Spector went 90 in midfield as Birmingham City gave up a 2 goal lead to draw at Nottingham Forest 2-2.
Yesterday Spector started in midfield, but was dropped to left back due to an injury 25 minutes into the game. Birmingham City were thumped at home 5-0 by Barnsley. Spector's only mention in the Birmingham Mail match report:
After missing three games with an ankle injury, Spector returned to the lineup going 59 minutes in midfield in a 3-1 road loss to Bolton Wanderers. Birmingham City were down 2-1 when he came off. Spector has played 20 games in the Championship this season making 17 starts. He has one assist and has picked four yellow cards two of which were in the same game. He also made one start in the League Cup during which he netted a goal. Birmingham City are currently in 20th and are 7 points clear of the relegation zone though the best placed team in the drop zone have a game in hand. They have a road match up against Leeds United in the third round of the FA Cup.
Spector got over the bank injury and played the second half against Huddersfield Town on the 12th in a 1-1 road draw. He has since missed the loss to Leeds in a FA Cup replay and today's match with a hamstring injury.
Photo Credit: Getty Images "Jonathan Spector made a strong return to the Birmingham City lineup in a 0-0 draw with guests Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday. The US international could have had the winning assist on 76 minutes, only to watch Brums target man Nikola Zigic nod his right wing cross agonizingly wide of frame. Despite posting their first shutout in 17 Championship games, Birmingham remain docked in 17th place." http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...n-exports-spector-makes-return-holden-dresses
Spector is a terrible defender but we played him in midfield towards the end of his career with us (whu) and he scored 2 goals for us and was immense! I hope he plays in midfield for them.
a fact completely discarded by many in the USMNT fanbase. Those of us who saw and watched the games knew he could offer us something there.
From what I can remember he was a midfielder before coming to us and some idiot in our management thought he would be better served in defence when clearly he isn't a defender. But what was great about him was that he didn't moan he just got on with it and I love that about players like him, you are a pro so just get on with it and don't moan.
I do not believe you are correct. If memory serves, he played at defense for both MUFC and Charlton under Curbishley, who brought him to West Ham. The usual knock was, like a few other Americans, he wasn't quick and skilled enough to play outside back and wasn't strong enough to play in the middle as a center half (center back). Reminiscent of the current Tim Ream debate.
I think this is pretty on. He was a forward in the US when first spotted by MUFC scouts who envisioned him as a defender. I would add, though, that he was a decent defender prior to certain injuries which really seemed to have an impact on his quickness/hips and ability to maneuver. I recall a certain MUFC v. WHU game when he had to contend with both a young CR7 and younger but still old Giggs and acquitted himself quite well in that game. As a right back he is good with the ball at his feet and delivers a very nice cross [see Confed Cup] but vulnerable to speed/quickness direction changes [see Pirlo pirouette in Confed Cup]
He was a forward but was switched to a defender in a game watched by MUFC scouts. They were so impressed they brought him in as a defender to MU. Then there was the aforementioned hip injury.
I think the hip injury probably made it more difficult for him to be an outside back, but he has been an excellent midfielder.
I thought he was very impressive in that 2005 U-20 (with Wynne, Kljestan, Adu, Gaven, Bartlett, Freeman, Dalby, Wstberg under Sigi). It was rather surprising that he was incapable of being at least athletically adequate at the next level. That said, he was pretty good in midfield for the Hammers but haven't been much of a chance there since.
he did to everyone but the linesman. He was a good yard onsides on another goal that was not counted.
Spector played 90 minutes as a central midfielder in a 3-1 win over Derby today. Birmingham are solidly midtable, and a couple more points should ensure that they are back in the Championship for 2013-14.
