He's young and has shown some passion and energy when he's played...so surely it is better to use him than loan players who'll be gone in a few months, never to be seen again.
I’d prefer to win a few games. He’s played well over 400 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists, 1 penalty won - wasn’t a penalty - less than 0.5 shots per appearance. His performance at Birmingham was, frankly, embarrassing. To be fair he was a bit better last time I saw him play, until his bizarre attempt at handball in which he injured himself. Of course I hope he goes on to be our and Irelands top scorer, and perhaps Ainsworth is just the man to turn him into a player not just a physical presence. It’s just that I’ve seen nothing to indicate even 20% of this will happen yet and I don’t get the expectation around him. Mind you, we haven’t got much choice so you are likely to get your wish at some time.
Agree with Stan, not yet ready. And Gareth won't throw a youngster into this. If he could( he cant) he would bring in an old pro to steady the ship and lead. He will rely heavily on our older pros.. Martin, Johansen...and probably more use of Adomeh . I'm talking this season of course. He has one job only this year...is to keep us up. If he does...then things will change. It one job only at this moment
Impossible to argue with any of that, just hoping he'll be a late bloomer who'll flourish when given some regular game time. Maybe, and quite likely that, I'm blinded by hope.
Is there a prediction thread this week? l want to a post settling 1 - 1 draw. Not trying to overstate the arrival of our new manager but trusting draw is better than a loss. Slowly but steady, nothing more.
Upbeat manager. Raging excited and loud crowd and Loftus Rd. Freedom to enjoy yourself and play for the team. Gotta be a win … hasn’t it?
He's 19 and in the first team squad, he's ahead of schedule. Becoming a First Team regular in the next few years would be about right, it wouldn't make him a late bloomer. Theres a reason for Under 21's, players develop physically and mentally until about that age. He's a great prospect and his early physical development has helped, at 19 I wouldn't expect him to have the calmness of Les Ferdinand's (First QPR goal aged 23) and Harry Kane's (First Spurs league goal 21). The annoying thing is that we are already relying on him, I think a season in the lower league/abroad could help his development so much. (Dave - the quote wasn't an attack on what you said, just a continuing of the conversation - may we all be blinded by hope)
I'd like to see a new captain, someone with a voice. Don't think he'll switch it but I wish he would, we need leaders out there. Hand it to someone who he thinks will be pivotal for the rest of the season, and tell them he wants to hear him barking out orders so loud he can hear him from the dugout.
I agree, but who? Dunne seems to have a bit of voice but the defence seem to have their own issues at the moment.
Yeah, that’s fair enough. I wonder if Les is giving him any 1:1 coaching on movement off the ball, close control, knowing when to shoot and shot choice etc etc.
No attack felt...not sure I agree, but that doesn't make it an attack... we're all here to debate the footie, aren't we! As with SB, all good points, but my concern is that we play loan players ahead of Sinclair, so he doesn't get the experience he needs. Then, when he is 22/23/24 we don't play him because, for example, 'he doesn't have enough experience at this level'...then he's 26/27 and we're all saying he's wasted his potential, when actually he hasn't wasted it, he just never got the chance. We've got to play the long term game with some of these young players...play them when they are 19/20/21 so they can adapt to the pace and physicality at the top level, make their mistakes, and so by the time they are 23/24 they are delivering the goods, not still learning their trade.
Sounds good to me Dave. You just need to convince the other 17,998 people not to moan if he makes a mistake in the next few seasons.
Simple answer is I don't know lol. Field is a possibility, although I think he's had it this season at various times and he didn't take command as much as I'd want. Dunne is a possibility, but as you say the defence is a liability as it is. Maybe the added spur of being the captain is just what he or Dickie needs , to up their game substantially !
I read an article today about Solskjaer and Cardiff. How he wanted the team to play fast, aggressive football like the Man U team he'd been in. But that the Cardiff team & set up weren't used to that & couldn't grab his idiology. Will be interesting to see, after a few years of our current "style" of play, how the team engage with Ainsworth and his concepts. They clearly didn't understand Critchley but liked Beale. Playing with freedom and flair is loved by flair players, but the are not necessarily the player attributes we've looked for or focussed on lately.
I'm not sure I can remember you being so down on a player. I believe he has a lot of potential, especially at this level, all be it so far unrealised. He has strength and speed, which defenders hate.
Yeah I know, it’s not a good look on my part. He has strength and speed but at the moment very little control of the ball, which makes it a kind of roulette when he does get the ball. And it’s kind of cruel, with the expectation of the fans, to throw him in to a struggling team in a tough league. Mick rightly pointed out that others like Les and Kane didn’t get going until they were considerably older than Armstrong, somI hope he is following that route. Of course they were both loaned out to learn their trade.
Yeah, I agree that he shouldn't be thrown in right now. I'd like to see him in the squad till the end of the season and given 20 minutes here and there.
