I couldn't agree more, they were a class above us, and I also agree, why Tom H doesn't get more game time, he is the only midfielder who can reliably pass the ball forward. His clip ball over the top to set up the cross for Eaves goal was perfect.
I think if he’s surrounded by the correct players he could be used. But you can’t have him and Smallwood on the pitch at the same time. Hudds with Slater and Honeyman either side to run. Smallwood is arguably top 3 most consistent players in the squad though so what justifies dropping him?
Maybe a couple of years back but now sorry, the fellas legs have gone and that's saying something given he has never been blessed with any pace, he is much larger these days and struggles to get round the pitch. He has been a brilliant footballer of which we were blessed to have him, but now is the time to hang his boots up and teach some of these younger lads how to play the game. He does provide the odd killer pass, but the negatives far outweigh the positives these days.
Some posters reckon Huddlestone took one for the team giving away the free kick, don't see it myself, just a dumb foul. Wasn't even booked. edit: apols, he was booked.
But if used correctly those negatives can be mitigated. Agree on the he’s not the answer point though
Unfortunately with Thudd now he needs legs around him to carry him and his work rate, and given the type of players we have that would mean almost certainly using him as the sole creative influence, an opposing teams dream, even 5 or 6 years ago teams worked him out, closed him down quick and he was left wanting. I appreciate what your saying but I repeat he aint what he used to be I'm afraid.
If Huddlestone wasn't 35 no one would be talking about that foul. There's this narrative that because he's old he must be past it and everything that happens must be a result of his age. It's such a routine bit of play in reality, Jones gets pulled out, Tom's left with a man either side of him and one of them receives the ball and turns away. He brings him down as he's bearing down on the edge of our box obviously about to shoot. No midfielder is ever going to leave the attacker to shoot there. Of course he's going to make a challenge and bring him down if necessary. As I said on Saturday, they did it to KLP several times in the first half. One was almost identical. They took the yellow and we couldn't score the free kick. Are their defenders past it too? Or did they just get away with taking a foul and a booking like you do 90% of the time with a free kick in that position.
It's not just about the foul, it's about his ability to put his stamp on the game like he did before, I agree the man is a wonderful technician, but he is also a luxury these days, and he aint the answer, to play Thudd in a creative role would mean we would have to pack the midfield to try and make up for his lack of mobility, therefore overloading our midfield. Even 5-6 years ago teams worked him out, when pressed he just doesn't handle it well. For me .. sorry .. but he has had his time, what I do think is that he would be a terric influence to the younger midfielders coming through by passing on his experience and training them.
I think how to use Huddlestone is a very difficult one. Junior thinks he's a complete liability and whines every time he comes on, whereas I love watching him play and tend to try and overlook his shortcomings (he always did give away daft fouls in dangerous areas, even four or five seasons ago). Not sure what the answer is really. Or if there was actually any point in this post.
I think you've probably hit both sides of the coin and when you put them together it probably shows that hudds is more designed at this stage of his life for masters football or soccer aid etc type of events... Or possibly a coaching role. He just isn't anywhere near the answer for us or any team now really
And yet in the time he was on the pitch we drew 1-1 vs 2-0 in the time before he came on. Don't mean to single your post out specifically, but I really don't get what makes people want to say he's not good enough. He comes on and creates a goal, almost every touch he takes is smarter than anyone else on the pitch creating little angles to get us moving forwards, I just don't see what's not to like in his performances.
We drew 1-1 Vs 0-2 in the time the Iranian lad was on the pitch as well....it means nothing. Tom can pick a pass when's he's given time to do it better then almost anyone I've ever had the pleasure of watching. But doing that towards the end of a game when the opposition are comfortable and not pressing is a totally different kettle of fish to the game he started ( was it Stoke? ) Where he was absolutely abysmal and left us wide open. Tom is not the answer to our current problems nor he our future. Right now I'd rather be seeing players on our bench/coming on who are from our youth ranks and potentially part of the squad going forward. I really don't get the love in with him, is it just nostalgia? Because I'm pretty sure if he was someone who came to us at the twilight of their career after not being picked up by any other team for the previous full season and made such little impact as Tom has this season, they would be slated as a waste of money.
He's made no impact because he's barely played. I can't see how he could've done much more when he has played though. He absolutely sparkled against Everton in the cup, and against Derby on his debut and when he started against Peterborough before going off injured. Really don't think he could've done much more in the time he's had.
Like some others, I just find him a joy to watch (even still now). He has an amazing talent. Simple as that. Up to the manager to fathom how best to use that talent while he still has it. If the manager feels he can't fathom it, then that's his call. Just a shame that we then no longer get to watch an absolute master craftsman at what he does. Similarities, but different case, to JJ and Geo. Privilege to have seen such talent in a City shirt; once over we could only have dreamed about.
The main problem with TH is that other less skilful players try to copy him with long ranging passes. Invariably give the ball away as their attempts are telegraphed whereas TH can pass a ball 40 yards without even looking up.
I agree, I love watching Tom play. There’s a grace about his passes thats so rare with anyone else that’s played for us recently. The master craftsman analogy is good - like watching woodturners or potters taking lumps of material and making them into something fantastic. I know we’re all there to support City and want them to win, but sometimes watching a quality bit of football is great too. Much like that Spurs 7-1 was a dreadful result, but bloody hell the football on display was outstanding at times, and it was no surprise that Kane got a standing ovation from both sets of fans for his hat trick. I’m hoping that we’ll get a few more players of Toms ilk in the summer, so that it won’t be such a rare thing to have quality football at the mkm. Then we won’t be all wistful like we’re watching our first love with their husband and kids, because we’ve got a gorgeous wife plus the house, car, job, kids etc etc ourselves.
Tom H most certainly is not the long-term answer, we need energetic midfielders who are comfortable in possession, and can pass the ball forward. I just feel at present we have Smallwood, Docherty, Slater, and apart from George, no one can pass the ball accurately, though Slater is much better than the other 2. I much prefer Smallwood and Slater together as Docherty just doesn't seem good enough at present at this level, runs around a lot, and he also nearly gave away a penalty when he came on against Coventry which we were lucky not to have that given.
