Steve Howard

[ernie]

I just got back from todays game, and cannot understand why Steve Howard plays, tbh I think he's awful! And what frustrates me even more is that it seems like some of the fans with half a brain cell seem to think he's decent!! All they seem to see is him clenching his fists, shouting a bit and getting angry, and think that means he's committed to the cause, and start waxing lyrical about him. If they actually stopped just looking at him, and watching the game, they'd see he's completely sh*t!

Heres why I think he is shocking:

1. When we move the ball forward to Howard (high, low, or however), he takes it OK (some of the time!), and lays it off to a winger/midfielder. Half the fans seem to think thats excellent! Its really not. Its only the first part of what he needs to be doing. Once he lays it off, he needs to then get himself into the box to get on the end of any cross etc that results. Howard is so immobile he doesn't do this, so there's no one in the box, and the fans then either blame the winger for crossing it in, or someone else. All they know is, Howard really did his job well!!!

2. He is actually holding us back because he changes the way we play. When he is on the field, it seems like half the other players think "Oh, Steves there, I'll just hoof it forward". If he then wins it, some of the fans think that was good play. Bollocks. Sven has had us playing some nice fluid football at times, and this completely goes against this. Now I fully realise that this is not directly Howards fault, the other players need to adjust. But while that isn't happening, he is just preventing us from playing decent football, and there are players that would facilitate better football much more easily.

3. His first touch is shocking! When we play the ball up to him directly/quickly, his touch often takes the ball 5/6 yards away from him! Thats just crap in itself.!

4. For a striker, tbh his finishing is very poor.

5. Given his size, I don't actually think he wins as much in the air as he really should.

It just annoys me that some fans sing his praises, when they don't really have any proper reason for thinking he's good, just that "he's committed" and "he gives his all".

I wondered what other peoples opinions were?

[Asha]

You're right - he's a donkey.

But he's a donkey who gives a shit.

And that's why Leicester fans love him. (I presume).

[lcfcsnow]

Totally agree and I'm surprised Sven is still starting him. I knew he would notice Oakleys incapability at this level when he took over but I didn't think Howard would still be around. Hopefully we'll have two better options come the end of January.

[ernie]

You're right - he's a donkey.

But he's a donkey who gives a shit.

And that's why Leicester fans love him. (I presume).

Ha, fair enough! Just giving a shit isn't really reason enough to start him though unfortunately! I don't understand why more fans can't see this!!

[Haydos]

Agreed on the whole. He got a start today because he caused Leeds problems on 2 other occasions already this season and that's fair enough. He is very limited in his playing style but the fact of the matter is he still causes some defences problems and he'll have a role while he does.

When he's sussed and being dealt with (as I assume he was today from the sounds of people on here) he's as effective as a bag of potatoes and our play in the last 2/3's of the pitch suffers.

It seems to me that because of his lack of versatility and general skill in any other areas that the classic target man role that it is a big gamble starting him at all. Today was an example of this as a team who have previously had trouble dealing with him were not even stretched in the slightest.

Whatcha gonna do

[Edmund]

I'm not a fan of old fashioned target men at all.

If you're going to use a target man then he needs to bring more to the plate than just winning a header here or there from a lump up by the goalkeeper.

We saw against Doncaster when Bednar was repalced by Dyer, how much more of an effect keeping the ball on the deck has.

Unless you've got a target man who can score goals as well as create (see in the mould of Drogba, Carroll, Balotelli etc) it's an utterly pointless tactic which is predictable and unimaginative. It can also be easily countered by the opposition by utilising two positionally sound centre backs.

There's no denying the effort that Howard puts in but the problem is little end product.

It's a shame we didn't have Howard in his prime when he was much more mobile. I remember being a big fan of his when he played at Luton.

[broughtonblue]

Totally agree. Just moans and whines all match

[RowlattsFox]

I must admit I did let out a little sigh when I heard Howard was starting. He has his plus points, and does occassionally have a good game as a starter but for me he should be an impact sub at best.

[ernie]

I'm not a fan of old fashioned target men at all.

If you're going to use a target man then he needs to bring more to the plate than just winning a header here or there from a lump up by the goalkeeper.

We saw against Doncaster when Bednar was repalced by Dyer, how much more of an effect keeping the ball on the deck has.

Unless you've got a target man who can score goals as well as create (see in the mould of Drogba, Carroll, Balotelli etc) it's an utterly pointless tactic which is predictable and unimaginative. It can also be easily countered by the opposition by utilising two positionally sound centre backs.

There's no denying the effort that Howard puts in but the problem is little end product.

It's a shame we didn't have Howard in his prime when he was much more mobile. I remember being a big fan of his when he played at Luton.

I completely agree with that. My preference would be Dyer and Gallagher either side of Vassell in the middle. When we had these 2 on the wings against Doncaster, the ball was on the floor, and it suited Vassell's game much more, and I thought that was the best game he's had for us. I feel like he is wasted out wide tbh.

[Anish]

Howard was atrocious today. Yes he looks like he's trying but his fitness and mobility is simply not good enough. He didn't win that much in the air today and the one header he had in the first half he should've at least hit the target, if not scored. His shooting from distance isn't great either, as evidence twice today. We need strikers who can turn defenders and get them facing their own goal, but Howard can't do that.

He should be an impact sub at best, somebody to bring on to ruffle a few feathers when we're chasing a game, otherwise he's holding us back from our more suited passing game.

[Leicester_Loyal]

Hes not good enough anymore.

With Dyer + Vassell + Gall, we look really good.

Bednar will be a better option for a target man, once he settles in.

[Webbo]

It's horses for courses really. Leeds are not Doncaster they wouldn't let us play passing football. They hassle and close down, same as we did under O'Neil.

Just because Howard didn't have a good game doesn't mean it wasn't the right tactic.

[Captain...]

I also groaned when I saw Howard was starting, not because of I don't think he is good enough at this level, I just don't understand why we started with Dyer Vassell and Gally in the snow at Ipswich, and not on a good surface at home. I just hope the Ipswich debacle hasn't made Sven think that Dyer Vassell and Gally can't play together.

I think the criticism of Howard is harsh, Vassell didn't read his flicks and there was no understanding between the 2 of them. I think Vassell was told to play closer to Howard and Abe and Gally out on the wings, but they are not natural wingers and the service into the box, from open play and set pieces, was poor.

If your going to play Howard you need more pace on the flanks and better service into the box, maybe Waggy as his partner and Vassell and Dyer on the wings, but todays formation didn't work.

[dannythefox]

Howard is GOOD at what he does he holds the ball up and lays it off and scores a few. FACT! Hes played like that for his whole life.

Hes getting old now and its starting to show but give him a break lads come on, theres lads out on the pitch 20yrs old. Hes not going to say to sven am to old and slow now so dont bother picking me is he?

[ibbosuk]

I don't believe we can get promotion with Howard in the side, he is far too predictable and a non goal threat. I would put the Gallagher in the same category because of his inconsistency.

WE NEED A TOP CENTRE FORWARD!!!!!!

My main concern is with the defence as a group Naughton, Davies, Hobbs, Vitor, Cunningham, concede far to many goals especially away from home, Its going to be very interesting to see how Sven plugs the leaky defence because the goals against column needs to be addressed VERY quickly as its just not good enough to give us a top 6 finish.

I would send Davies back and bid for Villa's Richard Dunne, he has more experience and more of a "Steve Walsh" type centre half which is what we need.

I predicted a draw today, and I predict a defeat at Millwall. Until we get our defence sorted that's how it's going to be..........

[CosbehFox]

It's horses for courses really. Leeds are not Doncaster they wouldn't let us play passing football. They hassle and close down, same as we did under O'Neil.

Just because Howard didn't have a good game doesn't mean it wasn't the right tactic.

Exactly. Who can forgot Howard having a marvellous game against Derby recently?

He's an useful asset but you have to be clever when you use him.

[Ziggy1990]

Bored of Howard being the scapegoat when we don't win.... is such a shame this is still even a topic

Have far bigger problems than this - Poor Centre Halfs, Lack Of A Leader, No Fryattesque Frontman, A Complete Lack Of Graft etc

Fairplay, i didnt see the game today, so who am i to piss and moan.....

January to be make or break for Svennis.... cmon lad :sge:

[Edmund]

Lack Of A Leader

Definitely a big point.

As much as I love King he's not a natural captain for me. I'm still surprised Wellens has been overlooked in that department.

Saying that, it looks like King is being moulded into the captains position and I have no qualms with that as he seems to be a great learner.

[Guest BlueBrett]

Howard and Bednar should fight to the death to decide who stays on as the squad's 'big frontman' for the rest of the season. Seems the only fair way to settle it.

Then in the summer we should replace whoever wins with someone better.

[lildave3]

Definitely a big point.

As much as I love King he's not a natural captain for me. I'm still surprised Wellens has been overlooked in that department.

Saying that, it looks like King is being moulded into the captains position and I have no qualms with that as he seems to be a great learner.

In some ways I disagree with that. I remember us scoring earlier in the season and Yuki was just going back to our half but King grabbed him and told him to come over, get him involved with the team. I think he does a lot of little things that do make him a pretty good leader, just not in the traditional sense.

[lestajigs]

He was shite today I agree, he always seems better when he comes off the bench with 20 min to play, agree anyone???

[Guest BlueBrett]

In some ways I disagree with that. I remember us scoring earlier in the season and Yuki was just going back to our half but King grabbed him and told him to come over, get him involved with the team. I think he does a lot of little things that do make him a pretty good leader, just not in the traditional sense.

I agree. I think he's a real team player and seems to have almost no ego worth talking about. He's really sensible for a young lad too. I'm remembering when he pulled Waggy's top back down as he tried to take it off in celebration. Hopefully he'll be our player and our captain for a long time to come.

[Captain...]

I agree. I think he's a real team player and seems to have almost no ego worth talking about. He's really sensible for a young lad too. I'm remembering when he pulled Waggy's top back down as he tried to take it off in celebration. Hopefully he'll be our player and our captain for a long time to come.

Look at his reaction to Waggy's goal against Donny, he stands there with his hands on his hips still pissed off over his miss rather than celebrate with Waggy.

I think he will be a great captain one day, but at the moment he is not vocal enough on the pitch nor are his performances good enough to dominate a game and lead by example.

Don't get me wrong a great player and, apart from maybe Wellens, the best choice for captain at the moment, but we need a leader on the pitch.

[Guest BlueBrett]

Yh but i don't think that would have been his reaction had it been a winning goal rather than the 5th of 5.

[5waller5]

I'm glad someone else started this topic ..... I think Howard is useless and have done for ages ..... And once you start to think that it's hard to stop focussing on how rubbish he is as you're looking out for it.

I agree entirely with the summary at the start of the thread .... the bit that does my head in the most is the blindness of some fans to the fact that their "top striker" never actually gets a shot on target - he had two great chances to test the keeper today from around 12-15 yards and a header that i thought was harder to miss than hit the target - but that sounds like he was in the game - he just wasn't - he's lazy and immobile and offers us absolutely nothing apart from moaning and strutting around puffing his chest out trying to look big.

But then listening to the radio on the way back from the game today and it all became clear - if you stay at LCFC for a long time then you are a default hero .... you don't need to be good or offer anything to the team or have a chance of improving the side ..... just stick around for a long time.

I don't think we'll see SH starting much now - Sven is no mug - it won't have gone unnoticed how bad he was today )as usual) and how much the game changed with him off the pitch.