https://www.a-love-supreme.com/single-post/mowbray-on-lihadji-progress While Isaac Lihadji's minutes have been limited since signing in January, Tony Mowbray believes the Frenchman will benefit from being part of the squad in the early stages of next season. GOOD WINGER "As a staff, we all really like Isaac. He's a very, very talented player with lovely, fast feet. He's lithe and can get past people, he can flip it over their foot and glide inside and they can't get back to him. He can manipulate the ball very well, and he's a high-quality footballer - it's just sometimes to get him on and get him up to the intensity of the game is really difficult. And so we've only seen him in little spurts." SHORT OF ACTION SO FAR "I think when he starts football matches and plays for an hour or so, fans will see a really good footballer who can make things happen for the team. He's just been a bit short [of action] because it's difficult with players like Clarke and Amad and Roberts [to take them off] because they're contributing and giving you that feeling that they are going to score, to create something." PLENTY COMPETITION "He plays in a position where we've been really strong and so he just has to be patient. Early on in the season, there's no issue with rotating a little in a three-game week, so a Clarke or a Roberts can sit on the bench and he can get a go. Or in other games he can come on after an hour and hopefully make something happen for us." EXCITING TALENT "Hopefully he can be a success at this club and I think fans are going to be excited by his talent once he gets going."
This sound silly but I kinda see Roberts as Amad’s replacement. Bear in mind the only reason Roberts, Amad and Pritchard started at same time is because no striker. We have a ready made replacement for Amads position in Roberts and a ready made back up in Lihadji. My point being I don’t think the search to replace Amad is as important as many think. What we need to replace is his goals, which we will if we have a good striker It’s more likely Pritchard we need to try to replace IMO. Or I can see us moving to a midfield three with one of them being more progressive with an engine to get up and down. Jobe could be what they have in mind for that long term which might mean we see another year of Pritchard? I’d be happy with that. All hypothetical of course as a big bid for any of our players changes everything
Mowbray has really astounded me tbh. He seems to have everyone at the club pulling together. And the young lads appear to be thriving under him ... ... I can't wait for next season.
I have no confidence personally. Didn't really get a game for a team in the french division. Been here since Jan and made zero impact. There is a few of these type players that have made little impact that I feel the powers would have wanted more.
The interview is from the last day or so Billy. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/foo...exciting-isaac-lihadji/ar-AA1bCbpY?li=BBoPWjP https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/spo...nderland-boss-tony-mowbray-makes-26979793.amp
I think he has shown a little more. Injury has been a killer with him. But when he had minutes , he did have some impact. Liahji has never looked like anything.
Thought he and Amad ran into the same space during one of Lihadji brief appearances, possibly playing the same position. I've liked a couple of Lihadji touches and movement I've seen, needs some games before I can make any judgement. I'll leave that to Mogga and the coaches
No comparison whatsoever. Bennet has size and pace, plus a goal and an assist in 230 minutes. I recall he was injured on international duty. CONCACAF is a tough place to play.
It takes time to adapt to the sheer physicality of the leagues here. Not comparing them as players but it took Henry a good couple of seasons to develop enough physical robustness to be able to show his talent.
He looks bigger than Amad and Michut on the pitch, but apparently not. please log in to view this image please log in to view this image
Bennette is one of the shortest players at the club mate, tough and strong though. Bit like Gooch. On Lihadji it's far too early to say. Lots of people were writing Amad off early on and look how that turned out. I've seen footage of Lihadji that shows he's got great skill on the ball so let's see how his overall game is with a preseason under his belt.
Appreciate your honest point of view, Prehab. Players take time to settle in another country and Lihadji has only been here 4 months. I think this coming preseason is going to benefit him a lot.
To be clear - I think Lihadji and Bennette could both become key players for us. I just haven’t seen enough to be excited by them yet
