The Steve Howard Love-in

[Daggers]

I tells you, if we go up this season then it'll be because of this one man. Consistently, to those with eyes to see, he plays a blinder. Mixes it up with the defenders, useful in the air, great lay-offs - I'm delighted he's here and I'm delighted he's lost last season's fug. Yea, Super Steve!

[Bert]

Bar West Brom away last season, I think yesterday was perhaps his best game for us.

[Corky]

He has certainly changed my opinion of him. Been very impressed with his performances and work-rate. Unlucky not to have more than four goals as well.

In the words of LD3, G'WON BIG STEVE!!

[Munzie]

Finally, some recognition for a solid job this season

I've read, with much disapointment on here, the slatings he's had in not scoring enough goals, working hard etc.

He's not another Fryatt, Campbell, or Dickov, and that's the point!

He's done well this season (especially compared to last), and long may it continue. The flick-ons, battling in the box, holding up play, being a target man, playmaker etc, and even a few goals to boot! Keep it going Stevie, your efforts are very much appreciated.

[JakeShingler]

Yeh he is good just fitness needs improving.

[AoWW]

[Guest]

Daggers, could you direct this towards match officials; they don't appear to like him very much at all.

[Daggers]

Daggers, could you direct this towards match officials; they don't appear to like him very much at all.

I thought he won a fair amount of the calls yesterday - as I was saying to Carl shortly before Norbo was fouled, no free-kick was given and they equalised

[Ross-Kemp]

[Ajax Treesdown]

steve how-ard how-ard

he can score from six yards

hes big and hes f**ing hard

steve how-ard how-ard

[Tilley]

He's grown on me.

That big sexy man.

[AoWW]

He's grown on me.

That big sexy man.

Blimey, Stevie Howard must be quite some appendage to cope with.

[davieG]

Peace Man!

[Koke]

I always thought Howard was a sexy beast.

I still maintain that, and Daggers is backing me up here.

Steve Howard = Under-appreciated and undervalued

[Thracian]

Yeh he is good just fitness needs improving.

He's never going to be an athlete. He is what he is and I just wish people would appreciate it. Our team know his capabilities, he's been desperately unlucky to have had so many goals chalked off but his contribution has always been there.

What gets me though is that Pearson is clearly happy to let Howard be Howard but it's not the same with Gradel. He's expected to do far too much defending.

There's a sensible balance to be sure but, for me, the sooner he's given licence to roam and encouraged to channel his energies into hurting the opposition in the fron third of the field the better. I know he does his bit and helps out at set-pieces but no-one expects Howard to constantly charge back defending and if he did he'd soon have damn all left for his attacking duties.

[Koke]

What gets me though is that Pearson is clearly happy to let Pearson be Pearson but it's not the same with Gradel. He's expected to do far too much defending.

I know cannabis is not good for me, but you've lost me here Thrac.

[davieG]

I know cannabis is not good for me, but you've lost me here Thrac.

I think he meant Howard to be Howard.

[Koke]

I sorta thought so. Even then, Gradel is expected to do some defending, he has defensive duties to complete. Howard does not have that, apart when defending corners.

Part of being wingers is to defend, but I don't think Pearson is expecting Gradel to defend too much. All he's asking is to close his man down quickly and don't let Gilbert have a 1v2 sitation against him.

[Thracian]

I think he meant Howard to be Howard.

[Thracian]

I sorta thought so. Even then, Gradel is expected to do some defending, he has defensive duties to complete. Howard does not have that, apart when defending corners.

Part of being wingers is to defend, but I don't think Pearson is expecting Gradel to defend too much. All he's asking is to close his man down quickly and don't let Gilbert have a 1v2 sitation against him.

No-one's complaining about Gradel doing "some" defending but you don't see either Howard, Fryatt or even Dyer (except very occasionally) doing back line stuff.

Whether Gradel is trying too hard on his own initiative or being urged to defend so much I don't know but Gradel's always looked most dangerous and most effective when he stays in his attacking half.

I didn't see what role he was given yesterday but when I hear of us conceding the initiative after taking the lead and I hear of Gradel making a poor defensive clearance which lead to their equaliser I'm immediately wondering what the hell he was doing there anyway.

It almost reminds of Sean Newton cos I remember him tracking back into our penalty area and promptly giving goals away.

I wonder if Howard and Fryatt would fancy Kisnorbo or Tunchev charging around between them during open play?

To me a forward's main defensive duties involve closing people down and shepherding them into places where they become ineffective.

[JoeyB]

No-one's complaining about Gradel doing "some" defending but you don't see either Howard, Fryatt or even Dyer (except very occasionally) doing back line stuff.

Whether Gradel is trying too hard on his own initiative or being urged to defend so much I don't know but Gradel's always looked most dangerous and most effective when he stays in his attacking half.

I didn't see what role he was given yesterday but when I hear of us conceding the initiative after taking the lead and I hear of Gradel making a poor defensive clearance which lead to their equaliser I'm immediately wondering what the hell he was doing there anyway.

It almost reminds of Sean Newton cos I remember him tracking back into our penalty area and promptly giving goals away.

I wonder if Howard and Fryatt would fancy Kisnorbo or Tunchev charging around between them during open play?

To me a forward's main defensive duties involve closing people down and shepherding them into places where they become ineffective.

Gradel, hasn't exactly been brilliant tho has he, more or less avrage at best.

[lildave3]

About bloody time too.

Edit - This thread I mean.

[Daggers]

[Gradel]

Big gay Jesus on a bicycle! This is a thread dedicated to Super Steve you berk...go start a 'Pearson is rotten to Gradel although I didn't see the match or even have much time to listen to the commentary but this is what I feel strongly about the matter' thread about it.

[Munzie]

Daggers, could you direct this towards match officials; they don't appear to like him very much at all.

I'm so glad that it isn't just me. I sit there most matches politely informing the referee and his linesmen that they have failed to spot an infringement on our Stevie.

I think that they must be hard of hearing or something as it takes approximately 60-70 mins of our hero being constantly knocked around before they take sympathy on him and blow for a foul.

[Guest]

I'm so glad that it isn't just me. I sit there most matches politely informing the referee and his linesmen that they have failed to spot an infringement on our Stevie.

I think that they must be hard of hearing or something as it takes approximately 60-70 mins of our hero being constantly knocked around before they take sympathy on him and blow for a foul.

I know that this is probably not the right thread to post this, but I really do not want to see his shirt being ripped off. Opposition defenders are not doing me a favour. I like a nice toned torso, and an athletic build. I strongly suspect our Steve will disappoint.