..and that is the challenge. Saying that, he’s hardly played a first team game.
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..and that is the challenge. Saying that, he’s hardly played a first team game.
Yeh true that’s why yesterday I mentioned he needs to get involved more on the pitch. Maybe a position change is needed because even if you look at Sigurdsson’s stats the number 10 in our setup doesn’t touch the ball much.
Can’t remember where he played on his debut vs Norwich but he had the ball all the time.
...it’s going to be difficult for him to get game time, which is why he needed to make an impression on Tuesday. Not sure what position he played on his debut but he was a regular right sided midfielder in those days. I still think the club missed a trick not keeping him here last season. Before Walcott joined in January, we only had Aaron Lennon as an option, Dowell would’ve provided what we were lacking (creativity and goals), plus a well established partnership with Kenny.
We’d have found out what we needed to know about the lad but it’s going to be difficult now.
Do we know for sure he’d have provided creativity and goals? I mean he hasn’t thus far this season and we’re a far more expansive side.
..nothing is for definite, but in my opinion he’d have certainly been a more creative option than Lennon. Coleman was injured, we were struggling and I think he’d have got plenty of game time up to Walcott’s arrival. The Championship is a very decent standard and he scored 10 goals from midfield in his first ever season playing open-age football, so clearly he’s capable.
I’m not calling for him to play, I just think he’s talented. It’s entirely up to him to grab chances when they arise.
Yeah there’s definitely an element of that for me too.
Really special players - and let’s be clear he would need to be really special to get away with his lack of involvement and defensive discipline - often light up games even without doing anything. You see them for the first time and just know they’ve got it because of the way they dribble past people or leave someone for dead with a turn or whatever. I’ve yet to see it from dowell, whenever I’ve seen him in a senior game for us (friendlies included) he’s just looked a bit meh.
The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
I thought he was naturally a left winger?
...it’s a very fair point, we haven’t seen a ‘that’ll do me’ moment as I call them. Saying that, he’s not really the type to go past or run away from the opposition, he’s more a Kevin Sheedy type.
...no, all the games I saw him coming through the ranks he played right side. It was there he forged the partnership with Kenny that was also utilised in the young England World Cup win. He’s not a conventional speedy, tricky winger but playing that side allows him to cut inside on his favoured left footed,
The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
Ah right ok.
Barnfred 55
Player Valuation: £80m
You make it sound so easy Nymz. ever thought of taking up coaching?
In fairness, the lad has probably played not much more than a total of 200 minutes spread out over 4 years for the first team. We've seen him do magic at youth level and in the championship, and in pre season for us too, so we know its in his locker.
That's why I suggested trying him in a slightly deeper role in the middle where he'll be in the thick of things. he'd need somebody like Gana alongside him though.
We should have taken the opportunity against Southampton to try him there. He won't get the chance now unless we have another spate of injuries, especially after the stick Silva got following the cup exit.
This time last year he was into his purple patch with Forest, playing as a 10, scoring 10 goals, laying off subtle flicks for others etc. He struggled a bit in his first few Forest games though, before he took off. Then their team struggled and his confidence plummeted, like other older players, Manager was sacked etc. A bit like Richarlison’s season in some ways. Through the years he’s always been the most outrageously talented of our youngsters, brilliant hat tricks, worldly goals etc, but the same question has always hung over him “ will he contribute enough when the going gets tough.? “ And that’s still to be satisfactorily answered. He’s currently not producing enough to be a regular starter for us, but you could say that about Lookman, DCL etc and it doesn’t mean that he won’t break through eventually.
The conundrum for Dowell and all our youngsters is that if the team is playing poorly they too struggle to make an impact, then money is spent on more experienced players , team plays well and they can’t get in. We may have to adjust our time horizon for youngsters and keep them around as squad players for years before they eventually break through, and I’d prefer that to lashing out money on average squad players in the transfer market.
The conundrum for Dowell and all our youngsters is that if the team is playing poorly they too struggle to make an impact, then money is spent on more experienced players , team plays well and they can’t get in. We may have to adjust our time horizon for youngsters and keep them around as squad players for years before they eventually break through, and I’d prefer that to lashing out money on average squad players in the transfer market.
Barnfred 55
Player Valuation: £80m
As you would expect given he's had 62 premier appearances behind him compared to Dowell's one. He still doesn't have Dowell's potential upside though because he's doesn't have anywhere near the same level of natural skill.
Not saying Dowell will ever reach that potential. If he does, he'll probably have to go abroad to do it I fear.
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