Nathan Delfouneso

Shiggy

Shiggy

Well-known member
I have held the same opinion about him since his very first loan spell in 2011. Runs around a lot, does absolutely nothing, and for some reason he’s a fan favourite.
Yes, he’s clearly got some sort of affection for this club and has been here through very bad times- I respect that.
Yes, I can see how he could potentially be a decent role model for younger players- experience is important.
However, I genuinely think he could murder one of the ball boys during the game and would still be applauded off at full time 5 minutes after all the other players are down the tunnel. Out of genuine interest, what do people see in him apart from the two positives I mentioned above? I’m not one to get on players backs, I would be happier than anyone if he proved me wrong this season and was one of our key players, but after years of constantly underwhelming performances my question is, why is he still here?
 
Far north tangerine said:
He's probably still here because people who know a lot more about football coaching/management
Than we ever will think that what he gives to the team is more important than how some of the fans feel
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Well said Fnt I posted on another thread you can bet he will work himself into the team in front of others he's direct and defenders hate playing against that.
 
Has served the club well, however if we wish to progress from a mid table league 1 club, then I’m afraid he is at best a squad player who could be used as an impact option in the last 15 minutes of a game when we need to chase. He has a good game in him I’m not saying he hasn’t, problem is it’s not any where near enough consistent, and cannot see how any manger can make such a difference. Sorry if he is in our starting plans I’m worried 😥
 
Devonshire said:
Has served the club well, however if we wish to progress from a mid table league 1 club, then I’m afraid he is at best a squad player who could be used as an impact option in the last 15 minutes of a game when we need to chase. He has a good game in him I’m not saying he hasn’t, problem is it’s not any where near enough consistent, and cannot see how any manger can make such a difference. Sorry if he is in our starting plans I’m worried 😥
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Why Devonshire if he is in the starting 11 then the manager thinks he's the best man for the job in front of others then your questioning the bloke who picks him not Fonz. 👍
 
Shiggy said:
I have held the same opinion about him since his very first loan spell in 2011. Runs around a lot, does absolutely nothing, and for some reason he’s a fan favourite.
Yes, he’s clearly got some sort of affection for this club and has been here through very bad times- I respect that.
Yes, I can see how he could potentially be a decent role model for younger players- experience is important.
However, I genuinely think he could murder one of the ball boys during the game and would still be applauded off at full time 5 minutes after all the other players are down the tunnel. Out of genuine interest, what do people see in him apart from the two positives I mentioned above? I’m not one to get on players backs, I would be happier than anyone if he proved me wrong this season and was one of our key players, but after years of constantly underwhelming performances my question is, why is he still here?
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Has a reputation for being an intelligent and thoroughly nice lad. People will put different values on that.

I think he is a decent player, and to my mind should play down the middle as a centre forward or playing just off one. A position he has rarely been used in.
 
basilrobbie said:
Has a reputation for being an intelligent and thoroughly nice lad. People will put different values on that.

I think he is a decent player, and to my mind should play down the middle as a centre forward or playing just off one. A position he has rarely been used in.
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Not questioning that at all. Like I said he’s clearly an important figure behind the scenes and (off the pitch) a good advocate for the club. I just don’t think he does enough on the pitch to justify faith in him season after season. Consider the abuse Gnanduillet, our top scorer by a mile last season, and Nuttall, a young lad finding his way in the game, received on this board, on social media and in the stands. Being a nice lad didn’t seem to be enough for those two, why is it enough for Fonz?
 
He's a frustrating case, should've probably done more with his ability but as some have said he's been too inconsistent, throughout his time here he seems to have 2 or 3 real good cameos off the bench, force his way in from the start and then have a quiet game.

With that in mind I'd certainly keep him as a squad/impact player, and as others have hinted he's clearly a good 'sort who's influence and experience will be invaluable in the dressing room particularly having lost Spearing
 
Marton Monorail said:
He's a frustrating case, should've probably done more with his ability but as some have said he's been too inconsistent, throughout his time here he seems to have 2 or 3 real good cameos off the bench, force his way in from the start and then have a quiet game.

With that in mind I'd certainly keep him as a squad/impact player, and as others have hinted he's clearly a good 'sort who's influence and experience will be invaluable in the dressing room particularly having lost Spearing
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A more valuable squad player than Hardie could’ve proved to be?
 
Shiggy said:
A more valuable squad player than Hardie could’ve proved to be?
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Tbf they play in different positions these days, I'd have kept Hardie personally but that's down to the club not me,

The only thing I'd say is these days we all know that decisions will be being made with good intentions and will be what the manager etc think are for the best
 
His best performances have come away from home on the counter attack.

He was electric at Bradford away the season before last, Looked a completely different player running through the midfield. Inconsistency.
 
qurotangerine said:
His best performances have come away from home on the counter attack.

He was electric at Bradford away the season before last, Looked a completely different player running through the midfield. Inconsistency.
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I think this is my issue to be fair, he just hasn’t been consistent enough to merit a continued place in the side. Would love to see Critchley get the very best out of him though
 
poolseasider said:
Why Devonshire if he is in the starting 11 then the manager thinks he's the best man for the job in front of others then your questioning the bloke who picks him not Fonz. 👍
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If he is our best option then I'm more worried about the quality of our squad. Happy to be proven wrong but he has had enough chances and I don't see him making enough of an impact to play a big part in making us a top 6 contender. Will only question the manger if he doesn't help to change games and NC keeps picking him.
 
Looked at that goal reel. Some good taking it past players and keeper goals in there, which is what we will need under Critch, so I’m happy if he stays. A few “ball hits player rebounds into net” goals due to his goal hanging aswell.

the reel also shows the pitch in the South west corner was nearly unplayable, as someone struggles to stay upright to keep a ball in play about three feet from the touch line; and Delf looks a right tvvat when he tries a knee slide and comes to an instant dead stop in the mud. Lose the gloves FFS!
 
Shiggy said:
I think this is my issue to be fair, he just hasn’t been consistent enough to merit a continued place in the side. Would love to see Critchley get the very best out of him though
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He is a confidence player. It will be interesting to see how NC uses him. He played in a deeper role at times last season so it's harsh to criticise his goal scoring ability.
 
There's no doubting that he has scored some great goals and given quite a few good 'assists'.
I like him because he gives effort to his game. He should score more goals though.
He has some bad games and even bad spells, but he seems like a nice guy.
 
Time to say goodbye, not good enough I'm afraid, not sure he ever has been in fairness. No room for sentiment, the club need to be ruthless. Having said that he's just done the new kit launch so there's no chance. Seems like a nice enough lad, let him do the majority of the community trusts work and leave the football to the footballers
 
If Critchley forced Madine to play in goal and we lost by 10, who would be to blame. The comparison is Fonz will play anywhere the manager asks and that doesn’t always do him any favours. Because he can play anywhere across the front he is playing a lot of games out of position to help the team, which sometimes makes him look bad. He never complains, he just gets on with it. He is worth his place just for his attitude and hopefully under Critchley he will find his niche and surprise a few doubters. Hopefully anyway, if not I will feel and look a🤡
 
There's two sorts of people in the world. Ones who want to see Fonz come good and ones who've given up on romance, joy and light.

I jest.

Sort of.

Love Fonz me.

I like @Goforgoal post above. There's a touch of the Danny Coids about the lad in that.
 
Back in October 2012, I stayed in the Hotel, and got chatting to a couple of staff in the restaurant about the players and what they were like.
The least friendly to staff was backpass Barry, Kevin Phillips was shy and would peek in the door and if not busy would go in, otherwise would go away. The friendliest, and most approachable player at the time was the Fonz.
Probably sums him up, nice guy, tries hard, good clubman, but does not achieve his full potential. Still worth keeping as a squad player, and I still prefer him to Nuttall.
 
Look all, the guy does his best for us, he's loyal, he works his socks off - and, yes he occasionally goes missing. He's a curate's egg, an enigma and occasionally scores good goals.
Critchley isn't for getting shut so, like his predecessors, sees something there. Now let's get behind him. I couldn't be doing with a team full of "shop window wantaways".
 
I'd also like to say, I think Fonz is the least likely player to murder one of the ball boys.

He seems a pretty calm lad not given to such acts and even if he did try and he premeditated it, he'd go to pieces and end up murdering someone three rows to the side and then look skyward with his "ffs, not again" expression.
 
td53 said:
I'd also like to say, I think Fonz is the least likely player to murder one of the ball boys.

He seems a pretty calm lad not given to such acts and even if he did try and he premeditated it, he'd go to pieces and end up murdering someone three rows to the side and then look skyward with his "ffs, not again" expression.
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Saw him last year in Waitrose packing shopping,on the phone,whilst looking after his youngster perched on his chest/ shoulder.
 
Shiggy said:
I have held the same opinion about him since his very first loan spell in 2011. Runs around a lot, does absolutely nothing, and for some reason he’s a fan favourite.
Yes, he’s clearly got some sort of affection for this club and has been here through very bad times- I respect that.
Yes, I can see how he could potentially be a decent role model for younger players- experience is important.
However, I genuinely think he could murder one of the ball boys during the game and would still be applauded off at full time 5 minutes after all the other players are down the tunnel. Out of genuine interest, what do people see in him apart from the two positives I mentioned above? I’m not one to get on players backs, I would be happier than anyone if he proved me wrong this season and was one of our key players, but after years of constantly underwhelming performances my question is, why is he still here?
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He can turn a game with some outstanding skills. He keeps himself fit and clearly loves the club. Many Managers have seen him as a starter. Also a very decent likeable bloke to speak to.
 
I see Fonz a bit like a Neil Danns - the only difference whereas Danns has more clubs than Tiger Woods, Fonz has found a club which has remained loyal to him. Last season though?
 
Shiggy said:
I have held the same opinion about him since his very first loan spell in 2011. Runs around a lot, does absolutely nothing, and for some reason he’s a fan favourite.
Yes, he’s clearly got some sort of affection for this club and has been here through very bad times- I respect that.
Yes, I can see how he could potentially be a decent role model for younger players- experience is important.
However, I genuinely think he could murder one of the ball boys during the game and would still be applauded off at full time 5 minutes after all the other players are down the tunnel. Out of genuine interest, what do people see in him apart from the two positives I mentioned above? I’m not one to get on players backs, I would be happier than anyone if he proved me wrong this season and was one of our key players, but after years of constantly underwhelming performances my question is, why is he still here?
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For me, He’s positive when he gets the ball engages defenders and gets up the field quickly, unlike so many players other would call more skilful, who dally and faff about on the ball and let teams get set to defend. He moves us up field with pace which I think regularly puts us in better positions to hurt teams, even if he doesn’t alway make the best decision, skin the defender, or score as many as we’d like. He’s clearly a team player, puts in the work and has the positive attributes you mention.

if he scored 15 goals a season he’d be leagues above us. Yes he can be frustrating but I do not agree with runs around and does nothing at all.
 
He scored bucketloads of goals in youth team football and his finishing ability is usually very good. However I don’t see a natural position for him and never have done.

If he plays down the middle he’s not an aerial threat like Gnando was and he doesn’t have searing pace to stretch teams like keigan Parker could do at league1 level. He doesn’t have the back to goal skills of an Andy Morell either so he can’t play in the hole.

If he plays wider, he doesn’t have that turn of pace and final ball like Feeney and he doesnt have the football intelligence or craft of a GTF or even the skills of a Kaikai.

He’s an honest pro who is guaranteed to give you a hard working shift and who can finish well if offered a chance. But as others have said, if we harbour ambitions of promotion then the Fonz will be a squad player OR we’ll have signed a lot of additional high quality in the midfield and forwards to allow him to play a good supporting role. Maybe that’s going to happen but I doubt it and that means that more effective players than him need to be in the starting X1 more often than not.
 
straightatthewall said:
He scored bucketloads of goals in youth team football and his finishing ability is usually very good. However I don’t see a natural position for him and never have done.

If he plays down the middle he’s not an aerial threat like Gnando was and he doesn’t have searing pace to stretch teams like keigan Parker could do at league1 level. He doesn’t have the back to goal skills of an Andy Morell either so he can’t play in the hole.

If he plays wider, he doesn’t have that turn of pace and final ball like Feeney and he doesnt have the football intelligence or craft of a GTF or even the skills of a Kaikai.

He’s an honest pro who is guaranteed to give you a hard working shift and who can finish well if offered a chance. But as others have said, if we harbour ambitions of promotion then the Fonz will be a squad player OR we’ll have signed a lot of additional high quality in the midfield and forwards to allow him to play a good supporting role. Maybe that’s going to happen but I doubt it and that means that more effective players than him need to be in the starting X1 more often than not.
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As I said, I love the lad but that's a really good sober analysis.

I get what you mean about his natural position. He's 'quite good at filling a slot where need dictates' but never seems nailed down anywhere.

I'd really hope Critch takes a long look at him and thinks about what he can use him for and works on his game.

I'm not sure he's had that for a long time. Even with Ollie, the coaching was very much "let's play a game" and relied on the senior players taking a lot of responsibility. Certainly Ollie communicated his plan well but I'm not certain he coached it especially. We had a lot of players with strong character and they led and to an extent the plan fell apart when those players weren't there.

Looking beyond Ollie, his other managers here have been very pragmatic, fitness first types and Larry (not sure what he coached second time around)

It's definitely his last chance and he's likely a squad player, I agree.

I just hope Critch thinks of him a bit like a promising youth player and gives him some real guidance as he's like a Rolls Royce with a broken gear box or something.

He's definitely better than his outcomes show. I know some will jump on that and fair enough, but the point of having a lauded coach as a manager is they can get the best out of players and I think everyone agrees the lad has never really reached his potential.

I always look at Coidy and think "if only someone had really worked out what to do with him and had the courage to leave him where he was" and I think Fonz is a bit victim of the same issue. A utility forward if you like.

If nowt else, that's a fairly handy squad player to have I suppose.
 
Im a Fonze supporter! He has played most of the time on the wings, yet gets criticised for not scoring too many! I personally would like to see him playing up front alongside another striker, be be more selfish. I'm confident Critchley will develop his shooting skills, we shall see.
 
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