Despite some opinions that Thomas played well against Swansea he was barely adequate against their RB in the first half. He was beaten several times leading to several right wing crosses they failed to convert. If he's 'improving' it's from a very low base. Not quick, rarely goes forward, mostly passes back. Would he even be worth signing on a Free?
Luke Thomas - Sign Him!
- Thread starter r00fie1
- Start date
Typical of here isn’t it. Same with Ayling Crooks and many others only as good as your last game.He’s had one game where he hasn’t been poor - yesterday. Not enough to start a public campaign to sign him!
Laughing
Well-known member
I rewatched the game this morning. Firstly lath was outstanding.
Thomas was skinned multiple times and didn't offer a lot going forward.
I guess the coaches see him in training and whether he is progressing. On Saturday though he was very poor.
One other thing barlasser's backpass whilst poor was a result of the pass made to him. He wasn't left with a lot of options.
Thomas was skinned multiple times and didn't offer a lot going forward.
I guess the coaches see him in training and whether he is progressing. On Saturday though he was very poor.
One other thing barlasser's backpass whilst poor was a result of the pass made to him. He wasn't left with a lot of options.
Some commitment that mate - was bad enough watching it first time.
And on the subject of Thomas - what I see on the pitch does not at all match with the photos and write up on the opening post. What's happened to the lad? He must have been badly mismanaged to fall so far.
Kevcharben
Well-known member
Not for me
Laughing
Well-known member
I watched again because I was that impressed with lath. I thought he was bordering on unplayable and I wanted to have another look.
To roofie post. You are right he does seem to have fallen quite some way. He is either in a slump or for some reason can't reproduce his earlier performances. The coaches will have a better idea of which of those it is.
BoroMart
Well-known member
Agree.
Lath has really stuck it to those people that thought he was a poor signing earlier in the season. He's like a poundland Cameron Archer, possibly quicker and stronger, but not as clinical, he could still score 20+ in a good season without injury
Thomas it was his best game by far, but still first half he got skinned too easily. Engel is better, and I think Bangura is better than both. I'd like us to look at the young Peterborough LB though much better option than Thomas.
Barlaser, yes not the right pass, but he really lacks awareness when receiving the ball, I don't think he can play the way we want to, in and pout of that central position quickly. I'd be looking to move him on in the summer and sign O'Brien as a CM option, but we need a high quality CDM as well. A midfield 4 of Hackney, Howson, O'Brien and a quality CDM would be enough.
Laughing
Well-known member
I wouldn't be unhappy to let barlaser go either. I just thought the criticism for the backpass whilst ignoring the ball played to him seemed like agenda driven rather than criticising what happened.
On the lb situation. They are all quite young, new to the club and 2 are new to the country. I am quite happy to give them a bit of time and see how they develop.
Lb under Carrick is a thankless job and Giles would have struggled in this team and wasn't much of a defender either. We don't move the ball quickly enough through the middle which can badly expose the lb on a turnover.
I don't think it's a surprise the 3 options we have have all struggled.
Engel isn't really young. He gets spoken about as if he's fresh out the academy but he's 25 with 200 senior appearances. Should be in his prime.
Bangura is coming up 25 as well but played a lot less matches than Engel. Probably due to fitness issues as we are seeing. He's never played more than 30 matches in a season.
Thomas is 22 with circa 70 senior appearances.
r00fie1
Well-known member
Morning squire.
I think you're right with the "agenda driven" comment.
So many people have jumped on players because they don't perform straight away - according to their perfect, unrealistic, high standards. I've certainly seen players slated over the years and turned out to shine once they got older and moved elsewhere.
I can remember the times when Stewart Downing was getting slagged off after his debut. Same with Stuart Parnaby, Tony McMahon, et al.
Tav was often criticised. Blah blah.
We've all done it.
The likes of Carrick, Woody, Leadbitter, can spot potential in players and notice skills we couldn't see in bright daylight.
All the lads we started this season with, with the odd exception, were getting hammered because we weren't top of the league after two games!
We all need to temper our feelings and be a bit more objective.
Accept we won't be signing another Juno, JFH, Viduka or Boksic for the start of next season.
festa5
Well-known member
Would I sign Thomas on what I've seen? No.
Should the club be taking a close look at a 22 year old who has previously looked at home in the premier league and may be available on a free? Yeah of course they should.
That's partly the market we're looking at now. The coaches at the club are far better qualified to judge whether it's a form/confidence issue or whether it's more an ability issue the lad has.
And then they'll make decision on whether he's worth a gamble. Which may or may not pay off. But it'll be a cheap gamble if they opt to take it.
We'll be bringing in more players like this I'm sure. Some will pay off like Rogers. Some won't. Some will fall somewhere in between.
But to expect nothing but hits like some fans seem to is very unrealistic.
Should the club be taking a close look at a 22 year old who has previously looked at home in the premier league and may be available on a free? Yeah of course they should.
That's partly the market we're looking at now. The coaches at the club are far better qualified to judge whether it's a form/confidence issue or whether it's more an ability issue the lad has.
And then they'll make decision on whether he's worth a gamble. Which may or may not pay off. But it'll be a cheap gamble if they opt to take it.
We'll be bringing in more players like this I'm sure. Some will pay off like Rogers. Some won't. Some will fall somewhere in between.
But to expect nothing but hits like some fans seem to is very unrealistic.
Johngannonsunderpants
Well-known member
Their right back (key), made a few runs from deep and carried the ball well but every time went inside and gave the ball away so I'm not sure where you saw 'barely adequate' as he wasn't his man and rarely came up against him 1v1. Ronald was his man and other than early doors barely got a kick.
Some people have strange perspectives, I don't think he's been very good since signing but played well on Saturday. Same with Barlaser, people need to put aside their dislike for a player or poor form and admit when they play well.
festa5
Well-known member
Suppose it depends what his contract is. He's struggled massively for form for what? Maybe two years now?
They might find some mug who'll give them a decent fee (hopefully not us!) but equally they might struggle to shift him if they extend what is presumably a good contract by championship standards.
Probably a bit of a dilemma for them.
BoroMart
Well-known member
Engel is a weird one because for three or four matches he can look like he's really becoming a great up and down LB, then he will be isolated and be targeted and look terrible. He's a player where ti could go either way.
Bangura, I love his ability to carry the ball and pace.
Thomas, not seen huge amounts of him yet, and clearly isn't entirely up to speed, but I've not been impressed so far.
There has been some unnecessary hate towards him. Personally, I have given him props when he's done well, but I do think he is lacking a few things that we need to fit in with the way we play. CM need to be mobile enough to stop the counter, they also need to receive the ball in tight spaces and have quick enough feet to turn or pass out. Barlaser will do ok in the right team and formation as he is a good passer, but I don't think he has teh attributes to play the way we want to. It's noticable that since Barlaser has played, we've reduced how often we play it from keeper or fullback into him when deep. He just can't deal with it, but it's a key part of our strategy. Howson and Hackney are far better at it and allow us to break the press and get an overload against the opposition backline .
exeterboro
Well-known member
Are you sure your on the right forum, flashing commonsense around like that, it never catch on!
Archienoeyes
Member
I am so glad you are not in charge of our club, he is the worst of the bunch we have signed on loan.
Get rid and Greenwood too plus Barlaser and Aziz if they both do not pull their socks up as they couldn't tackle sleep between them both. Get a decent left sided attack in alongside Latte and Forss 2 decent midfielders that will think ooooo lets have a shot as I might score here a decent Rightback and we are good to go.
Get rid and Greenwood too plus Barlaser and Aziz if they both do not pull their socks up as they couldn't tackle sleep between them both. Get a decent left sided attack in alongside Latte and Forss 2 decent midfielders that will think ooooo lets have a shot as I might score here a decent Rightback and we are good to go.