The Paul Lambert thread - poll reset after our capitulation to Hull

[pauliewalnuts]

Let me get this straight, he got 4 goals in 8 starts and 7 subs appearances, in his first season in the league, in a team that was playing the ball to him as if he was a target man (which he isn't) and which has very little width and no attacking midfielder and some people think he'd struggle to get 10 in a full season... really?

It's bollocks, having said that the longer he's out of the side the more like Pele he'll become

I don't think anyone is suggesting he's a world beater, but even if you totally ignore any other qualities he may or may not have and just look at his record, 4 goals in 8 starts is pretty good.

Compare that with Gabby who also has 4 goals, but from 31 starts.

I know there are several signings and established players who haven't looked anything like good enough this season, and I know there is a question mark over whether we needed to be spending 7m on a striker with other areas so desperate for improvement, but I honestly don't see how Kozak gets to be one of the players who are in anyway overrated on the one hand, or useless on the other.

The bloke has done ok.

[LeeB]

I remember watching the WBA match; we were 2-0 down, and Kozak controlled a long goal kick (obviously) from Guzan instantly, bringing it down and then hitting a first time volley which nicked the top of the crossbar. I thought then that he's got a bit about him.

I could be wrong but didn't Benteke flick the ball on to Kozak from Guzan's goal kick?

You are as Kozak was subbed for Benteke.

He wasn't.

I thought they played up front together in the first half of that game. 

Fuck me I'm getting old. Apologies both.

[paul_e]

Exactly my point Paulie, he's done fine in his time so far, if he carries on his current record next year then he'll score goals.  I don't know how much more there is to his game as he hasn't had the chance to settle fully and he's played in a team that hasn't performed.  Given that the one thing I want from a striker early in his time with the club is goals and on that front he's done enough, in terms of time on pitch he's scored a goal every 190ish minutes, which is 15-20 a season territory.

[aj2k77]

My opinion, he'll do Ok score around 7 a season and eventually be sold for a couple of million.

[Richard E]

My opinion, he'll do Ok score around 7 a season and eventually be sold for a couple of million.

As long as one of them is the winner in the FA Cup Final that will do me.

[abc123cox]

I can't under how anyone can say Kozak is not any good, can't wait to see Albrighton and N'Zogbia whip him crosses next season, oh wait...... Ok Vlaar and Guzan hoofing the ball. Damn

[supertom]

My opinion, he'll do Ok score around 7 a season and eventually be sold for a couple of million.

Same here. He's never gonna be a first choice here, bar injuries. Somewhere between 7-12 goals would be good. Because of his movement he strikes me as a player who could be useful as an impact player off the bench. Finding space against tired defenses.

[mattjpa]

Bowery belongs in League One. He IS absolutely shit. Not really sure how anyone can disagree with that.

Im pretty sure that  ive disagreed with virtually every post of yours ive ever read.

For the record, I dont think Bowery has ever been given a fair crack at it. He was superb against Hull and ultimately put in a performance that may have kept us up had other results been different

[Matt C]

I don't think he's 'absolutely shit' but I don't think he's PL standard and he's not alone in our squad in that respect.

[SoccerHQ]

Kozak will pop up at key times with goals just like he did when he was fit. I think around 10 league goals is a reasonable expectation, I'd certainly back him to score more than Gabby and Weimann if they play the same number of games next season.

I have to say against the better defences though he was easily marked out of games e.g. both Spurs games he started.

The issue is though he's not exactly an exciting forward to watch even on form and you know our football is going to be horrible to watch as we'll continue to hoof it up to him.

[SoccerHQ]

I'm sure Kozak will improve but I think he'd score between 5 and 10 league goals maximum personally.
Bowery on the other hand is absolutely shit.

IMHO, any decent midfielder should be aiming for 5-10 goals never mind a 7m striker. If that's all we think he's going to score then surely it doesn't say much about him

Precisely.

Have a look how many strikers scored 15 league goals this season, you'd be surprised.

10-15 is a pretty good return for premier league strikers these days.

[clash city rocker]

To be honest how many of our squad are of 'good' premiership quality.

[ozzjim]

Guzan, Vlaar, Delph, Benteke

[Legion]

Bowery

Spoiler for Hiden:

Not really

[clash city rocker]

That's not many is it..Chelski reserves or citeh reserves probably have more than that.