I've heard a few rumours from various sources that Norwich are willing to let Howson go, as he has not shown the consistent level of performance required for the Premiership. I am not really surprised by this, he was/is at best a decent Championship player, however if Leeds were to show interest in bringing him back to Elland Road, is he the player we need at this stage?
When we played him at cm he was average n went un noticed but at attacking mid he's quality they saw today what he can do in the correct position
Why do people keep floating the idea that every past player should be brought back. Beckford, Bechio, Gradel, Snoddy, Howson and any number of others. They were not that great first time around, I am strugglinng to think of instances where players or managers going back to a club has ever worked, or has been as successful second time around. **** em all, lets only get new blood in.
Like Jock agree to a point and that point is Batty. It annoys me every transfer window that comes up we get linked to an ex player. I say no more this summer.
I think it should also be argued that just cos a player once played for us, that shouldn't disqualify him from ever being considered for a return
Only player I reckon could return and be successful is Gradel. That's the only one I'd genuinely want back.
I used to think that too, Marko, but he'll have a big question mark over him after the cruciate injury. Affects a lot of players mentally, & they're never the same after it.
I probably wouldn't have Howson back to be honest. I rated him very highly at leeds but he's struggled, this was a time in his career he needed to push on and unfortunately for him it was the wrong move for his career. And Marko, weirdly the only one I'd have back is Snoddy. Only one imo that has done consistently well since leaving
I regretted Delph, BJ, Snoddy, Max and Becchio leaving. Was on the fence about Howson and Beckford, because - in Howson's case he always seemed to be part of our problem, despite his good attacking play. I am not going to give a long explanation, or the examples that come to mind, just felt he lacked the combativeness you need in midfield, particularly on a Leeds shirt. We have had plenty of skillful midfield players going back to Giles, they usually competed well as well. its not that they played for us before, after all KB was hardly loathe to sell a player if he could get some cash in. But in Howson's case I am not sure we'd want him back
When the going got tough, and a few tasty tackles were going in, Howson went missing, leave him where he is for me!
when it mattered he was the one putting in 110% to win the match. Important games he was a big big player for us.
Its not just about giving all, its also about fighting the opposition. I hate to admit this on here, given the "audience" we get, but it was the way he allowed Millwall to walk all over him when we played there a few seasons back that really made me see him in a different light. There was one point when the guy who had been outmuscling him all game fell over, and Howson goes over and gentleman to the core he helps the @@@@ to his feet, so he can get back to kicking him round the park. That after our much missed and lamented carthorse had put us ahead. I also have a few mental visions of Howson cantering back in defence, happily watching an opposing midfield player as they steam forward into a shooting position, as if he was thinking "I wonder what they are thinking of doing here?" rather than doing what Bremner (or any other midfielder worth playing) would have done and snuffing the run out. I know he could be part of the successes, when we had them (pass to a certain Beckford at a certain well known Manchester venue comes to mind) but I also think he was part of our problems.
2020 The main Howson problem was the manager not accepting he is an attacking mid and should be played at the tip of the diamond. Out of position he was rubbish at times.
Thats fair, though still leaves me feeling he's a luxury we can't afford. If we are using him as an out and out attacking mid, thats a goal scorer we can't play (or we leave midfield weakened). And I think the weakness I refer to is a little more than just the managers fault. He has not set the world alight at Norwich, BJ (who few would have rated as highly) and Snoddy of course have done better. I am not saying you would not be able to use him in our squad (its not like we are overburdened with talent at the moment ffs) but he's not one I would be fighting tooth and nail to get back
That's been a problem for him with us this season, Hughton has not been giving him a free reign to push forward. Until last Sunday that is when he did exactly that topping off a great performance with a wonder goal courtesy of a great assist from, guess who?, Becchio !
