I can remember your comments before, Michael, and IMO Howson is now showing how right you were. Having equaled his league goals for the whole of last season, he's still improving with every game. It was great to see him making runs against Arsenal and getting the goal he deserved. His continued progress will be crucial to us this season.
Jonny Howson is our top scorer in the league! He is much better when given freedom opposed to the holding role.
That is one pretty scary statistic ! And just go'es to show why we are where we are in the league ! £14m of strike force with ONE league goal between them ! But Howson has been better this season, both his goals have been well taken efforts and he has been more attack minded, another 15 goals from him and we might stay up ?
I seem to remember saying a similar thing, he won't do much in the prem if he isn't given the freedom and is told to be a holding midfielder or a box-to-box player, although could be converted. A class player when playing at the tip of the diamond though, used to be a striker in the youth team so a good finisher also, deceivingly quick as well.
Him and Austin in centre mid would have been unreal Howson has one of the best engines I have ever seen really fit bloke and was unfairly treated by leeds
I wonder how many class goals and excellent performances JH will have to put together before Hodgson has a look at him? I suspect this season about 35 each and even then the old guard will get on the plane ahead of him. I am not suggesting that he is the finished article yet but I reckon the way he is going he will be a key player for us before long. If he can keep injury free then I can see him having a storming season - his confidence is high and he is being played in his best position with the class of Fer around him I can only see him getting better and better. Good for a club like ours to have young English talent such as JH/Redmond/Bennett and Ruddy and Hooper are not exactly pensioners either. Just as well as last season's revalation from Leeds (Snod) is not really at the races yet this year in Yellow and Green but seems to be doing very well for his country.
i thought he started brightly in his early days at norwich but then struggled. however, since around march last season he has grown and grown in stature and is now looking like a proper premier league midfielder. it does take time for some players to get into their stride - its a tough league - but he does have a knack for getting on the score sheet. its a good knack to have!
If Lallana can't get a look in, despite excellent form and league position, unfortunately I can't see Howson getting near the England team for a while yet, particularly when Hodgson seems to prefer playing Rooney in a deeper role, and Lampard and Gerrard won't get dropped until they can no longer walk. Howson could be the leagues top-scoring midfielder and he still wouldn't get a look in sadly.
lallana and clyne from saints, shaw too when fit. delph from villa - all playing well enough to get in the england squad. none of them do yet raheem sterling does. the mind boggles... and for what it's worth, howson is not good enough for england on current form, even though he is playing well. too many weaknesses in his game at the moment
Delph is currently the best England CM if you go on premiership form. But as you said because he doesn't play for a top 6 club he won't get anywhere near. I rate Howson highly but if he is gonna get an important game at international level I do worry about Englands chances
