Time for Howson to go off into the sunset

Yes I’m puzzled by these comments about OBrien as well. What evidence commits people to say he should be our starter midfielder ahead of Barlaser and Howson? Barlaser hasn’t let us down , does the simple things very well and works hard. Keeps his place for me.
hes a very good player but been unfortunate here with his injury,one id certainly try to buy if possible,once fully fit hell be a fixture in this team,of that i have no doubt
 
Based on his performances before Notts Forest I would definitely buy O'Brien. Carrick sees them every day so will know if he is worthy of placing a bid or not and whether he could hold down a place in midfield
 
Weirdly O'Brien seems to be one of these that has got better while he has been out. He was decent at left back but I was excited when he joined but I haven't seen the player that was at Huddersfield yet, no where near actually
You probably havent seen it because he hasn't played all season!
 
I'd keep him for next year but play him in certain games. We needed Hackney/Barlaser in there yesterday. Howson could have came on to shore it up late on to protect the lead.

O'Brien is not the answer for next year, he isn't good enough - i think people have thought we've got prime Xavi out injured waiting to come back and that isn't the case at all.
 
You probably havent seen it because he hasn't played all season!
That’s his point surely. How do you make such a positive claim for his inclusion in the first 11 based on his form from three seasons ago since when he has been bench warming and on the treatment table.
 
He’s been a legend here so excuse me but.. he was the worst player on the pitch in a red and white shirt today. Ponderous and gave the ball away so many times.

Think we have enough for the middle in Hayden and Dan.

He should be fondly remembered but should not get another one year deal.
He gave the ball away 5 times in 90 minutes (56 completed passes out of 61). Barlaser did the same in 75 mins, whereas Hackney gave the ball away 15 times, Azaz 9 times and Ayling 10 times. Funny how Howson gets pelters for misplaced passing when only VDB had a better pass completion percentage out of the 20 outfield players to start the game.
 
For those bigging up Barlaser. He’s been here a year and barely done anything of note, he’s had a run in the team and pulled up no trees.

He’s not awful, but he has huge limitations to his game.

He is a decent passer of the ball, but we play half the game without the ball and he’s a passenger when we are defending.
 
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That’s his point surely. How do you make such a positive claim for his inclusion in the first 11 based on his form from three seasons ago since when he has been bench warming and on the treatment table.
Well he is proven in the Championship and performed okay at Premier League level until Forest bought 10 more players for his position. Plus he isn't an old player so you can't say his ability will have regressed from Huddersfield.
 
The other team watches video's as we do of the opposition ,working out ways to stop them being the best they can be ,it's a chess game we are not the best team in the league nor the worst.
To succeed you need the players and the system.
We are short of someone who can score regularly.
We have good players but then so do sunderland and the rest but not as good as the ones who come down from the prem.
 
No chance was Howson the worst player on the pitch, not a stellar performance but not the worst.

You will have to move on the next scapegoat .......... actually looks like Barlaser has it, carry on.
 
I do worry about the level of performances by Howson of late.

It's clearly his last season with us.

He's been great.

Is he a legend? Nope, not for me. He's not done enough as captain with the players he's had in and around him. Legendary status is for players who have achieved great things - promotion, cup wins, 400+ apps, etc. For example, Grant Leadbitter was and is a legend for us - he captained us and took us up.

If his level of performances continue, we need to start planning for the future and think about replacing him in midfield for a partnership that could help us next season - Barlaser/Hackney (asuming Hackney is still here). Or maybe Barlaser/O'Brien - if we feel we can sign him.
 
But boro seem to hold onto players a little longer than they should just because of loyalty maybe and not what’s best for the team. I’m thinking Friend, Clayton, Ledbitter and Arca off the top of my head.
This is nonsense obviously. None of them made it to 33 at the club.
 
I do worry about the level of performances by Howson of late.

It's clearly his last season with us.

He's been great.

Is he a legend? Nope, not for me. He's not done enough as captain with the players he's had in and around him. Legendary status is for players who have achieved great things - promotion, cup wins, 400+ apps, etc. For example, Grant Leadbitter was and is a legend for us - he captained us and took us up.

If his level of performances continue, we need to start planning for the future and think about replacing him in midfield for a partnership that could help us next season - Barlaser/Hackney (asuming Hackney is still here). Or maybe Barlaser/O'Brien - if we feel we can sign him.
agreed, Howson will be patted on the back and shown the door. He's been a proper pro, but all things come to an end.

Barlaser, I'd look to sell him on to be honest, simply not at the level we need, and never will be. Good lower champo player, but we have greater aspirations. We need a new CDM alongside Hackney, a first choice one. we need backups who are maybe young and learning, but will improve rather than peak as a lower champo player.

For me there are a number of players that fall into this category in the squad: Dijksteel, Lenihan, Barlaser, Crooks. Lower champ players and will never achieve anything beyond that. All saleable to some degree, although Lenihan's injury will reduce what we could bring in for him. We could probably bring 4-5m in for those players. Not sure any of them are guarenteed first team players, or have done enough when given a chance to play.

Howson and McNair won't be here next year, or Hoppe either.

We need to make sure those that replace are a mix of first teamers, and younger super talented but unproven players.
 
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I've said all season he's just not what we need anymore. The technical side is still there but he just hasn't got the legs. These days centre midfield has big powerful players who can get box to box and win the ball in the middle of the pitch. Howson just isn't up to it and has made a lot of mistakes that have conceded big chances and goals.
 
O'Brien hasn't been given a run of games in his best position which is CM, people basing opinions off him playing LB for a few games and his few sub appearances in the middle. I would like to see him and Hackney given a run in the middle.
 
Yes I’m puzzled by these comments about OBrien as well. What evidence commits people to say he should be our starter midfielder
Came to say the same thing. Can only assume people are basing this off his Huddersfield performances a few seasons ago. Infact he was partly culpable for the goal.

Obviously Glover drops a clanger, and Engel is 50 yards too far forward, considering its the 83rd minute and we are 1 up, but O'brien HAS to recognise this and drop in and cover. He is too busy ball watching. If he checks his shoulders and drops in, I doubt Rusyn gets a shot off.
 
On balance and over the season, I think I’d agree.
I don’t see him being able to boss a midfield like a top 4/5/6 club in this division any longer.
I’m not entirely sure Barlaser is of that level too. Decent player in this league but I think he lacks the athleticism and engine to win a midfield in the majority of games.
Back to Howson, been a great servant and had 3/4 very good seasons for us in his time here. I think now is the time to source a replacement - if we want to compete.
 
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