TrickyTrev Posted 17 October 2009 Posted 17 October 2009 What role do you see the guy playing for us going forward? He looked shagged after half an hour today and has given his best performances coming off the bench. Is he better suited to an impact sub role where tired defenses sit deep negating his lack of mobility? As a a starter and the main attacking focal point of our side, I'm afraid he may be done. I've never been a big fan or a big critic, he is what he is and it was very useful for getting us up (even if we paid far too much for him), but I think age is beginning to get the better of him. Has it got to the point where he is not winning enough ball and causing enough problems to make up for the fact he does not stretch the play at all and is of minimal goal threat in general play? Harsh though it may sound, with our general lack of movement and pace in the side and thus the pressing need to get some in, I think it has. The worrying thing for me is that he is having to foul more and more when competing for the high ball, he just can't get himself in the correct position to head the ball. I've said before this season but he isn't winning us any ball that it not directed at him perfectly. There was also a moment in the second half, where he peeled off his marker extremely early to be 2 or 3 yards offside before heading it across for what just about counts as a 'disallowed offside goal.' I wondered whether he knew where he wanted to be, but couldn't get there without going too early, the explosive power to spring away from his marker completely gone?
lou Posted 17 October 2009 Posted 17 October 2009 He did not look shagged after half an hour! I thought he had a decent game today and worked his socks off again. Some people will slate him whatever he does (not you just people in general) I just wish hed start scoring and think we need to try a different partnership for a game or two and leave Steve as an impact sub maybe?
maddog Posted 17 October 2009 Posted 17 October 2009 Howard is past it for this League now. He hasn't scored a single goal, and has missed a lot of headers. But i think Kermo was just given a rest today, and picked Howard because he hasn't started the last few games to keep him happy. Kermo will be back starting Tuesday. And he should be because he's just as good as Howard if not better at winning headers and flick ons, and is miles and miles better footballer technically, and can actually strike a ball cleanly without falling over as he does it. Infact Howard is so bad, that people see him having a great game as 'working his socks off' and winning a couple of headers. He's doesn't seem to be judged on footballing quality or goals. And looked very slow and lazy today, because he is slow and lazy. He's so bad, he doesn't really have to do much for people to say he had a great game.
Fox You Forest Posted 17 October 2009 Posted 17 October 2009 A rest? We've just had an international break.
TrickyTrev Posted 17 October 2009 Author Posted 17 October 2009 I think the accusation that Howard is lazy is laughable, i've never seen him put in anything less than 100% effort and is in that sense a model pro who I'm glad to cheer on. People must confuse an inability to get about the pitch with an unwillingness to do so.
Anish Posted 17 October 2009 Posted 17 October 2009 Past it - should be used as a sub but not a starter. His legs have gone, his heading is erratic and he doesn't look like scoring in this league.
Flynny Posted 18 October 2009 Posted 18 October 2009 He's going to be crucial for us, even if it does eventually turn out to be as an impact sub - it's just that his aerial prowess didn't suit the passing and moving game we played today.
Benji Posted 18 October 2009 Posted 18 October 2009 He can come and keep my fish tank clean, although if he continues to commit that many fouls I'll not hesitate to sack him.
SMX11 Posted 18 October 2009 Posted 18 October 2009 He's just not good enough for this level. He isn't worthy of a starting place imo, we shouldn't have changed from the starting lineup against Cov.
Fox92 Posted 18 October 2009 Posted 18 October 2009 Tell you why he conceded to many fouls shall I - well I won't but my dad can be credited with this. Howard wins his headers untill the opposition team know what Leicester are playing and figure out to stick a midfielder who will put 100% effort in and get stuck in right in front of Howard to stop him winning headers. In yesterdays case it was Savage, and at Newcastle it was Alan Smith. Then Howard has not only got to beat a defender, he also has to beat a midfielder (eg Savage) that the opposition manager has cleverly put in front of him. Then, because of the two, he gives away free kicks. It's ok all this stick about Howard giving away free kicks but, once the opposition know what were playing; we are virtually done for.
davieG Posted 18 October 2009 Posted 18 October 2009 Tell you why he conceded to many fouls shall I - well I won't but my dad can be credited with this.Howard wins his headers untill the opposition team know what Leicester are playing and figure out to stick a midfielder who will put 100% effort in and get stuck in right in front of Howard to stop him winning headers. In yesterdays case it was Savage, and at Newcastle it was Alan Smith. Then Howard has not only got to beat a defender, he also has to beat a midfielder (eg Savage) that the opposition manager has cleverly put in front of him. Then, because of the two, he gives away free kicks. It's ok all this stick about Howard giving away free kicks but, once the opposition know what were playing; we are virtually done for. Well then we should surprise the opposition and pass the ball to someone else for a change, some one who isn't double marked then they'll have to move their midfielder when they do we can try Howard again.
Lillehamring Posted 18 October 2009 Posted 18 October 2009 He did not look shagged after half an hour! I thought he had a decent game today and worked his socks off again. Some people will slate him whatever he does (not you just people in general) I just wish hed start scoring and think we need to try a different partnership for a game or two and leave Steve as an impact sub maybe? - i just wish he'd start hitting the target! - we did try a different partnership for a couple of games and then, after one decent header, howard wins back his starting place, bizarre - i think we really need to see how a wellens-king- kermo- fryatt spine works for a few matches...
Lillehamring Posted 18 October 2009 Posted 18 October 2009 Tell you why he conceded to many fouls shall I - well I won't but my dad can be credited with this.Howard wins his headers untill the opposition team know what Leicester are playing and figure out to stick a midfielder who will put 100% effort in and get stuck in right in front of Howard to stop him winning headers. In yesterdays case it was Savage, and at Newcastle it was Alan Smith. Then Howard has not only got to beat a defender, he also has to beat a midfielder (eg Savage) that the opposition manager has cleverly put in front of him. Then, because of the two, he gives away free kicks. It's ok all this stick about Howard giving away free kicks but, once the opposition know what were playing; we are virtually done for. and thus you have summed up why we need to find a replacement for him, it's all well and good being an aerial ball winner (which in itself, for howard, is questionable these day), but it is becoming increasingly apparent that, for howard, when he is pressured, he has neither the pace or the mobillity to change his game. the trouble with being a one trick pony, is that you have to be so good at it that it can't be dealt with, otherwise you have to have a plan b.... howard has no plan b, and his plan a seems worryingly duff at the moment....
Legend_in_blue Posted 18 October 2009 Posted 18 October 2009 There is no justification whatsoever for criticising his performances when he has very little supply to work with up front. Until people get down the wings and supply decent balls that Howard may happen to waste, then keep quiet.
Karljohn Posted 18 October 2009 Posted 18 October 2009 Just don't rate the guy, and never have done. LCFC record Started 79 games - 22 goals - 13 in League 1 29 Championship starts - 6 goals Only 2 assists this season... Time for Yann.
Candidcamera Posted 18 October 2009 Posted 18 October 2009 Steve Howard tried really hard yesterday but there is a difference between that and a mobile forward who will connect play and be dangerous. Last year there were no real options but now there are. Teams find it easy to defend against him and he cannot chase the ball. I think he still has a place and there will be games when we may use him but bringing Kermorgant in on the wing was completely useless yesterday. Waghorn needs to be fed the ball not to be chasing hopeless headed knockons. Also, it meant that Adams was not brought on which may have changed the match. The team was fine yesterday for me until the last third of the pitch. Dyer was good but chose to shoot because there were no options happening around him. Fryatt was lively but marked for the knockon ball well. Howard was the weakness for me.
Karljohn Posted 18 October 2009 Posted 18 October 2009 I think the accusation that Howard is lazy is laughable, i've never seen him put in anything less than 100% effort and is in that sense a model pro who I'm glad to cheer on. People must confuse an inability to get about the pitch with an unwillingness to do so. Last on and first off the training pitch ive heard so hardly the model pro, whereas Jack Hobbs is the new Franco Zola when it comes to training....still working an hour after most of the lads have gone.... A ball came in yesterday that was taken by the Derby Keeper, Howard was already beat as the cross came in....he had neither the instinct, the legs or the conviction to get on the end of it. He gets paid to run his guts out for 90 mins. He certainly doesn't compliment Fryatt in any way, with 2 assists, and Fryatt hauled off over half a dozen times with half hour to go because it simply isnt working.
clazkel Posted 18 October 2009 Posted 18 October 2009 Howard won everthing in the air for the first 35 mins of the game yesterday, but then at half time im not sure what they done but they rumbled him. Maybe Howard should've been taken off mid way through the second half, but i thought he was outstanding first half. And when he come on against Cov again he won everything in the air. I think any stick Howard is getting at the minute is infair, he worked his socks off first half yesterday, and its up to Pearson to sub him if he isnt as effective.
davieG Posted 18 October 2009 Posted 18 October 2009 Howard won everthing in the air for the first 35 mins of the game yesterday, but then at half time im not sure what they done but they rumbled him. Maybe Howard should've been taken off mid way through the second half, but i thought he was outstanding first half. And when he come on against Cov again he won everything in the air. I think any stick Howard is getting at the minute is infair, he worked his socks off first half yesterday, and its up to Pearson to sub him if he isnt as effective. That's because the Cov defence had 2 other strkers, DJ & Howard to mark.
marbelladave Posted 18 October 2009 Posted 18 October 2009 For Howard to be effective we need to hit him early and have players around him who can win the second ball. Fryatt is not fast enough and our midfield sit too deep and are not dynamic enough to get up and support him. Not his fault. If we play a passing game as was the case for most of yesterday, he is simply the wrong kind of player. We needed players with pace to show for the ball or to run the channels, instead we got Howard and Fryatt, but again this is not their fault. If we are going to play the long ball to Howard then he needs to be properly supported with runners who can make the most of his flick-ons, but if we are going to play the passing game, then we need quicker, sharper players who can be effective in and around the box when the ball is played in to feet! FFS make your mind up and play one or the other!
Daggers Posted 18 October 2009 Posted 18 October 2009 Howard isn't the problem - Pearson's tactics, or the players' interpretations of them are.
marbelladave Posted 18 October 2009 Posted 18 October 2009 Howard isn't the problem - Pearson's tactics, or the players' interpretations of them are. I thought I just said that, with added reasons! :D
maddog Posted 18 October 2009 Posted 18 October 2009 But only on very rare occasions, does a Howard header actually go to one of our players, who is then able to control the ball and keep it. It's just totally pointless playing him, he never even gets it on target, hasn't scored all season, and encourages shit football. The fact that he mis-times and mis attacks good crosses every game and heads it lamely into the air or off target is laughable. Any player who slips onto his back everytime he strikes a shot because he's such a donkey he can't hit it cleanly standing up shouldn't be anywhere near the first 11. People used to mock De Vries, but he was just as good if not better than Howard.
dandannieldanok Posted 18 October 2009 Posted 18 October 2009 Howard faded worryingly yesterday, definitely showing his age. I'd still persist with him for a few more games yet though, after all the rest of the team faded just as badly.
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