McGree, Forss and Howson

joeutb

joeutb

Member
They were crucial players last season and are two of our best players, obviously Forss was injured yesterday but for me when fit they should be starting every game. I think Silvera and Rogers both show potential but aren't near the level of Forss and McGree, I honestly can't understand why Carrick insists on choosing them instead.
As far as Howson goes, he obviously made numerous mistakes yesterday and has done since he come back but can still put in good performances, should we be looking to start O'Brian instead of Howson going forward?

For me I would ideally like to see a change of formation and go for three in the middle with Howson, Hackney and O'Brian because we are just getting hammered in the middle of the pitch constantly
 
Howson was good last season when we had all of the ball and he wasn’t required to get stuck in. This season with less of the ball and less quality throughout he’s having to do too much.
 
I think Crooks is probably the only player we have who can play as a hold up man, knock it down for the two wide forwards and also get on the end of things. I know he’s not as good as Chuba but he’s the only player we have at the moment who can do that
 
Forss without Akpom is struggling, he doesn’t create enough when he plays wide and his finishing has been poor albeit he’s getting less chances in front of goal without Akpom to play off.

Jones has looked far more dangerous than him so far this season.

Howson looks like he’s missed pre season you can tell, I think it’s going to take him another couple of weeks to look right.

McGree is hit and miss, one week he’s our best player the next he’s anonymous, that said if he was consistent he’d be playing at a higher level. I’m not sure he’s been good enough to demand to be played every week, that said he’s probably still better than the alternatives.

Biggest thing for me just like the end of last season is not having Akpom, he did the job of 2 players and created so much space for others.
 
I thought the loss of Howson was the biggest reason for our failure in the play offs last season. Massive miss. Really pleased to see him return but very concerned about his form since he has come back. He had quite a lay off (4 months?) and is looking every bit of his 35 years. He has been off the pace and was very weak yesterday in what was an incredibly underwhelming team performance. I think O’Brien comes in and hopefully he reignites Hackney who has also been well below his best in our midfield this season. The problem is beyond Howson, Hackney and O’Brien our remaining options are very limited with Barlaser hardly pulling up trees! I have no idea what is going on with McGree but he must scratch his head and wonder how he couldn’t get in that starting 11 yesterday? Forss simply doesn’t play well consistently enough for me. He can be anonymous for large parts of the game and really needs to impose himself more.
 
Duffman said:
I thought the loss of Howson was the biggest reason for our failure in the play offs last season. Massive miss. Really pleased to see him return but very concerned about his form since he has come back. He had quite a lay off (4 months?) and is looking every bit of his 35 years. He has been off the pace and was very weak yesterday in what was an incredibly underwhelming team performance. I think O’Brien comes in and hopefully he reignites Hackney who has also been well below his best in our midfield this season. The problem is beyond Howson, Hackney and O’Brien our remaining options are very limited with Barlaser hardly pulling up trees! I have no idea what is going on with McGree but he must scratch his head and wonder how he couldn’t get in that starting 11 yesterday? Forss simply doesn’t play well consistently enough for me. He can be anonymous for large parts of the game and really needs to impose himself more.
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Definitely agree, I was happy when he came back but he’s been poor since he returned. Hackney is very exciting but I think he’d benefit from being able to focus on going forward rather than defending
 
Priv said:
Forss without Akpom is struggling, he doesn’t create enough when he plays wide and his finishing has been poor albeit he’s getting less chances in front of goal without Akpom to play off.

Jones has looked far more dangerous than him so far this season.

Howson looks like he’s missed pre season you can tell, I think it’s going to take him another couple of weeks to look right.

McGree is hit and miss, one week he’s our best player the next he’s anonymous, that said if he was consistent he’d be playing at a higher level. I’m not sure he’s been good enough to demand to be played every week, that said he’s probably still better than the alternatives.

Biggest thing for me just like the end of last season is not having Akpom, he did the job of 2 players and created so much space for others.
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Yeh maybe Jones should start instead of Forss and Akpom is without a doubt the biggest miss
 
RenzoRosso said:
I think Crooks is probably the only player we have who can play as a hold up man, knock it down for the two wide forwards and also get on the end of things. I know he’s not as good as Chuba but he’s the only player we have at the moment who can do that
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I agree with that but the problem with Crooks is he isn’t very fast and can often slow play down too much, although he can do well sometimes
 
joeutb said:
They were crucial players last season and are two of our best players, obviously Forss was injured yesterday but for me when fit they should be starting every game. I think Silvera and Rogers both show potential but aren't near the level of Forss and McGree, I honestly can't understand why Carrick insists on choosing them instead.
As far as Howson goes, he obviously made numerous mistakes yesterday and has done since he come back but can still put in good performances, should we be looking to start O'Brian instead of Howson going forward?

For me I would ideally like to see a change of formation and go for three in the middle with Howson, Hackney and O'Brian because we are just getting hammered in the middle of the pitch constantly
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McGREE, FORSS and HOWSON

Howson is still not fully fit, and is clearly struggling, why he is still being picked ahead of fully fit players is worrying.

McGree started at WBA and was very poor, and was rightly hauled off, his replacement that day was Jones who deserved to keep his place in the team.

Forss cannot play due to injury, but when he did play, he looked lost.

Silvera is not a natural right sided attacker, and is a Div 1 standard player at best, Rogers level was playing for a struggling Blackpool team, he is not the answer for a number 10 position. (both players should never be in the starting line up)

How many players deserve to keep their places in the team? would be a better question.

Dieng, Lenihan, Hackney (only just), Jones, Latte Lath (for his movement not his finishing) 5 players from the starting line up deserve to keep their places.

Players who deserve a chance in the starting line up at Blackburn

Van den Berg (in his natural position) Barlaser (forward thinking midfielder), O'Brien, Greenwood, Bangura (must be better than Engel),
Any natural right back.
 
Duffman said:
I thought the loss of Howson was the biggest reason for our failure in the play offs last season. Massive miss. Really pleased to see him return but very concerned about his form since he has come back. He had quite a lay off (4 months?) and is looking every bit of his 35 years. He has been off the pace and was very weak yesterday in what was an incredibly underwhelming team performance. I think O’Brien comes in and hopefully he reignites Hackney who has also been well below his best in our midfield this season. The problem is beyond Howson, Hackney and O’Brien our remaining options are very limited with Barlaser hardly pulling up trees! I have no idea what is going on with McGree but he must scratch his head and wonder how he couldn’t get in that starting 11 yesterday? Forss simply doesn’t play well consistently enough for me. He can be anonymous for large parts of the game and really needs to impose himself more.
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O’Brien looks like Adam Forshaw..

I like Adam Forshaw.. I like Lewis O’Brien.. but I don’t see the back up to Jonny Howson in the squad.

We don’t look like we can have the Leadbitter & Clayton infront of the back four this season.

Could we have a three in midfield? I don’t see who can break up play from the opposition.. the ‘De Roon’ or do we?

C36D68D3-FBB8-4376-A50B-590B489F5CD3.jpeg
Here’s how we lined up against Marseille before the start of last season. We looked great.. specifically the interaction between Riley McGree and Marcus Tavernier.. sublime! of course we don’t have Marcus Tavernier but we do have Morgan Rogers who I believe at least is closer to Marcus Tavernier than the roles he is bring player in so far.

Speaking of different roles.. Matt Crooks is seen as a striker by Michael Carrick. Got me he is out wave breaker our De Roon our Sander Berge.. very much under rated and very much under used.

Going back to basics I would like to see Isaiah Jones running down the right hand side.

Darragh Lenihan is our kingpin and should fit me be in the centre of a back three. The right hand side to be served by Dijksteel? Agyemang? and on the he left we have the choice of Engel or RVDB.

Howson to be changed out by a slightly more perky Lewis O’Brien.. Watmore for Latter Laff and Bangura for Ryan Giles.. who would of course play on the left hand side.

Maybe I removed that game slightly different to others..
A035AA2D-2383-418F-A56F-1225B94537D8.jpeg
Hackney waiting in the wings.. could take up anyone of those four midfield roles. O’Brien/Crooks or even Rogers/McGree..
 
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joeutb said:
I agree with that but the problem with Crooks is he isn’t very fast and can often slow play down too much, although he can do well sometimes
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Unfortunately, he has the pace of his nickname - tree. Likeable chap, but past it speed wise.
 
Duffman said:
I thought the loss of Howson was the biggest reason for our failure in the play offs last season. Massive miss. Really pleased to see him return but very concerned about his form since he has come back. He had quite a lay off (4 months?) and is looking every bit of his 35 years. He has been off the pace and was very weak yesterday in what was an incredibly underwhelming team performance. I think O’Brien comes in and hopefully he reignites Hackney who has also been well below his best in our midfield this season. The problem is beyond Howson, Hackney and O’Brien our remaining options are very limited with Barlaser hardly pulling up trees! I have no idea what is going on with McGree but he must scratch his head and wonder how he couldn’t get in that starting 11 yesterday? Forss simply doesn’t play well consistently enough for me. He can be anonymous for large parts of the game and really needs to impose himself more.
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The problem with Forrs is he's not a winger, he is a striker, should be through the middle!
 
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