| The curious case of Jens Cajuste 10:33 - Mar 16 with 2235 views | Swansea_Blue |
What happened there? Egeli is getting a lot of attention because he’s playing, yet Cajuste’s fall from grace is the bigger story imo. How can someone who at times looked a Rolls Roycebof a player in the PL look so lost in the league below?
We’re committed to buy if we go up aren’t we? What do we do with him then. Take a hit and move on at any loss? [Post edited 16 Mar 10:33]
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| The curious case of Jens Cajuste on 11:43 - Mar 16 with 346 views | bluesym |
| The curious case of Jens Cajuste on 10:40 - Mar 16 by Kieran_Knows |
I’ve been very critical of him and couldn’t understand the furore over him last summer.
Basic midfielder who offers very little. |
You have spelt 'Cheat Code' wrong... |  |
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| The curious case of Jens Cajuste on 11:46 - Mar 16 with 324 views | FrimleyBlue |
| The curious case of Jens Cajuste on 11:41 - Mar 16 by Smoresy |
Honestly I thought we were beaten up last season and not least in the middle of the park. Cajuste struggled imo except for his trademark swivel-dribble, which was a modest highlight and pitched him above those around him, all of which were below regular PL standard.
I wasn't surprised to find that his "numbers" point to him being arguably a more effective and influential player in the Championship (comparison tool available here: https://www.squawka.com/en/com Problem is we hoped he'd be close to best in class at this level, not somewhere between regular standard and good. FWIW I think he'd start as often as his body allows for mid-table teams, which couldn't be said with a straight face in the PL. |
That swivel-dribble has again at times this season though been a creator of a goal scoring opportunity
The problem is that's all he can do, imo he could offer a lot more, but he physically just isnt upto it, you don't even need to work on the coaching staff to know it, you can literally see it when ever he plays, everytime we get that burst, he's automatically plodding around for a few minutes after. |  |
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| The curious case of Jens Cajuste on 11:47 - Mar 16 with 333 views | Churchman |
| The curious case of Jens Cajuste on 11:07 - Mar 16 by franz_tyson |
I'm one of the minority who didn't rate him last season.
Yes, some lovely touches and looked classy in patches... but when our midfield was getting overrun every game, why didn't he get called out for it? Morsy took all of the blame, yer Cajuste got a free pass. He did bùgger all defensively and got away with it.
A miserable season with very few highs.... so Cajuste's trick ( the roll and stride forward) was one of the highlights in a season of lowlights and pushed his reputation above where it should be.
He should have gone to Saudi. |
I’m another one of the minority that has not rated him - this season or last. Last season, for me he and Phillips were a big reason why our midfield didn’t exist.
When he runs with the ball, he can look a real Rolls Royce footballer. Skilful, talented, good control, dangerous. But those moments are rare. Last season it was one goal and one assist? This season, not seen the stats. Did a lovely through pass the other week, but the reality for me is that he’s just not effective. He doesn’t hurt teams and couldn’t tackle a hot dinner, to paraphrase Bobby Robson..
Partly it’s the way he plays, but mainly he doesn’t look physically strong enough, despite being quite a big bloke. If he starts, he’s blowing like Dobbin at the back of the Grand National field by halftime.
I suspect he will be playing in Europe somewhere next season. |  | | |
| The curious case of Jens Cajuste on 11:49 - Mar 16 with 333 views | SE1blue |
| The curious case of Jens Cajuste on 11:24 - Mar 16 by HighgateBlue |
Which division is he right for then? Not the Premier League surely? He was part of a midfield in the PL which was sliced through like a knife through butter more times than I care to remember. I didn't think he was good enough in the Premier League, and I'm afraid to say I don't think he's good enough in this league, in terms of being a regular starter for a club with serious top 2 aspirations.
I don't think 'luxury' is a compliment that he's really earned. There's not a great deal in which to luxuriate.
I've got nothing against the guy, mind, I just don't understand where all this Rolls Royce cheat code malarkey comes from given that we've seen him in two divisions now for Ipswich and in my view he's no better than Luongo.
He shows some lovely touches, but points mean prizes. And if his chief asset is showing some lovely little flashes of technique, a goal per season is pretty meagre. |
Agree with all of this.
Cajuste never quite seems to fit the model that works. You mentioned Luongo, a player perhaps not as technically gifted as Jens, but you could drop him into any squad and know what he was going to deliver and that it’d be at the level expected. Jens always leaves me wanting more.
Cajuste feels like wearing a bow tie with a suit - it’s doesn’t always look out of place but you’ve always got a nagging feeling that something doesn’t quite work.
If he’s in our midfield if we go up, then I’d be seriously worried (and disappointed). |  |
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| The curious case of Jens Cajuste on 11:50 - Mar 16 with 325 views | Steve_M |
| The curious case of Jens Cajuste on 11:24 - Mar 16 by Axeldalai_lama |
I don't think it's the physicality that people are saying he lacks and will be better in the prem, clearly the players are bigger and faster there. I think it's the space and teams up against. Not saying that he's be good enough, but at times he could use the extra space in the prem well and looked to hold his own, at times, a d only a few times. Whereas in the champ he is playing against terriers snapping at his feet, crowding him out, playing low block. He clearly isn't suited to that.
Chances are he goes in the summer as we must be able to do better, but that's not mutually exclusive with him being a slightly better prospect in the prem vs the championship. |
That, plus there are fewer matches in the PL so it's less intensive overall
My concern on signing him in the Summer was always about his robustness to manage the number of games and the relentless physicality and it's unfortunately bene proven right. He just hasn't got going this season, some good appearances but nowhere near enough consistency.
I do think there's a bit of revisionism about last season though, in a lot of matches Cajuste was more than good enough for the level and it was just a question of whether he could manage the amount of games. Some crap ones too but there wasn't a player we had who didn't play poorly at times last season. |  |
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| The curious case of Jens Cajuste on 11:52 - Mar 16 with 312 views | USA |
| The curious case of Jens Cajuste on 11:12 - Mar 16 by _CliveBaker_ |
Agree with that other than the obligation bit. We don't have one on Azon, that's a straight loan deal and to be obliged to pay £11m for Akpom and Cajuste if we go up isn't a big problem in the context of premier league money. We can get them both out on loan for a decent fee and their wages covered, or on a bad day move them both on for 75% of what we pay. In the grand scheme of things its a minor issue and structuring the deals in a way where we're only obliged upon promotion is the prudent thing to do, even if it means paying a bit more. |
Oh yes, I forgot the deal changed from the initial proposal. Fair point |  |
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| The curious case of Jens Cajuste on 11:57 - Mar 16 with 291 views | _CliveBaker_ |
| The curious case of Jens Cajuste on 11:27 - Mar 16 by soupytwist |
That was Chelsea deciding they'd rather give Man Utd £5m so they could send Jaydon Sancho back after his loan instead of buying him for £25m and the associated wages cost.
If a club does fulfil the buying obligation with the intention of the punting the player out on loan, or selling on quickly, what kind of contract would the club offer the player? Presumably a fairly short one. |
The contracts tend to be agreed at the outset, otherwise the obligation would be pretty worthless to the selling club as the buying club could just engineer it falling down.
3 year deals waiting for them and decent wages I'd guess. Not the end of the world though, both will be seen as handy squad players, and if we manage to upgrade to the point they become surplus I wouldn't think we would struggle to get them out. |  | | |
| The curious case of Jens Cajuste on 12:06 - Mar 16 with 264 views | Churchman |
| The curious case of Jens Cajuste on 11:50 - Mar 16 by Steve_M |
That, plus there are fewer matches in the PL so it's less intensive overall
My concern on signing him in the Summer was always about his robustness to manage the number of games and the relentless physicality and it's unfortunately bene proven right. He just hasn't got going this season, some good appearances but nowhere near enough consistency.
I do think there's a bit of revisionism about last season though, in a lot of matches Cajuste was more than good enough for the level and it was just a question of whether he could manage the amount of games. Some crap ones too but there wasn't a player we had who didn't play poorly at times last season. |
One goal, one assist last season in 30 appearances according to Transfermarket. Passenger defensively. He wasn’t alone. We were pretty inept throughout the team. But there is nothing revisionist about Jens’ contribution. That’s the stats. It’s just an opinion but I just don’t think he offers enough.
This season, 29 appearances 1 goal 4 assists. For comparison, Nunez 30 appearances, 3 goals, 10 assists. More relevant, I have to look to see if Cajuste is still on the field. With Nunez, you’d have to be blind not to see him, because he’s always involved defensively or probing away.
It’s not a lack of effort thing with JC. I just don’t think he’s physically up to it. | | | |
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| The curious case of Jens Cajuste on 12:12 - Mar 16 with 249 views | AljoBlue |
| The curious case of Jens Cajuste on 10:53 - Mar 16 by _CliveBaker_ |
Getting out of this division is a proper scrap that you have to be up for physically and mentally every time you step over the white line. I don't see it consistently enough in Cajuste, he just doesn't seem to have the dog in him. There's no doubt he's got heaps of ability when he fancies it, you don't play at the level he's played at without it, equally you don't drop from there to the bench in the Championship without other factors. They say hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.
Whether its fitness or desire who knows. Is it a little telling that his best appearances for us have been higher profile games? The derby, or Man United on SKY and broadcast to the world. Can he do it on a cold Tuesday night in Stoke? If you could merge him and Taylor you would have a hell of a partner to Matusiwa. |
exactly my thoughts on combo of him and Taylor. to me taylor has all the desire and determination you could ask for but, is lacking real ability and football IQ - cajuste seems the reverse, all the skill and football IQ you should need but appears totally lacking in desire, determination, fight etc.
I still remember Taylors attempts to be a holding midfielder in the premier league which amounted to run up to the oppo player with the ball, stretch arms out, and say go past me if you are good enough, and unsurprisingly all of them were good enough. | | | |
| The curious case of Jens Cajuste on 12:15 - Mar 16 with 247 views | bsw72 |
It's interesting that we frequently call out the challenge we have with our midfield, be it wide, central or sitting behind the forwards.
I don't think the problem is necessarily the midfield - I think the issue sits with the front line, and the fact that I do not believe that we have the right player up front still.
Hirst works hard, but is not the quickest of forwards, and seems to spend more time jumping into the defenders rather than challenging for an aerial ball. Similar Azom is a bit quicker, but still lacks the guile /pace to regularly break the opposition's defensive line.
Compare this to last season when we had a decent outlet up front with Delap, quick and strong and worked that sole forward role brilliantly, either with the pace and strength to break the line, or he could hold up the ball and bring the midfield into the game more.
How often have we seen our midfield commit to going forward, just for the front man fail to hold up the ball, we are caught out of position and have to start again.
I'm not saying it's all down to Hirst / Azom etc, but when you only play with a single man up top, their ability to win the ball, hold it up and bring the midfield into the game more is crucial, and it has not happened enough this season. |  | | |
| The curious case of Jens Cajuste on 12:58 - Mar 16 with 168 views | farkenhell |
| The curious case of Jens Cajuste on 10:53 - Mar 16 by _CliveBaker_ |
Getting out of this division is a proper scrap that you have to be up for physically and mentally every time you step over the white line. I don't see it consistently enough in Cajuste, he just doesn't seem to have the dog in him. There's no doubt he's got heaps of ability when he fancies it, you don't play at the level he's played at without it, equally you don't drop from there to the bench in the Championship without other factors. They say hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.
Whether its fitness or desire who knows. Is it a little telling that his best appearances for us have been higher profile games? The derby, or Man United on SKY and broadcast to the world. Can he do it on a cold Tuesday night in Stoke? If you could merge him and Taylor you would have a hell of a partner to Matusiwa. |
He couldn't do it on a cold (and windy) Tuesday night in Stoke because he wasn't picked.
But I know what you mean. | | | |
| The curious case of Jens Cajuste on 12:58 - Mar 16 with 174 views | Churchman |
| The curious case of Jens Cajuste on 12:15 - Mar 16 by bsw72 |
It's interesting that we frequently call out the challenge we have with our midfield, be it wide, central or sitting behind the forwards.
I don't think the problem is necessarily the midfield - I think the issue sits with the front line, and the fact that I do not believe that we have the right player up front still.
Hirst works hard, but is not the quickest of forwards, and seems to spend more time jumping into the defenders rather than challenging for an aerial ball. Similar Azom is a bit quicker, but still lacks the guile /pace to regularly break the opposition's defensive line.
Compare this to last season when we had a decent outlet up front with Delap, quick and strong and worked that sole forward role brilliantly, either with the pace and strength to break the line, or he could hold up the ball and bring the midfield into the game more.
How often have we seen our midfield commit to going forward, just for the front man fail to hold up the ball, we are caught out of position and have to start again.
I'm not saying it's all down to Hirst / Azom etc, but when you only play with a single man up top, their ability to win the ball, hold it up and bring the midfield into the game more is crucial, and it has not happened enough this season. |
Last season the midfield between them banged in three (3) goals. Assists: three. The much maligned Jack Clarke managed more assists than all our midfielders put together.
Forwards do not control the game. Midfield does. Forwards need service otherwise they have to make their own arrangements. That’s what Delap did before he got found out or lost interest with a big move pending. His goalscoring was remarkable - mainly by playing off the shoulder and piling on through.
We had players like Liam, Omari and Clarke having to pick the ball up in their own penalty area and running with it, not least because that’s where the midfield were all camped out.
Challenging for the long ball - that’s where you need a Kieffer Moore or a Daryl Murphy and accept the McCarthy hoof is the way to go. That’s not McKenna’s way, thank goodness but if you want to play passing football, you must have a midfield that can pass the ball.
That’s what was so good about the promotion team. At that level, Luongo, Sam and co could all pass the ball and knew without looking where each other were.
This season despite the criticism, we are second highest scorers. Azon, Clarke, Hirst and JP have 36 of them (+ another 6 from Mehmeti and Egeli). Interesting that in 21 appearances plus 12 as sub the hated by some Hirst has scored 9 - nearly 1 in 3 appearances. Not exactly Jimmy Greaves, but not too bad for the type of player he is.
The challenge for me has been who sits behind the CF and in front of the excellent Matusiwa and how does it fit? Nunez: we win more when he plays because he plays quickly and progressively, but I’m still not 100% sold on what we are looking to do in that area. [Post edited 16 Mar 14:00]
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| The curious case of Jens Cajuste on 13:19 - Mar 16 with 136 views | Axeldalai_lama |
| The curious case of Jens Cajuste on 12:58 - Mar 16 by Churchman |
Last season the midfield between them banged in three (3) goals. Assists: three. The much maligned Jack Clarke managed more assists than all our midfielders put together.
Forwards do not control the game. Midfield does. Forwards need service otherwise they have to make their own arrangements. That’s what Delap did before he got found out or lost interest with a big move pending. His goalscoring was remarkable - mainly by playing off the shoulder and piling on through.
We had players like Liam, Omari and Clarke having to pick the ball up in their own penalty area and running with it, not least because that’s where the midfield were all camped out.
Challenging for the long ball - that’s where you need a Kieffer Moore or a Daryl Murphy and accept the McCarthy hoof is the way to go. That’s not McKenna’s way, thank goodness but if you want to play passing football, you must have a midfield that can pass the ball.
That’s what was so good about the promotion team. At that level, Luongo, Sam and co could all pass the ball and knew without looking where each other were.
This season despite the criticism, we are second highest scorers. Azon, Clarke, Hirst and JP have 36 of them (+ another 6 from Mehmeti and Egeli). Interesting that in 21 appearances plus 12 as sub the hated by some Hirst has scored 9 - nearly 1 in 3 appearances. Not exactly Jimmy Greaves, but not too bad for the type of player he is.
The challenge for me has been who sits behind the CF and in front of the excellent Matusiwa and how does it fit? Nunez: we win more when he plays because he plays quickly and progressively, but I’m still not 100% sold on what we are looking to do in that area. [Post edited 16 Mar 14:00]
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First of all, Cajuste is not going to be good enough for what we need, completely agree.
But I'm not understanding some of the logic here. What are you classing as the 'midfield' prem wise? Phillips Cajuste Morsy Taylor? Didn't get many goals in the prem, or assists, so was bobbins? But how many assists or goals have the current midfield; player of the season Matusiwa, Taylor, Cajuste, Neil got? You jump to us scoring loads this season, which is true and I agree, no arguments there, we're doing fine this season. But those centre mids don't score and assist for fun, it's not their job in this team. Did Morsy Luongo etc get loads in the promotion champ season? A few more maybe.
Overall I agree Cajuste isn't good enough, and we've had a couple of cracking midfields that got the team loads of goals in the championship. But that wasn't the failing of Cajuste and co in the prem midfield. We were never going to score and assist loads from 'midfield'. We were just lacking all over the pitch, definitely including midfield, and not good enough all round for the toughest league in the world.
All amounts to the same bottom line. We'll need better. |  | | |
| The curious case of Jens Cajuste on 13:20 - Mar 16 with 134 views | FrimleyBlue |
| The curious case of Jens Cajuste on 12:58 - Mar 16 by Churchman |
Last season the midfield between them banged in three (3) goals. Assists: three. The much maligned Jack Clarke managed more assists than all our midfielders put together.
Forwards do not control the game. Midfield does. Forwards need service otherwise they have to make their own arrangements. That’s what Delap did before he got found out or lost interest with a big move pending. His goalscoring was remarkable - mainly by playing off the shoulder and piling on through.
We had players like Liam, Omari and Clarke having to pick the ball up in their own penalty area and running with it, not least because that’s where the midfield were all camped out.
Challenging for the long ball - that’s where you need a Kieffer Moore or a Daryl Murphy and accept the McCarthy hoof is the way to go. That’s not McKenna’s way, thank goodness but if you want to play passing football, you must have a midfield that can pass the ball.
That’s what was so good about the promotion team. At that level, Luongo, Sam and co could all pass the ball and knew without looking where each other were.
This season despite the criticism, we are second highest scorers. Azon, Clarke, Hirst and JP have 36 of them (+ another 6 from Mehmeti and Egeli). Interesting that in 21 appearances plus 12 as sub the hated by some Hirst has scored 9 - nearly 1 in 3 appearances. Not exactly Jimmy Greaves, but not too bad for the type of player he is.
The challenge for me has been who sits behind the CF and in front of the excellent Matusiwa and how does it fit? Nunez: we win more when he plays because he plays quickly and progressively, but I’m still not 100% sold on what we are looking to do in that area. [Post edited 16 Mar 14:00]
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Dont know if im reading it wrong, but Hirst has scored 1 goal in 2026, we'd also just prior to the wrexham gone gone something like 12 games without a striker scoring a goal.
Nunez has to be play, our PPG with him is very clear isn't it. But is that as a partner to Azor? im not sure hes mobile enough for it. Mehmeti to be tried on the right so we can get the most out of both? with jayden on the left and nunez continues in the 10, neil and azor behind him... | |
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| The curious case of Jens Cajuste on 13:21 - Mar 16 with 133 views | bsw72 |
| The curious case of Jens Cajuste on 12:58 - Mar 16 by Churchman |
Last season the midfield between them banged in three (3) goals. Assists: three. The much maligned Jack Clarke managed more assists than all our midfielders put together.
Forwards do not control the game. Midfield does. Forwards need service otherwise they have to make their own arrangements. That’s what Delap did before he got found out or lost interest with a big move pending. His goalscoring was remarkable - mainly by playing off the shoulder and piling on through.
We had players like Liam, Omari and Clarke having to pick the ball up in their own penalty area and running with it, not least because that’s where the midfield were all camped out.
Challenging for the long ball - that’s where you need a Kieffer Moore or a Daryl Murphy and accept the McCarthy hoof is the way to go. That’s not McKenna’s way, thank goodness but if you want to play passing football, you must have a midfield that can pass the ball.
That’s what was so good about the promotion team. At that level, Luongo, Sam and co could all pass the ball and knew without looking where each other were.
This season despite the criticism, we are second highest scorers. Azon, Clarke, Hirst and JP have 36 of them (+ another 6 from Mehmeti and Egeli). Interesting that in 21 appearances plus 12 as sub the hated by some Hirst has scored 9 - nearly 1 in 3 appearances. Not exactly Jimmy Greaves, but not too bad for the type of player he is.
The challenge for me has been who sits behind the CF and in front of the excellent Matusiwa and how does it fit? Nunez: we win more when he plays because he plays quickly and progressively, but I’m still not 100% sold on what we are looking to do in that area. [Post edited 16 Mar 14:00]
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Some fair points, and I appreciate the stats, but I think they actually support my argument more than they undermine it.
You're right that the midfield's goal and assist return last season was poor, but that's precisely my point. A midfield that contributes little going forward is a symptom, not just a cause.
When your lone striker can't hold the ball, retain possession under pressure, or bring runners into play, your midfield never gets the platform to contribute. Delap, for all the caveats you rightly attach, gave us that platform. He didn't just score, he created the conditions for others to play but last season our midfield was weaker than it is now, with Phillips struggling and others adjusting to the level.
On the stats this season, second highest scorers sounds impressive until you consider we're also in the automatic promotion fight, so that's arguably the baseline expectation. And stripping out Clarke's and Philogene's contribution, who play wide rather than as the focal point, the picture for the central forward role looks thinner.
The Kieffer Moore reference is a bit of a strawman. Nobody is asking McKenna to go long and direct. What I'm asking for is a centre forward who can receive the ball under pressure, shield it, and play the midfield in. That's not route one football that's basic hold-up play, and it's a skill entirely compatible with passing football. Delap had it. I don't think Hirst or Azom reliably do.
Nine goals from Hirst in 33 appearances is decent, agreed, but goals aren't the only measure of a lone striker's effectiveness in this system. The question is what he gives you when he doesn't score, and on too many occasions this season the answer has been: not enough. | | | |
| The curious case of Jens Cajuste on 13:44 - Mar 16 with 89 views | SitfcB |
| The curious case of Jens Cajuste on 13:20 - Mar 16 by FrimleyBlue |
Dont know if im reading it wrong, but Hirst has scored 1 goal in 2026, we'd also just prior to the wrexham gone gone something like 12 games without a striker scoring a goal.
Nunez has to be play, our PPG with him is very clear isn't it. But is that as a partner to Azor? im not sure hes mobile enough for it. Mehmeti to be tried on the right so we can get the most out of both? with jayden on the left and nunez continues in the 10, neil and azor behind him... |
I’ve seen George Hirst score 3 goals in 2026, so not sure where you’re reading 1.
It’s his highest scoring season for us, so far.
He’s not been as bad as some people make out. |  |
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| The curious case of Jens Cajuste on 13:49 - Mar 16 with 83 views | mellowblue |
| The curious case of Jens Cajuste on 11:02 - Mar 16 by Stourbridgeblue |
"Rolls Royce of a player" - completely agree, but I think we need a rally car in the Championship. |
I was thinking monster truck. Lets rip that pitch up !! | | | |
| The curious case of Jens Cajuste on 13:57 - Mar 16 with 62 views | FrimleyBlue |
| The curious case of Jens Cajuste on 13:44 - Mar 16 by SitfcB |
I’ve seen George Hirst score 3 goals in 2026, so not sure where you’re reading 1.
It’s his highest scoring season for us, so far.
He’s not been as bad as some people make out. |
ah dont worry, i was using the twtd fixture page and my eyes missed the recent two. | |
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| The curious case of Jens Cajuste on 14:34 - Mar 16 with 9 views | hype313 |
| The curious case of Jens Cajuste on 11:24 - Mar 16 by HighgateBlue |
Which division is he right for then? Not the Premier League surely? He was part of a midfield in the PL which was sliced through like a knife through butter more times than I care to remember. I didn't think he was good enough in the Premier League, and I'm afraid to say I don't think he's good enough in this league, in terms of being a regular starter for a club with serious top 2 aspirations.
I don't think 'luxury' is a compliment that he's really earned. There's not a great deal in which to luxuriate.
I've got nothing against the guy, mind, I just don't understand where all this Rolls Royce cheat code malarkey comes from given that we've seen him in two divisions now for Ipswich and in my view he's no better than Luongo.
He shows some lovely touches, but points mean prizes. And if his chief asset is showing some lovely little flashes of technique, a goal per season is pretty meagre. |
Oh I totally agree, the only luxurious thing about him is the odd occasion he can ease past players, but that's all he seems to offer, he has no bite to his game, doesn't track back, looks lackadaisical and offers zero goal threat.
I don't know what league he'd be suited for, if it was the Italian, then that's been kyboshed as he was surplus at Napoli, maybe the Dutch league.
I'm not sure, but he certainly doesn't seem to suit English football.
That obligation is a noose around our neck. |  |
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