Ekwah is a funny one. Looks to have loads of potential and weirdly has the kind of profile we want in midfield in terms of size and a bit of pace. Always comes across a good personality but there feels something missing with his attitude or mentality. The fact RLB looked at him over the summer and wanted him gone says enough, I trust RLBs judgement. He might get early pre season but time to move on I think unfortunately, probably a permanent with a good sell on %.
Probably right but a season away may also have done him the world of good and he’s returned to a premier league club. I’d be in no rush to ditch him but open to offers.
Too add to your point, all the lads should have the biggest flame under there arse this summer and preseason including Ekwah, they are all playing for a place on a premier league team. Something inside me thinks Ekwah may step up and surprise some of us or maybe that’s just my wishful thinking. Would save us canny coin if he becomes the player he looks he can be.
It’s difficult to understand what’s wrong with Ekwah in my opinion. He doesn’t appear to be a workey-ticket and seems to get on with his team mates … … he just lacks that hunger to succeed by the looks of it. Perhaps he just finds it all a bit too easy and doesn’t feel he has to try too hard. It’s a shame because he could be in a PL squad this season and save us £10m. You can’t win them all though.
I think his best performances have probably been better than anything we saw from Jobe but there have only been a few and his worst have been much worse than anything Jobe did, even at his most knackered under Beale. his standard performance was inconsistent with a bit of both. If he could be consistently close to his best he’s an excellent squad player at the very least.
We should certainly be open to seeing him in pre-season and having another look. It feels strange that we're keen to see more of 22 year old Triantis and keep developing him as "potential" but we're writing off 23 year old Ekwah who has played at a higher level than Triantis for the last 3 years. If he's not better than a year ago, then we need to move on from him, but he's ahead of Triantis, Aleksic, Browne, Ba, Jones and Aouichiche in the pecking order from what I've seen on the pitch right now. So if he's come back a bit more determined to do what's needed and he's a back up option then I'm fine with that.
Hunger and desire can’t be coached into someone unfortunately. Agree, don’t think he has a chance here.
He’s certainly got the talent. Preston away, Luton home in the play offs - absolutely unplayable. We just don’t see it anywhere near enough
Not entirely sure I agree there. It is certainly harder to coach mentality. Maybe it isnt really coaching in the truest sense, but with the advancement of sports psychology etc mentalities can be changed. My genuine belief is players can lift players in terms of mentality, effort, commitment etc. I remember playing with a lad for a couple of years who had this unreal attitude. His demands on the pitch were exceptional and I saw lads who could be a bit slow to run the other way suddenly improve. It is why I am keen on Henderson coming back. He may not start many games, but day in day out on the training pitch his standards will be levels above what we have now I am sure. Every elite coach he has worked with say that about him. I could genuinely see him unlocking the mentality in someone like Ekwah, and improving the same in others. Imagine he just gets 2 or 3% more intensity in training from some players, everyone has to raise by the same. That carries into games and it could be huge for us.
Lets not sell anymore of our Crown Jewels this summer please. We could end up without the heart that got us so far last season. To lose Jobe and Rigg in one summer would be crushing imo. There is so much yet to enjoy with Rigg. We have enough in the kitty now without adding to it. Oh aye, and imo, by the end of next season we will all be saying Rigg level players not Le Fee level players imo. Much more progression to come in Rigg than Le Fee.
Think with Ekwah it's having a sense or urgency and playing with intensity. He kept getting disposessed in dangerous positions that would put our back 4 in immediate danger. In the championship he sometimes got himself back out of trouble with a recovering tackle or someone bailed him out. He wouldn't be that fortunate in the premier league. Shame, as he seems a nice guy.
That's great but if we could sign several premier league quality players in return for a player with a lot of potential who didn't really stand out this year, players who help us stay up, it's probably worth considering. Moot point anyway. No one is coming in with 40m for Rigg at the moment.
Exactly I see people having him on the list of players to sell ASAP but I think we should give him pre season see if anything has clicked because on his day he’s my favourite player
With Ekwah we should get him hypnotised so that when he steps onto the pitch he turns into the fully focused give everything player he’s got inside him.
Did anyone see any of his last few games season just ended? I'd be prepared to give him a chance in pre-season to see if he's improved his game.
His technical ability has never been an issue it’s his effort and physicality that’s the problem he’ll have a great career abroad
For those wanting to give Ekwah a chance - have you seen the intensity in the PL?! He couldn’t be arsed in the championship.
Ekwah is a waster unfortunately - poor poor mentality, not serious enough Also doesn’t have the tactical discipline to operate in the modern game, especially not under a coach like Le Bris, especially not in a season like we are going to have next season in the Prem