Wilf,in his prime,presently!!

[Palace Old Geezer]

I traveled to Charlotte to see Wilf every chance I had the past two years, which was a dream come true for me. When he wanted to play, he was the best player on the pitch, period. However, I don't think he really ever had fun playing the game over here and I don't think his heart was fully in it. I also believe the style of play and refereeing in MLS frustrated the hell out of him, and affected his play. I could see him being a valuable member of the team for a year or so, but only if he was willing to accept the role that currently fits him.

Also, first post on here, so go easy on me 🙂

Frankly Pat, refereeing in the PL frustrated the hell out of him too. Sounds a familiar story to me.

 

[PatFromSouthCarolina]

Hi Pat,
Are you anywhere near Myrtle Beach?

About 2 hrs away currently, but my wife was born and raised in Myrtle and both of our families are there. We're there about every other weekend and plan on ending up there permanently before it's all said and done.

 

[Putitout]

I traveled to Charlotte to see Wilf every chance I had the past two years, which was a dream come true for me. When he wanted to play, he was the best player on the pitch, period. However, I don't think he really ever had fun playing the game over here and I don't think his heart was fully in it. I also believe the style of play and refereeing in MLS frustrated the hell out of him, and affected his play. I could see him being a valuable member of the team for a year or so, but only if he was willing to accept the role that currently fits him.

Also, first post on here, so go easy on me 🙂

The Wilf, you describe sounds very much like the Wilf that I watched play for Palace. Yes often the best player on the pitch, but moody, and complaining towards his team mates, the referee, the opposition, to the extent he often looked as if he wasn’t enjoying what he did. It didn’t stop him getting us off our seats with his brilliance at times. Sounds like it’s how he likes it. Oh, welcome to the site.

 

[Vaibow]

I traveled to Charlotte to see Wilf every chance I had the past two years, which was a dream come true for me. When he wanted to play, he was the best player on the pitch, period. However, I don't think he really ever had fun playing the game over here and I don't think his heart was fully in it. I also believe the style of play and refereeing in MLS frustrated the hell out of him, and affected his play. I could see him being a valuable member of the team for a year or so, but only if he was willing to accept the role that currently fits him.

Also, first post on here, so go easy on me 🙂

You described Wilf to a T, so well done, you're already getting to grips with it all.

That's the problem with wilf, his ego... luckily he cared about palace or maybe he cared how he looked to the fans... either way we got the best out of him...

 

[Linford]

The Wilf, you describe sounds very much like the Wilf that I watched play for Palace. Yes often the best player on the pitch, but moody, and complaining towards his team mates, the referee, the opposition, to the extent he often looked as if he wasn’t enjoying what he did. It didn’t stop him getting us off our seats with his brilliance at times. Sounds like it’s how he likes it. Oh, welcome to the site.

Agreed, it does sound like a familiar description. Not said without love.

It all started when basically every team decided to just chop him up at every given opportunity so he wouldn't be able to frustrate them. That must have taken a toll on him and after a while he'd just go down regardless.

 

[Adrift]

My view of Wilf was that no matter how entertaining his dribbling was it was his incredible speed that made him the asset he was to Palace.

If it was a foot race there was always only one winner, it was how Hodgeson used him. Everyone behind the ball kick it up field for Wilf to chase.

Sadly that falls apart at 30 and you could see it in his last season here.

So sadly, despite his past exploits its a no from me.

 

[ASCPFC]

My view of Wilf was that no matter how entertaining his dribbling was it was his incredible speed that made him the asset he was to Palace.

If it was a foot race there was always only one winner, it was how Hodgeson used him. Everyone behind the ball kick it up field for Wilf to chase.

Sadly that falls apart at 30 and you could see it in his last season here.

So sadly, despite his past exploits its a no from me.

One thing about Wilf, which I presume is a moot point as I'm not sure Sage would want him anyway, is Wilf always wanted to be a centre forward in the past. He might not do any worse in that position than what we have. Would he? Just a musing really.

 

[Norbury Old Git]

One thing about Wilf, which I presume is a moot point as I'm not sure Sage would want him anyway, is Wilf always wanted to be a centre forward in the past. He might not do any worse in that position than what we have. Would he? Just a musing really.

When he was young Wilf said he wanted to be like Ronaldo. However, as he got older he enjoyed trying to beat players on the wing, cutting in and shooting. He often missed, annoyed his teammates by refusing to pass to those in better positions and berating those who did the same to him. A number of managers including Roy wanted him to play on the right wing or as a centre forward after seeing his performance in the Playoff semis against Brighton. He constantly refused and got away with it as he was too important to drop.

He refused a new contract when SP reappointed Roy before the 23/24 season. Hodgson did not want him to leave but their relationship was worsening each year. The start of the decline was in December 2020 when Wilf thought Roy substituted him to stop him getting a hat trick against WBA which would have put him on the back pages of the newspapers. As he left the field he ignored Hodgson and had that look that said “I’ll get you one day”!

Father Time has caught up with him and I think this topic should be consigned to the History section.

 

[ASCPFC]

When he was young Wilf said he wanted to be like Ronaldo. However, as he got older he enjoyed trying to beat players on the wing, cutting in and shooting. He often missed, annoyed his teammates by refusing to pass to those in better positions and berating those who did the same to him. A number of managers including Roy wanted him to play on the right wing or as a centre forward after seeing his performance in the Playoff semis against Brighton. He constantly refused and got away with it as he was too important to drop.

He refused a new contract when SP reappointed Roy before the 23/24 season. Hodgson did not want him to leave but their relationship was worsening each year. The start of the decline was in December 2020 when Wilf thought Roy substituted him to stop him getting a hat trick against WBA which would have put him on the back pages of the newspapers. As he left the field he ignored Hodgson and had that look that said “I’ll get you one day”!

Father Time has caught up with him and I think this topic should be consigned to the History section.

Ok, I agree with you. But is he better than our current strikers as a 9? He seemed to know where the back of the net is. He should be able to pick out a pass too. As we never cross, it doesn't really matter if he can head.