Player Watch: Emerson Royal

[wadewill]

As ever, on an internet forum, views tend to be more polarised than they probably are.

My view on this guy is:
- His effort and application is first rate, and as such, he deserves all our support
- He's a very capable defender
- But his touch is poor
- He's not that quick, and is a little lumbering
- His crossing is poor

Honestly, I think we'd be better with other players at RWB. He's a good RB, not a good RWB.

But he gives it his all, so if Conte picks him (personally, I wouldn't), as with all players (unless they obviously don't care) we back him

This is exactly how I feel about him.

He isnt good enough, especially going forward. His technical ability is pretty poor for a top tier pro, but his fitness is his plus. Says it all really when his best attribute is that he can run a lot, not even quickly, just a lot.

It's just horrible watching the ball go out to him time after time and him turning back, taking a heavy touch, taking too long, hitting woeful crosses - just basically doing everything that he shouldn't be doing.

He is obviously a good lad and a good pro but his ability is just nowhere near good enough for what we should be aiming for. That said, overall he is still probably the best of the bunch we have which really is saying something. Massive miss not properly upgrading RWB in the summer.

 

[HodisGawd]

Not got a problem with him.

Sorry, but I won't be jumping on this bandwagon.

He's not the best RWB in the world, granted, but he will improve.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

That said, overall he is still probably the best of the bunch we have which really is saying something. Massive miss not properly upgrading RWB in the summer.

With you on most of your post, but I honestly don't think, when you net our attacking and defensive contributions, we would be worse off with Spence

I can't say that for sure, because he's barely been given a kick, but I can tell you for sure their left back would know he'd been in a game - or at least, he'd be more tired - if he had been up against Spence. He needs to be given a go

 

[skiba]

Felt for him last night. We all know his limitations as a footballer but many fans just seemed intent on getting at him yesterday whatever he did. Involuntary moans and groans can often happen in the ebb and flow of match but this felt premeditated and you could feel the crowd readying their attacks before the ball even reached him.

There's a long list of players who have been subjected to similar treatment by our fans and yet when they eventually move on and return with different clubs these same fans seem happy to give them standing ovations and sing their songs when they're lining up against us. Maybe if we showed similar levels of support when they're out there trying to get a result for us they might actually put in some decent performances. But no, we seem intent on battering what little confidence they already have straight out of them.

It fucks me off to be honest and it's totally counter productive to both the player and the team but I've been going long enough to know it will probably never change.

 

[smallsnc]

I have not read all of the last few pages, but did anyone notice the times he made it back to cover for Romero when the CB had drifted up field an was nowhere to be seen. Emerson may not be great in the final third, but he does the rest of his job very well which gives Romero a little more freedom.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

Emerson is poor positionally, technically, athletically. Very simple for me, and I supported him long enough. He weakens us, and certainly does not strengthen us.

You might not rate him but this is just needless hyperbole. Poor technically, that's obvious. But he's perfectly capable positionally and athletically. In fact, he is one of our most athletic players - that is his key attribute.

A player who is solid defensively in no way weakens us.

 

[Typical Spurs]

I just think he's a poor, or very average at best as a player. He would get nowhere near the first 11 of any of the other top 6 sides.

I don't doubt his effort. That should be a given but as we've with Tanguy for example, some players don't even apply themselves properly. Royal does I think. He always appears to be trying and I can't knock that.

But I honestly think he's poor both attacking and defending, especially 1 v 1. People say he'd be great if we played a back 4. Personally I don't think he would be. His decision making defensively isn't great. He gives away stupid free kicks which put us under pressure.

He's one of them where if you look through the team and ask yourself - can I rely on him, I'd be amazed if many would say yes. And that's a bit of a problem.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

I have not read all of the last few pages, but did anyone notice the times he made it back to cover for Romero when the CB had drifted up field an was nowhere to be seen. Emerson may not be great in the final third, but he does the rest of his job very well which gives Romero a little more freedom.

Yes. I agree that's a positive. But is it that not something (the considerably more athletic) Spence could do as well?

He might take some time to learn the discipline of doing so, but surely he'll get there on that

 

[easley91]

I don't think he was as bad last night as some would have you believe. The guy is doing everything he can to improve himself, and yet many just hate him and will jump on any little error. I do hate some of our fanbase at times. I like him as a human, has a good attitude and willing to improve by doing whatever he can do.

If Emerson was to ever read any of the abuse he gets on social media, I really do feel for him. Our own Harry Kane has just started a mental health foundation, yet so many are happy to throw unnecessary abuse at a footballer.

 

[TEESSIDE1]

Not got a problem with him.

Sorry, but I won't be jumping on this bandwagon.

He's not the best RWB in the world, granted, but he will improve.

He may improve positionally and the defensive side of his game but when you play like you’re kicking a rugby ball and not a football well that’s going to take a miracle to resolve.

He was decent going forward for Betis but he had to he ‘instinctive’ whereas for us he has in footballing terms an age to make a decision only to 9.9/10 make a hash out of it. No coaching is going to fix that.

 

[agrdavidsfan]

Was sat in the bottom rows of the south yesterday uo close and personal with him and you know what fans were on his back before his first touch of the ball then when he did get a touch about 300/400 grown men were abusing him call him all sorts so bad that even when comes over to take a throwing he looks at the ground not the fans doesn’t want to make eye contact the bloke is playing within himself scared of making a mistake because our bunch of Neanderthals just want to abuse him!

He doesn’t pick himself so lay off him maybe try a bit of softly softly approach with him and see because whether we like it or not Conte is playing him until January at least

 

[Trix]

Was sat in the bottom rows of the south yesterday uo close and personal with him and you know what fans were on his back before his first touch of the ball then when he did get a touch about 300/400 grown men were abusing him call him all sorts so bad that even when comes over to take a throwing he looks at the ground not the fans doesn’t want to make eye contact the bloke is playing within himself scared of making a mistake because our bunch of Neanderthals just want to abuse him!

He doesn’t pick himself so lay off him maybe try a bit of softly softly approach with him and see because whether we like it or not Conte is playing him until January at least

Well said!!!

 

[Cochise]

I don't rate him, nor do I think he was so poor last night that he needed this many pages added to his thread. Dier gave away a goal and I don't even see his thread on the first page. Sessegnon made an awful mistake in the first 10 minutes of the game that led to a quick Frankfurt attack, yet it didn't lead to a goal from a corner so we aren't blowing up over it.

I agree that we really could do with a top notch RWB and with Emerson's lack of attacking ability I do want to see Spence given a shot.

 

[newbie]

I wonder what would happen if we all backed the guy and cheered him ?

The guys attitude is amazing.

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

I wonder what would happen if we all backed the guy and cheered him ?

If you mean what would happen on SC, then you'd have to ask Hans Christian Andersen.

There are too many people who are just plain sour. All of the time. If it isn't Emerson, then it'd be someone else.

 

[Trix]

He may improve positionally and the defensive side of his game but when you play like you’re kicking a rugby ball and not a football well that’s going to take a miracle to resolve.

He was decent going forward for Betis but he had to he ‘instinctive’ whereas for us he has in footballing terms an age to make a decision only to 9.9/10 make a hash out of it. No coaching is going to fix that.

Put in a few good crosses yesterday that no one got on the end of, one of which was a free header that was put just wide. Thing is when you become the internet scapegoat, it's only ever the negatives that are taken into account.

 

[Dirtysanchez6]

I have not read all of the last few pages, but did anyone notice the times he made it back to cover for Romero when the CB had drifted up field a was nowhere to be seen. Emerson may not be great in the final third, but he does the rest of his job very well which gives Romero a little more freedom.

Totally disagree, people saying he defends well etc etc. he doesn’t he has a mistake in him every game. Cost us the 2nd goal last night firstly by that awful touch and secondly losing his man from the corner. I think we could all accept if he was outstanding defensively but he isn’t and this is a myth people are starting to create about him!

 

[onthetwo]

i reckon MCD should design an Emerson Royal Burger in his honour.
IMO it would have to look good on the outside, have a sloppy cross on the bun, be of variable quality, often raw in the middle and liable to cause farting!

 

[agrdavidsfan]

Well said!!!

I left the ground yesterday in all honesty feeling sorry for him, there was a father and daughter behind me and I don’t think they came to watch the game they just abused him all game when he came over to take his position for kick off they started with “Emerson you are shite” “Royal there’s nothing Royal about you, you prick” “fuck off back to Brazil you donkey” this spread for the first half then at around the 55th minute mark I turned and asked them does Emerson pick himself?

The father replied with no Conte does he should be starting Spence, so again I calmly asked but is it Emerson’s fault that conte picks him not Djed? He replied yeh because he’s shit ?!

At one point there must have been about 2000 fans all hollering at him, and what annoys me is none of these fans have ever played football or played in a stadium you take it for granted players can’t hear you…..but trust me they can and there’s only a certain amount it takes to affect your performance!

Sometimes I think Emerson’s problem is that he’s not the new fancy summer signing that’s very fast and fans always want the next best shiny toy but in reality if conte is watching them 7 days a week and he picks Royal I trust his experience and his management skills over Steve who played Centre half for the coach and horses for 20 years kicking lumps out of people and hoofing the ball in the air every 2 minutes.

Sorry for the rant but Emerson is he a top top right back? No, he’s probably not but is he our right back for the foreseeable future? Yes, yes he is so let’s try supporting the lad!

 

[Styopa]

Sometimes I think Emerson’s problem is that he’s not the new fancy summer signing that’s very fast and fans always want the next best shiny toy

Wholeheartedly agree with everything you have said apart from this part. I don’t think it’s to do with fans wanting a shiny new toy. I think it’s simply a lot of fans believe he’s well below the level we would want for a first choice RWB. And I agree with them.

Nonetheless he still deserves our full support, especially as he clearly gives 100% for the team. And he definitely doesn’t deserve to have abuse shouted at him all game.