Bobby Reid Striker?

[Gmac]

Well this might be a bit controversial but this is my honest opinion after watching last couple of home games. I personally would like to start looking at other options up top. I just don’t see him as a striker, admittedly he has proven that he is good poacher around the box but for me hasn’t done anything that Taylor can’t do.

I’m NOT saying I DON'T want him in the team just not as a striker when we have goal scorers in the squad. There have been numerous times were Fammy finds himself receiving the ball and Reid is nowhere near him, he does not have the positional sense to play up top. The 10 minutes I saw of Taylor against Leeds he was constantly on the shoulder of the last man looking for the ball or looking for the knock down from his strike partner.

Now I know he has scored a few goals this season but if I’m right in thinking (most likely wrong) they have mostly been tap ins not clear cut chances. I would much prefer him in the team but in a free role behind the two up top that allows him to drift late into the box. Now this will call for a change in the system we play and I not saying a have a solution to this, but lucky for us I am not the one who gets paid to make these decisions.

Would like to reiterate this is just my opinion after watching a couple of home games where we have had little of a goal threat and is not in response to the Leeds game.

[bearded_red]

Peak OTIB.

[Gimme Shelton]

Lineker,Kane,Tony Thorpe...damn those tap one they shouldn't count 

[Gimme Shelton]

Tap ins

[Shtanley]

Needs Diedhiou playing with him. Be interesting to see how he does vs Palace if he plays

[Lanterne Rouge]

There is an argument I guess for moving him back at the moment purely because Korey and Pato are both out but not based on his attacking qualities IMO

[candygram for mongo]

I was thinking about this earlier.

Bobby has had a great start to the season and his confidence is high and he is a definate starter.

I think he could be the creative midfielder we are currently missing, he always looks to play forward and could unlock the oppositions defences we have struggled against recently.

Just a suggestion like.

[1960maaan]

Has struggled to get in the side in MF , has shone in an attacking 10 / 2nd striker role. By all means improve on what we have but backwards move , literally , by dropping him into MF.

[Red Rum]

He’s gone from relative anominity to being joint top scorer in the Championship - I wouldn’t be desperately keen to change things.

[David Brent]

Couldn’t disagree more. It’s not really a striker role he has anyway, the goals are an added bonus. 

[Guest Ian Crabbe]

I tend to agree,always thought Bobby as a goal scoring midfielder who has the trickery to run at pace which frightens the be death out of any defenders good or bad,but nothing will change until,Taylor,Woodrow or Đurić can prove themselves to be Fammys partner.

ps as regards tap ins don’t forget the perfectly good goal v Burton.

[Major Isewater]

17 minutes ago, candygram for mongo said:

I was thinking about this earlier.

Bobby has had a great start to the season and his confidence is high and he is a definate starter.

I think he could be the creative midfielder we are currently missing, he always looks to play forward and could unlock the oppositions defences we have struggled against recently.

Just a suggestion like.

He was bullied out of it on Saturday when moved into a midfield role .

 I hope he stays up front and continues to learn there.

He has the happy knack of being in the right place at the right time for the tap ins but has also scored a couple of scorchers . 

I would like to see Pack as an out and out No 9 , just for a laugh . 

[reddoh]

8 minutes ago, Major Isewater said:

He was bullied out of it on Saturday when moved into a midfield role .

 I hope he stays up front and continues to learn there.

He has the happy knack of being in the right place at the right time for the tap ins but has also scored a couple of scorchers . 

I would like to see Pack as an out and out No 9 , just for a laugh . 

Pack it in Major :-)

[GrahamC]

1 hour ago, Gmac said:

Well this might be a bit controversial but this is my honest opinion after watching last couple of home games. I personally would like to start looking at other options up top. I just don’t see him as a striker, admittedly he has proven that he is good poacher around the box but for me hasn’t done anything that Taylor can’t do.

I’m NOT saying I DON'T want him in the team just not as a striker when we have goal scorers in the squad. There have been numerous times were Fammy finds himself receiving the ball and Reid is nowhere near him, he does not have the positional sense to play up top. The 10 minutes I saw of Taylor against Leeds he was constantly on the shoulder of the last man looking for the ball or looking for the knock down from his strike partner.

 

Taylor has made 20 league appearances for us now and in those games he has scored twice.

This season Reid has played 13 league games and has scored 7, so your first statement is clearly utter bollocks.

Taylor does lots of running around but for me (and I know this is currently a minority view) he actually contributes very little, his first touch is frankly awful and his aimless effort seems to cover up to a lot of people the fact that he can't finish to save his life at this level.

[formerly known as ivan]

I have been a massive critic of Reid but happy to say he has proved me wrong this season.

He was always going to hit a run of games where the goals dried up. To be fair to him it feels like a long time but given the international break it’s only been two games without a goal! 

Keep him in for another 4/5 games and if things don’t start dropping for him again then maybe mix it up. But for now Reid and Fammy need to be playing together.

[Spoons]

Simply bobby reids energy, work ethic and goals so far this season mean he has earned his right to play up front. 

Not sure it's up for debate really.

[reddoh]

1 minute ago, tinman85 said:

Pack is good at being ineffective with the ball in our half. His shooting yesterday for a professional footballer was a bit of a joke. 

If you want too talk football

for people that spend their time training to be footballers both leeds and us are fairly useless apart from the corner(to far for me to see correctly)  a deflection and a stupid touch cost us the game

[Cider red]

Reid missed pato and fam yesterday, and for me striker is clearly his position. He scored a cracker against Burton. Droping him to midfield would be a mistake Imo.

[RedBrizzleRobin]

Ried and Diedhiou seem to make a good partner ship and scored at a good rate playing together.   Need to be our main starting pair bar injuries.  I'd guess you don't know how a pair will play till starting them, hopefully Johnson has learnt from it and might wane away from a Reid/Woodrow partnership. Starting Woodrow was a bit baffling mind, still not sure why we took him on loan.

Ried's got off to a flyer, the cost of that is teams will look to snuff him out, Leeds did the work to make him ineffective, other teams will too.  Will be a test to see if Reid can adapt when he needs too and adjust.

[cidered abroad]

43 minutes ago, Major Isewater said:

He was bullied out of it on Saturday when moved into a midfield role .

 I hope he stays up front and continues to learn there.

He has the happy knack of being in the right place at the right time for the tap ins but has also scored a couple of scorchers . 

I would like to see Pack as an out and out No 9 , just for a laugh . 

He couldn't hit a barn door with a bag of rice from three feet!

[cidered abroad]

21 minutes ago, tinman85 said:

Pack is good at being ineffective with the ball in our half. His shooting yesterday for a professional footballer was a bit of a joke. 

It's always a big joke!

[redcherryberry]

1 hour ago, Shtanley said:

Needs Diedhiou playing with him. Be interesting to see how he does vs Palace if he plays

Agreed. Bobby got nothing playing off the powder puff Woodrow. Fam can be awful at times but still has impact & again so crucial to the way we play.  

[Calculus]

1 hour ago, Gmac said:

Well this might be a bit controversial but this is my honest opinion after watching last couple of home games. I personally would like to start looking at other options up top. I just don’t see him as a striker, admittedly he has proven that he is good poacher around the box but for me hasn’t done anything that Taylor can’t do.

I’m NOT saying I DON'T want him in the team just not as a striker when we have goal scorers in the squad. There have been numerous times were Fammy finds himself receiving the ball and Reid is nowhere near him, he does not have the positional sense to play up top. The 10 minutes I saw of Taylor against Leeds he was constantly on the shoulder of the last man looking for the ball or looking for the knock down from his strike partner.

Now I know he has scored a few goals this season but if I’m right in thinking (most likely wrong) they have mostly been tap ins not clear cut chances. I would much prefer him in the team but in a free role behind the two up top that allows him to drift late into the box. Now this will call for a change in the system we play and I not saying a have a solution to this, but lucky for us I am not the one who gets paid to make these decisions.

Would like to reiterate this is just my opinion after watching a couple of home games where we have had little of a goal threat and is not in response to the Leeds game.

If we're ignoring tap ins, I take it you didn't rate Tammy either...

[Shtanley]

10 minutes ago, redcherryberry said:

Agreed. Bobby got nothing playing off the powder puff Woodrow. Fam can be awful at times but still has impact & again so crucial to the way we play.  

I can see Fam improving over the course of the season too whereas I feel apart from Woodrow understanding his teammates better he has little improvement to come.

[Red Skin]

Problem with supply through the middle in last couple of games for me.  Both Leeds and Burton squeezed the space. We need to stretch the game.  Bobby still the man for me.

[Fiale]

1 hour ago, Cider red said:

Reid missed pato and fam yesterday, and for me striker is clearly his position. He scored a cracker against Burton. Droping him to midfield would be a mistake Imo.

 

 

Paterson and Reid feed of each a lot. The amount of balls Reid feeds to Paterson in dangerous areas of the pitch is a big contributor to the number of chances/assists he has created. Added to the chances and goals they also both carve out for themselves I would say that Reid and Paterson are our most potent threat running at and stretching the defence. I love watching the two of them play.

[Davefevs]

3 hours ago, GrahamC said:

Taylor has made 20 league appearances for us now and in those games he has scored twice.

This season Reid has played 13 league games and has scored 7, so your first statement is clearly utter bollocks.

Taylor does lots of running around but for me (and I know this is currently a minority view) he actually contributes very little, his first touch is frankly awful and his aimless effort seems to cover up to a lot of people the fact that he can't finish to save his life at this level.

We are so alike in our thoughts on Taylor.  I do however think he was MOTM v Stoke, which is the only time I’ve seen him play at that level of performance, suggesting it is not the norm.

Reid and Woodrow got no service Saturday, but most seem to think that means Woodrow is sh1t, but that Bobby just had a poor game.  Woodrow was well-involved in the good bits that happened in the last 15 minutes of the first half.

Diedhiou looks so much quicker over the ground than early season, I think he’s now 90% adjusted.  

Must start with Reid and Diedhiou on Tuesday....let’s not rush Djúric who is not a mobile target man at the best of times.  15 minutes near the end if we need him.  

I’m sure on Wednesday last week, LJ had picked his two elevens for Sat and Tues...but injuries, illness and now suspension (likely), means he can actually pick his best(ish) eleven.  The likes of Magnússon must start, whereas maybe the likes of Kelly and Vyner, might need to wait for a different opportunity.

[spudski]

I think it's been genius that Reid has been seen as a 'number 10' rather than an attacking midfielder.

He's far more effective higher up the field imo. His constant energy both offensively and defensively has been one of the factors of our success this season.

Lets not forget, this is a lad that hasn't played this role before in league games, and his decision  to go along with it was massive as to what happened further in his career.

I've also noticed how much stronger he's become. You don't knock him off the ball so much these days. His header that just flew wide of the post by a whisker against Leeds also showed he can mix it with the defenders....what it again...he doesn't hold back in getting stuck in.

He had a perfectly good goal disallowed against Burton...He should be sitting top of the goalscorers on his own, let alone being equal top scorer.

Teams have paid £millions to have a top scorer in their team...we've found one in our ranks.

[RedM]

I think like all players, especially goal scorers where it really shows, Bobby is having a bit of a dip in the last couple of games. Well it would have been beyond belief that he could have carried that form on week after week. I do think though this is totally  because the opposition are being aware of him and snuffing him out than his confidence dropping etc.

This in theory should leave more room for other players, but when so many were having an off day against tough opposition it just didn't happen for us. I think a full strength side would have been a different match altogether. We had injuries then tinkered further, too much I think.

[Charlie BCFC]

14 hours ago, Gmac said:

Well this might be a bit controversial but this is my honest opinion after watching last couple of home games. I personally would like to start looking at other options up top. I just don’t see him as a striker, admittedly he has proven that he is good poacher around the box but for me hasn’t done anything that Taylor can’t do.

I’m NOT saying I DON'T want him in the team just not as a striker when we have goal scorers in the squad. There have been numerous times were Fammy finds himself receiving the ball and Reid is nowhere near him, he does not have the positional sense to play up top. The 10 minutes I saw of Taylor against Leeds he was constantly on the shoulder of the last man looking for the ball or looking for the knock down from his strike partner.

Now I know he has scored a few goals this season but if I’m right in thinking (most likely wrong) they have mostly been tap ins not clear cut chances. I would much prefer him in the team but in a free role behind the two up top that allows him to drift late into the box. Now this will call for a change in the system we play and I not saying a have a solution to this, but lucky for us I am not the one who gets paid to make these decisions.

Would like to reiterate this is just my opinion after watching a couple of home games where we have had little of a goal threat and is not in response to the Leeds game.

So have you seen all the other games or is it just Leeds and Burton?

[Rich_s]

He’s joint top scorer in the championship at present so crazy to consider alternatives. Maybe he’s getting closer attention due to his goal tally. He’s always been a player who shines for a few games and then drifts into anonymity. Saying Taylor does the same thing is wrong IMHO because his record speaks for itself as does his first touch.

[spudski]

14 minutes ago, RedM said:

I think like all players, especially goal scorers where it really shows, Bobby is having a bit of a dip in the last couple of games. Well it would have been beyond belief that he could have carried that form on week after week. I do think though this is totally  because the opposition are being aware of him and snuffing him out than his confidence dropping etc.

This in theory should leave more room for other players, but when so many were having an off day against tough opposition it just didn't happen for us. I think a full strength side would have been a different match altogether. We had injuries then tinkered further, too much I think.

Tbh RedM I don't think his form has dipped.

He scored a cracking goal against Burton that was wrongly disallowed.

Against Leeds Woodrow did nothing to help feed him. Leko was bloody awful...one ball into the box, too close to keeper and near post. Then got moved into midfield for Taylor and Flint. I thought he'd scored with the header...then he did a 'Bas Savage'...which made me chuckle.

As you say, other influences haven't helped him.

[BS4 on Tour...]

13 hours ago, cidered abroad said:

It's always a big joke!

I don't agree with that, off the top of my head I can remember Pack scoring cracking long range goals away at Coventry and Fulham and notching with great finishes at home to Leeds and QPR....his finishing certainly isn't 'always a big joke' - but it was pretty woeful on Saturday...

[Kid in the Riot]

1 hour ago, spudski said:

I think it's been genius that Reid has been seen as a 'number 10' rather than an attacking midfielder.

He's far more effective higher up the field imo. His constant energy both offensively and defensively has been one of the factors of our success this season.

Lets not forget, this is a lad that hasn't played this role before in league games, and his decision  to go along with it was massive as to what happened further in his career.

I've also noticed how much stronger he's become. You don't knock him off the ball so much these days. His header that just flew wide of the post by a whisker against Leeds also showed he can mix it with the defenders....what it again...he doesn't hold back in getting stuck in.

He had a perfectly good goal disallowed against Burton...He should be sitting top of the goalscorers on his own, let alone being equal top scorer.

Teams have paid £millions to have a top scorer in their team...we've found one in our ranks.

Have to say I'm not convinced it's been 'genius' as such. If you look back to the summer it was actually more a case of LJ having no other options up top due to injuries to Taylor/Đurić and Engvall being not rated/on loan. I think it was only ever supposed to be a temporary measure, probably until Đurić got fit, who LJ rates highly. But Reid's form in that position, coupled with continuing injuries to Taylor/Đurić and now Fam have made him un-droppable for the time being.

I do kind of see where the OP is coming from. I only ever thought Reid in this position would be temporary and once Đurić returns to full fitness (if he does)  and Reid falls out of form (probably inevitable at some point) then I wouldn't be surprised for things to be changed up. For now though we have few options other than to stick with Reid, who is rewarding his manager.

[JoeAman08]

I was thinking about this last night. Bobby’s goals have dried up a bit but Fam’s have picked up. Possible after a few games teams starting marking Bobby differently? He seems to have much less time on the call than he was getting at the start of the season. 

Personally im keeping him up there. He brings so much more to the team than any other option maybe bar Matty Taylor who’s struggling to stay fit and take his chances. Bobby’s pressing is also very important to our play. I never expected him to be a 15-20 goal striker so the facts he’s got 7 in the league is already well above expectations. Him and Fam is probably our best pairing though I’d love to see more Fam and Taylor at some point while Milan we’ll have to see who he fits best with. 

[spudski]

3 hours ago, Kid in the Riot said:

Have to say I'm not convinced it's been 'genius' as such. If you look back to the summer it was actually more a case of LJ having no other options up top due to injuries to Taylor/Đurić and Engvall being not rated/on loan. I think it was only ever supposed to be a temporary measure, probably until Đurić got fit, who LJ rates highly. But Reid's form in that position, coupled with continuing injuries to Taylor/Đurić and now Fam have made him un-droppable for the time being.

I do kind of see where the OP is coming from. I only ever thought Reid in this position would be temporary and once Đurić returns to full fitness (if he does)  and Reid falls out of form (probably inevitable at some point) then I wouldn't be surprised for things to be changed up. For now though we have few options other than to stick with Reid, who is rewarding his manager.

Did you see the interview with Reid regarding becoming more of a forward Mate?

I got the impression it was calculated rather than a manoeuvre because of injury.

Đurić is also a completely different striker to Reid.

Imo the way we play is all about pressing high with lots of energy from the front line.

I don't think Taylor or Đurić would be able to give that amount of energy...both completely different from Reid imo.

 

[Nogbad the Bad]

The role Bobby's playing now is the only position he'll get into the side.

Fair play to him, he's surprised everyone and done really well but he's a confidence player and he does need the goals to keep coming, albeit no one expects him to continue his early season rate. The last thing we want to see though is him completely fizzling out in that position with a long non scoring run.

This is the responsibility of the coach imo.- it's up to LJ to work out exactly why BR was doing so well, and getting into so many goalscoring positions, and ensure, as far as possible, the team is set up tactically so that continues. No forward can thrive, football or confidence wise in a team that isn't creating chances.

Bobby's getting little or no opportunities to continue his great start at the moment, but that's not his fault, and he's certainly worth persevering with.