Jon Russell

Probably a better way of putting it than my 'he's *****'

 

That is the bbs way though lol

 

He wasn't instrumental at all 2 good games in 2 seasons.

 

A poor man's Paul Pogba but with better hair.

Out of all the 'experienced' midfielders he'd probably be the one I'd want to keep but financial factors will probably dictate otherwise.

He's just had his best season at the club and he's only got a year left on his contract.

The pragmatist in me says cash in.

 

We've got so many samey players. We'd benefit by selling Russell or Phillips or DKD or Humphrys.

Likewise Connell been babba for two seasons. Need a rebuild.

Yes we've had goals and assists from all of the above but barring DKD. They've tried and failed on multiple occasions.

Players come and go. Time for a clear out. I hope CH gets his way and we play with proper wingers and full backs. No way we need all those number 10's.

 

Wow he doesn’t even look like a footballer 95% of the time

 

That was exactly my point, someone suggested Russell was an established championship player at Huddersfield off the back of playoff performances.

 

Arguably his only good games were in the playoffs against Bolton. That was my point - someone highlighted Russell playing well in a championship playoff tie for Huddersfield, I was just pointing out Sam Cosgrove played well in our playoff games last season; especially away - it means next to nothing in isolation. Cosgrove is garbage.

I’m not saying Russell is - but his playing for Huddersfield in a playoff tie adds nothing to arguments for or against him.

 

He made 27 championship appearances for Huddersfield as a 19/20 year old in the season they reached the championship play offs scoring 2 goals aswell.

 

That was my exactly my point,playing in the championship campaign, not just the finals.
Cosgrove turned up in the play offs.

 

100% spot on

 

To be fair neither did Jan Molby or Mick Quinn!

 

And he’s only 24.

Yesterday, we had Connell AND Bland behind him. One being an out and out holding/defensive midfielder, and the other, more of a seek and destroy type, who can play a bit. I think Phillips could have played that role, but obviously stuff has gone off in recent weeks and that ship has sailed. But having that more defensive-minded duo in midfield allows an attacking midfielder more freedom to play higher, less responsibility etc. He can go beyond the one striker at times, which you saw as DKD drops back to link play, or comes deep to bring the defender with him, creating space for Jon to move into.

It’s also a huge myth that he doesn’t defend or know how to tackle. Only Earl and Lembikisa made more tackles yesterday. Two defenders. In terms of passing, he’s often in the top three each game for successfully completed passes. As he was yesterday. About 83% I think it was.

By the way, 100% for DKD is ridiculous, from 20 passes, that’s elite level. Have a look back at some of them. For comparison, the three Reading forwards were around the 70% mark from similar number of passes. Crazy. No wonder he got a 9.14 rating on WhoScored. If a Champ club doesn’t throw money at us for Davis, there must be some right talent up there.

Handful of really good players for the level in this squad. Sadly, none of them are defenders. In my opinion.

 

I think Russell is a very good player. I also think Connell and Phillips are very good players. But I don’t think you can play the 3 together in a midfield. There’s a lack of pace and work rate. A midfield 3 with any 2 of the above plus someone to run about I think would really work.

I remember people saying (which I agreed with) that Hourihane himself couldn’t play in central midfield for similar reasons to Russell. He did a great job of it in the end because he changed, but more importantly because he had Scowen alongside him to run around. We need a Josh Scowen type now more than most other areas in my opinion.

 

I’ve mentioned on here about APs work ethic on the dirty side of the game - is it a case of it’s him or Russell and not both in the same team?

 

Lots of good reviews about Russell that are spot on, Good player playing forward from midfield but needs a Scowen/ Bannan style pairing behind him to be at his best. Watching him slalem through the defence and stroke the ball into the corner is one of the few highlights this season. If we build to support him keep, but if not let him go..

 

If it's a case of needing to sell two players, I'd let Connell and Phillips go and build the side around DKD and Russell. Completely agree with others on here that we need a Scowen / Sheridan type to do the spade work. A fully fit Connell would be that player but he's been absolutely gash for the best part of two seasons now. That may not be entirely his fault, but in any case a fresh start may be best for all concerned.

 

suppose there aint been much to compare with last few years

 

It was Ben Pearson initially doing the donkey work for Conor (after James Bailey's gloriously bad spell), then Danny signed Scowen. But again, it was Pearson and then his replacement - Brownhill - who partnered Hourihane in the main during the promotion season with Josh either wide right or right back. And once Scowen and Hourihane were paired up, in the Championship, I think Conor had become a more rounded midfielder anyway.

That isn't to denigrate Josh or his contribution at Oakwell. He played just over 100 times during one of the best spells in our modern history. Often spoken of in defensive terms, and I get it, because he was great in the tackle, landed on second balls etc, but his ability on the ball, his speed over the ground and great passing were sometimes overlooked. He also won a silly amount of headers for a shorta**e.

Connell is the nearest we have to him, but not in the same class. Not the last two years anyway. But in his first season I'd have said he was better than Scowen. Some will cite the illness he suffered with for months, and I imagine it must be a factor. But he had Brad Collins, Jordan Williams, Nicky Cadden, Liam Kitching, Bobby Thomas and Mads Andersen behind him.

Whoever stays or goes, I hope Conor builds his side from the back. Get that foundation sorted and I think the rest will be easier.

 

I still think Russell could develop into a cm that could do a decent job in a 2 if he works hard with the coaching staff.
He needs to make himself more useful in build up with his body positioning, always had his back to goal needing too many touches to get the ball forward. Aswell as his defensive awareness when he does go to press.
Or we do the sensible thing and sign a midfielder that can actually run (play 4-3-3) but I won’t hold my breath