2018/19 Kieran Dowell

[jolteon101]

So because Dowell, possibly the least experience in the side, didn't run the show against a League 2 side in a preseason friendly, a side that previously drew with Liverpool, it's make or break for him?

Yes

I guess that also means Niasse is our most important player and we should build the team around him.

And YES

 

[bol-uk]

I am assuming that MS has been given the low down on all the best kids by Unsy. He will give them all a good run out to assess for himself. Hopefully Dowell can take his chance.

 

[CRIMHEAD]

Perhaps unfair on him, but it's feeling like it's make or break time for him. I would have preferred to see a bigger impact on a League 2 side so that we can be assured that he would at least influence a League Cup match against Oldham or the like.

I ain't giving up on him...not my nature. Just would have liked to see more. If he doesn't feel disappointed in his performance then he won't make it. I suspect if he watches the match he would be critical of himself. He should applaud himself at that deft little run into the box though.*

*if he's truly going to make it he would be critical of that too since he ended up on the deck

That was a slick move.

Don’t think it’s make or break, yet. Think he can get A LOT better. Not sure if it’s not worth another loan move, but assuming he’s not on a big wage, he is good enough to be on the bench for us to bin Klaassen and others.

 

[catcherintherye]

Well said, I agree. He seems to be more involved this time round so we must assume he's in for a greater role.

Whats strange is I was more impressed with him last season!

 

[catcherintherye]

Hasnt taken his chance at all yet, he gets another chance at the weekend, hes gonna have to really impress to enter Marcos plans I feel.

I mean of course its not all over for the boy, hes still very young so you would think he will be given plenty more chances.

He was very impressive last pre-season, so hopefully hes catching the eye in training, he at times looks a very talented boy, sadly he goes utterly AWOL for long, long periods in games and thats something he needs to address.

Early days yet tho...

To be fair mate, he was superb at the weekend and got about 5 assists so not sure what more he can do than that. He was underwhelming last night though.

 

[catcherintherye]

There seem to be two differing views on Dowell emerging. One is he had a poor game and blew his chance. The other is that he won't be judged on one poorer game. I think both are right on their own way.

He was underwhelming last night (though very good at the weekend). Oddly I think a lot could be learnt from Mirallas who is extremely selfish, demands the ball and holds on to it for long periods. I think the penny has dropped for Mirallas that he is in last chance saloon and is doing everything he can to show the manager he should stay. He pushed Dowell of the free kick last night, and Dowell needs to assert himself more as it was a poor effort from Mirallas.

You just don't see enough of him in games like last night. The one or two moments he had it, like the slalom run he showed the rare bit of quality in the game. Unfortunately that isn't done often enough and for me he needs to demand the ball far more and look to have the game go through him. He very nearly picked Mirallas out with a super ball in the first half too. He needs to get on the ball far more and dictate play, sometimes from deeper before getting on the end of play.

However I do think Dowell will get more of a chance. It has a different feel to last year, and a feel that Silva will give him a prolonged opportunity not just in pre-season but also into the season. He remains a mercurial talent but one who if he can get right can run a game in a way not too dissimilar to how Coutinho would for Liverpool. His challenge is to not be on the periphery and start to dominate such games.

It was a missed opportunity yesterday. Yes it's all about fitness but the job of any young player is to make it hard for the manager to drop you. I'm not sure enough of the players did that yesterday (possible exception of Davies). That's his challenge. Lets see how he does at the weekend.

 

[nsno-chris]

Choo choo

All aboard the over-hyped express

 

[Deulofeumygod]

I worry about his strength. He needs to step up. Technically ready but physically I’m not convinced. Could be a great squad player at 70 mins but just not sure. Love him though.

 

[Mickey]

Another season in the championship should see him right.

 

[jceverton]

He’s should have gone on loan the season before last but Unsworth was more concerned with winning the league than getting his development right. The most important thing for him at this stage is playing. If Silva is going to give him opportunities then great stay here, if not go on loan again. However he’s only got one year left on his contract so that needs sorting out this summer. If not then sell him with a buy back clause. If he’s handled correctly he’ll be a top player for us in a season or two.

 

[Blue_in_london]

Agreed. Seemed lacking in something...self belief maybe? That one you are talking about was nice though.

I mostly posted that to bump the thread to be honest. Was surprised nobody commented on him.

We seem to create an abundance of technically gifted/creative players who look like they're going to be top class, then they tail off and become bang average. And it always looks like a lack of bite/aggression/passion that is lacking:

Rodwell
Barkley
Dowel

Can't quite put my finger on it, maybe it's being around a negative environment for too long. Maybe it's the players mental strength or personality. Do they actually really enjoy playing/winning at football? I never felt like Barkley or Rodwell did.

 

[KaiserEFC]

I don’t see it in him, I just dont. I really want to think he will come good but apart from a good left foot I don’t see much else unfortunately

 

[granter79]

There seem to be two differing views on Dowell emerging. One is he had a poor game and blew his chance. The other is that he won't be judged on one poorer game. I think both are right on their own way.

He was underwhelming last night (though very good at the weekend). Oddly I think a lot could be learnt from Mirallas who is extremely selfish, demands the ball and holds on to it for long periods. I think the penny has dropped for Mirallas that he is in last chance saloon and is doing everything he can to show the manager he should stay. He pushed Dowell of the free kick last night, and Dowell needs to assert himself more as it was a poor effort from Mirallas.

You just don't see enough of him in games like last night. The one or two moments he had it, like the slalom run he showed the rare bit of quality in the game. Unfortunately that isn't done often enough and for me he needs to demand the ball far more and look to have the game go through him. He very nearly picked Mirallas out with a super ball in the first half too. He needs to get on the ball far more and dictate play, sometimes from deeper before getting on the end of play.

However I do think Dowell will get more of a chance. It has a different feel to last year, and a feel that Silva will give him a prolonged opportunity not just in pre-season but also into the season. He remains a mercurial talent but one who if he can get right can run a game in a way not too dissimilar to how Coutinho would for Liverpool. His challenge is to not be on the periphery and start to dominate such games.

It was a missed opportunity yesterday. Yes it's all about fitness but the job of any young player is to make it hard for the manager to drop you. I'm not sure enough of the players did that yesterday (possible exception of Davies). That's his challenge. Lets see how he does at the weekend.

Good points re Dowell but disagree about Mirallas. Same pre season effort every year and rather see he out the door as hes a bad egg I reckon. Has had enough chances off several managers

 

[blueblue]

The winning teams at present seem to favour the high pressing game with so much ground covered by everybody.
There is no doubting the talent that Dowell has but a golden touch every now and then will not be enough to get him in the team.
It is about work rate and I think he still has a bit to go in that area for me.
Look at how hard the midfielders in the better teams work.

 

[Barnfred 55]

Choo choo

All aboard the over-hyped express

RU reading the same thread as me Chris? All I've seen on here recently are people slagging him off and othets saying he's a talented kid that needs to be given a chance.