Players I've watched so far this season (15 replies)
BPF - been solid, probably not as commanding as Ruddy on crosses but his general goalkeeping has been very good. Very comfortable with distribution long or short.
Allsop - I find it hard to separate him from BPF as they're both very similar. Again no problems with the ball at his feet.
Laird - I think you get the best out of him depending on who he has to link up with. For me, in terms of wavelength he seems to connect better with Willumsson and Roberts, whereas with Miyoshi I think they subtract from one another a bit. He likes those quick one-twos and getting past the full back. Needs to sharpen his final ball but there's no doubt he's critical to how we play.
Sampsted - still need to see more to make a proper assessment but he looks perfectly capable slotting in.
Klarer - rolls Royce on the ball. Very calm. I think goals we've conceded with him in the team are more down to us being completely exposed than any bad defending from him. Been very good so far.
Beilik - maybe too relaxed at times? Played well yesterday tho and if he finds his range with long passing (as he did with Laird for the Wycombe equaliser) he’ll be a shout for team of the season. I think he's been brilliant generally, strong aggressive, happy to drive forward, suits him more than at CM.
Sanderson - obviously let himself down with the 2nd yellow v Charlton but he's been generally impressive in preseason and the games he's played this season. Can't see him starting over Klarer but more than happy for him to slot in with how he's generally playing.
Cochrane - seems very assured, never phased. Would like to see more of him going forward but I think that's more tactical with Laird being the main attacking focus from the other wing. I think in terms of pure defending, Buchanan is probably stronger in that aspect but generally I think he slightly shades it overall.
Miyoshi - great balance, very incisive player. Always got a goal in him. Should he start most games? Probably yes.
Donovan - I pray to God we don't sell this kid. Disappointed to not see him feature more as he's the last thing a tired defender would want to see. Still needs to bulk up a bit but I have no doubt this kid has a very bright future.
Harris - puts himself about well. Very good technically. Brilliant how he started and ended the goal for 2-1 yesterday. Not sure about starting most games but he's definitely a nice-to-have player.
Paik - often goes under the radar. Tidy player but he seems to have 1 episode a game of a critical lack of awareness that puts us in major trouble. He's generally very trustworthy with the ball. I wouldn't put him on free kicks or corners either - too floaty with his ball striking. He does knit us together very well but I feel he could do more offensively.
Khela - I like the kid but don't think he's quite ready for consistent minutes in the team yet. Glad to see him around the first team but needs to get minutes in his natural position.
Leonard - think he'll only get better and better. Very intelligent player. Does both sides of the game very well.
Roberts - I hope we see more of him. He's got enough about him to start more frequently imo
Anderson - absolutely what we need for this season. Strong, tenacious, good quality hold up and link up. Not a player who allows himself to be bullied. My only gripe with Keshi is that he doesn't score anywhere near enough goals for a player of his quality.
Willumsson - the weight of his passing and his overall link up is excellent. Great decision making, physical, got goals in him. Just hope he stays fit. Starts for me.
Hansson - wonderful technically, kinda reminds me of Robben when he's in full flight running at defenders. Just needs to get himself in the game a bit more which is probably difficult when Laird is the main outlet.
Yokoyama - too early to say too much but he had a great debut. Good feet, looks like he'll pop up with some goals this season too.
Dembele - as frustrating as he can be with overdoing it, I'd prefer him to stay. A player that consistently gets you off your seat but he doesn't start for me. For stubborn/tired teams he will wreak havoc. Got better with toning down the ball greediness but still needs to work on end product for me.
May - hard not to love this guy. A proper striker. No doubt in my mind that he'll be top scorer in league 1 this season.
Juuuuuuuuuke - there'll be games that play to his strengths. We've had a lot of the ball in all the games without those teams being hemmed into their own box and I think when teams are retreating back for large periods he can do some damage in those scenarios. We do need a other striker tho. Maybe Roberts should be the second option?
Allsop - I find it hard to separate him from BPF as they're both very similar. Again no problems with the ball at his feet.
Laird - I think you get the best out of him depending on who he has to link up with. For me, in terms of wavelength he seems to connect better with Willumsson and Roberts, whereas with Miyoshi I think they subtract from one another a bit. He likes those quick one-twos and getting past the full back. Needs to sharpen his final ball but there's no doubt he's critical to how we play.
Sampsted - still need to see more to make a proper assessment but he looks perfectly capable slotting in.
Klarer - rolls Royce on the ball. Very calm. I think goals we've conceded with him in the team are more down to us being completely exposed than any bad defending from him. Been very good so far.
Beilik - maybe too relaxed at times? Played well yesterday tho and if he finds his range with long passing (as he did with Laird for the Wycombe equaliser) he’ll be a shout for team of the season. I think he's been brilliant generally, strong aggressive, happy to drive forward, suits him more than at CM.
Sanderson - obviously let himself down with the 2nd yellow v Charlton but he's been generally impressive in preseason and the games he's played this season. Can't see him starting over Klarer but more than happy for him to slot in with how he's generally playing.
Cochrane - seems very assured, never phased. Would like to see more of him going forward but I think that's more tactical with Laird being the main attacking focus from the other wing. I think in terms of pure defending, Buchanan is probably stronger in that aspect but generally I think he slightly shades it overall.
Miyoshi - great balance, very incisive player. Always got a goal in him. Should he start most games? Probably yes.
Donovan - I pray to God we don't sell this kid. Disappointed to not see him feature more as he's the last thing a tired defender would want to see. Still needs to bulk up a bit but I have no doubt this kid has a very bright future.
Harris - puts himself about well. Very good technically. Brilliant how he started and ended the goal for 2-1 yesterday. Not sure about starting most games but he's definitely a nice-to-have player.
Paik - often goes under the radar. Tidy player but he seems to have 1 episode a game of a critical lack of awareness that puts us in major trouble. He's generally very trustworthy with the ball. I wouldn't put him on free kicks or corners either - too floaty with his ball striking. He does knit us together very well but I feel he could do more offensively.
Khela - I like the kid but don't think he's quite ready for consistent minutes in the team yet. Glad to see him around the first team but needs to get minutes in his natural position.
Leonard - think he'll only get better and better. Very intelligent player. Does both sides of the game very well.
Roberts - I hope we see more of him. He's got enough about him to start more frequently imo
Anderson - absolutely what we need for this season. Strong, tenacious, good quality hold up and link up. Not a player who allows himself to be bullied. My only gripe with Keshi is that he doesn't score anywhere near enough goals for a player of his quality.
Willumsson - the weight of his passing and his overall link up is excellent. Great decision making, physical, got goals in him. Just hope he stays fit. Starts for me.
Hansson - wonderful technically, kinda reminds me of Robben when he's in full flight running at defenders. Just needs to get himself in the game a bit more which is probably difficult when Laird is the main outlet.
Yokoyama - too early to say too much but he had a great debut. Good feet, looks like he'll pop up with some goals this season too.
Dembele - as frustrating as he can be with overdoing it, I'd prefer him to stay. A player that consistently gets you off your seat but he doesn't start for me. For stubborn/tired teams he will wreak havoc. Got better with toning down the ball greediness but still needs to work on end product for me.
May - hard not to love this guy. A proper striker. No doubt in my mind that he'll be top scorer in league 1 this season.
Juuuuuuuuuke - there'll be games that play to his strengths. We've had a lot of the ball in all the games without those teams being hemmed into their own box and I think when teams are retreating back for large periods he can do some damage in those scenarios. We do need a other striker tho. Maybe Roberts should be the second option?