Old topic but relevant again I think. A few of you have said that he's played very well for the reserves. How well? Well enough to merit a crack at the first team?

If the answer is yes, we've got some potential problems. It means that either YBR disagrees with you, which isn't so bad (leaving aside a player drawing huge wages to play for the reserves etc. etc. Another argument, another day) OR...

He IS good enough to be tried, Bobby ALSO thinks so but he is out of the picture because HE'S UNPOPULAR.

If this is the case it's an absolute ***king disgrace. I haven't seen the man play so I can't judge, but if he was to return to the first team and do well, I'd be delighted. After all, surely that's what the fans have wanted? Sadly, I think that he'd be crucified for every perceived mistake he made. It would make the Barton/Cort booing look like a fan-club reception.

Of course, he's out of the reserve side for the next game and MAY be in the squad for S'ton. I'm assuming he's not injured...

What do you all HONESTLY believe he has to offer us, and what do you HONESTLY think the crowd reception would be?

-- Anonymous, April 29, 2002

Answers

Ah Personally think YBR might yet give him a try-out.

-- Anonymous, April 29, 2002

I haven't seen him that often, but have seen some absolutely dreadful performances, but mostly he seemed ok. Not a world beater, but ok.

If he has been doing well for the reserves and is actually fit, there's no reason not to give him a chance at Soton. Though I'd rather Caldwell(G) get a shot as he's more likely our future. The away crowd would likely give Marcia a good reception. They'd certainly be more willing to give him a chance than the SJP crowd. So it's probably the safest possibly circumstance to play him. Supportive crowd and a meaningless end of season match.

-- Anonymous, April 29, 2002

Oh - I thought it was another injury (or perhaps an order). However, now that I realise it is "wither" in the sense of "where" then it comes down to 2 things: ability and attitude. For me, from what I have seen this season for the resorves, there is no question about ability. IMHO, he is good enough to play a big part in next season's capaigns.

But on the second count, I would say not good enough. This is based on a perceived bad attitude, being almost constantly "injured" from what on the face of things were relatively minor knocks (his finger aart - I believe that was quite serious) and also on abysmal performances such as turning his back on the goal scorer at The Valley. But against this is an obviousl turnaround when playing for the resorves. It can't be easy for somebody with that price tag to turn oot fer the stiffs week after week.

Clearly, I'm not party to what goes on behind the scenes. I have a feeling that he may be ostracised by his fellow professionals which could make his return to the first team pretty difficult. YBR has shown in th epast that he is prepared to give folks a second chance (ref Dabizas) but I think even he could have trouble turning a major section of the crowd around.

Probably the best scenario for all would be to sell him, based on some good reserve performances and aybe a game or two for the first team. But if that's the case, I can't understand why he isn't playing tonight. Injury, fall-out or off elsewhere? Sorry - dunno.

-- Anonymous, April 29, 2002

I've seen Marcia play a few 1st team games, and also a couple of his recent "good" Reserve team performances. In all honesty, I can't actually recall seeing him have a stinker.

The recent Reserve performances that I saw from him were no better than 'decent', as you'd expect from a highly experienced international (I think?) CB. He was quietly effective, and confirmed that his distribution is generally good.

IMO, while he is a canny footballer, he is just not up to the extreme physical demands of the PL. In addition, I still have very vivid memories of him turning his back on Mattias Svennson in our PA as Svensson struck a shot into our net!!

I wouldn't be averse to him playing at S'ton, but strongly suspect that any expectations of him solving our defensive problems are nothing more than pipe dreams.

-- Anonymous, April 29, 2002

I'm sure I read, probably on here, about a charity dinner or phone in or some such, where a couple of the first team defended Marcy to the hilt. Hard trainer, model pro, nice guy, misunderstood etc. etc.

I agree that his attitude in the past has been less than 100%, obviously. He does also seem to have genuine problems with the physical side of the English game. However, in a team preparing for a european campaign, he would seem to fit the bill as a sub or squad player if his ability is up to scratch and he has adjusted mentally to what is needed. He's never going to play 50 games a season for us but if he can be effective in 10 or 15, then at least we'll be somewhere closer to having some VFM from the bloke.

-- Anonymous, April 29, 2002

the problem is knowing when the 10 good games would be

you have to turn this argument on its head and ask whether you would be happy if we were going to buy the current Mallorca centre half, who you've never heard of, for £5m.

The guy may have had okay games, but he has never performed well. We are better than that, we need to be better than that. In my eyes he has never been as good as Dabizas and I wouldn't miss Nicos if he left us.

-- Anonymous, April 29, 2002

That's why I wanted to hear some recent first-hand reports, MacB. If he's genuinely not up to it, ability-wise, then OK, he has no place in the first team, especially now our targets are fixed higher. His price tag shouldn't be a factor in whether or not he plays.

I take your point, but if Bobby Robson identified a CB in somewhere like Majorca and felt that he was worth 5 million then I'd just have to trust his judgement. We were nearly all underwhelmed by a 6 million quid 'failed' striker from relegated Coventry at the start of the season as well.

I'm not defending Marcy as I haven't seen him recently. I am merely curious as to WHY he's still not playing a part, if the reports of his recent phoenix-like rise from the treatment table are to be believed...

-- Anonymous, April 29, 2002

That'll be 'Mallorca' in my post BTW. Yes, I do live in Spain, thanks. :)

-- Anonymous, April 29, 2002

Well its unlikely that we will see him against Soton - I thought he had picked up an ankle injury in training?

-- Anonymous, May 01, 2002

Maybe the thread should have been called 'Wither Marcellino'.

-- Anonymous, May 02, 2002

What a novel idea PB.

-- Anonymous, May 02, 2002

Saw him play a while back - think I've repeated my opinion several times on what I saw then. Not very complimentary.

I get the impression that he's happy enough picking up his (substantial) wages. I'd be surprised if he ever ran onto the pitch at SJP again.

-- Anonymous, May 02, 2002

Ow Screach! Just 'cos PB missed your post on that very subject earlier in the thread, there's no need to use .......... Sarcasm!

-- Anonymous, May 02, 2002

Ok wiseasses, I know about 'whither' as in 'where' and 'wither' as in 'dry up and waste away', however, 'wither' as in 'where' is one with which I'm not familiar. Mind, what else would you expect from your stereotypical thick Geordie ? :-{E}

-- Anonymous, May 02, 2002