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*** Harvey Knibbs signs - 4 year deal ***
Comments
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I said to somebody yesterday that if we do go down, I cant see our players (outside of maybe Carey and Coventry) getting snapped up by champ clubs.
we will have a league 1 all stars line up. Knibbs behind Kelman should be good for 35-40 goals.
Unfortunately, we are in the championship this year.6 -
Reading fans described Knibbs as Johnny on the spot.
He is annonymous most of the game, but pops up regularly with goals.
I make them right.3 -
He's clearly suffering due to the lack of pre season. CE is right that he's largely ineffective but has a few goals in him, I'd keep using him as a late game sub if I were NJ2
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He has a lack of positional discipline, is very ball orientated when out of possession which leads to leaving his man, leaving pass lanes open and breaking down the out of possession structure. Seems like an honest pro so hopefully he can work hard and improve these points.I was very disappointed with him last night, his passing was unacceptable. Below 40% completion is inexcusable. Hopefully a one off bad night.3
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Not really sure what his best role is positionally when you have Carey and Berry as well. Feels like a bit of a dud at the moment. Think Fen is right above where it might have to be a 20 to go need a goal sub role for him going forward.
Just haven't really been impressed given the rave reviews from Reading fans2 -
I don’t actually know what he is.carly burn said:So what's the consensus on this fella then?
Looks like a real dud to me. His fitness levels are shocking. Games just seem to pass him by.
Not seen any signs of encouragement.2 -
I think he’s struggled a bit from the start, not having a proper preseason.
I wouldn’t be getting on his back, just because things are not going well.
Im expecting more over the 2nd half of the season.
Remember this is a massive step up for a lot of our players, some just arnt at the level needed yet.1 -
Yes. Two poached goals, but done little else of note. It's December, I'm not sure the "lack of pre-season" excuse holds 4 months into the season.Covered End said:Reading fans described Knibbs as Johnny on the spot.
He is annonymous most of the game, but pops up regularly with goals.
I make them right.3 -
Profoundly limited footballer - though got a goal in him clearly. Impact sub only.
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He should thrive as a pressing 10 in a 4231, with decent wingers either side of him and a versatile striker with pace who can then feed off his high press and balls threaded in behind.
He looks shite in our formation and side because we play a different way to that, same as Kelman.
Essentially Jones and the scouting team went out and got a load of players suited to a 4231/433 formation and have tried to shoehorn them into a lopsided 352, with mixed results.
Bell, Ramsay and Gillesphey are perfect for a 3 CB formation, Apter, Knibbs, Kelman and Carey are better suited to a 3 man midfield and 3 up top situation.
Basic maths tells you that's 9 men, add in a keeper and you're left with a random fullback trying to fit in on one side, and a winger on the other side having to try and defend way more than he should, (Edwards and Apter/Bree and TC) or a centre back playing fullback and a striker up top that suddenly has to play out wide (Bell and Olaofe)
With everyone fit I still think our best bet is 4 at the back, 2 deeper midfielders and a 10, with 2 wingers and a striker
Kaminski
Ramsay Jones Bell Edwards
Docherty Coventry
Apter Carey TC
Godden
With the squad rotation including people like Knibbs, Kelman, Burke and Olaofe being able to step in when needed11 -
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Perfect when our squad was fit as a bench "finisher", to come on and nick a goal.
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Did we pay near £2m for him. I've always thought we get better value using free transfers than spending money. If we played him in a number 10 role he deserves a chance rather than a bit part player as he's been so far0
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At the moment 4-2-3-1 is probably our best bet. But surely when everyone is fit our best bet is to go with the system that had us in the top 6 earlier this season and got us promoted last season? Our centre backs are all better in a back 3 than a 4, our success is built on defensive solidity. Our best formation is absolutely the 3-5-2 we’ve been so successful with when we have the right players available, why change something that’s worked so well?sam3110 said:He should thrive as a pressing 10 in a 4231, with decent wingers either side of him and a versatile striker with pace who can then feed off his high press and balls threaded in behind.
He looks shite in our formation and side because we play a different way to that, same as Kelman.
Essentially Jones and the scouting team went out and got a load of players suited to a 4231/433 formation and have tried to shoehorn them into a lopsided 352, with mixed results.
Bell, Ramsay and Gillesphey are perfect for a 3 CB formation, Apter, Knibbs, Kelman and Carey are better suited to a 3 man midfield and 3 up top situation.
Basic maths tells you that's 9 men, add in a keeper and you're left with a random fullback trying to fit in on one side, and a winger on the other side having to try and defend way more than he should, (Edwards and Apter/Bree and TC) or a centre back playing fullback and a striker up top that suddenly has to play out wide (Bell and Olaofe)
With everyone fit I still think our best bet is 4 at the back, 2 deeper midfielders and a 10, with 2 wingers and a striker
Kaminski
Ramsay Jones Bell Edwards
Docherty Coventry
Apter Carey TC
Godden
With the squad rotation including people like Knibbs, Kelman, Burke and Olaofe being able to step in when neededI also don’t think Kelman is suited to a 4-3-3 at all at this level. He’d really struggle as a lone striker in the championship. As would probably all of our strikers, which is another reason it’s definitely not our best set up when everyone is fit as we don’t have a striker good enough to play as a 1 in the championship
It’s basically only really Apter that doesn’t fit our usual system that well. But we saw in August that when we have the right players available then he can still play well in that role anyway2 -
Kelman thrived in a 4231/433 last season in League 1, and though it's a step up, it's a formation he's more comfortable in, especially with 2 pacy wingers getting in behind or playing early balls to him in the channels.
The 352 has worked to a certain extent, but the warning signs were there in the QPR game, and then when we got a couple of injuries in one game, it's all gone to pot. I'd also argue that the 352 doesn't suit Bree as a RWB, TC as the LWB or as a ST, Carey and Knibbs if picked in the same XI, and it doesn't seem to suit Olaofe either as he usually has to take up the TC hybrid LW/LWB/ST role when coming on as a sub
If we're going to stick to 352, we need better wingbacks than what we have now, another DM to be able to rotate with and challenge Coventry, a LCB that doesn't break down every 5 games and has more pace and agility than a combine harvester, and a striker that can create moments for himself1 -
I tried not to be bothered by the interview when he said he was aware of our interest from early on and was keen and then it took ages to complete - so as a pro footballer why on earth did he not find a way over the close season to stay in shape? Either he was carrying an injury (highly possible from the last minute on/off) or is it attitude? I thought our recruitment was now better on both counts, albeit we still won’t get it right every time. I really want it to work out and very early on yesterday he looked lively, but then it all went downhill.3
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He said (to Cawley I think) that he was injured most of the summer. I’m assuming that’s what held up the move too0
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He was hoping Florentino Perez was gonna ring him and have him join his twin Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid, hence the transfer to us taking ages to complete. The call from Mr. Madrid never came.Weegie Addick said:I tried not to be bothered by the interview when he said he was aware of our interest from early on and was keen and then it took ages to complete - so as a pro footballer why on earth did he not find a way over the close season to stay in shape? Either he was carrying an injury (highly possible from the last minute on/off) or is it attitude? I thought our recruitment was now better on both counts, albeit we still won’t get it right every time. I really want it to work out and very early on yesterday he looked lively, but then it all went downhill.0 -
I'm amazed that people have such forthright views on his style of play and what sort of systems would suit him best. I can't remember a thing about him. When would I have seen him play?2
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Looks nothing short of very very average in what’s he’s shown in a Charlton shirt so far.1
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Playing as a lone striker in league 1 for a team that has more of the ball is completely different to doing it the championship for a direct team that has much less of the ball. It’s a completely different rolesam3110 said:Kelman thrived in a 4231/433 last season in League 1, and though it's a step up, it's a formation he's more comfortable in, especially with 2 pacy wingers getting in behind or playing early balls to him in the channels.
The 352 has worked to a certain extent, but the warning signs were there in the QPR game, and then when we got a couple of injuries in one game, it's all gone to pot. I'd also argue that the 352 doesn't suit Bree as a RWB, TC as the LWB or as a ST, Carey and Knibbs if picked in the same XI, and it doesn't seem to suit Olaofe either as he usually has to take up the TC hybrid LW/LWB/ST role when coming on as a sub
If we're going to stick to 352, we need better wingbacks than what we have now, another DM to be able to rotate with and challenge Coventry, a LCB that doesn't break down every 5 games and has more pace and agility than a combine harvester, and a striker that can create moments for himself
Would argue wing back is definitely better for Bree, he likes to defend higher up the pitch rather than have more defensive responsibility in a back 4. Carey and Knibbs are both fine as a 10 but can’t play together in both of those systems.The overall point is that the team is better in the 3-5-2, which is very clear from the results. Maybe some individuals would be better in different roles but the team might be worse. So why change something that works, to maybe get more out of some players?We definitely need to strengthen in some areas but 3-5-2 should definitely still be the plan, and it will be2 -
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The thing that has shocked me about him is his lack of stamina. We heard from Reading fans that he was a great presser but he must have only done that in bursts because I've never seen him make it 30 minutes on the pitch without looking like he was going to have a coronary. When things are going well the likes of Docherty, Carey and Kelman are always right up in opposition players faces from minute one up to minute 90 which is how we score so many late goals but Knibbs looks like you'd have to bring him on on 89 just so he doesn't gas out before injury time9
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sam3110 said:He should thrive as a pressing 10 in a 4231, with decent wingers either side of him and a versatile striker with pace who can then feed off his high press and balls threaded in behind.
He looks shite in our formation and side because we play a different way to that, same as Kelman.
Essentially Jones and the scouting team went out and got a load of players suited to a 4231/433 formation and have tried to shoehorn them into a lopsided 352, with mixed results.
Bell, Ramsay and Gillesphey are perfect for a 3 CB formation, Apter, Knibbs, Kelman and Carey are better suited to a 3 man midfield and 3 up top situation.
Basic maths tells you that's 9 men, add in a keeper and you're left with a random fullback trying to fit in on one side, and a winger on the other side having to try and defend way more than he should, (Edwards and Apter/Bree and TC) or a centre back playing fullback and a striker up top that suddenly has to play out wide (Bell and Olaofe)
With everyone fit I still think our best bet is 4 at the back, 2 deeper midfielders and a 10, with 2 wingers and a striker
Kaminski
Ramsay Jones Bell Edwards
Docherty Coventry
Apter Carey TC
Godden
With the squad rotation including people like Knibbs, Kelman, Burke and Olaofe being able to step in when needed
That 4231 can easily turn into Jones' 352 out of possession as well so he still gets to have his 3CB's
kaminski
Ramsay Jones Bell
Apter Edwards
Docherty Coventry
Carey
TC
Godden
Apter just drops back and leave TC up for the quick ball out, you could argue thats almost how we played before we brought in Bree (and lost the left side)
We desperately need a LWB and LCB in Jan.1 -
Bar the 2 goals, cannot remember a single positive thing he has done, anonymous most of the time0
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It’s the same with Tanto. Don’t know if it’s a case of them not playing enough to build up their match fitness, and a run of starts might get them up to speed. Or maybe it’s the step up in intensity of league 1 to championship or to our more intense style of football that they are struggling with. Probably all of the above, but neither look anywhere near fit enough which is fine in August when they’ve just joined but we are now in December and neither look like they can run for more than 45 minutesGarrymanilow said:The thing that has shocked me about him is his lack of stamina. We heard from Reading fans that he was a great presser but he must have only done that in bursts because I've never seen him make it 30 minutes on the pitch without looking like he was going to have a coronary. When things are going well the likes of Docherty, Carey and Kelman are always right up in opposition players faces from minute one up to minute 90 which is how we score so many late goals but Knibbs looks like you'd have to bring him on on 89 just so he doesn't gas out before injury time0 -
I think when you sign someone from that level its almost certainly because you think they can learn and develop, with an eye on the future. At the moment Tanto has done little to convince me that he should be starting but that's not say the penny won't drop and he becomes a nailed on selection. Knibbs is slightly different, he has scored one after arriving from the bench and one whilst in the starting line but probably our most consistent player in Sonny Carey has taken ownership of the position that Knibbs would occupy, I think there is a player in there but he needs to fitter, start, and not be played out of position, as was the case against Boro, that said, I wouldn't mind him starting against Birmingham and giving Sonny Carey a rest.NabySarr said:
It’s the same with Tanto. Don’t know if it’s a case of them not playing enough to build up their match fitness, and a run of starts might get them up to speed. Or maybe it’s the step up in intensity of league 1 to championship or to our more intense style of football that they are struggling with. Probably all of the above, but neither look anywhere near fit enough which is fine in August when they’ve just joined but we are now in December and neither look like they can run for more than 45 minutesGarrymanilow said:The thing that has shocked me about him is his lack of stamina. We heard from Reading fans that he was a great presser but he must have only done that in bursts because I've never seen him make it 30 minutes on the pitch without looking like he was going to have a coronary. When things are going well the likes of Docherty, Carey and Kelman are always right up in opposition players faces from minute one up to minute 90 which is how we score so many late goals but Knibbs looks like you'd have to bring him on on 89 just so he doesn't gas out before injury time1 -
Doesn’t look great doesn’t look awful, clearly looks a bottom end championship midfielder but then again we’re a bottom end side so can we really be annoyed a player is probably at the level we expect to be around rather than standing out0
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Feels like he's one suffering from us not having a proper amount of balance to the team
Carey has scored the once since we lost Bell, and haven't had proper Wing-Back cover for example.
He'll continue getting a bit of a pass, because of the contributions, the winning contributions that he's been involved in, over the course of the season as a whole. Knibbs on the other hand joined us recovering from injury, didn't get to go to Slovenia, and has had to fight our best signing for a starting berth, when we've had a fit squad, so its not really happened for him.
Since Wrexham he's been in and out of the squad as Jones has experimented, often playing with Carey, and the two I find are a bit Gerrard / Lampard, where they both want to do the same thing, and as a result their qualities are weakened whilst we try and shoehorn them into the same eleven.
Plenty of time for him to show his worth yet... I'd focus on using him as a game changer for now though4 -
How many dishonest pro’s are there ?drawnablank said:He has a lack of positional discipline, is very ball orientated when out of possession which leads to leaving his man, leaving pass lanes open and breaking down the out of possession structure. Seems like an honest pro so hopefully he can work hard and improve these points.I was very disappointed with him last night, his passing was unacceptable. Below 40% completion is inexcusable. Hopefully a one off bad night.1 -
Yep, Tanto is another one who seems to be really struggling with the intensity. He's been a bit of a confusing one all round really. It seemed like he'd been brought in to compete with TC as a pacy striker who would pull out wide and then cut in on his right and attack defences but very quickly it started to look like he wasn't going to be able to provide the width needed. I could tell after his first League Cup game that Jones already wasn't a fan by the way he critcised Tanto's finishing and since then Jones has used him more in the Leaburn/Kelman main striker role than he has in the second striker role. I don't think Tanto can keep up the intensity of pressing that Jones wants and then Jones doesn't trust him to come on and finish a chance so he holds out on bringing him on until quite late in games. You've got to question the scouting on that one because Tanto doesn't seem to fit into any of the striker roles that we utiliseNabySarr said:
It’s the same with Tanto. Don’t know if it’s a case of them not playing enough to build up their match fitness, and a run of starts might get them up to speed. Or maybe it’s the step up in intensity of league 1 to championship or to our more intense style of football that they are struggling with. Probably all of the above, but neither look anywhere near fit enough which is fine in August when they’ve just joined but we are now in December and neither look like they can run for more than 45 minutesGarrymanilow said:The thing that has shocked me about him is his lack of stamina. We heard from Reading fans that he was a great presser but he must have only done that in bursts because I've never seen him make it 30 minutes on the pitch without looking like he was going to have a coronary. When things are going well the likes of Docherty, Carey and Kelman are always right up in opposition players faces from minute one up to minute 90 which is how we score so many late goals but Knibbs looks like you'd have to bring him on on 89 just so he doesn't gas out before injury time1 -
So far he’s proving to be a very disappointing signing.0
