Balogun - off the pace?

Caesium137

Well-known member
Not his form or contribution per se. But he just seemed a bit leggy last night.

He had a couple of opportunities to stretch his legs and run a defender but their back line seemed to keep up with him and beat to the ball fairly comfortably on a number of occasions.

Carrying a bit of knock, tired as he's not used to the games coming so thick and fast, or maybe just not as nippy as I thought?

I had him down as an absolute speed merchant in the Henry mould, but he didn't show it last night.
 
Not his form or contribution per se. But he just seemed a bit leggy last night.

He had a couple of opportunities to stretch his legs and run a defender but their back line seemed to keep up with him and beat to the ball fairly comfortably on a number of occasions.

Carrying a bit of knock, tired as he's not used to the games coming so thick and fast, or maybe just not as nippy as I thought?

I had him down as an absolute speed merchant in the Henry mould, but he didn't show it last night.
Hardly got a touch, looked to be low in confidence. Maybe a bit of a culture shock being up against uncompromising 6'4 championship central defenders.
Benched for me Saturday 👍
 
Hardly got a touch, looked to be low in confidence. Maybe a bit of a culture shock being up against uncompromising 6'4 championship central defenders.
Benched for me Saturday 👍
Maybe what Wilder meant by the wrong balls to him? Down the channel for him to be running away from Bartley rather than with/towards him?
 
Maybe what Wilder meant by the wrong balls to him? Down the channel for him to be running away from Bartley rather than with/towards him?
Yep, just mentioned this on the other thread - balls were played into him (usually with back to goal) meaning he needed to control, turn and beat a 6'4 defender to get away.

I'd be more confident seeing him run across defenders as I think he's got the technique to take it past most centre halves in this league.
 
Wilder said they keep asking him to play as a No10 and he does keep dropping deep.

It's clearly a new role on top of an already big step up from PL2 to playing Sat-Tues-sat. Just think it's a massive step up and probably needs a goal or two.

I ain't writing him off. I just think it shows how scoring 50 odd goals in 60 games for the U23s isn't a bench mark of 'ability'. Also he maybe would be more suited to the prem. A little less hustle and bustle.
 
Back
Top