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Jack David Collinson is up and coming verstaille midfielder in the English Premiership. With ability to play anywhere across the midfield, he is prefered to wing for his club and he is good with both feet, however personally I feel with his attributes he would be a perfect centre midfielder with an advanced playmaker role. Even though he was born in Watford, England, he chose to take his grandfather's Welsh roots and represent 'the Dragons'.
At the age of 21 and a statue of 6ft, he is the perfect specimen of a centre midfielder, as he can win headers and has the intelligence to play key passes. A regular first-teamer in the West Ham team and in the 2008/09 season, he started 19 games and scored 3 goals. As for this season, 2009/10, he has already made 12 Premiership starts out of 13 games and scored 2 goals. This is important, due to the fact that many youngsters with promise never has 1st team opportunities and are generally loaned out to lower league and it doesn't always benefit the player. However for Collison, he is a regular starter and this will defintely benefit his true potential.
After financial problems at both Peterbrough and Cambridge United youth development at the age of 16, however was offered a trial at the notable West Ham Academy and his career began and was soon made reserve team captain in the season 2007/08. Internationally, he received his 1st Welsh cap at a young age of 19 and has gone on to get 6 caps.
Attributes
Mentally
He his very dedicated, often seen of practising on his own after his team training sessions. This shows his willing to improve and become a better footballer.
His personality shows much confidence and this is definitely shown on the football pitch, as he controls the play and is playing regular first team and internationally.
A very intelligent player and has great awareness and uses this to his benefit.
Physically
With his tall statue, working on his heading would be ideal, especially if played in the centre of the park.
Not neccassarily the quickest play, he uses his awareness to get ahead of the opposition.
Passing
Plays the simple posession game and tries to play simple football, which is missed a lot in todays English football with the long ball or direct play. He is very patient and if he does find the space to play a killer ball to a winger or a striker he will play and it will generally reach its target. So due to his football brain, he is very creative and will find the correct passes and with his high pass completion rate, he is suited to the advanced playmaker role.
Touch/Dribbling
He is very composed and calm when pressure occurs. He can bring the ball down and move it into space, which requires a football brain and awareness.
As he plays wide sometimes, he has a great technique combined with his confidence, has the ability to run with the ball at a high pace and to take on the oppositions.
Shooting
Good off the ball with a striker instinct looking at some of his goals lately, where he will come from wide positions and cut inside and composed enough to finish it in the corner. Also confident enough to strike long shots from outside the area, 20-30 yard shots and generally are on target, with a memorable strike against Everton in the season 2008/09.
Tackling/Defending
A very committed player and will get 'stuck in'. He has good discipline and has only got 3 yellow cards this season, 2009/10. He will go for the sliding tackle, however he wants to be verstaille, he will need to work on his standing tackling with one-on-ones and pressing, as this is a useful attribute for a centre midfielder.
Weaknesses
Needs to improve in his tackling and defensive duties in order to be a successful centre midfielder. Also, practice on his jumping and heading, and if these attributes are specifically worked on in training, then he will become a complete player.
Injuries
Only main injury was towards his knee and kept him out for 6 weeks. However, he is fully recovered and is back to his normal self.
He has recently signed a 5 year contract (Nov. 2009) and has been delighted with this extension. As a result, it will be difficult to lure this star away and may cost quite a lot especially with economic situation today and West Ham's financial situation as well. Unfortunalety for Jack at the of the season, 2009/10, his father died in a motorcyle accident, however this has not affected him mentally, if anything, it has motivated him.
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