Why, oh why won't Leon do it?

[Shropshire Seagull]

I've watched Leon Knight, home and away, several times over the last 2 seasons. We all know that his strength is his pace, not his height, so why, oh why does he not take defenders on. He'll try and turn them, yes, but when he comes at them face on, why doesn't he knock it past them for a possible 1v1 on the keeper.

If he did this, I'm sure at worst he'd win some free-kicks in dangerous areas and possible cards against reckless defenders can also build pressure in a game. It's a confidence thing but I'm surprised Bob Brooker hasn't got round to working on this with Knight on the training ground. It would also compliment our passing game which has come on leaps and bounds this year with Knight getting much more ball to feet than last term.

Am I missing/overlooking something? (or should I apply for the Spurs vacancy?)

 

[London Irish]

I think many of the defenders he's faced this year have been as quick as him and that's been a shock to the system for him. But he is adjusting and will come good for us. I think he is getting better with every game.

 

[Icy Gull]

It would help him to have a genuine target man to play off rather than and a makeshift forward. I am really impressed with Virgo's conrtibution but a genuine forward he ain't.

In a team that creates little when you are little and have a defender as a strike partner must be fecking frustrating. I'd love to see how he'd do with a good experienced striker alongside him. Starting to doubt he'll ever get that opportunity in an Albion shirt though.

 

[Yorkie]

People go on about how well he did with Benjamin and Iwelumo but he didn't score many goals in open play from January onwards which is when they were with us.
The one open goal he scored against Plymouth was, in fact, assisted by Virgo.

 

[Schrödinger's Toad]

People go on about how well he did with Benjamin and Iwelumo but he didn't score many goals in open play from January onwards which is when they were with us.
The one open goal he scored against Plymouth was, in fact, assisted by Virgo.

Plus Colchester (h), assisted by Iwelumo's knock-down

 

[Yorkie]

Plus Colchester (h), assisted by Iwelumo's knock-down

Ok 2 goals in 5 months which is his strike rate now.

 

[Kneon Light]

I think you hit the nail on the head in the original post when you said it was a confidence thing.

 

[Yorkie]

I think you hit the nail on the head in the original post when you said it was a confidence thing.

It's strange but I would have thought he would have got confidence from that superb nutmeg to pass to Currie which resulted in a goal.

I really think Knight has to work on his positioning off the ball. He doesn't anticipate where the ball may be going and get himself free of a marker.
Jakey has that ability but not the experience yet.

 

[Kneon Light]

To be honest I don't think Leon has been the same player since Coppell left. I do worry about his relationship with McGhee.

 

[oldham gull]

Leon is having a relationship with McGhee?

 

[Yorkie]

Leon is having a relationship with McGhee?

Back to the original question at the top of the thread.



No, naughty Yorkie (slaps own wrist)

 

[b.w.2.]

I agree that the original suggestion about him running at defenders makes sense... saw the highlights against Derby on Seagulls World, and he did do this... problem was, his runs started at about the half-way line, i.e. not in the danger area where we would all like to see him...

 

[b.w.2.]

I also agree that him playing alongside Virgo means that he is sometimes missing out on a natural centre forward's knock-downs during a game... and I'm NOT having a pop at Virgs here, because I know he is giving his all... just know that we definitely need a "proper" target man (as does MM)...

 

[Yorkie]

The problem at this level is that defenders can read passes so well they can intercept with ease.

I would like to see Leon in the box poaching. Many a time there has been a rebound or a ball going astray in the penalty area and there is no-one there to stick a toe on the end of it or head it (at waist level) Not just from Leon but from a couple of the midfielders too.

 

[Charlies Shinpad]

Apparentely Leon is the worst trainer at the Club,so read in to that what you like

Seems it is beginning to show on the pitch now.

Another point is that did anybody else notice last Saturday the only player to run straight off the pitch after the game,when the rest of the team applauded the away fans

 

[Brighton Breezy]

I think it is a confidence thing. He is lacking in confidence so not trying to take people on.

 

[The Laughing Bluebird]

Perhaps Leon doesn't do it because he can't do it?

 

[Schrödinger's Toad]

He can, he's proved he can - Rushden (a), Sheff Wed (h), he did it and scored great goals - if we give him the service, I'm sure he'll do it again. Two goals for Leon today, I feel.

 

[BensGrandad]

By hook or by crook we have GOT to find a big striker, even if it means putting the club in a bit more debt than we are already in. We could then possibly have a Toshack Keegan type partnership.

 

[London Irish]

I agree that the original suggestion about him running at defenders makes sense... saw the highlights against Derby on Seagulls World, and he did do this... problem was, his runs started at about the half-way line, i.e. not in the danger area where we would all like to see him...

That's right, at Derby the ball wasn't coming his way because our midfield was second-best. So he came to the ball to get it.

This to me shows a greater maturity and intelligence than Leon has previously shown. Some of his runs against Derby were absolutely brilliant. Sorry, this thing about him having no confidence is old hat - he was the only player bar Currie showing any fight at all.

Why I think Leon is improving is that he is gradually adapting to and accepting the flaws of the rest of the team rather than expecting everything to be laid on a plate for him and throwing his hands in the air when it doesn't happen.

His partnership with Virgo is not perfect, but as Yorkie has pointed out, people have rose-tinted views about his previous partners. Was it better with Henderson, McPhee, Benjamin and Big Chris?

Ironically he played some of his best games partnering Henderson, but I think that was because Coppell had the entire team working smoothly. The Benji-Leon partnership was when we looked the most potent up front, but that was because Benji was a fine player who led our line superbly, he was an old-fashioned slefish centre forward who made more chances for himself than players round him. I would say Big Chris' lay-offs were much more inaccurate than Virgo's, the ball could fly anywhere off Big Chris and Leon looked genuinely miserable trying to guess which way they were going.

I'm satisfied with the current partnership and I'm surprised at the number of people getting cold feet about it. But alas it's typical of the inflated expectations that our 5 wins have bred.