This isn’t a dig in anyway at all, I feel that Palmer has a fantastic future in the game and has, in whole, done very well this season. However, over the past few games, I’ve felt that he has gone a little missing and with it being such an important position in our team, he needs to offer a bit more. I know we can go back and forth with the Matty James argument, but I do feel that with Kane out, we’re a bit short in the middle. Surely it’s a great time to give Palmer a rest, and give Styles a go in that CM position for a few weeks. We’ve Williams who can fill in at LWB. I just don’t think that Palmer is having a big enough impact on the game at the moment. When you consider that Mowatt, who plays the same position, has 7 goals and more assists, it show just how important it is. Maybe a rest would do Palmer the world of good?
Interesting, as I'm a big fan of Styles, but I think his form has dipped over the last few matches. He's been outstanding all season, so I think (a) it's understandable for his standards to drop a little and (b) he's built up enough good will to survive a rocky spell citicism free.
He's probably a victim of his own success, raised expectations and the opposition being more aware of him I absolutely love him though, he's a massive part of our improvement this season and last.
Palmer hasn't been at his best last 2 games and we have looked better with halme coming on at half time. We won 8 on spin without matty James and he hasn't made a massive impact at Coventry so that argument is a non starter really. I don't think styles has been at his best especially the Wednesday game getting caught in possession for the 2nd and the silly back pass Friday which almost cost us. We have the option to move him to the middle and play williams in the wing back position.
Palmer has played 31 games this season. He's never played anything near that before. Even when he was playing regularly for Darlington, he only managed 18 appearances in a season, and it was in the 6th tier. He's probably running on fumes. The schedule has been strenuous for everyone, but I'd imagine even more so for a 22 year old who hasn't played more than 8 games in a championship season before. He's probably in need of a rest. Sadly, Kane's injury has come at a bad time.
I don't think it's just Styles (or Palmers) form that's dipped, no one has really performed anywhere near close to what they can over the last two games. Personally I think that the pigs game was just fatigue and the Reading game was them just getting back into it. Luton game should have us back firing on all cylinders.
he's a young lad, only gonna learn through experience. I think that position is a bit of a weak link though, and doesn't feel like anyone is really grabbing the shirt. palmer, halme or kane
I think the last time Williams came on as a sub for Palmer, he actually went to RWB and Brittain moved inside. Might be that VI prefers a right footer there, or feels moving inside one place is an easier switch to make than moving from the left of mowatt to the right of him.
Sorry but Halme aint no midfielder if you want to play constructive football through midfield. He reminds me of infant school football where you all chase the ball and do slide tackles, but in infant school you didn't get booked. BUT if the game is one of the many head tennis type games then he is useful, or if you are in front and need a defensive midfielder to sit in front of the back three. I would prefer to see either Kane. Styles or Palmer play with Mowatt in the starting lineup to be creative.
I agree. Val seems to think he’s a midfielder though. For a centre half his timing and tackling seems erratic
I find it really odd that Odour hasn't been given any game time by Val. He must be a seriously bad trainer or something. Id also like to see styles given a chance in midfield.
A lot of us wondered why Struber wasn't picking him and now it seems as though Val isn't that bothered about picking him either. Must be down to training sessions surely?
Think he's got tremendous ability but VI and struber don't trust him sticking to the gameplan/ shape. Didn't struber drag him off a couple of times 1st half, last season?
Always found Odour attractive to watch going forward but think he needs to work a bit more on his defensive game. Seems to leave a big gap at the back when he bombs forward, although he usually just about makes it back in time to put in a challenge. Maybe his head coaches though don't want to have that heart in the mouth moment with him,and prefer players who can stick with the shape more
