Howson > or < than Leadbitter?

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DanBoro4499

Well-known member
I really hope when Howsons time is up here that he's remembered very fondly by boro fans, in a similar way to leadbitter is. He certainly will be by me.

Which got me thinking, he's played a similar number of games for us as Grant, how do they reputations compare with you lot?

In recent times, Leadbitter takes some beating as far as boro captains go, espcially as he captained us to promotion.

But i think Howson has been an absolute credit to the club since he's been here, he's not spoilt us with goals and assits but he's been a top pro under numerous managers, playing different positions, often a 7/10 every game, sometimes more.

Possibly playing his best football for us so far since Wilder came in.

Unsung hero in my opinion.

But love Grant.
 
Different players, leadbitter was a goal scoring powerhouse in the middle, howson is a very good non lethal midfielder but does a great job for the team. He's also more versatile than grant was
 
I was never a huge fan of Leadbitter to be honest although I do recognise he is a really important player in our recent history, just wasn't really my kind of footballer. Howson is a much better footballer for me so I do enjoy watching him a lot more.
 
DanBoro4499 said:
I really hope when Howsons time is up here that he's remembered very fondly by boro fans, in a similar way to leadbitter is. He certainly will be by me.

Which got me thinking, he's played a similar number of games for us as Grant, how do they reputations compare with you lot?

In recent times, Leadbitter takes some beating as far as boro captains go, espcially as he captained us to promotion.

But i think Howson has been an absolute credit to the club since he's been here, he's not spoilt us with goals and assits but he's been a top pro under numerous managers, playing different positions, often a 7/10 every game, sometimes more.

Possibly playing his best football for us so far since Wilder came in.

Unsung hero in my opinion.

But love Grant.
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100% a legend in my eyes
 
Chappy112 said:
I was never a huge fan of Leadbitter to be honest although I do recognise he is a really important player in our recent history, just wasn't really my kind of footballer. Howson is a much better footballer for me so I do enjoy watching him a lot more.
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Yes I agree with this. Don’t get me wrong, always saw Grant as a great character, leader, and there’s no doubt he did a great job for us. Always thought he was slightly overrated as a “footballer”. Howson is easily the more talented player in my eyes.
 
Howson is a massive enigma for me. Been a great servant to the club, can't knock his work-rate, fantastic professional. Despite all of this, I think I'll ultimately look back at his Boro career and feel slightly underwhelmed.

I think this is probably because I always think back to when he first signed, and we thought we were signing a goal-scoring, box-to-box midfielder, who'd also chip in with assists. He's never been that consistently for us, in fact, he generally underperforms when playing in the box-to-box role in my opinion.

He does generally play well however playing in defence, or as a holding midfielder.

Leadbitter was a genuine leader for us and fantastic player, although in fairness he was fortunate in that he played in a system which suited him, and alongside another midfielder with whom he formed a great partnership with.

Who knows, if Howson had have been at the club during the Karanka era, maybe he too would have been as big a player for us as what Leadbitter was.
 
parmoboy said:
Howson is a massive enigma for me. Been a great servant to the club, can't knock his work-rate, fantastic professional. Despite all of this, I think I'll ultimately look back at his Boro career and feel slightly underwhelmed.

I think this is probably because I always think back to when he first signed, and we thought we were signing a goal-scoring, box-to-box midfielder, who'd also chip in with assists. He's never been that consistently for us, in fact, he generally underperforms when playing in the box-to-box role in my opinion.

He does generally play well however playing in defence, or as a holding midfielder.

Leadbitter was a genuine leader for us and fantastic player, although in fairness he was fortunate in that he played in a system which suited him, and alongside another midfielder with whom he formed a great partnership with.

Who knows, if Howson had have been at the club during the Karanka era, maybe he too would have been as big a player for us as what Leadbitter was.
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That post sums Howson up perfectly. Good pro but ultimately flatters to decieve. Agree he's looked better since Wilder took over but still got the odd dodgy mistake in him like that back pass the other week. Wouldnt necessarily say he was a more talented footballer than Leadbitter. Leadbitter scored goals, some screamers amongst them and was a proper leader and captain, something we've never replaced since he left. Howson doesnt really score, and isnt a natural leader or captain. I think he tries to lead by example but he's a 5.5 maybe 6/10 on average and on his fifth Boro manager. Wouldnt really remember him after he goes, forgettable player among a bunch of forgettable players in whats been a forgettable four or five seasons.
 
Ted_DN38416 said:
That post sums Howson up perfectly. Good pro but ultimately flatters to decieve. Agree he's looked better since Wilder took over but still got the odd dodgy mistake in him like that back pass the other week. Wouldnt necessarily say he was a more talented footballer than Leadbitter. Leadbitter scored goals, some screamers amongst them and was a proper leader and captain, something we've never replaced since he left. Howson doesnt really score, and isnt a natural leader or captain. I think he tries to lead by example but he's a 5.5 maybe 6/10 on average and on his fifth Boro manager. Wouldnt really remember him after he goes, forgettable player among a bunch of forgettable players in whats been a forgettable four or five seasons.
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How are you feeling about Crooks now? Class again today lad
 
While team was quality today. Think Crooks was best of the three going forward but the weakest tracking back. Still not convinced by Crooks or that he's neceassrily that missing piece of the puzzle but cant fault great team performance.
 
Howson was originally an attacking midfielder who has been put into a more defensive role as he has got older. He is starting to shine again, now that we are playing more football / attacking football.
 
Ted_DN38416 said:
While team was quality today. Think Crooks was best of the three going forward but the weakest tracking back. Still not convinced by Crooks or that he's neceassrily that missing piece of the puzzle but cant fault great team performance.
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He’s absolute quality. He really is. His play in the second goal was magnificent
 
Howson was poor first season, poor second season, head and shoulders above every other player in his third season, and decent since then. I prefer him played further back where he can use his experience to see what's going on ahead of him.
Not a patch on leadbitter though, who along with Clayton absolutely dominated in midfield for two and a bit years under karanka. An uncomplicated player who moved the ball on intelligently and let absolutely nothing get past him.
 
Sheriff_John_Bunnell_ret said:
Howson was poor first season, poor second season, head and shoulders above every other player in his third season, and decent since then. I prefer him played further back where he can use his experience to see what's going on ahead of him.
Not a patch on leadbitter though, who along with Clayton absolutely dominated in midfield for two and a bit years under karanka. An uncomplicated player who moved the ball on intelligently and let absolutely nothing get past him.
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Today's game was the most I've seen us dominate a game since well before the Clayton/Leadbitter partnership.

I look at the forwards that played in front of the pair of them and they were of a much higher calibre than those that Howson and Co have had to supply, the same goes for the players behind them.

We had superb defenders and attackers at this level when Clayton and Leadbitter were in their pomp.
 
Howson is OK, more versatile I guess. Leadbitter definitely better, in terms of his leadership and what he offered in midfield.
 
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