Now I've always been a big supporter of Luke as I feel he has all the attributes to be a top striker. Yesterday however he absolutely infuriated me and it's been building up for the last few games. He was lazy, uninterested when the ball wasn't directly to him, never chased down, moaned at other players for not playing it directly to him (he was a disgrace to Osadabe towards the end of the game). Compare his effort to Donnelly and he should be embarrassed, Luke plays as if he has scored 20 goals a season and earned the right to not chase down and wait until the ball is directly at his feet to do something. We've been Succesful this year through determination and a willing to get the ball back, yesterday in particular he showed none of these qualities, I don't expect him to score every game at all but at a minimum I expect a bit of effort from a young striker trying to make his name.
Are we taking the 'heat' off Dickenson ? G-m-A-D whilst I agree with your sentiments ( regarding the 'laziness' that has crept into Norris's play ), I do have thoughts on this and a theory ! I have accepted that Norris has, thus far, worked 'harder' than in the last couple of games. I am not a great lover of any player, regardless of ability, to be 'lazy.' I have no problems with my team losing - provided that the players have been 'honest.' In the last few games, when the formation has changed to 4-5-1, more often Donnelly has been moved back and much deeper - and nowhere near Norris. Luke has been tasked with leading the line on his own. We have seen Nelson exercising 'hoofball' ( crept back in yesterday ), towards Norris. Luke has struggled to win headers. When he has won a few there is nobody near him to capitalise. This must frustrate anyone - to 'waste' energy with no likely end product. There have been many occasions when the ball hasn't been quite 'good enough', and not played close to Norris. Whilst this must improve, to give a lone striker a 'better chance', Norris should be doing a bit more to 'make it his', rather than waiting for it to get to him - which, often it doesn't because an opposing player 'nips in.' Luke does need to chase 'lost causes' - because if you don't try to get the ball, you cannot expect to get it ! Luke is strong enough to hold up any ball he battles to win - to allow support to arrive - but he doesn't seem to expend much energy when he's alone 'up front.' Donnelly does seem to try harder than Norris (of late) - but this may be due to the fact that I believe that Donnelly ( in my opinion ), is a better forward than Norris and may have more confidence in his ability when playing as a lone striker. To be fair to Norris, in the incident with Osedebe, I could see that Norris had got himself into a great position to receive a ball 'cut back' - but, Osedebe was pushed closer and closer to the by-line before choosing to shoot ( when he was practically on the line at the time ). Osedebe should have realised that he was NEVER going to beat the keeper from that angle. A simple 'cut back' was the obvious choice !!! Oh well. I was pleased that Norris was frustrated. At least it showed that there was passion and desire. Osedebe had a 'rush of blood' in his choices - he needs to be told that football is a team game - and that if somebody is there to 'tap in' the ball, you need to feed them. I'm sure that JE will have a word on the subject. I was pleased to see Egan doing his job as captain to calm down the situation.
