Most improved players 1. Joelinton - Been moved to midfield, and although he may not score or assist many, his all round players is awesome, and is becoming more and more of a goal threat when he can run from midfield. Solid player, starting to look more and more like someone worth at least half of his transfer price. 2. Krafth - He has improved immensely this season. At first I thought he was just going to be a right sided dummett, but he's been defensively good, and can actually go forward with quality runs. He looks like a class back up option at fullback. 3. Fraser - Getting back to the level he was at at Bournemouth. Great deliveries into the box, works very hard, and will be a good option when fit. 4. Almiron - Looks like a canny option and we finally seem to have found his position, RW cutting in. 5. Willock - I know he was on fire towards the end of last season, but he was terrible at the start of this season, then when we switched for 4-3-3 and played him RCM, the best of him shone through. He makes so many good runs and plays with a lot of energy, and could probably score 5-10 goals a season if in the right formation. Still only aged 22.
Huh? He looks worth every penny to me, 40m isnt much and he has been our stand out performer under Howe in most games this season. Before Bruno came in and took the spotlight Joelinton was looking the key reason we would survive.
Fraser, I'm not sure. He's just a Scottish Almiron. Tries hard, zero end product. To Almiron's credit, he's actually fast - Fraser just moves his little legs quickly, but isn't actually fast. I don't think either are bad options, but we'll see if they stay this Summer. I'd add Schar. Was disinterested under Bruce, isolated and blamed I think. Now look at him - potentially one of the better CB's in the league.
Longstaff looking like a player again. Kraft has been really good as of late, Willock's upturn has been great, ASM now in the early stages of learning to look up and pass a football - Now he just needs to tell the time like other 6 year olds and he may have a future at the club.
This just shows what a proper training regime and game plan will do. These players clearly had the raw talent but the club was unable to tap it before Howe and staff turned up
Full credit to the entire coaching staff both old and new for the improvements. It's great to see the whole squad collectively just get better and better.
New manager set up though. They actually have to come in and earn their coin rather than flouncing around in the Algarve.
Willock and Almirion we obviously knew were good, they'd just gone through a poor patch at the start of the season.... like the rest of the team tbh. Willock was in the form of his life last season, and Bruce clearly didn't know how to use him as anything other than a goal scorer, he's become far more of a team player this season under Howe, so i guess thats improvement as well, but the talent was always there.
Other than Darlow and Woodman who had limited appearances of late. Clark who had a ****ing mare of a season I'd say there has been progress on every single one of them.
This is an interesting perspective on Steve Nickson. What’s his record like with a decent coach I wonder?
Well let's judge Jan...... I'd say 4 out of 5 is canny. Was dying to say 5/5 but don't want to upset you too much at this time of night
