Crooks

I think we're watching a team of players that haven't clicked this season and like any sport confidence is key.

We went through a decent period of results when Wilder came in and Crooks looked a good player and not just because of his goals.

He worked well with Dijksteel and especially Jones, his touch and passing was very good, but we've only seen it in patches since.

There's a lack of belief it seems, we need to get that back.
 
I think both he and Jones are worse when Dijksteel doesn't play.

I'd like to see Clarke Lenihan Dijksteel.

Luongo and Howson with either Crooks or McGree. Might give Crooks some rest.

Steffen back in goal.

Watmore playing off Muniz.

I think a player like Mowatt might be better when we are winning but definitely needs taking out at the moment.

Body language doesn't look great at the moment but then it never does when you're losing.

Our XG is still very good and as maligned as it is, it's still an indicator of how many chances the oppo get V how many we get.

I'd stick at it for now with a few tweaks.
 
The problem is McNair not Crooks.
It was McNair who fired the ball into Crooks in the 4th minute without need and with Crooks under real pressure. McNair then dawdled and set off back too late, far too slowly and half arsedly watched the lad stroke it home.
McNair lacks concentration, urgency and positional awareness.

The second goal was all about a series of Howson blunders that were truly horrific.
The third saw the defensively weak left flank exploited and Fry then really didn't cover himself in glory.

McGree does not work as a second striker. He is too flimsy, not skilled enough and is often 50 yards from Muniz.
I am no fan of his, but he has to be a better option in midfield than Mowatt in that formation?

Crooks is no world beater and he does look strangely restricted at the moment, but he is a key part of any successful right sided axis and still provides a goal threat.
It really was no surprise that the right side functioned again when Dijksteel came on. We win the second half 2-0.

Nobody knows what McNair is, but I'm sure he's not a RCB or a midfielder. He should be dropped.
Howson had a shocker, but who replaces him in the squad without a replacement?
 
Weve been desperately lacking some pace and athleticism in midfield.


So it’s a good job we’ve signed Mowatt and Luongo and possibly Dale bloody Stephens too 😂😂
 
Crooks has more goals and assists this season than anyone else in our midfield this season yet he’s getting absolutely slated.

Howson is a passenger in 80% of games, I have no idea why he is so highly rated by our fanbase.

Mcgree is a disaster of a signing. No vision, greedy on the ball and his shooting is absolutely woeful.

Mowatt looks unfit but hasn’t played much football in pre season so may yet come good.
 
BoroMart said:
could it be covid related?
Click to expand...
It's certainly a possibility. If you think back to the first 2/3's of last season he had such high energy and quality about him. Looks a fraction of the player now. Couple that with Howson being a nyear older and replacing Tav with Mowatt and that goes a large way to explaining our current predicament. I think its only his height and lack of an alternative that's keeping him in the team at present.
 
MickaelDebevePhenomenal said:
It's certainly a possibility. If you think back to the first 2/3's of last season he had such high energy and quality about him. Looks a fraction of the player now. Couple that with Howson being a nyear older and replacing Tav with Mowatt and that goes a large way to explaining our current predicament. I think its only his height and lack of an alternative that's keeping him in the team at present.
Click to expand...
It's funny, in a game that now has half a team on the bench, that people aren't atleast capable of lasting an hour of hard effort
 
indeedido said:
The problem is McNair not Crooks.
It was McNair who fired the ball into Crooks in the 4th minute without need and with Crooks under real pressure. McNair then dawdled and set off back too late, far too slowly and half arsedly watched the lad stroke it home.
McNair lacks concentration, urgency and positional awareness.

The second goal was all about a series of Howson blunders that were truly horrific.
The third saw the defensively weak left flank exploited and Fry then really didn't cover himself in glory.

McGree does not work as a second striker. He is too flimsy, not skilled enough and is often 50 yards from Muniz.
I am no fan of his, but he has to be a better option in midfield than Mowatt in that formation?

Crooks is no world beater and he does look strangely restricted at the moment, but he is a key part of any successful right sided axis and still provides a goal threat.
It really was no surprise that the right side functioned again when Dijksteel came on. We win the second half 2-0.

Nobody knows what McNair is, but I'm sure he's not a RCB or a midfielder. He should be dropped.
Howson had a shocker, but who replaces him in the squad without a replacement?
Click to expand...
The lack of understanding between McNair and Crooks was evident leading up to their first goal.

McNair plays a long-range pass up to Crooks and then tried to make a run on the outside of their player. McNair should have made a run inside and come towards the ball, which I think is what Crooks was expecting him to do but when Crooks realised he couldn't see McNair he panicked and that's why he got caught on the ball.

I don't believe Djiksteel would have played that sort of ball up to Crooks. He would have more than likely drove forward with the ball and looked to come inside and possibly play a one-two with Crooks.
 
Crooks has 2 goals and 2 assists from 6 appearances this season.
McGree has 2 goals and 0 assists from 9 appearances this season.

Crooks plays effectively with Dijksteel and Jones.
He has been subdued this season, by his standards, but he has still contributed more than any other midfielder.
 
They all look poor. They're scared to play the ball as they've been exposed and conceded too many. They've conceded too many late goals also. They are frightened. The only time they look really content is when fighting back at 3 goals down. They should hire bill beswick.
This team is capable. We've seen them tonk spurs. We've seen plenty of good performances. It's in their heads.

Watch the first half v Cardiff when were passing the ball between defenders. When they pass to each other they often kind of jump, startled. They aren't ready to receive the ball. They don't want the ball.

Reminds me very much of mowbrays team at the minute at the end of his tenure.
 
indeedido said:
Crooks has 2 goals and 2 assists from 6 appearances this season.
McGree has 2 goals and 0 assists from 9 appearances this season.

Crooks plays effectively with Dijksteel and Jones.
He has been subdued this season, by his standards, but he has still contributed more than any other midfielder.
Click to expand...
What do those stats mean if he doesn't work hard or track back?
 
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