Green? decent player? he doesn't have the flair and pace Leko had. we'd probably go down with Green in the first 11
He's a different sort of player to Leko, more of a conventional winger whereas Leko was more of a wild card
Leko was useful for us, but 5 goals and 4 assists in 21 games (19 starts) isn't an outstanding return.
Nearly 1 goal in every 2 games via an assist or actual goal I’d consider an outstanding return for a 20 year old who had under 30 professional appearances before he joined us .
Green? decent player? he doesn't have the flair and pace Leko had. we'd probably go down with Green in the first 11
He's a different sort of player to Leko, more of a conventional winger whereas Leko was more of a wild card
Leko was useful for us, but 5 goals and 4 assists in 21 games (19 starts) isn't an outstanding return.
Nearly 1 goal in every 2 games via an assist or actual goal I’d consider an outstanding return for a 20 year old who had under 30 professional appearances before he joined us .
Leko was sublime or not very good but he always put teams on the back foot and as you say, his goal and assist return was excellent.
Green is more orthodox; I suspect we will see him and Jonny wide with Bonne in the middle, with Pratley, Cullen and AN Other
Green? decent player? he doesn't have the flair and pace Leko had. we'd probably go down with Green in the first 11
He's a different sort of player to Leko, more of a conventional winger whereas Leko was more of a wild card
Leko was useful for us, but 5 goals and 4 assists in 21 games (19 starts) isn't an outstanding return.
Nearly 1 goal in every 2 games via an assist or actual goal I’d consider an outstanding return for a 20 year old who had under 30 professional appearances before he joined us .
I think you're being a bit generous to consider that outstanding. Promising or decent perhaps. Bonne in not many more games has 8 goals and 3 assists for example
Green? decent player? he doesn't have the flair and pace Leko had. we'd probably go down with Green in the first 11
He's a different sort of player to Leko, more of a conventional winger whereas Leko was more of a wild card
Leko was useful for us, but 5 goals and 4 assists in 21 games (19 starts) isn't an outstanding return.
Involved in 9 goals in 21 games isn't bad by any means. I was sad to see him crocked despite how much I hated his lazy strut jog to get back onside.
Defenders had little chance to guess what he was going to do next as not even he seemed to know much of the time.
I wasn't slagging him off, as I was sorry to see him go also. But he's very much a work in progress where Gallagher (and Cullen and Bielik last season) looked like established pros straight away
Hope so, decent player who I'd like us to sign permanently if given the chance
Green's Villa contract also runs out on the 30th June!
It's such a messy situation for everyone really. I assume Villa have extended his contract, they're not going to let him become a free agent before the season finishes
It's nice that people are remembering Leko fondly but I think sometimes he gets overly built up when being compared to Green. I like Leko, but bloody hell he could be frustrating. Green on the other hand is less frustrating but also a bit less capable of having a moment of unplanned genius. One thing that people should remember though is it took a while before Leko was consistently putting in better performances once he was more comfortable playing as a striker. Green is a winger having to adapt, and I think he'll keep improving with game time. I'd like us to keep him as an option for next season
Green? decent player? he doesn't have the flair and pace Leko had. we'd probably go down with Green in the first 11
He's a different sort of player to Leko, more of a conventional winger whereas Leko was more of a wild card
Leko was useful for us, but 5 goals and 4 assists in 21 games (19 starts) isn't an outstanding return.
Involved in 9 goals in 21 games isn't bad by any means. I was sad to see him crocked despite how much I hated his lazy strut jog to get back onside.
Defenders had little chance to guess what he was going to do next as not even he seemed to know much of the time.
I wasn't slagging him off, as I was sorry to see him go also. But he's very much a work in progress where Gallagher (and Cullen and Bielik last season) looked like established pros straight away
But also to put in context ....... Leko wasn't just an inexperienced 20 year old, it was his first time living away from his home in the Midlands. And I remember from watching a video with Tracey Leaburn when he first came to Charlton, how shy and nervous he was.
If you going to compare him with Gallagher, Cullen & Beilik - they already lived in London, and able to stay close with their friends and family. Ok, Beilik was from Poland, but had nevertheless lived in London for a few years.
Cullen was older, more experienced and already had a very successful lengthy loan at Bradford; and a more difficult one at troubled relegation facing Bolton. Also, Gallagher, Cullen played in their own specialist positions; Beilik had already proved his adaptability in 2 positions.
Leko turned up here and straightaway Bows said he was going to play him as striker, an unfamiliar position for the lad who'd never played that role before. While it was obvious that Leko sometimes didn't understand his new role, he stuck at it, worked hard and proved a handful for defences. And gradually grew in confidence.
He was definitely growing as a player under Bows' coaching team. Cruel for Leko and the team that he was cut down by injury.
To me he was one of those wingers/wide forwards who was better on paper - supposed to have pace, could run at players and a few tricks.
Sounds like someone who should be great in League 1 and useful in the Championship. To me it always looked like something was lacking, I was glad we didn’t bring him back.
Comments
Leko was useful for us, but 5 goals and 4 assists in 21 games (19 starts) isn't an outstanding return.
Defenders had little chance to guess what he was going to do next as not even he seemed to know much of the time.
It's such a messy situation for everyone really. I assume Villa have extended his contract, they're not going to let him become a free agent before the season finishes
That and his inability to not try and take a man on were my only complaints. I'd love us to have him permanently.
He and Green or Doughty either side of Lyle in a 4-3-3 or 3-4-3 would have created so many goals.
If you going to compare him with Gallagher, Cullen & Beilik - they already lived in London, and able to stay close with their friends and family. Ok, Beilik was from Poland, but had nevertheless lived in London for a few years.
Cullen was older, more experienced and already had a very successful lengthy loan at Bradford; and a more difficult one at troubled relegation facing Bolton.
Also, Gallagher, Cullen played in their own specialist positions; Beilik had already proved his adaptability in 2 positions.
Leko turned up here and straightaway Bows said he was going to play him as striker, an unfamiliar position for the lad who'd never played that role before. While it was obvious that Leko sometimes didn't understand his new role, he stuck at it, worked hard and proved a handful for defences. And gradually grew in confidence.
He was definitely growing as a player under Bows' coaching team.
Cruel for Leko and the team that he was cut down by injury.
And a big miss since.
Would anyone still take him?
To me he was one of those wingers/wide forwards who was better on paper - supposed to have pace, could run at players and a few tricks.
Sounds like someone who should be great in League 1 and useful in the Championship. To me it always looked like something was lacking, I was glad we didn’t bring him back.