I don't, at least not from what I have seen so far. I know he's 100 times better than Paynter, but that wasn't much anyway. I don't see the player others see, I watched him throughout yesterday and he failed to trap the ball or keep it and use it for further moves, he did battle at times and he did back heel it for the first goal, but I felt he did very little else. He may have the talent, perhaps he is getting used to playing in the Leeds team under Grayson's style, but there was nothing from him yesterday to make me feel he was anywhere near Becchio's level. For what it is worth, I've never rated Howson and took pelters for saying so on other forums, I stand by my opinion that he is physically weak, doesn't pass the ball to the consistent level required, disappears for long periods of the game and doesn't check back. I am now aware that there is a growing number of people, slowly agreeing with me about Howson and it goes to show how other people view some of our players. Spanish's opinion on McCormack is a case to point, a cracking player who is full of energy, good technique, likes to come in from the sides, scores goals and is the kind of player defenders hate playing against (as a former defender, I'd play against Keogh rather than McCormack every time), but Spanish appears to view him differently, particularly where he should play and his part in the team. Becchio is also OUR player, not a loan from another club. If fit Becchio in the team, way before Keogh.
Yep looks like he ahs to pace to cover for positional problems & can cover for the two CBs at times too, along of course with causing trouble going forward eg he should have us a penno when parker fouled him right in front of the ref
Keogh has been great so far. He didn't score a lot of goals last season on loan in the Championship, so I was a little worried about this signing, but his link up play has brought the best out of McCormack. He holds it up well, runs the channels but he does lack a bit in finishing the chances he got. This is why Becchio is better. You get all the link up play, battling etc. that Keogh will give but he's also reliable to hit 15+ goals a season. Alongside McCormack, they'd be a quality partnership. I hope we sign Keogh on a permanent though, cause we need 4 strikers - if we keep playing 4-4-2 - and obviously Paytner and Grella aren't up to much. Aidy White has been quality. The thing is, his positional play etc. isn't great but it will improve. Things like that can be learnt with experience and the only way he'll get that is by playing at leftback. He does have pace (something most of our defenders haven't had for a while) and is good going forward and gets stuck in. Keep him there, he may have a few off games this season, but he has potential to become a good player. Clayton was fantastic and is looking to be a surprise of the season. He is a proper box to box player, all round midfield. He can win the ball, has great passing and gets forward well. Howson was good as well, although overshone by Clayton. He kept it simple, and stopped Westham from getting control (I don't understand why people complained about his performance, it was steady and doesn't always have to be spectactular). Snoddy was creative as usual and Gradel gave their left hand side loads of problems. Still the problem of the defence though. Kisnorbo didn't look great, O'Dea was steady but still has to prove himself, and Tom Lees is good but not that convincing at rightback. I'd prefer to see Connolly there and him in the centre, or even better would be Lichaj. Our squad is thin too - we need more centremidfielders!
IMO Becchio does on his own what Keogh and McCormack do together, which is no criticism of them. If he carries on ike this Keogh will be our player come January.
Keogh is a good team player who will create chances for others like he did yday but he will not be able to provide the same goals as Becchio does and when Becchio is back he will be benched but far better than our other striking options so must be kept
