doing stuff like this.
But he’s just kept his head down and concentrated on his football, and that has been why we have seen a rise from Jackson and a much better scoring record so far this season.
I still have my doubts. I don’t think his overall play has been that good in the last few games. I’m still not entirely convinced. He actually has been rather hit and miss and unpredictable, Sherwood is right in that sense. His ball control has been a bit wayward, and his link-up play hasn’t been quite as effective.
But what Jackson does is clear to see, and what he offers is clear to see. He’s a very dangerous attacker and he is very hard to mark. And now he has added the threat of regular goals to his game, he’s really kicking on this season.
I want to praise his attitude though, because that has been top and the big difference maker for me, regardless of what he does with the ball. We needed him to just focus on his football and that is exactly what he has done this season. No outside noise from ‘Only Fans’ girls, no distractions, no public arguments with former Chelsea players, no bite backs, just simply letting his feet do the talking and being a real team player. He’s really stepped up in this department and it’s encouraging to see.
Ability wise as I say, the jury does still remain out for me slightly. But I do see his strengths and can certainly praise him for much improved finishing, confidence in front of goal, and overall, all-round play.
I maintain though, I still see him as Nicolas Anelka rather than Didier Drogba.
