New to the forum as a member but been following for several yrs and am a season ticket holder in the Paddock.
On the Lukaku issue the problem as I see it is that he likes the ball at his feet, facing goal so he can run at defences... That is when he is at his most effective, example ....Arsenal last season.
Unfortunately Roberto plays him as a hold up striker and he just doesn't have the tools for this despite his obvious physical attributes.
I know all the arguments he is only 21..... He can't trap a bag of cement etc... I actually believe he will live up to his undoubted potential and prove to be a good signing for us.
Howard; he has cost us at least 10 goals this season with silly mistakes, dropping catches, miscommunication with his defenders and fumbling shots. He should be dropped for Robles who after a shaky start did look very good indeed and should never have been dropped to the bench.
I am also frustrated at our shape, lack of movement and desire to win the ball back when we lose it... why we constantly play 4:2:3:1 is beyond me! We need width and players playing in their preferred positions not central mids playing wide.
This all points to a stubborn manager who is either unable or unwilling to change, I like Roberto and really want him to do well but even his press conferences are now starting to grate me.
In his defence though, yesterday he made the double change early in the second half which did improve us and lead to us going one up only for us to be undone by more mistakes from Howard, who should not have been playing!.
I don't belive it is time for a managerial change at present as I genuinely believe we will be ok, I do think though the summer will be a time to reflect on what has gone wrong and maybe then change, I am just fearful Roberto could be following the same clueless route that Mike Walker took!!
