Gotts was primarily a right-back but was converted by Marcelo Bielsa to play as a central midfielder. Bielsa described that he had never seen a player as "dynamic" as Gotts in his career, saying that "he’s a number eight, a midfielder. He is not offensive and not defensive. He's a number eight."[6]
Something that puzzles me, is when did players started being referred to as their number, other than number 9s? Since when did a number 8 become a position on the pitch?
False 9!? WTF
It's hardly a new phenomenon though ........ it was first used in the 1950s by the legendary Hungary team.
As many of us will recall, before squad numbers, shirt number 9 was the 'true' centre-forward role and traditionally played as the spearhead of the front line. What the Hungarians did, and quickly copied by Man City, was to drop the CF into deeper and wider positions, where he was more difficult to track and mark, dragging defenders out of position. The space created was then exploited by the 'inside forwards' to run late into scoring positions.
I also quite like Albie but I agree with Bowyer, as a midfielder he needs to do his fair share of defensive work. I have watched him since he was a sixteen year old and he hasn't changed. Great range of passing, powerful shot and that is it. He should be learning from one of the best midfielders we have produced, Lee Bowyer.
@dickplumb you watch a lot of academy football. When did we, and seemingly everyone else, start producing players that a very specific skill set and if we are being honest being average at best at everything else?
All the players we seem to have produced recently (especially midfielders) seem have an outstanding asset, and massive weeknesses, I see this reflected in the England set up as well. Is it talent identification that's changed or academy coaching?
I don't get the hype around Albie, yes he can hit a Hollywood pass but what else does he do?
What he definitely doesn't do is work hard for the team. If you watch him, he's sneaky, he hides and tries to make it look like he's working but how often do you see him winning the ball or hassling the opposition in to a mistake... not very!
He looked like maybe the penny had dropped in lockdown, when he slimmed downed and played ok but also look like he's gone back to his old ways.
Hard work is what managers want in L1 & L2 so unless your going to build a team around him playing as a 10 you won't take him.
I like the idea of us putting together a proper bid for Thomas. I don't know a great deal about him, apart from the fact he's played a hell of a lot of games by 21, but it's nice to hear we're identifying targets we want and putting together money bids. Feels like a proper football team
I've come to realise that when Cawley tweets the player's name, usually we're there or thereabouts. He doesn't scupper deals in that way, so I think we should expect this to happen.
Seems crazy to me that no one in L1 or 2 is willing to take Albie on loan
With so many Managers unimpressed by Albie does it mean they're right and that us fans are wrong to rate him so highly?
Maybe it means they're listening to what Bowyer says about him and Bowyer probably isn't really selling his pros. He loves to focus on Albie's lack of tracking back. He needs to remember that Albie is clearly an attacking midfielder and will learn as he plays. Not everyone is a box to box midfielder.
I also quite like Albie but I agree with Bowyer, as a midfielder he needs to do his fair share of defensive work. I have watched him since he was a sixteen year old and he hasn't changed. Great range of passing, powerful shot and that is it. He should be learning from one of the best midfielders we have produced, Lee Bowyer.
Great range of passing and a powerful shot? Sounds like a CAM to me.
I've always got the feeling Albie has an attitude problem. I may be wrong on that. It's just something I've picked up from Bowyer's answers on him and how curt he is on the Albie subject. Especially the "He's fine. No. He's fine," answer the other week. Now making a point of saying no league clubs coming for him. I have always thought he might be trying to put him in his place.
I've come to realise that when Cawley tweets the player's name, usually we're there or thereabouts. He doesn't scupper deals in that way, so I think we should expect this to happen.
So true! I doubt Sky Sports beat him for details each time a deal is closing! He just keeps it very ITK until confirmation.
I've always got the feeling Albie has an attitude problem. I may be wrong on that. It's just something I've picked up from Bowyer's answers on him and how curt he is on the Albie subject. Especially the "He's fine. No. He's fine," answer the other week. Now making a point of saying no league clubs coming for him. I have always thought he's might be trying to put him in his place.
Good point as that reaction (was it the Lincoln game?) was really odd with how straight forward he was
I've always got the feeling Albie has an attitude problem. I may be wrong on that. It's just something I've picked up from Bowyer's answers on him and how curt he is on the Albie subject. Especially the "He's fine. No. He's fine," answer the other week. Now making a point of saying no league clubs coming for him. I have always thought he's might be trying to put him in his place.
I wonder if we can find an interview with Albie. It's usually so easy to spot a pleasant or aggy attitude for lads his age!?
I also quite like Albie but I agree with Bowyer, as a midfielder he needs to do his fair share of defensive work. I have watched him since he was a sixteen year old and he hasn't changed. Great range of passing, powerful shot and that is it. He should be learning from one of the best midfielders we have produced, Lee Bowyer.
@dickplumb you watch a lot of academy football. When did we, and seemingly everyone else, start producing players that a very specific skill set and if we are being honest being average at best at everything else?
All the players we seem to have produced recently (especially midfielders) seem have an outstanding asset, and massive weeknesses, I see this reflected in the England set up as well. Is it talent identification that's changed or academy coaching?
Lee Bowyer has mentioned this about the U23 players before. They are good going forward but lacking defensively.
Bonne had a pretty impressive goal scoring record at Orient but he still managed to split opinion playing for us as a striker, not too fussed about him only having 5 in 75
I've always got the feeling Albie has an attitude problem. I may be wrong on that. It's just something I've picked up from Bowyer's answers on him and how curt he is on the Albie subject. Especially the "He's fine. No. He's fine," answer the other week. Now making a point of saying no league clubs coming for him. I have always thought he's might be trying to put him in his place.
I believe your wrong unless being laid back is an attitude problem ?
I've come to realise that when Cawley tweets the player's name, usually we're there or thereabouts. He doesn't scupper deals in that way, so I think we should expect this to happen.
Agreed, he gets his info from Bowyer and Gallen and is always cautious about releasing info. Would suggest it’s close.
I also quite like Albie but I agree with Bowyer, as a midfielder he needs to do his fair share of defensive work. I have watched him since he was a sixteen year old and he hasn't changed. Great range of passing, powerful shot and that is it. He should be learning from one of the best midfielders we have produced, Lee Bowyer.
@dickplumb you watch a lot of academy football. When did we, and seemingly everyone else, start producing players that a very specific skill set and if we are being honest being average at best at everything else?
All the players we seem to have produced recently (especially midfielders) seem have an outstanding asset, and massive weeknesses, I see this reflected in the England set up as well. Is it talent identification that's changed or academy coaching?
I reckon it's something to do with well rounded players who are decent at everything but not outstanding in any field not standing out enough. They tend to be viewed as "boring" by many (Henderson, Milner immediately spring to mind)
Comments
https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-make-move-for-boreham-wood-star-man/
As many of us will recall, before squad numbers, shirt number 9 was the 'true' centre-forward role and traditionally played as the spearhead of the front line.
What the Hungarians did, and quickly copied by Man City, was to drop the CF into deeper and wider positions, where he was more difficult to track and mark, dragging defenders out of position. The space created was then exploited by the 'inside forwards' to run late into scoring positions.
#thingsyouprobablyalreadyknew :smile:
Seems to be predominantly a left winger, comfortable on the ball with good end product. Only 21 too.
All the players we seem to have produced recently (especially midfielders) seem have an outstanding asset, and massive weeknesses, I see this reflected in the England set up as well. Is it talent identification that's changed or academy coaching?
What he definitely doesn't do is work hard for the team. If you watch him, he's sneaky, he hides and tries to make it look like he's working but how often do you see him winning the ball or hassling the opposition in to a mistake... not very!
He looked like maybe the penny had dropped in lockdown, when he slimmed downed and played ok but also look like he's gone back to his old ways.
Hard work is what managers want in L1 & L2 so unless your going to build a team around him playing as a 10 you won't take him.
Massively over-rated by the fan base
I'm sure this Thomas is a creator, not a goalscorer, plus he'd be one for the future and like Bonne will cost us relatively nothing.
It's tell us he's not a goal scorer but what are his assist stats ?
Is he just a winger or does he track back and play midfield( mandatory in football now)
As FA said, this is more like the "midfielder"
definitely not the striker.
I believe your wrong unless being laid back is an attitude problem ?