Libor Kozak

[Clampy]

How many reserve games has N'zogbia featured in? I don't recall seeing his name mentioned anywhere and he's been brought back into the reckoning.

[peter w]

The pre season wolves game Kozak was fine at putting the ball in the net. Not pretty elsewhere but it's all about scoring goals isn't it ?

You've said elsewhere that you should exclude reserve games. Why now include pre-season friendlies?

Because preseason is full of hope and opportunity . Being shoved into the reserves and not even making the bench can be quite demoralising I'd imagine ??

He's a footballer. throughout his career he will have been on the sidelines and in the reserves trying to get into the first team. Its not different now. He knows what he has to do. Even if he doesn't think he does, scoring goals in the reserves would certainly raise his expectations.

[silhillvilla]

Agree but regardless of all that we have a manger with limited experience and skill. It shows.

[PeterWithesShin]

So you are assuming Sherwoods judgment in not selecting him is robust . Personally , I wouldn't trust sherwood or his team with anything football related.

It's backed up by what the folks that watch the reserves are saying about him. I saw him at the Walsall friendly and he scored but looked no more than ok, he also didn't exactly shine against Notts Co. I'm all for kicking Sherwood when he deserves it, but there's so many valid reasons that I don't feel the need to make up one over Kozak. I'm pretty sure he's scored once for the reserves, a penalty. If he can't perform against U21 players at present then it's no wonder he's not in the first team.

[silhillvilla]

So you are assuming Sherwoods judgment in not selecting him is robust . Personally , I wouldn't trust sherwood or his team with anything football related.

It's backed up by what the folks that watch the reserves are saying about him. I saw him at the Walsall friendly and he scored but looked no more than ok, he also didn't exactly shine against Notts Co. I'm all for kicking Sherwood when he deserves it, but there's so many valid reasons that I don't feel the need to make up one over Kozak. I'm pretty sure he's scored once for the reserves, a penalty. If he can't perform against U21 players at present then it's no wonder he's not in the first team.

Agree to a degree PWS , but in our predicament I would expect Libor to at least be on the bench. We all know he isn't an elegant player but he has a habit of scoring. It's what we need and we don't have many options. To bomb squad him I think is wrong.

[olaftab]

I assume he plays regularly for the reserve team so how many goals has he scored?

[silhillvilla]

I assume he plays regularly for the reserve team so how many goals has he scored?

I'm not sure that will be an accurate barometric reading to be honest of where he can be first team wise

[olaftab]

Goalscorers  score goals.
Libor is a striker and if he wants to be selected for the first team I expect him to be scoring by the bucketful at lower level.

[silhillvilla]

Goalscorers  score goals.
Libor is a striker and if he wants to be selected for the first team I expect him to be scoring by the bucketful at lower level.

He's already ticked that box and it got overlooked

[PeterWithesShin]

I reckon a striker not scoring and looking crap against U21 players is quite a good guide as to whether he's ready for the first team. If it was just Sherwood saying it i'd be sceptical, but when regulars of watching the reserves are saying it, then it's harder to argue with. Personally i'd stick him on the bench, got fuck all to lose if we're behind with 15 to go with swapping a striker, or bringing a secon d one on, but for all I know he could be really stinking the place out in training.

[silhillvilla]

He did the business pre season then got himself bombed out. Perhaps there is a sub plot we aren't aware of

[PeterWithesShin]

I think you're over selling him a bit there Silhill, 1 against Walsall, 2 against Wolves. It's decent but not what i'd call doing the business.

And before someone says it, I know he scored against Fulham but that was a training match, half the time they are strolling around with virtually no tackles going in so I never care what we do in those. A player scoring a few or having a stinker, makes no odds to me as I just don't count them.

[silhillvilla]

I think you're over selling hima bit  there Silhill, 1 against Walsall, 2 against Wolves. It's decent but not what i'd call doing the business.

And before someone says it, I know he scored against Fulham but that was a training match, half the time they are strolling around with virtually no tackles going in so I never care what we do in those. A player scoring a few or having a stinker, makes no odds to me as I just count them.

PWS I think you're spot on no questioning that, the only thing I'd say is 4 goals pre-season for us is pretty good going (we all know it's that bad). Kozak should surely be on the bench, the fact he's not is a concern

[pauliewalnuts]

I think you're over selling hima bit  there Silhill, 1 against Walsall, 2 against Wolves. It's decent but not what i'd call doing the business.

And before someone says it, I know he scored against Fulham but that was a training match, half the time they are strolling around with virtually no tackles going in so I never care what we do in those. A player scoring a few or having a stinker, makes no odds to me as I just count them.

PWS I think you're spot on no questioning that, the only thing I'd say is 4 goals pre-season for us is pretty good going (we all know it's that bad). Kozak should surely be on the bench, the fact he's not is a concern

He's better than Gestede. Especially if we are going to be playing the ball to feet, something which is absolutely fucking pointless with Gestede.

Kozak has done alright for us when he has featured. He has scored goals. I appreciate Gestede has, too, but Kozak strikes me as a much more versatile option, he's an intelligent footballer who will do things like create space for himself and others.

Gestede is basically a battering ram who needs to get his head onto everything.

I appreciate not everyone will see Kozak that way, but for him to not even be in contention strikes me as weird.

[PeterWithesShin]

Thing is, we're all pretty much basing our views on the Kozak of 2 years ago. It's 22 months since he played a league game. Kozak of 22 months ago was better than Gestede, but is the current Kozak? Didn't look any better at Walsall or the Notts Co game. Doesn't seem any better at U21 level either.