Quote from: Clampy on January 20, 2019, 10:22:17 AMHe goes missing in games a bit too often but I'd say 4 goals and 7 assists this season (including yesterday) is not too bad a contribution.If assists and goals were his only responsibility to the team then those stats are no where near good enough.
He goes missing in games a bit too often but I'd say 4 goals and 7 assists this season (including yesterday) is not too bad a contribution.
Indeed. One thing really annoyed me watching him yesterday was his unwillingness to receive the ball, whether it be from throw-ins or when the defence bring the ball out, he never looks to make himself available. He has a talent of finding an opposition player to hide behind.
Quote from: Rudy Can't Fail on January 20, 2019, 04:44:22 PMIndeed. One thing really annoyed me watching him yesterday was his unwillingness to receive the ball, whether it be from throw-ins or when the defence bring the ball out, he never looks to make himself available. He has a talent of finding an opposition player to hide behind.I'd take it a bit further that, he generally isn't interested in pkaying in his own half. He's a very different player once we get to their box.
I've been saying this for the last couple of seasons - Hourihane is a liability, especially in our current plight. Until we have a defence that can defend, and a decent defensive midfielder that can mop up the scraps, we need our midfielders to mark/block/tackle to help take some of the pressure off the backline. Hourihane does NOTHING in this regard, his work ethic is abysmal. It's all very well highlighting his goals and assists, but what the stats DON'T tell us is how many opposition players he's left unmarked or players that have ghosted past him and gone on to assist or score goals against us.IMO, all that he's going to succeed in doing is 'breaking' McGinn, as that poor bloke is having to run around the pitch for 2-3 players every game. }:[Flatters to deceive.
Quote from: Nii Lamptey on January 20, 2019, 05:33:35 PMI've been saying this for the last couple of seasons - Hourihane is a liability, especially in our current plight. Until we have a defence that can defend, and a decent defensive midfielder that can mop up the scraps, we need our midfielders to mark/block/tackle to help take some of the pressure off the backline. Hourihane does NOTHING in this regard, his work ethic is abysmal. It's all very well highlighting his goals and assists, but what the stats DON'T tell us is how many opposition players he's left unmarked or players that have ghosted past him and gone on to assist or score goals against us.IMO, all that he's going to succeed in doing is 'breaking' McGinn, as that poor bloke is having to run around the pitch for 2-3 players every game. }:[Flatters to deceive.I used to think broadly similar things about Frank Lampard as a player (I'm not suggesting that CH is in the same class). Whenever I verbalised this opinion I was met with incredulity. I don't know what point I'm making but at least I've had my say now.
Quote from: Sexual Ealing on January 20, 2019, 09:36:26 PMQuote from: Nii Lamptey on January 20, 2019, 05:33:35 PMI've been saying this for the last couple of seasons - Hourihane is a liability, especially in our current plight. Until we have a defence that can defend, and a decent defensive midfielder that can mop up the scraps, we need our midfielders to mark/block/tackle to help take some of the pressure off the backline. Hourihane does NOTHING in this regard, his work ethic is abysmal. It's all very well highlighting his goals and assists, but what the stats DON'T tell us is how many opposition players he's left unmarked or players that have ghosted past him and gone on to assist or score goals against us.IMO, all that he's going to succeed in doing is 'breaking' McGinn, as that poor bloke is having to run around the pitch for 2-3 players every game. }:[Flatters to deceive.I used to think broadly similar things about Frank Lampard as a player (I'm not suggesting that CH is in the same class). Whenever I verbalised this opinion I was met with incredulity. I don't know what point I'm making but at least I've had my say now.I can see the similarity in style , but he doesn't have the strength or power as Fat Frank
Quote from: paul_e on January 20, 2019, 08:56:28 PMQuote from: Rudy Can't Fail on January 20, 2019, 04:44:22 PMIndeed. One thing really annoyed me watching him yesterday was his unwillingness to receive the ball, whether it be from throw-ins or when the defence bring the ball out, he never looks to make himself available. He has a talent of finding an opposition player to hide behind.I'd take it a bit further that, he generally isn't interested in pkaying in his own half. He's a very different player once we get to their box.Totally. Over the last month I seen Whelan in more advanced positions. What that was about I have no idea. Right now I'd appreciate a bit of positional discipline where everybody knows their role. It's all very freestyle and just like the jazz version, it stinks!
He’s useful as an impact player if we need a goal. He’s not a midfielder who can do the defensive side of the game.