Was a massive part of our success last season and was as key as any of January signings.

Not had the best of seasons for me though so far.  For a 'destroyer' he's struggled to destroy and has offered little protection to the defence.

Is it just a case of temporary poor form, or is League 1 just a step too high for him?  Is there anyone else in the squad who can do the job he does, but better?

Expecting pelters for this btw

1 hour ago, Mutley said:

If we are now at the discarding MJ Williams stage oh my goodness me I would honestly get yourself seen to by a doctor. Anyone who’s played football at a semi decent level knows the importance of a good honest holding midfielder. No frills and keeps it ticking whilst leaving a leg in here and there. Admin please delete the thread it’s getting a beyond a joke now. 
 

Slightly peeved Mutley, 

x

We probably hold Williams in the same high regard in terms of his importance still to this team.

However I can’t agree with anything else you say. This forum is about open, intelligent discussions that may vary. Despite people holding a different opinion to us, some of the negative observations have merit. And within those negative opinions, very few (if any) are discarding him. 

Delete the thread, get yourself to a doctor! Jeez.

14 minutes ago, Traf said:

Tutte won't play for us again.

With all due respect to him i hope not 

As a side, from the look of it, he popped in tesco for some honey and a rice krispie cake

It was 25 minutes into yesterday's game agents i realised MJ had started. He was quite anonymous. 

10 minutes ago, MickyD said:

It was 25 minutes into yesterday's game agents i realised MJ had started. He was quite anonymous. 

I think especially last season and when we were playing badly and the team was under pressure you notice him more because of the work load he as to go through 

MJ has done a good job for us but we're moving on from his level now. No disrespect to the lad.

Blackpool went up in the play offs from League 1 last season. They offloaded him to us. That speaks volumes. 

He'll be well remembered at the club and he's got a good few years as a pro yet - but we need a couple of holding midfielders of a higher standard.

7 minutes ago, paulhanley said:

MJ has done a good job for us but we're moving on from his level now. No disrespect to the lad.

Blackpool went up in the play offs from League 1 last season. They offloaded him to us. That speaks volumes. 

He'll be well remembered at the club and he's got a good few years as a pro yet - but we need a couple of holding midfielders of a higher standard.

Spot on. Now we’ve signed some better quality players, MJ does look very limited.

Well worth a squad place as back up but we do need better if we are to move forwards

Some fans would still have mcginlay playing if they could, as we kick on improvements need to be made 

He doesn’t need shipping out he needs competition for his place. There isn’t another out and out DM in the squad, no doubt we’ll be looking to strengthen in the summer 

I see Johnston as a DM long term once we get in the Dominant centre back to play alongside Santos

MJ was more effective in the old system and struggles with the new one.......Same as Katchunga will once deemed fit

6 hours ago, masi 51 said:

I see Johnston as a DM long term once we get in the Dominant centre back to play alongside Santos

MJ was more effective in the old system and struggles with the new one.......Same as Katchunga will once deemed fit

A fit Kachunga wouldn't be a starter, surely?

Kachunga bench at best 

to many happy clappers on here

you are allowed to criticise ffs

17 minutes ago, L/H White said:

to many happy clappers on here

you are allowed to criticise ffs

This. MJ was a good player in a less able team. Shrewd buying has meant the rest of the team has improved which has the effect of making MJ look, if not poor, at least average.

Problem playing MJ is he slows any momentum built up, his seemingly inability to see a decent forward pass is the issue, given Evatt wants to break quick.

22 minutes ago, DomRepWanderer said:

Problem playing MJ is he slows any momentum built up, his seemingly inability to see a decent forward pass is the issue, given Evatt wants to break quick.

well, thats nonsense

4 minutes ago, Casino said:

well, thats nonsense

Not in the slightest, many a time there's been movement forwards, MJ seems to slow things down with a sideways/backwards pass, just my opinion, and as I see it in real time.

theres a cracking video, poss gillingham home, he pinged pass after pass forwards

if not gillingham, its another game he dragged us out of a hole

i dont think hes been at his best, but hes hardly had a break and had covid

didnt he also sign a new deal this season?

im guessing mj has a bigger part to play in the future than some would like

I just think he's not the most suited to the new shape... he used to be the one dropping back basically making a three man defence but he doesnt need to now with the extra centre back in there as Rico is the one who's central cleaning everything up. As bad as Sunderland were MJ did prove he can play effectively in the new double pivot alongside Morley and a Lee dropping in to help out but on the past few games you have to say MJ's been a passenger

39 minutes ago, DomRepWanderer said:

Not in the slightest, many a time there's been movement forwards, MJ seems to slow things down with a sideways/backwards pass, just my opinion, and as I see it in real time.

If he has time enough, he's as good a passer as anyone we have. Teams know this and as we saw earlier in the season, they were happy to let us build slowly, get our full backs up and attacking midfielders, then break quickly and put him under.

He's not the quickest nor most mobile and maybe needs a bit more time to get the ball under control because of it. It may also have been part of the policy to build up the play gradually and use possession to move teams about.

Maybe now with 3 centre halves and wing backs, the need for him in his deep lying sweeping up role isn't as vital.

I don't see his ability to pass it forward as being an issue though.

1 hour ago, Casino said:

theres a cracking video, poss gillingham home, he pinged pass after pass forwards

if not gillingham, its another game he dragged us out of a hole

i dont think hes been at his best, but hes hardly had a break and had covid

didnt he also sign a new deal this season?

im guessing mj has a bigger part to play in the future than some would like

 

Video proves the point. They went 2 up, sat back to an extent, and gave him the time and space to play. 

He’s having a very good end to the season. In this form he’ll still have a big part to play next season.

1 hour ago, desperado said:

He’s having a very good end to the season. In this form he’ll still have a big part to play next season.

Still think we need to strengthen in the middle. If he’s out no one else can do that role as it stands. 
Plus everyone needs that competition. 

14 minutes ago, Rudy said:

Still think we need to strengthen in the middle. If he’s out no one else can do that role as it stands. 
Plus everyone needs that competition. 

That then becomes the management team's job to compensate- which for me they have done to an extent with Morley.

Couple the latter with a more defensive/physical player like Dempsey and we're OK.