2018/19 Kieran Dowell

[duncan's pigeon]

To those saying he had a 'stinker' on Tuesday.. what game were you actually watching?

He doesn't have nearly the same productivity levels as Sigurdsson, admittedly, but the kid is good on the ball. Barely put a foot wrong from what I saw.

My opinion on the first half on Tuesday was that he had been involved in some good play, didn't give the ball away and was working well with Bainse and Bernard were most of the good play was generated and targeted by the team. The issue on Tuesday was after 30+ mins the press that had pinned Soton back started to relax. Schneiderlin slowed down and then played a couple of risky balls to the defenders and it gave the opposition a foothold in a game they were being dominated in.
To then bring on Niasse on for a full 45 mins was pointless to me. Leave it as it was and then bring on Richarlison for him at the hour mark if not back in the game. It's all about opinions but I agree completely that it was harsh to say he had a stinker.

 

[Tel001]

How didn’t he play against saints? Is he crap? Or is he the next maradona?

 

[Brisan123]

I wasn't intending to cast any doubt on this, just on other peoples (seemingly blind) faith in what some random person on the internet says.

It wasn’t blind faith
It was putting a bit more trust in someone who has seen a lot more of him than some randomers ( me included ) who seen bits on TV and the odd ore season game

 

[Cameron Manning]

I wasn't intending to cast any doubt on this, just on other peoples (seemingly blind) faith in what some random person on the internet says.

Fair enough Philw.

 

[Zatara]

@Barnfred 55 @Eggs

Question...

If Dowell has a concentration issue, how about trying him as a deep lying playmaker? Hed see far more of the ball and in that role would be able to see the whole pitch in front of him for his forward runs and long passes...

In an u23 game perhaps we could try him there with Davies as the box to box player and Lookman at the 'tip of the spear' ?

 

[Billysgingham.]

@Barnfred 55 @Eggs

Question...

If Dowell has a concentration issue, how about trying him as a deep lying playmaker? Hed see far more of the ball and in that role would be able to see the whole pitch in front of him for his forward runs and long passes...

In an u23 game perhaps we could try him there with Davies as the box to box player and Lookman at the 'tip of the spear' ?

Be sound on fifa that mate.

 

[Papa Shango]

How didn’t he play against saints? Is he crap? Or is he the next maradona?

If he plays and doesn't score a hat trick he is crap.

If he doesn't play he is the next Maradona.

Apply this formula to every youngish player we have and you wont go far wrong in seeing what the general consensus is.

 

[Eggs]

@Barnfred 55 @Eggs

Question...

If Dowell has a concentration issue, how about trying him as a deep lying playmaker? Hed see far more of the ball and in that role would be able to see the whole pitch in front of him for his forward runs and long passes...

In an u23 game perhaps we could try him there with Davies as the box to box player and Lookman at the 'tip of the spear' ?

...yes, i’ve seen that suggested recently. For me, his skill set very much lends itself to playing in the top third. I know folk concentrate on his shooting power but he has the ability to play the most subtle, weighted passes in behind the back four. Great vision.

I’m not sure about a quarterback type role, he’s a big unit and he might struggle with players going past him playing deeper.

I don’t actually think he lacks concentration, he could be a bit of a luxury player but he needs to be kept involved otherwise the game passes him by. I like him but it’s hard to know with these youngsters if they can forge their way into the first team

 

[Barnfred 55]

@Barnfred 55 @Eggs

Question...

If Dowell has a concentration issue, how about trying him as a deep lying playmaker? Hed see far more of the ball and in that role would be able to see the whole pitch in front of him for his forward runs and long passes...

In an u23 game perhaps we could try him there with Davies as the box to box player and Lookman at the 'tip of the spear' ?

I'll treat that as 2 questions Zat.

Would I try Dowell in a deeper midfield role?. Very much so and it's something I've been calling for. In the middle he would automatically see more of the ball, and he's a far better player with the game in front of him rather than with his back to goal. It's also an area where we are sadly lacking at the moment so my view is what harm can it do to give him a try there. He played deeper quite a lot in the first half of the season at Forest and was able to affect the game. He would have to have somebody like Gana or McCarthy alongside him though.

I'm not sure of the benefit of playing Davies, Dowell and Lookman together in a midfield 3 for the U23s. Yes it may work at that level, certainly against other U23 teams. But you wouldn't be able to then transpose that formation to the first team. We would get absolutely pummelled in midfield if we did.

 

[Jebus_lives]

@Barnfred 55 @Eggs

Question...

If Dowell has a concentration issue, how about trying him as a deep lying playmaker? Hed see far more of the ball and in that role would be able to see the whole pitch in front of him for his forward runs and long passes...

In an u23 game perhaps we could try him there with Davies as the box to box player and Lookman at the 'tip of the spear' ?

He would also have to concentrate for an entire game

 

[Nymzee]

He just needs to get involved more on the pitch whatever position that may be.

 

[Zatara]

I'll treat that as 2 questions Zat.

Would I try Dowell in a deeper midfield role?. Very much so and it's something I've been calling for. In the middle he would automatically see more of the ball, and he's a far better player with the game in front of him rather than with his back to goal. It's also an area where we are sadly lacking at the moment so my view is what harm can it do to give him a try there. He played deeper quite a lot in the first half of the season at Forest and was able to affect the game. He would have to have somebody like Gana or McCarthy alongside him though.

I'm not sure of the benefit of playing Davies, Dowell and Lookman together in a midfield 3 for the U23s. Yes it may work at that level, certainly against other U23 teams. But you wouldn't be able to then transpose that formation to the first team. We would get absolutely pummelled in midfield if we did.

Playing them in an u23 position would get them used to the roles...that was the idea. Then gradually integrate into the first team...

 

[Billy Dean]

...yes, i’ve seen that suggested recently. For me, his skill set very much lends itself to playing in the top third. I know folk concentrate on his shooting power but he has the ability to play the most subtle, weighted passes in behind the back four. Great vision.

I’m not sure about a quarterback type role, he’s a big unit and he might struggle with players going past him playing deeper.

I don’t actually think he lacks concentration, he could be a bit of a luxury player but he needs to be kept involved otherwise the game passes him by. I like him but it’s hard to know with these youngsters if they can forge their way into the first team

I was listening to a podcast recently where they were talking about Messi (no I’m not comparing Dowell to messi). They said he has quiet moments where he’s just watching the game and sizing up the opponents Defence, looking where the spaces are etc. I remember hearing similar about Okocha. Maybe there’s an element of that with Dowell.

 

[Eggs]

I was listening to a podcast recently where they were talking about Messi (no I’m not comparing Dowell to messi). They said he has quiet moments where he’s just watching the game and sizing up the opponents Defence, looking where the spaces are etc. I remember hearing similar about Okocha. Maybe there’s an element of that with Dowell.

...absolutely. Sometimes you need something special to win football matches and the likes of Dowell provides such moments. I still don’t know if he can do so on a regular basis at the top level.

 

[Nymzee]

...absolutely. Sometimes you need something special to win football matches and the likes of Dowell provides such moments. I still don’t know if he can do so on a regular basis at the top level.

I don’t even think regular is the issue - I’ve never seen him do it once at the top level nevermind regular.