Ex Player Alex Rodriguez Gorrin

I've seen others say this about Agyei. How many times has KR played him as a central striker? I can possibly recall once, and not sure he looked comfortable.
The guy has hardly played as a winger in his life. A few games out there for Blackpool but beyond that he’s only ever played as a centre forward. He was signed as a striker; he was unveiled on the pitch last season as PRB proudly announced, “We’ve signed a striker!” He is naturally a striker, and Burnley wanted to keep him.

Or rather he was. A decision seems to have been made that he’s not going to play there anymore, possibly because we play one up top instead of two and they don’t think that suits him. Fine - their decision. But he has no real idea how to play there currently.
 
It shows Robinson's poor judgement as does his constant signing of wingers and full backs who are ex wingers.
I'll tell you a little story.
My son was in the academy about 10 years ago for 3 years. I was having a conversation with a senior coach on the touchline. We were talking about coaching positional awareness etc. He told me that most pro full backs are failed wingers!! I was taken aback a bit. That person is still around now!!
 
On the subject of Osei.
I remember thinking when he got those two late goals in the Brentford pre season game that we have a decent goalscorer on our hands here even if he did seem a bit raw. His speed of thought and finishing to poach those goals was top drawer and I thought we don't have anybody apart from Taylor who could have done that. Just a shame KR couldn't manage to include him in the squad.
 
It’s a strange one. Robinson backed him him to the hilt two weeks ago stating that everyone makes mistakes and should get another chance.
If another player Prut in so poor performances he’d get dropped so that he could work on improvements necessary.
It is time for Stevens to step up.He needs a few games as number one
 
Eastwood is a good player, going through a rough patch. His performances have picked up a little of late.

The other problem is that two other normally reliable performers in Ruffels and Henry are going through equally rotten spells. When three of the players in the spine of your team are out of form, you end up in the scenario we find ourselves in.
 
Eastwood is a good player, going through a rough patch. His performances have picked up a little of late.

The other problem is that two other normally reliable performers in Ruffels and Henry are going through equally rotten spells. When three of the players in the spine of your team are out of form, you end up in the scenario we find ourselves in.
Maybe a chance for Saturday and start Stevens.
 
Granted the game was awful last night so I wasn't concentrating to a max but didn't think Eastwood had a poor game?

He barely had anything to do. The first goal was a complete fluke and he'd dived for the cross/shot before it ricocheted between Long and Mandron multiple times. And the second goal was a good move finished off well.

Made a good save from a header at a corner but apart from that had zero to do did he? (which is even more frustrating, because despite Crewe being so much better than us, they hardly tore us apart and forced save after save).

May be I didn't notice because i was too fed up.
 
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Referring back to Scotchegg's post from 7 Nov, I have also seem all of Jack Steven's games for OUFC, as well as a number of his appearances with Oxford City. I've never seem him have a poor game. He deserves a chance on Saturday, I think.
 
Eastwood was the least of our problems last night. I don't think he could do much about either goal, made a good reaction save (always one of his good points TBF) and was fairly sensible when distributing the ball.
I'd like to see Stevens being given a go, but not on the basis of last night's performance from Eastwood, more the ones before that (I can still see that bloody free kick going straight through him!)
 
Granted the game was awful last night so I wasn't concentrating to a max but didn't think Eastwood had a poor game?

He barely had anything to do. The first goal was a complete fluke and he'd dived for the cross/shot before it ricocheted between Long and Mandron multiple times. And the second goal was a good move finished off well.

Made a good save from a header at a corner but apart from that had zero to do did he? (which is even more frustrating, because despite Crewe being so much better than us, they hardly tore us apart and forced save after save).

May be I didn't notice because i was too fed up.
In terms of shot stopping there was little for him to do, but what impresses me more about Stevens than Eastwood is his distribution. For a goalkeeper to kick from the floor accurately, they need to be excellent ball players. Most are not, and that’s part of the reason they are wearing gloves. (as well as generally being a bit bonkers).
Eastwood again kicked too many balls straight out of play last night, bringing pressure back on us when a short ball or even a punt up the middle would allow us to control the game, and he’s done this too often in the past for my liking.
Not saying Stevens kicking is impeccable, but hitting the right ball, to the right player at the right time is a strength of his.
 
In terms of shot stopping there was little for him to do, but what impresses me more about Stevens than Eastwood is his distribution. For a goalkeeper to kick from the floor accurately, they need to be excellent ball players. Most are not, and that’s part of the reason they are wearing gloves. (as well as generally being a bit bonkers).
Eastwood again kicked too many balls straight out of play last night, bringing pressure back on us when a short ball or even a punt up the middle would allow us to control the game, and he’s done this too often in the past for my liking.
Not saying Stevens kicking is impeccable, but hitting the right ball, to the right player at the right time is a strength of his.

Some of this (not all, because I agree his kicking for a modern day goalkeeper is poor) links in to another discussion about willingness of our players to want the ball or to move for the ball.

I wouldn't mind Stevens coming in as I think he is a more modern breed of goalkeeper (as you'd expect with his age) that would actually suit our style of play better. But good distribution is as much about the options you have in front of you as to the ability of the goalkeeper.
On a side note - Stevens is vocal too, something we are absolutely short of at the moment.

We've seen KR turn to alternative options in Mitchell and Archer in the past - both who play more with the feet, Archer in particular was very comfortable with ball at feet and would make and receive short 5 yard passes and pick out excellent floated crossfield passes. Mitchell was the other end of the spectrum and kicking was inept.

When Mousinho plays, we often go much shorter from goal kicks. It will be interesting to see the approach going forward.
 
He has improved game by game since his injury.
It is no surprise that we'll a little more solid in defence with him around.
Yesterday I thought that he was the best player on the pitch. A really good performance.
 
We need to offer him a new improved contract soon. I know we have a year option on his current deal but Championship clubs could come sniffing in the summer even if we trigger the extension.
And yes I do know it's possible for us to get promoted!!
 
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