Ethan Galbraith

I would say Howson is a quiet character, not really a leader of people/ Lenihan is a bit more vocal, Smith needs to concentrate on his own game. We don't really have any players with fire in their belly that can urge others to give more when times are tough.
I don't think you necessarily need to be loud to be a good leader. I think Howson is a good leader in a different way, but I know what you mean, Leadbitter would get the team by the scruff of the neck at times and get us over the line.

I think we have the leaders, but agree lack the 'Fire in the belly' (thats the right phrase) on the field at times.
 
I don't think you necessarily need to be loud to be a good leader. I think Howson is a good leader in a different way, but I know what you mean, Leadbitter would get the team by the scruff of the neck at times and get us over the line.

I think we have the leaders, but agree lack the 'Fire in the belly' (thats the right phrase) on the field at times.

Trouble is characters like Leadbitter are few and far between. I think they're a great to have rather an essential to have because finding one who also has the required ability/style isn't easy. And I certainly wouldn't sacrifice quality for it.

Lenihen is probably as good a leader as most teams have anyway.

So yeah, agree we probably have the leaders and I expect one or two of whoever we bring in will be leaders too just based on the law of averages (rather than it necessarily them being recruited intentionally).

I think the "fire in the belly thing" is probably more a type of player in style rather than a personality issue. Players that can earn you that right to play.

As important Leadbitter was in helping us do that under Karanka, Clayton was as, if not more important. He made us hard to play against, even if we weren't playing well ourselves.

Same for Ayala. It's not so much someone to come in and start barking orders as a couple of players who will make us unpleasant to play against while still fitting in with the style and philosophy.

I think we were probably quite a "nice" team to play against this season, even when giving teams a thumping. What you want is a couple of lads who when the opposition see the team sheet, makes them think "oh FFS I'm up against that horrible b***r so this week".
 
I would say Howson is a quiet character, not really a leader of people/ Lenihan is a bit more vocal, Smith needs to concentrate on his own game. We don't really have any players with fire in their belly that can urge others to give more when times are tough.
There are many many forms of leadership, results and performances on the pitch will have something to do with howsons leadership but none of us know what goes on behind closed doors. Howson may do all of his talking in the dressing room and on the training pitch.
 
I think we were probably quite a "nice" team to play against this season, even when giving teams a thumping. What you want is a couple of lads who when the opposition see the team sheet, makes them think "oh FFS I'm up against that horrible b***r so this week"

Totally agree with your post, especially that last section.

Our playing style for the majority of the season meant we didnt have to get too involved in the typical scrap of the championship, and we managed a lot of the time to play other teams not necessarily off the park, but enough to win.

But there wouldn't be fear playing us in terms of a 'battle' more exasperation that you are potentially going to get the run around for 90 mins!

The failing there is if the style doesnt click for whatever reason on the day, the mentality at times has struggled to dig in and just grind it out (Huddersfield during that second half for example). And i think thats what we lack, someone to get a hold of the lads in the tougher times to steady the ship or get them going again.

Obviously for every example there are counter examples, so I'm not forgetting Sheff United away etc, going behind, and really reacting well, so there will always be arguments for and against.
 
Obviously for every example there are counter examples, so I'm not forgetting Sheff United away etc, going behind, and really reacting well, so there will always be arguments for and against.
Aye, I think mentally we were pretty good.

Probably largely down to Carricks man management, but I don't think we ever really let heads drop or drop off in effort at any point.

Think it's just that natural ability to get involved with and win a bit more of a physical battle if needed. Didn't have enough players with that mentality or desire to get involved in it.

What we do without the ball is where we can improve a lot. Being glass half full about it, that's arguably easier to improve on than what you do when you do have the ball.
 
I think he would suit the current model, young, decent background from the united set up, had a good season last year, ready for the step up now.
I totally agree that's exactly what we need to be looking at in players especially the way Carrick has us playing, players who have came through the youth team of the bigger clubs but not quite made the grade, as they tend to have a more technical ability and are trained from a young age to play a certain way.
 
I think the "fire in the belly thing" is probably more a type of player in style rather than a personality issue. Players that can earn you that right to play.
It's a bit of both, style of play and personality. Good sides usually have one of these characters, Leadbitter had a bit of that, Nigel Pearson had it, Mogga had it. Three promotion winning captains.
 
There are many many forms of leadership, results and performances on the pitch will have something to do with howsons leadership but none of us know what goes on behind closed doors. Howson may do all of his talking in the dressing room and on the training pitch.
I've heard he isn't a big talker at all. Quite a calm, subdued character.
 
Looks decent, but like a lot of our current players fairly small and lightweight. I'm not against it, I assume he replaces Mowatt in the squad for a lot less outlay?

But I really want to sign a few more physically imposing players who can put their stamp on the game if needed.

Not carthorses, still technically proficient enough to play Carrick-ball, but also big, pacy and tough enough to let the opposition know they're going to be in a game when they see their names on the team sheet.
 
Looks decent, but like a lot of our current players fairly small and lightweight. I'm not against it, I assume he replaces Mowatt in the squad for a lot less outlay?

But I really want to sign a few more physically imposing players who can put their stamp on the game if needed.

Not carthorses, still technically proficient enough to play Carrick-ball, but also big, pacy and tough enough to let the opposition know they're going to be in a game when they see their names on the team sheet.
Said on another post, a 6 ft 2 brick sh*thouse, breaks play up, likes the physical battle, and can do all of the basics.

Ideally box-box, capable of scoring 10+ season, gets stuck in and is available on a free for £10k week........
 
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