Howson, time to move on?

I was concerned earlier in the season about Howson but has benefitted massive from Hackney playing alongside him in my opinion. Hackney is also benefitting from playing with Howson. I would be trying to hold that partnership together for the remainder of the season but yes we need a replacement going into next season.

I wouldn't be rushing to move him on. He seems to be a good pro and good for the squad. Dependant on wages, I would be trying to keep him for another season as a squad player if he was happy to be in that role.
 
Howson needs to be "phased out" not just sacked off. He looks like he could do with a rest, but bring who in to replace him?

And even if we do sign a much better replacement, keeping him as a squad player will be a huge asset.

Quality CMs aren't cheap, but long term this is an area which we do need an upgrade.
 
Fully agree - when he has a bad game so does the rest of the team and we lose
but is it his fault the team are having a bad game or is he having a bad game along with his team mates, he brings more good than bad to the team for sure. and no doubt the club are trying to find his replacement as the writings on the walls, but he's like fry where once he starts to get wrote off by everyone he normally terms things around.

the sunderland match the whole team looked to have been sussed out and played really well against us, even the likes of giles looked like shades of himself
 
We really need a 25 year old Grant Leadbitter, a tough ask.

#UTB
yeah even when his legs were gone, it was clear we still played better with him on the pitch than without him, I loved the fact he was a perfect captain, willing to step up and take important set pieces and penalties, along with making sure there wasn't a played on that pitch who wasn't taking accountability for their actions, not seen that in this team since he left us. Gibbo used to do it well too but leadbitter one of the best i've seen captain us in recent years
 
Absolute madness to suggest it at the moment. In the summer? Maybe.

Though I'd say he's worth another deal if we are in the champo. Although once again on reduced terms. Age is one thing. Yet he never misses a match and plays 90mins weekly. No sign of injuries or dropping off in ability.

That said we need to sign a longterm replacement. We've been saying that for 3 years. I'm pretty sure we wont get it right the first time.

The guy just needs a bit of rest and rotation. He plays every min of every match. Although 3 bookings away from a two match ban. So I'm sure he's one eye on the time off 😂
 
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I think JH will be moved into the coaching set up when he does retire from playing. Not necessarily first team, well not right away anyway. I think he'll be offered something similar to Cattermole and Leadbitter.
 
He’s been a decent player for us and put in a magical performance against Spurs in the FA cup but when was the last time he scored or provided an assist. He’s been here a lot of years and in that time we have not really progressed. I think we need a bit more productivity from our central midfielders and at least some goal output or contribution.
I think that the way Carrick plays, those central roles have to be right, have to be good quality. He'll do a job until the end of the season, then golden handshake, give him a carriage clock and wish him luck for the future and a coaching job if he likes.
 
With no replacement we can't contemplate getting rid of him in this window. If we don't go up I'd give him another year but we still need to sign someone. Howson plays every game and rarely gets subbed, I expect the time off for the World Cup helped him recharge a bit but it's unfair to expect 8 out of ten performances from him every game, with the number of games we have to play.
 
Moved on this window or the summer?

His job isn't really about goals and assists anymore. He's a deep lying playmaker and has been doing it very well. The team are scoring plenty, so I'm not sure there's a problem there. Although we should always be looking to improve.

But at 34 he probably will be moved on in the summer, yes.

Given our shortage of players in that position he's very much needed this season.
His job is central midfielder and therefore his job is about assists and goals, tackling and interceptions. Clayton was given that excuse for 200 games.
 
His job is central midfielder and therefore his job is about assists and goals, tackling and interceptions. Clayton was given that excuse for 200 games.
His job is whatever the manager asks of him for the benefit of the team. As was Clayton's.

Both did/do it very well. Howson was player of the season last year.

Clayton was named in the championship team of the season while with us.

It's almost as if there's more to being an effective centre midfielder than just being credited with goals and assists isn't it? 🤔

You must have thought Boateng was shyte too then?
 
His job is whatever the manager asks of him for the benefit of the team. As was Clayton's.

Both did/do it very well. Howson was player of the season last year.

Clayton was named in the championship team of the season while with us.

It's almost as if there's more to being an effective centre midfielder than just being credited with goals and assists isn't it? 🤔

You must have thought Boateng was shyte too then?
stop using facts to argue points correctly lol
 
I wasn’t proposing we get rid of him now. He’s having a decent enough season but we do need to progress and some additional goals from midfield would be nice.
 
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