RUSSELL

Russell for me is the best player in our team and Kane Cole Cadden Williams Lopata are thriving with him being there and feeding off how he plays.
Sorry but Connell isn't replacing Russeĺl and if he does we won't be good.

 

He does a job but slows our attacking play down to a crawling pace when he gets ball .

 

Not the highest yardstick

 

I know; believe me I'm not his greatest fan, but credit where it's due.

 

He’s been massively improved this season, credit to him. It’s a good job too as I don’t think we’ll be seeing Connell back any time soon.

 

Wish Connell was fit. Can't think of a better partnership than Connell and Russell.

 

I think there is perhaps a degree of hyperbole in your opening sentence, but I certainly agree that Russell is a very classy player and would not look out of place with other classy players.

 

Cool & Class, can't wait.

 

Generally think he's deceptive on the eye, he's a fair old unit and a times looks like he's running through heavy snow but it not a lack of effort, genuinely though, confidence through getting backed by a manager and total belief is worth more than its weight in gold well done to the lad, clearly enjoying his time

 

The Connell Russell Kane combo could be great. Russell keeps possession, rarely makes a bad pass turns defence in to attack in seconds is always available to receive the ball.
Add Connell to that with his strengths.

 

Connell, Russell, Phillips, shirley.

 

We have four or five midfielders that would get in most Championship sides. Russell is one of them on his day. He will be a star at Oakwell.

 

By the end of the season Russell will be regarded as the best centre mid in league 1.

 

Most Championship sides? Have to disagree with you there, other than for Connell. I think they'd all get in certain lower end sides. I think Kane and Benson are good league one players. Phillips is a good Championship player, given his actual numbers even if people do say he goes missing sometimes. Russell needs more game time on a consistent basis before saying he's anywhere near a good enough Championship midfielder, though I think in time he certainly will be. Connell would get into most sides 100%.

 

Played much better lately and is influencing games. I just hope that someone will be able to get him to commit to things and put that extra bit of effort in because he still backs out of things a bit too much for me and lacks that bit of desire to win balls. When he has it he finds a pass and makes it look easy but when the ball isn't passed perfectly to him and he has to run for it he isn't interested. We've had plenty like that though. If Collins and the coaches can work on that with him he could be a very very good player

 

Wow, what a time ehh when we/England had players like Trevor Brooking, and Kevin Keegan etc, and others at the later stages of their careers.
But they could still dominate matches for their clubs, because of experience and intelligence and professionalism.

 

Kane was excellent Saturday, very active all over the pitch- a totally different player to the one we signed imho. Russell looks a bit too laid back, doesn’t do much wrong or give the ball away but I think on a few occasions could be a bit more active and quicker in winning and moving the ball on. I like his physical presence, just needs to speed it up a bit, I think he’s improving though, so don’t think we’ve seen the best of him yet.