Jon russell

You could say the same for Phillips connell is supposed to be the more defencive minded player of the 3 playing deeper.

 

Having his best season with us, but let’s be honest he’s the type of player who needs players around him to do the hard graft. He’s not mobile at all, remember the Windass goal at Wembley? Useless. For that reason I’d let him go in the summer.

 

Again, you let him go, and you lose a lot.

We have to sell some - and I think we all expect Phillips to go. We’ve kinda got 2 already who replace Phillips - JR and SH.

Jon is an awkward watch at times due to his legs and movement. He looks slow and lingers on the ball - but I think that’s just how he looks. I agree he doesn’t track back as much, but I think he has pace going forward (just doesn’t look like it with his legs), and has vision. Also a decent finisher too.

 

Big loss if BFC let him go.
Big signing for me imo.
Played a massive part in HTFC play offs in championship.
He as to play in a formation which suits him.

 

He had a really good season last season too, he just played a different role.

For me we were a better side last season with a midfield 3 of Russell, Kane & Phillips than we were with Connell replacing Russell in that midfield.

Now that might have been partially down to Connell not being 100% but Russell did do a really decent job for the team as a holding midfielder.

I don’t think it used to help that he more than anybody seemed to be better away from home than at Oakwell.

There was one game away at Oxford last season where I thought he was absolutely outstanding. He completely ran that game.

 

I agree I do think Russell's better further upfield rather than the holding midfielder. I think connell plays the holding role well and also had a good game yesterday was caught out of position for the goal apart from that played well. Our best midfield 3 is definitely connell Russell and Phillips this season.

 

Agree.

That’s what probably limits him as a footballer going higher - he has to play in a shape that suits him, as he struggles to adapt.

I like him - but you have to accept, like most L1 players, you’ll get several games a season where he’s ineffective.

 

We have a small vocal section close to where I sit who can't wait to slag Russell off.The silence yesturday was amazing.

 

100% spot on Luca could do wrong, he couldn't do out right at Oakwell

 

If Russell didn’t have those moments where he just switches off he’d be a great player.

 

Agree we will be selling Phillips, fair doos and wish him well, if we have to sell another of those you mentioned then I would be selling Humphrey’s and keeping Russell

 

He reads the game better than anyone else for me. Aware of teammates around him and rarely wastes a ball. A little bit of a luxury on occasions. Needs grafters around him. Else he'd be playing at a higher level.

 

That's why he plays for us and not in the league above us.

 

Agree T. He's allus been more forward in his play. I can't believe it took us till the Blackpool away game to realise it.

 

Russell cannot play deeper. He needs to stay forward, where he's an asset. When he cruyff turned from attack into defence and gave the ball straight to opposition is exactly why

 

Hmm, does that not mean they had more opportunities to slag him off than to be quiet. There seems to be 2 John Russells but the good one seems to make less appearances than a new moon.

 

That could be down to playing at Oakwell.
It's no surprise that we are much better away from home.
Look at Mad Anderson in lockdown ,he was brilliant, any surprise why .

 

I love Jon. We just need to keep him nearer their box than ours. His languid style can make him look slower than he is.

Second only to DKD in player of the season stakes due to his Improvement and goal contributions.

 

He’s also be playing in the championship too