Hope Akpan - Poll

[RoyalBlue]

Clearly Akpan is now the scapegoat of choice following Blackman scoring a few goals

Wasn't his best game yesterday but he's had very little game time this season and is playing alongside a player who is not a centre mid so was always going to be difficult but other than a couple of horrible touches, he did OK and did a lot of the dirty work well.

I believe Akpan will have a career at this level or higher either with us or for someone else. He has all of the attributes, he a good tackler, a good short passer, he's comfortable on the ball, a good header and can also play a beautifully weighted through ball on occassion. Unfortunately, he isn't bringing it all to the table all of the time but he's still young and could mature into a top player.

What he doesn't need is supporters jumping on every error he makes. Right now, whether you like him or not, he has to be pretty much the first name on the team sheet, so get off his back.

Absolutely spot on.

Also appears to really care about the team and results. Anyone else see the incident between him and Pearce when Ipswich came close to scoring towards the end? A couple of the players had to pull Akpan away. At the time I thought Pearce had had a go at Akpan who had reacted to that. However, having watched the replay, I think it was Akpan having a go at Pearce. I certainly couldn't see how Akpan could have been blamed for the near miss whereas it looked as though Pearce may have lost the man who got the header in, so perhaps Akpan had a go about that. Nice to see some fire and passion.

[Royal Rother]

The tenacity with which scapegoats are pursued is one of the most saddening things about the team board. Akpan has had some poor games and he has had some very good ones (that spell where he took over from a struggling Guthrie at the beginning of this year, for example). He is young, so he could get better and become one our best prospects, or he could lose something and not quite make it. There is lots we cannot predict. The one thing we do know about him is that he doesn't deserve the constant, desperately unfunny, exaggerated slating he gets from some on here: they are as wrong about Akpan as they were about Long, Gunter, Leigertwood, Pearce and every other player who has been scapegoated in the past.

Top post.

[Pepe the Horseman]

Think his main problem is he's having to do a job that he's not used to. He was bought as an attacking midfielder, and has mainly been used a defensive midfielder. Crawley fans said the worst part of his game was tackling.

[Ian Royal]

He's ok. A bit sloppy in possession at times, a bit weak in the challenge and a bit easily bypassed. He's not in the same league as Karacan, Williams or Guthrie. But he's not awful either. Although he has had truly abysmal games.

[sandman]

Good player hampered by the fact he arrived during the PL January transfer window. Unfortunately because of that he will never be given a fair chance by certain elements of our fan base.

That's simply not true. After we were relegated most people were viewing him as a first teamer on the back of a few good performances.

Unfortunately as he's played more matches we've got a better idea of what he's like as a player, and he's not been playing well enough for this side.

OK, we've probably not used him in the role he'd like to be used in (attacking midfield), but to do that we'd need to build the team around him, and he's nowhere near the necessary standard for that.

Clearly Akpan is now the scapegoat of choice following Blackman scoring a few goals

I'm not sure the word "scapegoat" applies in this situation (i.e. after two wins and a draw).

Akpan's critics haven't just played eenie-meanie-miney-moe to pick someone else to criticise following Blackman's upturn in form. Generally, he's been criticised for the best part of a year, because he actually hasn't been playing well enough.

Unfortunately it is true, you may not realise it and they may not be doing it on purpose but at least on a subconscious level he and Blackman have never been given a chance even when they've performed well in games. Case in point being last season when we went on a good run with Akpan and Williams in CM, the lad never got any praise despite the fact he and that partnership were an integral part of that run.

Don't want to criticise him too much because he scored yesterday but if you really want a Reading midfielder who didn't look up to this level yesterday then look no further than Jake Taylor.

[winchester_royal]

I think the frustrating thing for most is that he's clearly got some ability but just doesn't dominate games in the way he arguably should. Personally I think that's down to the fact he just isn't physically fit enough for this level, or at least not to do the pressing job that Adkins wants from his midfielders. If that makes me a scapegoating fire breathing monster then so be it.

[SCIAG]

Unfortunately it is true, you may not realise it and they may not be doing it on purpose but at least on a subconscious level he and Blackman have never been given a chance even when they've performed well in games. Case in point being last season when we went on a good run with Akpan and Williams in CM, the lad never got any praise despite the fact he and that partnership were an integral part of that run.

Don't want to criticise him too much because he scored yesterday but if you really want a Reading midfielder who didn't look up to this level yesterday then look no further than Jake Taylor.

So then why hasn't Stephen Kelly come in for the same level of criticism?

Chris Gunter was pretty terrible in the Premier League, why isn't he still being slagged off? To a lesser extent, why isn't McCleary? Heck, why are people acknowledging that Nick Blackman has been our best player so far this season?

Akpan received plenty of praise after we beat QPR, for example. I'm not sure how much of our good form was due to him and how much was just coincidental, but he's received plenty of praise when he's played good passes, been bold, scored goals, etc. He just doesn't do any of that stuff often enough, and he also doesn't do the simple stuff well enough.

I don't think discussions of Taylor's merits - and fwiw I think he suffers a very similar problem to Akpan, mostly being an attacking midfielder but not being good enough to deserve that spot - are relevant. It is more relevant to compare him to Guthrie, Williams, and Karacan, and only an incredibly biased individual would think Akpan has been holding a torch to them.

[Ian Royal]

Taylor is younger, has less experience and is being played out of position. He, combined with Obita, Cummings and Hector in particular, also won us the game. Taylor is being brought through from our Academy for the Championship. Akpan was bought two seasons ago for the Premier League. It's unsurprising expectations are somewhat higher for him.

Taylor did very little actively wrong, although wasn't particularly effective either, outside of his goal. Akpan on the other hand controlled the ball towards an Ipswich player on several occasions, misplaced several passes to Ipswich players. All when it was easy to get it right.

The criticism of Akpan after the game is harsh. But then he's had few actively good games, yes some which he did actually rightfully get praise for last season. However, he's also put in the worst midfield performance from a Reading player in a decade last season too.

It's also fair to say that on that showing, when the entire squad is fit (if it ever is) Taylor would definitely not be a starter. But then neither would Akpan. The guy is 6th choice for his position. Behind a Left sider and a Centreback. And it's not going to be long before Kuhl and Tshibola over take him either.

[If you still hate Futcher]

The trouble is a lot of people don't notice or refuse to accept the good things that Akpan does but, given where he plays, the mistakes are glaringly obvious.

[RoyalinBracknell]

Good player hampered by the fact he arrived during the PL January transfer window. Unfortunately because of that he will never be given a fair chance by certain elements of our fan base.

That's simply not true. After we were relegated most people were viewing him as a first teamer on the back of a few good performances.

Unfortunately as he's played more matches we've got a better idea of what he's like as a player, and he's not been playing well enough for this side.

I think this is fair. As I remember it he was something of the golden boy when he was signed probably due to his two assists for Le Fondre's goals against Chelsea - he broke into the first team very quickly and him being taken off against Aston Villa was one of the substitutions which sparked the crowd's dissent against McDermott in his last game in charge.

If everyone is fit I wouldn't expect him to play too much as the season goes on, with some decent young players breaking through in midfield and the likes of Karacan/Guthrie/WIlliams all hopefully to return from injury.

[Ian Royal]

The trouble is a lot of people don't notice or refuse to accept the good things that Akpan does but, given where he plays, the mistakes are glaringly obvious.

Spot on. I'm not a huge fan of Akpan, but I saw him do some decent stuff. The bits that really stayed with me though were the terrible controls or passes. I'll try to be objective in most cases, but it can be a bit begrudging. I get the feeling loads don't even try.

[PistolPete]

The trouble is a lot of people don't notice or refuse to accept the good things that Akpan does but, given where he plays, the mistakes are glaringly obvious.

Spot on. I'm not a huge fan of Akpan, but I saw him do some decent stuff. The bits that really stayed with me though were the terrible controls or passes. I'll try to be objective in most cases, but it can be a bit begrudging. I get the feeling loads don't even try.

But this is the same for every player?! He is the worst central midfielder we have - At Wigan Adkins chose to play a right back at left back and the left back in central midfield instead of Akpan. How on earth do 50% of people 'rate him'?!

[Ian Royal]

The trouble is a lot of people don't notice or refuse to accept the good things that Akpan does but, given where he plays, the mistakes are glaringly obvious.

Spot on. I'm not a huge fan of Akpan, but I saw him do some decent stuff. The bits that really stayed with me though were the terrible controls or passes. I'll try to be objective in most cases, but it can be a bit begrudging. I get the feeling loads don't even try.

But this is the same for every player?! He is the worst central midfielder we have - At Wigan Adkins chose to play a right back at left back and the left back in central midfield instead of Akpan. How on earth do 50% of people 'rate him'?!

I don't think 50% of people do rate him, certainly not highly. But I do think it's fair to say that many of his detractors seriously under-rate him, and so those that are more positive or forgiving react against that over-reaction. Arguments polarise and suddenly everyone's talking like you either think he's stealing a living as professional football or the next Messi.

He's certainly not in Guthrie, Williams or Karacan's league in my opinion. But he also didn't have a terrible game against Ipswich.

[PistolPete]

I don't think 50% of people do rate him, certainly not highly. But I do think it's fair to say that many of his detractors seriously under-rate him, and so those that are more positive or forgiving react against that over-reaction. Arguments polarise and suddenly everyone's talking like you either think he's stealing a living as professional football or the next Messi.

He's certainly not in Guthrie, Williams or Karacan's league in my opinion. But he also didn't have a terrible game against Ipswich.

So did you vote 'yes' or 'no'?

Akpan. Doesn't tackle, pass or dribble well. He's not a leader or a set piece taker. He doesn't score goals or win balls in the air. Positionally he's not bad.

I've never gone with the grain on making a scapegoat and I've not suddenly started now with Akpan. He's just not that good! Maybe, with a loan away, he could become a good player but, right now, how can anyone 'rate' him?!

[Ian Royal]

I don't think 50% of people do rate him, certainly not highly. But I do think it's fair to say that many of his detractors seriously under-rate him, and so those that are more positive or forgiving react against that over-reaction. Arguments polarise and suddenly everyone's talking like you either think he's stealing a living as professional football or the next Messi.

He's certainly not in Guthrie, Williams or Karacan's league in my opinion. But he also didn't have a terrible game against Ipswich.

So did you vote 'yes' or 'no'?

Akpan. Doesn't tackle, pass or dribble well. He's not a leader or a set piece taker. He doesn't score goals or win balls in the air. Positionally he's not bad.

I've never gone with the grain on making a scapegoat and I've not suddenly started now with Akpan. He's just not that good! Maybe, with a loan away, he could become a good player but, right now, how can anyone 'rate' him?!

I abstained because I thought it was a stupidly simplistic poll. I imagine some may have voted to rate him as a protest that he isn't absolutely awful.

[leww_rfc]

League 1 player, at best.

[ayjaydee]

The trouble is a lot of people don't notice or refuse to accept the good things that Akpan does but, given where he plays, the mistakes are glaringly obvious.

Spot on. I'm not a huge fan of Akpan, but I saw him do some decent stuff. The bits that really stayed with me though were the terrible controls or passes. I'll try to be objective in most cases, but it can be a bit begrudging. I get the feeling loads don't even try.

I'm also not a fan of Akpan but at the moment needs must. However the bit that stayed with me from Sat was more positive, a superb get back and tackle when we were backs to the wall. I think the boy deserves a bit of slack hence no answer to the poll from me.

[If you still hate Futcher]

I don't think 50% of people do rate him, certainly not highly. But I do think it's fair to say that many of his detractors seriously under-rate him, and so those that are more positive or forgiving react against that over-reaction. Arguments polarise and suddenly everyone's talking like you either think he's stealing a living as professional football or the next Messi.

He's certainly not in Guthrie, Williams or Karacan's league in my opinion. But he also didn't have a terrible game against Ipswich.

So did you vote 'yes' or 'no'?

Akpan. Doesn't tackle, pass or dribble well. He's not a leader or a set piece taker. He doesn't score goals or win balls in the air. Positionally he's not bad.

I've never gone with the grain on making a scapegoat and I've not suddenly started now with Akpan. He's just not that good! Maybe, with a loan away, he could become a good player but, right now, how can anyone 'rate' him?!

I abstained because I thought it was a stupidly simplistic poll. I imagine some may have voted to rate him as a protest that he isn't absolutely awful.

Same here, don't deem it worthy of a vote

Akpan can pass, he can tackle and he can dribble but you're never sure he's going to. His touch can be awful or he can be neat and tidy. I know this thread isn't about one game, but toward the end on Saturday he was one of those that was still battling and running when others were understandably tiring and was an integral part of us seeing out the win.

[PistolPete]

[

Same here, don't deem it worthy of a vote

Akpan can pass, he can tackle and he can dribble but you're never sure he's going to. His touch can be awful or he can be neat and tidy. I know this thread isn't about one game, but toward the end on Saturday he was one of those that was still battling and running when others were understandably tiring and was an integral part of us seeing out the win.

Yep, I should have abstained!

Not sure if you were replying to me with the 'Akpan can pass, he can tackle and he can dribble but you're never sure he's going to' sentence - but I did say he can't do those things well. Shorey could pass well, Ledge could tackle well and Williams can dribble well - Akpan in what I've seen of him can't do any of those well in a Championship context. I agree he could be a confidence player though, but to be bereft of confidence in all the time he's been here is a bit much...

[Agent Balti]

For me, the game seems to revolve around Akpan. He doesn't seem to be involved, certainly not as much as he should be. There's nothing that screams out that he could be 'used for' because he's good at x. Just a very generic, run around a lot, players. If he was bought as an attacking midfielder then why has Ryan Edwards superseded him already?

Just realised I've described Jake Taylor too.