Steve Howard

[Koke]

Just checked Steve Howard's stats. He scored 20 goals in 65 appearances for Derby. And for us he has 18 goals in 64 appearances so far. That's just over one in three.

[davieG]

Lets not forget that all of our players played poorly last season - look at matty! why single of howard?

Probably because expectations were higher he having played at the highest level and having already produced the goods in the Championship.

[Flynny]

All the people ruling Howard out based on last season, lets just take a moment to think about Matty Fryatt's performances.

Falling short in physicality isn't quite the same as more technical difficulties. I accept he'll probably be better, but I don't think he'll be MUCH better. Besides, I've already got my reservations about Fryatt, just not to the same extent. Remember Howard's getting on a bit now as well.

[Kilworthfox]

Lets not forget that all of our players played poorly last season - look at matty! why single of howard?

To be honest, I am not just looking at Howard. However with the performances from last & this season Steve has been a flop considering the price Milan paid for him. he will be older and less physically effective in a higher division, his whole game is based on non speed physical abilities, they will be less IMO, and the standard wil be alot higher.

[Thracian]

Absolutely wank last season, when we probably played a bit more long-ball. Bollocks to the 'system' not suiting him - we hit more long balls and he won barely any. Anyone who can remember his peformance against Ipswich when Gareth McAuley, in a cameo up front for the last 5 minutes, eclipsed Howard's entire day's work in the form of winning one header, should have good reason to worry.

Which, as I just stated in the thread about next week, is why we should stick Chambers up front and look to play in a more footballing manner next week, to make sure we can still do it.

Howard's been exactly what we needed to succeed in this division, but he won't worry many Championship defenders.

I'll concern myself with next season when we win promotion but, while I entirely agree about needing to play more and, hopefully faster football I have, sadly, seen no evidence to suggest that Chambers will be able to hack it at Championship level should the question arise.

Not once on the few occasions he's been given a first team sniff has he shone. Occasionally he's had chances but generally, despite his undoubted pace, skill and vision, he's left us with little to remember him by.

And if he's failed to break through in Division One by the end of this season I cannot imagine he'll do it in The Championship because, as well as the qualities he's got he'll also need to be tough and durable. I don't see that he'll have even had enough combative and competitive football this season to help him improve those qualities.

As always I hope I'm proved wrong on this because he's undoubtedly talented. But so are Gradel and Porter yet neither have shown any evidence of progressing here since the new management took over, more's the pity.

[Kilworthfox]

I'll concern myself with next season when we win promotion but, while I entirely agree about needing to play more and, hopefully faster football I have, sadly, seen no evidence to suggest that Chambers will be able to hack it at Championship level should the question arise.

Not once on the few occasions he's been given a first team sniff has he shone. Occasionally he's had chances but generally, despite his undoubted pace, skill and vision, he's left us with little to remember him by.

And if he's failed to break through in Division One by the end of this season I cannot imagine he'll do it in The Championship because, as well as the qualities he's got he'll also need to be tough and durable. I don't see that he'll have even had enough combative and competitive football this season to help him improve those qualities.

As always I hope I'm proved wrong on this because he's undoubtedly talented. But so are Gradel and Porter yet neither have shown any evidence of progressing here since the new management took over, more's the pity.

His oppertunity to play has been bugger all tho Thrac, I have no idea why Dickov got ahead of him, give the kid a chance NP.

Also did he not do well away at Palace?

[Thracian]

His oppertunity to play has been bugger all tho Thrac, I have no idea why Dickov got ahead of him, give the kid a chance NP.

Also did he not do well away at Palace?

He won't have opportunities if he spends ages out injured and we don't have a proper reserve team or somewhere he can go for a meaningful loan-out.

Dickov, Hayles, Chambers...all three have had virtually no impact this season and the only striker showing any sort of form is Campbell who didn't get much chance here either but is now scoring his share of goals for Blackpool in The Championship with five goals from 13 appearances.

Quickest striker we've got as well and how we've needed a pacey centre-forward at times this season, particularly lately.

[Fez of Mahrez]

Good on the deck, great in the air

Howard, Howard

Made the Bristol Rovers keeper scared

Howard, Howard

He's blue and white, makes you look shite,

When he's up for the fight, he's an awesome sight

Stevie Howard, Leicester's number 9

[Finnegan]

I will be masively, massively surprised if Howard has any real impact in the Championship.

Will happily hold my hands up and admit if I'm proven wrong but I highly, highly doubt it.

I don't think he's our biggest concern, I think we've been in need of a midfield for years and I don't think we're in a massively stronger position now than we were before. We need a goalkeeper, too. But I hope we sign a striker with a bit of athleticism that'll be looking to be more than just "cover."

[Ultra]

Absolutely wank last season, when we probably played a bit more long-ball. Bollocks to the 'system' not suiting him - we hit more long balls and he won barely any. Anyone who can remember his peformance against Ipswich when Gareth McAuley, in a cameo up front for the last 5 minutes, eclipsed Howard's entire day's work in the form of winning one header, should have good reason to worry.

As far as I'm aware. Howard signed for us after we'd played Ipswich home and away.

So it must have been a different game...

But Howard's had enough off-days this season to suggest he might have trouble making the step back up.

If Billy Davies came in with a decent offer for him, whether or not Forest are in the same division as us, Pearson should take it.

[Koke]

As far as I'm aware. Howard signed for us after we'd played Ipswich home and away.

So it must have been a different game...

But Howard's had enough off-days this season to suggest he might have trouble making the step back up.

If Billy Davies came in with a decent offer for him, whether or not Forest are in the same division as us, Pearson should take it.

You're right. We played them 2nd time at home on Boxing Day if I remember correctly.

Must be another game then. But I do remember a game where McAuley went up front due to us chasing the game and he did more in his short time than Howard did all game. Howard must have felt like a right useless **** that day.

[Fox92]

Come down a division, go back up and score goals via confidence

To be honest, the Howard that we have been watching for the last few weeks was the 'Derby' Howard.

He has been banging in goals through his head and feet and it is the one that we are used to seeing when he was in a Derby shirt;

His header versus Cheltenham ecspecially, is the Howard that Luton Town, Derby County and we know!

Hope he is ok in the championship next season, no reason why he shouldn't be.

[Guest Basildon Fox]

As far as I'm aware. Howard signed for us after we'd played Ipswich home and away.

So it must have been a different game...

But Howard's had enough off-days this season to suggest he might have trouble making the step back up.

If Billy Davies came in with a decent offer for him, whether or not Forest are in the same division as us, Pearson should take it.

Really?? I'd say that the amount of bad games he has had this season you could count on one hand. He has never relied on pace so will be less affected by aging. He has been player of the season for me and has set up so many goals for others, especially Fryatt.

I am confident he can more than hold his own next season. We need cover definately but not a replacement.

[Flynny]

You're right. We played them 2nd time at home on Boxing Day if I remember correctly.

Must be another game then. But I do remember a game where McAuley went up front due to us chasing the game and he did more in his short time than Howard did all game. Howard must have felt like a right useless **** that day.

As far as I'm aware. Howard signed for us after we'd played Ipswich home and away.

So it must have been a different game...

You're right, it was Colchester. 1-1, chasing it, I think. Sorry.

I'll concern myself with next season when we win promotion but, while I entirely agree about needing to play more and, hopefully faster football I have, sadly, seen no evidence to suggest that Chambers will be able to hack it at Championship level should the question arise.

Maybe not. I'm talking about this week, not next season.

[C-man]

By the time we start next season Howard will be 33, less mobile and less effective. I remember that Ipswich game Flynny mentioned quite clearly and he was absolutely woeful. He's had some good performances this season and also some very bad ones. We definitely need a new striker, faster and more mobile, ala Simon Cox.

I think you'll find its a lot of very good ones and some bad ones. I wouldn't mind having a dabble on Simon Cox though!

You're right, it was Colchester. 1-1, chasing it, I think. Sorry.

It was, but Colchester are now in this division and look how instrumental Steve has been this season. You can't just highlight one game because supporters of him could easily do the same: Hat-trick at WBA, who are now Premiership.

I'm not saying Steve will be great in the Championship and I think we do need another player of his type, but saying he can't cut the mustard because he was poor in a woeful team with woeful management is harsh.

[Flynny]

It was, but Colchester are now in this division and look how instrumental Steve has been this season. You can't just highlight one game because supporters of him could easily do the same: Hat-trick at WBA, who are now Premiership.

I'm not saying Steve will be great in the Championship and I think we do need another player of his type, but saying he can't cut the mustard because he was poor in a woeful team with woeful management is harsh.

Against 10 men? When he was getting the ball on the floor? I'm a massive fan of Howard with the ball at his feet, his range of passing has gotten better and better and he's got a great strike on him, but he's been bullying defenders that are beneath him this season. Next season, aging, probably slower, against more imposing centre-backs, he'll struggle. We're already too reliant on him as it is, we can't assume he'll suddenly develop the ability to jump higher than he could last season. Like I said before, with confidence and a season of winning, he'll probably be a bit better, but he's not going to be able to carry the team when we struggle to play football like he has at points this season.

[Bert]

Against 10 men? When he was getting the ball on the floor? I'm a massive fan of Howard with the ball at his feet, his range of passing has gotten better and better and he's got a great strike on him, but he's been bullying defenders that are beneath him this season. Next season, aging, probably slower, against more imposing centre-backs, he'll struggle. We're already too reliant on him as it is, we can't assume he'll suddenly develop the ability to jump higher than he could last season. Like I said before, with confidence and a season of winning, he'll probably be a bit better, but he's not going to be able to carry the team when we struggle to play football like he has at points this season.

So when he scored 19 in the championship for Derby, that just must've been a fluke then.

[Flynny]

So when he scored 19 in the championship for Derby, that just must've been a fluke then.

Cureton got 23, can we sign him?

Two seasons ago now. He'll be 33 soon. I just don't see him cutting it, at least not in the same way. Maybe if we went 3 up front or something, I dunno.

[Bert]

Cureton got 23, can we sign him?

Two seasons ago now. He'll be 33 soon. I just don't see him cutting it, at least not in the same way. Maybe if we went 3 up front or something, I dunno.

Good one.

You're trying to say that Howard won't be able to cut it, and mainly because he'll be 33. Howard's done it before, so why won't he be able to do it again? Because you can't see him cutting it? Must be nailed on.

Shearer, Ferdinand, Sheringham all played past 35 and still did a very good job wherever they played. I'm not comparing Howard to these 3, as we both know they were all significantly better than Steve, but there is proof strikers can play well beyond 33.

[Flynny]

Good one.

You're trying to say that Howard won't be able to cut it, and mainly because he'll be 33. Howard's done it before, so why won't he be able to do it again? Because you can't see him cutting it? Must be nailed on.

Shearer, Ferdinand, Sheringham all played past 35 and still did a very good job wherever they played. I'm not comparing Howard to these 3, as we both know they were all significantly better than Steve, but there is proof strikers can play well beyond 33.

We're both speculating here.

None of those strikers were as reliant on their physicality as Steve Howard, were they? Probably increasingly less so in the order you've listed them. And all of them bar Shearer had to drop down a couple of notches as they aged. Totally different players. Howard's biggest impact has been winning us headers in the opposing half. The defenders in the Championship are for the most part much better in the air, and are more used to a long-ball game. I don't see how logically it doesn't play out that he'll not have the same effect even if his age doesn't come into it.

[maddog]

I would like to see a new strike partnership next season, Howard and Fryatt, didn't work in the Championship before and i don't think they will again.

We certainly need to sign at least 2 new strikers.

Dickov is past it at this level, Hayles is a good impact sub for the last 30 minutes.

These are the strikers id like to see in our squad next season:

Beckford or Tyson

Lambert or Cox

Fryatt

Howard

Chambers

Hayles

Now that would be sweet, although we may have to sell Fryatt to fund the new signings, which i could live with. But Howard would be nothing more than a bench player, unless playing football doesn't work and we need to play hoof ball.

[Joe.]

I'm not too sure yet.

Howard's certainly been a very valuable player for us this season, and it's been highly noticeable when he's not been in the team. He's been a big part of Fryatt's impressive haul for the season, and I think they'd both miss each other if they weren't playing together. Defenders have shown this season that to get to Fryatt, you get to Howard first.

Championship defenders are obviously better than League One defenders, and I'm still undecided as to whether both will struggle next year or not. If Howard fails, there's a good chance Fryatt will too.