Jonathan Spector...

[FCDallas96]

What are your thoughts of him so far? I think he has done incredibly well and will definitely be a great player for the future. He also has brought some fight back to the fullback position. The game against Blackburn is where he showed me he is a true Man U player. In the game he was fighting and battling for every ball. It is obvious Sir Alex sees something in him otherwise he wouldn't have started him the last 4 games. If Spector keeps up the good play I could see him starting above Heinze for the first part of the season. I see Fergie proving a point to Heinze and won't play unless he absollutely has to once he returns from Argentina.

[Achtung]

He's been one of our best players over the past couple of games (though we haven't really gotten the right results). Reactions I've seen from other fans are very positive, saying that he's both strong and fast and could quickly become a permanent fixture in the first team.

And just to clarify (since there are few things the British press enjoy more than making SAF look like a raging lunatic), if Heinze sat at first, it wouldn't really be to "prove a point". It would be because he needs rest after playing in both Copa America and the Olympics. Spector could definitely benefit from that, but I kind of doubt that he would totally unseat Heinze at first.

[FCDallas96]

He's been one of our best players over the past couple of games (though we haven't really gotten the right results). Reactions I've seen from other fans are very positive, saying that he's both strong and fast and could quickly become a permanent fixture in the first team.

And just to clarify (since there are few things the British press enjoy more than making SAF look like a raging lunatic), if Heinze sat at first, it wouldn't really be to "prove a point". It would be because he needs rest after playing in both Copa America and the Olympics. Spector could definitely benefit from that, but I kind of doubt that he would totally unseat Heinze at first.
I love John O'Shea as a player but I feel like Spector brings a certain tenacity that the Man U backline misses at times. Spector definitely has the skills since he was a forward for the U-17 MNT before he was switched to defence.

[van_da_man]

whats strikes me the most about spector....is his composure. for an 18 year old, he seems so calm, regardless of the situation.

[Nicky Butt]

Spector need to get rid of the mullet.

[mixmastermatt]

spector is one mostaouche away from being a pornstar

[worldfootballgenius]

whats strikes me the most about spector....is his composure. for an 18 year old, he seems so calm, regardless of the situation.
A lot like owen lee hergreaves

[johno]

whats strikes me the most about spector....is his composure. for an 18 year old, he seems so calm, regardless of the situation.


It probably helps that he was a striker... the pressure on them to perform is usually quite high, but still, u are right, he appears as if he has been playing for us for a couple years, not games...

Oh... and trust me... Spector is good, but Heinze is a heap better than him right now... not to slight his performances but we just played Blackburn and Everton... Heinze wont compete with Spector anyway... Heinze after Silvestre's horrid showing in the middle will probably be Rio's default partner... he is very strong in the air, so it will be good for us to finally have 2 aerially superior defenders. Spector will probably compete for a fullback spot... whomever plays best amongst him, Silvestre and O'Shea will be at LB, I could also see him as a bench guy or in the occasional start to rest Gary... he would be good on the bench because he can play RB, LB and in a squeze CB... versatility is good in a substitute...

[Acronym]

Should be great for years to come, one adv he has over JOS is his brain is nearer to his feet, always better.

[Anteaters FC]

It probably helps that he was a striker... the pressure on them to perform is usually quite high, but still, u are right, he appears as if he has been playing for us for a couple years, not games...

Oh... and trust me... Spector is good, but Heinze is a heap better than him right now... not to slight his performances but we just played Blackburn and Everton... Heinze wont compete with Spector anyway... Heinze after Silvestre's horrid showing in the middle will probably be Rio's default partner... he is very strong in the air, so it will be good for us to finally have 2 aerially superior defenders. Spector will probably compete for a fullback spot... whomever plays best amongst him, Silvestre and O'Shea will be at LB, I could also see him as a bench guy or in the occasional start to rest Gary... he would be good on the bench because he can play RB, LB and in a squeze CB... versatility is good in a substitute...

Yeah, Heinze is a sight better than Spector. But Heinze was very impressive going forward on the left hand side in the Copa America, so he might end up there. I was also glad to see Spector make some forward runs against Blackburn, so either player should make a good contribution getting some passes into the box.

[haven]

He's been solid so far. His tackling is excellent. His positional sense has been good. He looks solid on the ball.

His two biggest problems:

1. He seems unaware sometimes of opposing players. He's had a couple of relatively simple passes intercepted. IIRC, one led to a throw for Blackburn, which led to its goal.

2. He gets pushed around a bit too much for someone who's probably more of a CB.

[sch2383]

I love John O'Shea as a player but I feel like Spector brings a certain tenacity that the Man U backline misses at times. Spector definitely has the skills since he was a forward for the U-17 MNT before he was switched to defence.
I've noticed a lot of people saying that...I guess that is the "American thing" all our players seem to have.

[FCDallas96]

I've noticed a lot of people saying that...I guess that is the "American thing" all our players seem to have.
I would have to say that we grow up playing the game where we don't shirk the physical side of the game. The "American" attitude with the will to win is something that also receives praise from the English coaches. There is something in our makeup that pushes us on to victory that really makes us standout. I see that in Spector when he is playing and keep an eye out for it when you watch the game.

[FCDallas96]

He's been solid so far. His tackling is excellent. His positional sense has been good. He looks solid on the ball.

His two biggest problems:

1. He seems unaware sometimes of opposing players. He's had a couple of relatively simple passes intercepted. IIRC, one led to a throw for Blackburn, which led to its goal.

2. He gets pushed around a bit too much for someone who's probably more of a CB.
I know #1 comes from inexperience at times but #2 I expect at times. He is still a relatively young 18 so he will continue to grow and fill out. Sheasy was in the same posistion as Spector a couple of seasons ago and then he filled out. Take a look at some pictures of Brown was younger and look at him now. #2 will take care of itsself over the next couple of seasons but I expect him to become a fixture in the backline in the next couple of years if he keeps progressing like this.

[triplelake]

I know #1 comes from inexperience at times but #2 I expect at times. He is still a relatively young 18 so he will continue to grow and fill out. Sheasy was in the same posistion as Spector a couple of seasons ago and then he filled out. Take a look at some pictures of Brown was younger and look at him now. #2 will take care of itsself over the next couple of seasons but I expect him to become a fixture in the backline in the next couple of years if he keeps progressing like this.

Spector has been doing pretty well in the last 2 games. He follows really close to his opponents and didn't give them much space. He's definitely better than Phil Neville who often commits unnecessary fouls in dangerous positions around the box. But similar to #2 above, his tackles/challenges are pretty "soft" in 50-50 situations. I'd also expect him to improve in this area as he grows and becomes more muscular.

[Robert25]

I had heard many of the distinguished Manchester United supporters on this site repeating how talented Spector was. However it was not until the Blackburn game I saw for myself.

Though it was just one game he played impressivley. He has a ways to go before he's totally hit his potential, but I think he ahs a bright future ahead.

Heinze will probabley get most starts but Spector at the age of 18 has a lot ahead of him. And I am sure he will get time with playing in the CL, the various cups, and league matches.

[Acronym]

Spector was today our best midfielder, defender and maybe attacker minus Smither who gives his all. Can't believe how utter shite Scholsey was :?

[Robert25]

Spector was today our best midfielder, defender and maybe attacker minus Smither who gives his all. Can't believe how utter shite Scholsey was :?

Normally I would throw down the gauntlet in defense of Scholes, but he has to get it going. I think his form is an indication why we have so few goals this season. You cannot blame one player alone, but once he starts hitting his best form, the goals will come in greater abundance because he adds such a deadly edge to our midfield.