Time for Howson to go off into the sunset

[Nano]

Yes I’m puzzled by these comments about OBrien as well. What evidence commits people to say he should be our starter midfielder ahead of Barlaser and Howson? Barlaser hasn’t let us down , does the simple things very well and works hard. Keeps his place for me.

I said he should probably be our starter but I'm basing it on the assumption he is better than what we've seen of him so far (which is basically nothing) and the fact that what we are seeing from the players we have seen isn't good enough.

Barlaser hasn't let us down but if we want promotion then you need more than "hasn't let us down". You need controls the game, makes a difference and does the defensive side of things and I don't think he has, or will ever have, that fully rounded game. It is that reason why I think he is adequate back-up but if he's first choice then it's a sign of us being a poor team.

 

[newusername]

Footballs a funny old game, Azaz plays in greenwood who could of took it first time maybe ? Good block, engel plays in greenwood Azaz follows up bad miss, engel plays in Greenwood again second half bad miss to Name a few game over, the front 4 whoever plays is not clinical enough

The lead up to the goal was a bit of a fluke as well, Greenwood's shot from distance was unlikely to trouble the keeper even if he caught it right, we got lucky that Forss was able to control it & finish.

If you add in Ayling shooting twice on his left foot when he had players in better positions that a little slipped pass would've been the better choice, (bar Forss) the team isn't clincal enough but they are also not making the right decisions.

 

[MichaelDebeve]

The lead up to the goal was a bit of a fluke as well, Greenwood's shot from distance was unlikely to trouble the keeper even if he caught it right, we got lucky that Forss was able to control it & finish.

Lucky for us our players can play football

 

[dribble]

He gave the ball away 5 times in 90 minutes (56 completed passes out of 61). Barlaser did the same in 75 mins, whereas Hackney gave the ball away 15 times, Azaz 9 times and Ayling 10 times. Funny how Howson gets pelters for misplaced passing when only VDB had a better pass completion percentage out of the 20 outfield players to start the game.

It’s where he gives the ball away that’s worrying, usually just outside our box .

 

[Jonny_Rondos_Disco_pants]

He's very ponderous on the ball, not really a defensive shield, which is why we concede so many daft goals.

 

[B_G]

He gave the ball away 5 times in 90 minutes (56 completed passes out of 61). Barlaser did the same in 75 mins, whereas Hackney gave the ball away 15 times, Azaz 9 times and Ayling 10 times. Funny how Howson gets pelters for misplaced passing when only VDB had a better pass completion percentage out of the 20 outfield players to start the game.

Pass percentages always decline the further forward a player plays. CBs and CMs generally get the best passing stats as they are generally playing simpler passes with less pressure.

Lenihan, Fry and Clarke have the best pass completions stats in the squad. Followed by Hackney and O'Brien. With Lath having the worst by quite a distance.

You need to compare like for like positions. I'm not disagreeing with your point by the way. You are right regarding Howson yesterday. But just need to be wary of comparing to Azaz or Hackney when they are playing in that advanced role, they are bound to have poorer completion rates.

 

[WilliamMunny]

Pass percentages always decline the further forward a player plays. CBs and CMs generally get the best passing stats as they are generally playing simpler passes with less pressure.

Lenihan, Fry and Clarke have the best pass completions stats in the squad. Followed by Hackney and O'Brien. With Lath having the worst by quite a distance.

You need to compare like for like positions. I'm not disagreeing with your point by the way. You are right regarding Howson yesterday. But just need to be wary of comparing to Azaz or Hackney when they are playing in that advanced role, they are bound to have poorer completion rates.

To be fair, I didn't mention pass completion rates, I mentioned how many times Howson gave the ball away to a poster who suggested he gave it away repeatedly. The fact is he gave it away less than any of our other midfielders and full backs.

 

[Smogonsea]

This is nonsense obviously. None of them made it to 33 at the club.

I’m not saying any of them made it to 33. I’m saying that the club kept hold of them longer than they should. Some players hit the wall sooner than others.

 

[Scrug]

I've been saying for a few seasons we need to replace Howson, it's been one of the biggest failings of our recruitment that we still haven't. He gives the ball away a lot and it has been especially frequent this season. Not that I'm saying he's a bad player, he's definitely not, but I don't think he's of the level we're aspiring to be at any more.