Jonny Howson

[TeaCider]

Really? He's played in one game that we've lost in the last 10. Not sure that's most.

Our bad run was longer than the last 10.

Since December he'd started in the defeats to Leeds, Hull, Rotherham, Coventry and Preston, that's 5 defeats.
3 of them were consecutive.

We also lost 3 games when he didn't play.

That's not a criticism of Howson, it's just a fact.

 

[Air Resistance]

I love Jonny H and to be honest I think it’s been proven no one in the current squad is ready to take his place yet.

 

[TheWolfman]

He makes his midfield partner 50% better whoever he plays with and that includes Hackney. For me his latter years have been his best since he came.

Most important player for us

 

[festa5]

He's such a funny player, has a spell in every season where you think he's finished and he then bounces back.

Got to be worth the extension.

I wonder if part of that is because we keep having to play him into the ground. To play the number of minutes he does, in that position, at his age, is phenomenal. But it must take its toll.

 

[Ex Footy Legs]

Outstanding performance today. Wow

Unbelievable, literally never once did he waste the ball and carries a fag in his mouth whilst he controls it, chooses his option on his pass, whilst his opponent often can’t get near him because he thinks and acts so quick.

I’m actually thinking he is already a legend and deserves a statue but please keep him here!
We desperately need him still.

 

[TheWolfman]

I wonder if part of that is because we keep having to play him into the ground. To play the number of minutes he does, in that position, at his age, is phenomenal. But it must take its toll.

Its usually the start of the season when he's looked like he may be done. may just take him games to get into form/rhythm

 

[r00fie1]

I wonder if part of that is because we keep having to play him into the ground. To play the number of minutes he does, in that position, at his age, is phenomenal. But it must take its toll.

Agreed. Bodies reach an age where no amount of training compensates. Players eventually have to admit they lose pace, endurance and agility. When they've been hammering their bodies for 20+ years, even the best athletes have to slow down. Jonny's doing great at the moment, but we need a replacement who can gradually fit that role.

 

[Ex Footy Legs]

I think the plan was for barlassor to be his gradual successor but he clearly doesn’t have the qualities that Jonny has in spades…
And a bit of a dilemma for wor Michael because I think Jonny is now getting a tune from O’Brien too
LOB had his best game by far yesterday and I’m convinced it’s playing alongside Jonny, Jonny howson

 

[Ex Footy Legs]

Agreed. Bodies reach an age where no amount of training compensates. Players eventually have to admit they lose pace, endurance and agility. When they've been hammering their bodies for 20+ years, even the best athletes have to slow down. Jonny's doing great at the moment, but we need a replacement who can gradually fit that role.

I remember this debate last season and a few of us thinking he was on the wane but here we are a year later and I think he is playing the best football of his career surely ?
He is just magnificent….

 

[r00fie1]

I remember this debate last season and a few of us thinking he was on the wane but here we are a year later and I think he is playing the best football of his career surely ?
He is just magnificent….

He's playing some of the best football of his career, I agree. But, he's 36 in May, and we all know, that's "old" in football terms, because nature catches up eventually.

 

[Alwaysaborolad]

He makes his midfield partner 50% better whoever he plays with and that includes Hackney. For me his latter years have been his best since he came.

Most important player for us

Well he didn't make our midfielders 50% better, at the start of our, up and down campaign.

He is a class act when he's on it, but when he's not, then results are very different,

The dream team Howson/Hackney played together for 3 games on the trot, during our poor start to the season, to be fair to Howson, it was Hackney who was poor against both WBA and QPR.

Aug 19th Boro 1-1 Huddersfield Howson Hackney
Aug 26th WBA 4-2 Boro Howson Hackney
Sept 2nd Boro 0-2 QPR Howson Hackney
Sept 16th Bburn 2-1 Boro Howson O'brien

 

[TheWolfman]

Well he didn't make our midfielders 50% better, at the start of our, up and down campaign.

He is a class act when he's on it, but when he's not, then results are very different,

The dream team Howson/Hackney played together for 3 games on the trot, during our poor start to the season, to be fair to Howson, it was Hackney who was poor against both WBA and QPR.

Aug 19th Boro 1-1 Huddersfield Howson Hackney
Aug 26th WBA 4-2 Boro Howson Hackney
Sept 2nd Boro 0-2 QPR Howson Hackney
Sept 16th Bburn 2-1 Boro Howson O'brien

As i said on the other post he starts slow. Do we need better of course but of the players we have he is by far the most important.

 

[Ex Footy Legs]

Well he didn't make our midfielders 50% better, at the start of our, up and down campaign.

He is a class act when he's on it, but when he's not, then results are very different,

The dream team Howson/Hackney played together for 3 games on the trot, during our poor start to the season, to be fair to Howson, it was Hackney who was poor against both WBA and QPR.

Aug 19th Boro 1-1 Huddersfield Howson Hackney
Aug 26th WBA 4-2 Boro Howson Hackney
Sept 2nd Boro 0-2 QPR Howson Hackney
Sept 16th Bburn 2-1 Boro Howson O'brien

You are correct in that, we can’t have a great performance from Jonny and just win, it does need good performances from quite a few other key players such as the defence!

 

[Alwaysaborolad]

You are correct in that, we can’t have a great performance from Jonny and just win, it does need good performances from quite a few other key players such as the defence!

It shows where we are as a team, when we are so reliant on a 35 yr old midfielder, if he doesn't step and drive the team forward, then it appears we don't have many others, that offer the same drive and passion.

 

[Scrug]

I’d give him an extra year, but I’d be keeping him as a squad player. As good as he’s been the last couple of games he’s had plenty of poor ones this season too and some high profile mistakes.

The fact is we’ve regressed this season from last. If we’re wanting to progress and kick on, we need to start moving away from Howson. He’s doing well, but he’s doing well in a mid-table team and that’s not where we want to be.

I feel like I say this every year, but we need to sign a Boateng type midfielder who’s willing to do the dirty work. Barlaser isn’t the answer.

 

[S7DiscoDown]

Definitely worth another year. Although you'd be hoping we have finally identified a longterm replacement. Then again we've been saying that for 4 years.

I'd fully expect him to make 30+ appearances at 36. Until recently hardly ever injured. So no doubt whatever worth a 1 year deal. Even if it's only as a squad player.

Also as stated above... He makes our other CMs better. O'Brien has looked far better in the last 2 matches. He also has the same effect on Hackney.

Although maybe the 'issue' is Barlaser. Just slows everything down so much. We look far better when he's not starting. I imagine he was signed as a possible longterm replacement for Howson. I think it's safe to say 'he's not the answer'.

 

[Jedi boro]

Is there anyone still doesn't think we should make sure he signs a new contract? The class player again today. Basically, the difference between the teams.

He’s been immense since he’s come back.

 

[Chappy112]

Got to be worth an extension even if we do sign his long-term replacement in the summer. He has been so dependable for the last 3-4 years.

I do think he stands out more than he probably should but that's because he is the only midfielder we have that will put a foot in. Opponents waltz through our midfield at will but at least when Howson is there we have someone who might stop them.

If we sign a midfielder who is defensively competent in the summer then Howson can finally become a rotation player but until then we just can't afford to not start him.