It's up to the coaching staff to get the best out of players (not the crowd), and in our case we clearly failed in the case of Francis. Yes, a stronger player mentally might have been able to shine during that low point for the team, but there's more to management than "pull yourself together lad".
The 'somehow' is that Eddie Howe has got the best out of him, Parky & SCP (especially the latter) did not.
Chris Powell also got Carl Jenkinson to Arsenal and Chris Solly went on to become the best player in the side. Francis is better than neither of those.
Then we should expect Solly to be Prem bound now his knees seem better?
It's up to the coaching staff to get the best out of players (not the crowd), and in our case we clearly failed in the case of Francis. Yes, a stronger player mentally might have been able to shine during that low point for the team, but there's more to management than "pull yourself together lad".
The 'somehow' is that Eddie Howe has got the best out of him, Parky & SCP (especially the latter) did not.
Chris Powell also got Carl Jenkinson to Arsenal and Chris Solly went on to become the best player in the side. Francis is better than neither of those.
Then we should expect Solly to be Prem bound now his knees seem better?
Got an assist on Saturday and was very close to another one, at what point do we here at Charlton Life say "we were wrong"?! He looks so confident when attacking as well.
The difference I've seen is sheer confidence. He drives forward with the ball, and is assertive in tackles and in the air now, qualities he didn't show with us I believe because we were perhaps in a tough spot then.
Style of play was one of the problems when Francis was at Charlton. People moaned at him for hoofing it but rarely was there anyone making space for him to see a pass. And if a pass did go wrong, then other people were on his back for that too.
At Bournemouth, players have been encouraged to show for the ball and Francis has been encouraged to use his attributes (strength, fitness and decent technique) to play much higher up. Positionally he'll never be the best defender but he can still head well and clear his lines when needed. Also at Bournemouth, he's had better midfield cover so it doesn't all go pear-shaped if they lose the ball while he's high up.
He's gained confidence as a result of being suited to a style of team play and is now realising his potential. Leaving Charlton was probably the best decision of his footballing life (assuming it was his decision?).
Perhaps because he's playing for a manager who believes in him. Perhaps because he's more comfortable in his surroundings. Perhaps because he's that much older and wiser. Perhaps because he isn't worried about the crowd reaction every time he gets the ball.
Perhaps it's a combination of all of those factors.
He played shit for us. Were we supposed to wait 5 years for him to come good? Or maybe we should have got a team of premiership players around him. Oh hang on. We couldn't. He couldn't play in the way we needed him to.
Perhaps because he's playing for a manager who believes in him. Perhaps because he's more comfortable in his surroundings. Perhaps because he's that much older and wiser. Perhaps because he isn't worried about the crowd reaction every time he gets the ball.
Perhaps it's a combination of all of those factors.
The way he was crucified on here (scapegoat) just shows that a lot of keyboard warriors don't know too much about Football. Well done Francis.
I totally agree with this. However, it's all about opinions. Anyone who thinks Tony Watt is a footballer probably booed Francis.
A footballer called Tony Watt scored a goal in the Championship yesterday. This is something that is only done by professional footballers. I presume it is the same person you refer to.
Surely Tony Watt is in the same bracket as Francis. What goes on in his head is absolutely crucial to his performance.
I think Bournemouth are in trouble, they didn't sign anyone in the window, and lost Ake who went back to Chelsea. Really surprised they didn't buy another CB
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It seems we couldn't manage him as well as the Bournemouth Chief.
Is it the manager?
The players attitude?
The style of play?
Still the same just managed differently.
He drives forward with the ball, and is assertive in tackles and in the air now, qualities he didn't show with us I believe because we were perhaps in a tough spot then.
At Bournemouth, players have been encouraged to show for the ball and Francis has been encouraged to use his attributes (strength, fitness and decent technique) to play much higher up. Positionally he'll never be the best defender but he can still head well and clear his lines when needed. Also at Bournemouth, he's had better midfield cover so it doesn't all go pear-shaped if they lose the ball while he's high up.
He's gained confidence as a result of being suited to a style of team play and is now realising his potential. Leaving Charlton was probably the best decision of his footballing life (assuming it was his decision?).
Perhaps it's a combination of all of those factors.
Whatever, hats off to him and to Eddie Howe for getting the best from him.
Surely Tony Watt is in the same bracket as Francis. What goes on in his head is absolutely crucial to his performance.