Libor Kozak

[Risso]

I was genuinely shocked at how poor he was today, and given what we've witnessed in the last year, that's some achievement.  He was so slow, ponderous and clearly unfit that he made Gestede look like a cross between Usain Bolt and Ronaldo when he came on.  I actually felt sorry for him when he took that pass and mishit it to an opposition player two feet away.  It was one of the poorest things I've seen since, erm, Okore's own goal last week.  I've never really rated him, but he seems like an enthusiastic trier and his goal to game ratio was decent enough when he first arrived.  The injuries have clearly taken their toll though, and I say he's finished as a player at this level.  He was desperately poor, and on that performance he needs several weeks, if not months to get to anything like match fitness.  All a bit sad really, as I get the feeling he's a decent lad.

He shouldn't have been anywhere near the squad, and I'd have moved Ayew up front, and shifted Bacuna into right midfield when Gestede went off.

[QuintonVilla]

He makes Gestede look quick and mobile.

[PeterWithesShin]

I doubt George Weah's cousin played any worse than Kozak did today. I like him but today he really was bad.

[andyh]

Kozak is getting blazed, but the bloke has been out with an horrific injury for years, not months.
Let's give the bloke a chance before we write him off.

[PeterWithesShin]

Kozak is getting blazed, but the bloke has been out with an horrific injury for years, not months.
Let's give the bloke a chance before we write him off.

He was playing for the first team earlier in the year. It's one thing to look off the pace after a layoff and another to look completely out of your depth like he did today. I really hope it was a lack of fitness but i'm far from convinced it's just that.

[andyh]

Kozak is getting blazed, but the bloke has been out with an horrific injury for years, not months.
Let's give the bloke a chance before we write him off.

He was playing for the first team earlier in the year. It's one thing to look off the pace after a layoff and another to look completely out of your depth like he did today. I really hope it was a lack of fitness but i'm far from convinced it's just that.

I quite agree.
But, he hasn't figured in the first team squad for so long that we really can't judge him on today's performance. Had he come on for the last 20 mins or so, it may have been different, but he certainly isn't ready for 90, 75 or even 45 mins yet.
I still think though, that they there is an intelligent striker in there.

[footyskillz]

Kozak is getting blazed, but the bloke has been out with an horrific injury for years, not months.
Let's give the bloke a chance before we write him off.

He was playing for the first team earlier in the year. It's one thing to look off the pace after a layoff and another to look completely out of your depth like he did today. I really hope it was a lack of fitness but i'm far from convinced it's just that.

I quite agree.
But, he hasn't figured in the first team squad for so long that we really can't judge him on today's performance. Had he come on for the last 20 mins or so, it may have been different, but he certainly isn't ready for 90, 75 or even 45 mins yet.
I still think though, that they there is an intelligent striker in there.

I think he only 75% fit and was used as bench warmer and wasmt expected to last . He wasn't much kipper today and looked league 2 level but case of rustiness and off pace.  Looks like academy level matches for now . Looked completed lost and missed glorious headed chance.  Welcome back libor

[Mister E]

It doesn't really matter how long he's been out, from the perspective purely of his fitness. He looked very unfit and unathletic; two pretty basic criteria for inclusion in the match day squad.
I'd guess he was in it because of pre-match concerns about Gestede's fitness. Hmm: in the event of bringing off Gestede, how about having different tactics, like using RHM instead?

[Rigadon]

Shame for the lad that he's had so many injuries.   Even so, even when fully fit, bang average. 

[Risso]

It doesn't really matter how long he's been out, from the perspective purely of his fitness. He looked very unfit and unathletic; two pretty basic criteria for inclusion in the match day squad.
I'd guess he was in it because of pre-match concerns about Gestede's fitness. Hmm: in the event of bringing off Gestede, how about having different tactics, like using RHM instead?

Yes, I think it was a big mistake by RDM, similar in a way to that made when Richards played and was captain.  Of course he's on a steep learning curve at the moment, but a blind man could see that Kozak was totally unfit, and subbing the sub showed that RDM finally got it.

[Chris Smith]

It doesn't really matter how long he's been out, from the perspective purely of his fitness. He looked very unfit and unathletic; two pretty basic criteria for inclusion in the match day squad.
I'd guess he was in it because of pre-match concerns about Gestede's fitness. Hmm: in the event of bringing off Gestede, how about having different tactics, like using RHM instead?

Yes, I think it was a big mistake by RDM, similar in a way to that made when Richards played and was captain.  Of course he's on a steep learning curve at the moment, but a blind man could see that Kozak was totally unfit, and subbing the sub showed that RDM finally got it.

I guess he was hoping he would be able to bring him on for a few minutes at the end to give him a run out as it is the only way to properly assess him.

[Holte L2]

I really hope yesterday's performance dispels the feeling on here that Kodak is good.

He's a poor man's Tony Cascarino.

[Chris Smith]

I really hope yesterday's performance dispels the feeling on here that Kodak is good.

He's a poor man's Tony Cascarino.

I think it would be a photo finish between the two.

[brian green]

Perhaps he gets pain from the multiple break and surgical rebreaking of his leg.  Perhaps he is scared of doing it again.  I know I would be.  He is not the shadow of the player he was pre injury.  He never was anything but slow but he knew where he had to get himself.  Major injuries take a terrible toll on players.  Gary Gardner for example.

[Villafirst]

He needs match sharpness. So several games to get up to speed. But we can't afford to carry players. I thought the header he missed was really poor - hit the target and you score, only 6 yards out!