Have we seen the best of Huddlestone or is he still rusty?

[mrlilywhite]

Came across this interesting article on Hudd and wondered, Have we seen the best of him or was he really any good in the 1st place? He seems to be getting a Jenas like rep on SC lately and I wondered does he now need to seriously look at himself and move on?

http://www.eplindex.com/21265/tom-huddlestone-3rd-choice-avb-line-up-stats-comparison.html

 

[The Apprentice]

Unfortunately for us, we have seen the best of Huddlestone.

 

[jonathanhotspur]

I think he's stealing a living. He is in a disgraceful condition for a modern day footballer.

 

[delpiero]

Any remember him having a decent game in the last 5, doesn't look good for him.

Back to cup football for me, he's done.

 

[Ribble]

Time to replace old slow chunky Tom with young lithe skinny Tom...

 

[Babylon22]

Not the same player. Seems to be even less mobile.

 

[mrlilywhite]

This is my thinking and I was trying to think about the day`s pre-Sandro and parker and remember that we really needed that steel in the middle of the park alongside Modric. A shame really as if he were a bit more mobile and consistent, he could really benefit our team, Some of his passing in the past has been outrageously good and other times doing the simple short pass has been gash..

 

[EnfieldYiddo]

The game's passed him by unfortunately... Lost that vision and the yard of pace he barely had to make him a acceptable PL midfielder.

The injury was a long-term one and that mixed with a heightened expectation of our fans and the shift from 4-4-2 hasn't helped.

Best to keep him for rotation and bring someone else in for Jan

 

[ItsBoris]

Still rusty but I think Tom Carroll is just a better player.

 

[Yid121]

we've seen the best of him, it's time for him to move on.

 

[onthetwo]

i think hes basically the same player as before, but that the game keeps getting quicker thus his lack of pace becomes more and more noticeable at the top level. I think even Hoddle might have the same issue in todays game given the pace....again, just my view as much as i loved watching him play.

 

[Snarfalicious]

He does not fit this formation at all. He has almost no mobility. Once he gets the ball, there is no driving forward unless there are acres of space. He isn't confident or comfortable on the ball. If we could afford having him simply sitting back and pinging passes forward than he might be of value. But when we lack creativity in midfield as much as we do, we simply need more from his spot.

My goodness, I thought Tom Carroll had better moments in the 20 minutes he was on the pitch than Hudd did in all of his 70 or so.

Tom Carroll needs a long look. He appears to be ready, and quite honestly I'd feel a lot more comfortable going into January's transfer window knowing that we gave him a look. Because what if Carroll looks great and he can fill that Moutinho role? It'd save us a hell of a lot of money and we can address other glaring depth issues.

Either way, Huddlestone is not the answer and I think that's become pretty evident.

 

[Teddy Klinsmann]

Says it all when Stoke wanted him in the summer. Hudd would not get anywhere near a top 3/4 side in the Premiership. No surprise our form has collapsed since he has come in and Dembele has been injured.

 

[Snarfalicious]

Says it all when Stoke wanted him in the summer. Hudd would not get anywhere near a top 3/4 side in the Premiership. No surprise our form has collapsed since he has come in and Dembele has been injured.

It's true.

If Parker and Dembele return to form and look healthy, and Tom Carroll continues his impressive form, I'd be more than comfortable of selling THudd in January so long as we add another central midfield type who does have more mobility (Hello Jordy Clasie).

 

[Teddy Klinsmann]

It's true.

If Parker and Dembele return to form and look healthy, and Tom Carroll continues his impressive form, I'd be more than comfortable of selling THudd in January so long as we add another central midfield type who does have more mobility (Hello Jordy Clasie).

On August 31st we were looking forward to a midfield of Sandro, Moutinho and Dembele.

 

[Spurger King]

I think he needs to take the next penalty we get so he can finally shave off that mess on his head. It's clearly weighing him down.

 

[Snarfalicious]

On August 31st we were looking forward to a midfield of Sandro, Moutinho and Dembele.

It was a glorious dream wasn't it?

I've said it before and I'll say it again... The money from the Dempsey deal simply should have been used to push the Moutinho deal through. If they were trudging their feet at 22m or whatever it was, that money from the Dempsey deal could have sped up their thinking.

 

[AW?]

We've outgrown him.

 

[EnfieldYiddo]

AVB has slowly been conforming to what the fans want in terms of a starting line-up... But they were logical, straight forward swaps (e.g Lloris for Friedel, Ade in)

Will he go a step further and play Carroll instead of Thudd?

I think although in good form; Spam at home wouldn't be a bad shout to try it out.

IF Dembele is back; if. I would even be tempted for a 4-3-3.

Dembele the box to box, driving forward like he does so well.

Sandro just being his usual best self and clearing up everything...

Leaving Carroll to find those pockets of space and dictate play

 

[hughy]

I really think we have to sell him in January, whilst teams like Stoke and Sunderland are still under the illusion he's a decent footballer.


I'm not being harsh intentionally, but if his mobility has got even worse than it used to be, and he can no longer clear the first man from a corner, what fucking use is he?!