If he wasn’t a former player’s son who came through our academy, people’s opinion on him would be very different. Decent young player, but I’m not sure we have much to fear in terms of losing him - are we really going to get a multimillion pound offer for him off the back of his performances this season + his injury history? You can talk about potential, but to me, it looks like he has regressed as a player and that is whilst playing in a much better team.
If Chelsea took a punt on Burstow after half a season why wouldn't a prem club take a punt on Miles? You're not going to find many young strikers with his size that are as good with his feet. He's still raw enough that he's developable.
£5m might be pushing it but I can see £3m with add-ons being feasible.
I always find the market for strikers the hardest to evaluate especially at this level. Obviously Jay Stansfield is a complete outlier with the fee Birmingham paid for him , Huddersfield paid circa £3m for Joe Taylor from Luton okay that one remains to be seen given he's injured already but his scoring record at this level previously suggests that's not too crazy of a fee. Luton were looking at £6-8m for Richard Kone from Wycombe in January.
Maybe I've underestimated things a bit there with going for £3m+ add-ons for Miles but only having a year left does limit things slightly on the fee.
Leaburn has been pants for the last few games, no other way of putting it really.
He had that lovely purple patch that lasted 5 games where he got 5 goals and 2 assists. Since then he's played 11 games of football and a total of 401 minutes of a possible 990 and managed 1 assist.
Which wouldn't be too bad if he was working hard and keeping the ball up top, but he isn't winning headers or bringing other players in, Godden is far more effective in the air. He looks slower now after injury, and I do think he looks disinterested at times. So I can see why people tweet about it etc. He does have the body language of a player who thinks he's above it at times.
He has talent, but a lot of players do, I don't think he's anywhere near as good as he should be, not consistently enough anyway.
I can see why fans get frustrated. Anderson gets forgiven because his work rates are brilliant, Small and TC are not only skillful, but work extremely hard. All a similar age to Miles who doesn't have the work rates and isn't offering much at all up top.
January Stockley would be more effective in this team, that's the sad truth.
For strikers in L1 Leaburn is in the top 9% for percentage of aerial duels won. When expanded to all duels he is in the top 11% still. He is good in the air and good in the tackle, people just have an idea that because he’s tall he should win every single header, it is more noticeable when Godden (top 23% for aerial duels won) wins a header because he’s a lot shorter!
Can’t believe all this negativity towards Miles a young and talented player who is still improving has many good attributes and like most players can be inconsistent but if we do get promoted I have no doubt he will be a great asset in the Championship
Just had a look out of curiosity and Leaburn’s earlier duels won (50.9%) is comparable to Erling Haaland’s (51.6%) and tonnes better than Isak’s who is a similar height. He is not bad with his head!!!
(I know L1 football is different to PL football but he will attempting more duels so impressive to still have such high numbers!)
For strikers in L1 Leaburn is in the top 9% for percentage of aerial duels won. When expanded to all duels he is in the top 11% still. He is good in the air and good in the tackle, people just have an idea that because he’s tall he should win every single header, it is more noticeable when Godden (top 23% for aerial duels won) wins a header because he’s a lot shorter!
He should win every header though (more or less). If you're a 6'5 striker and a unit, you should be eating average league1 centre backs alive.
Stockley 6'2 and was very good in the air pre-injury, same for Chuks. Lloyd Jones is the player he is because of his height, if Lloydy was 6'1 he would be nowhere near as good, fortunately for him and us, he's 6'4 and clatters people.
If you're 6'5 and play in a team where we play it long fairly often, and use width, you should be getting on the end of crosses, making runs and if you can't do that, bully the centre backs.
Miles isn't running, he ain't getting on the end of crosses, and he ain't bullying any decent centre backs atm. Might sound harsh but this is just the truth.
With his size, he needs to be doing more for the team. If people think it's too much pressure and too soon, that's fine, but the inescapable truth right now is that he's been a bit of a passenger, as are 3 of our other striker options.
I hope he turns it around as he appears to be a nice lad, and we could massively do with Miles at his best for these last ten games, he has match winner potential.
Saying he should win all his headers is ridiculous, it doesn’t take into account the accuracy of the passes, whether he is having to backpedal, if he has two men on him, if the defender is able to get a run in to attack (something Lloyd Jones is incredible at timing), if there’s a player nearby for Leaburn to flick it onto easily, wind etc.
He probably does need to run and press better (Fotmob doesn’t have this stats and I don’t have time to dig further) and he looks like he could do with bulking up. I’m not saying he’s beyond criticism but that lots of the criticism is totally over the top and expecting near perfection
Just had a look out of curiosity and Leaburn’s earlier duels won (50.9%) is comparable to Erling Haaland’s (51.6%) and tonnes better than Isak’s who is a similar height. He is not bad with his head!!!
(I know L1 football is different to PL football but he will attempting more duels so impressive to still have such high numbers!)
Completely incomparable imo because of the levels of league.
Put Haaland in this league and centre backs would be asking to play in goal, Isak wouldn't even need to jump. We are talking about centre backs like Gabriel, Saliba, Van Dijk, Andersen, Konate, Botman etc they're up against.
Miles doesn't even need to contest with the best centre back in this league, he even gets to train with him.
Jumping for a ball and heading it is a universal skill and should be able to carry over regardless of the league, the higher the leagues go, the better people are in the air. If Miles can't tear apart these league1 carthorses, he's gonna struggle against quality centre backs.
We all see it at the games and I hear it around me every game, he simply doesn't do enough. Let's hope that changes.
Miles is a young player, growing as a footballer and still developing. I think people forget he lost a whole year of his development last year.
He has so much to work on, but the talent is there and I’m certain the desire is too. It is often this way for young players where they have peaks and troughs.
He does seem to have lost a touch of acceleration with his upper body working out he’s done with his time off. I hope that they can find a balance for him.
I would like to see more balls into his feet so he can lay it off more for Small and TC. Also, would like him to develop that poachers instinct that Godden has.
Really hope he’s still with us next year, you think of how much TC has improved this year who’s about a year ahead of Leaburn in his development and it shows where he could be.
Saying he should win all his headers is ridiculous, it doesn’t take into account the accuracy of the passes, whether he is having to backpedal, if he has two men on him, if the defender is able to get a run in to attack (something Lloyd Jones is incredible at timing), if there’s a player nearby for Leaburn to flick it onto easily, wind etc.
He probably does need to run and press better (Fotmob doesn’t have this stats and I don’t have time to dig further) and he looks like he could do with bulking up. I’m not saying he’s beyond criticism but that lots of the criticism is totally over the top and expecting near perfection
Do I really need to make my wording that clear though, I don't expect him to win an aerial dual where a ball is wayward or he's got his back to two, that goes without saying. But every 1 on 1 aerial dual where he has the height advantage (which feels like 99% of the time) he should be winning almost every time. Or at least make it hard for the centre back.
You don't need to use a data site to find out if Leaburn needs to run and press better, just watch him yourself or ask someone who watches him. He has similar closing down abilities to Gassan.
I don't expect perfection, I expect a player who hasn't been involved much, and is presumably back to match fitness (or he shouldn't be playing) to chase down every ball. We have 10 games left. We can't have people being half arsed. Campbell has played what feels like every minute of every game and absolutely kills himself before he gets subbed.
Leaburn definitely doesn't need bulking up, if anything he's too muscular.
I have never met ,neither have most of us but what I sense is lack of Aggression, movement and decision making.I think some of it might be self belief..he has all the tools. I think he has enormous potential but needs someone to instill some of the above but mostly it has to come from him .
He always looks way worse when he starts games. He should be coming off the bench where he can make a real impact. He's also better out wide for some reason and that's not going to be possible in our current setup. We need to be playing to his strengths rather than just assuming that he's a good central striker because he's tall.
Saying he should win all his headers is ridiculous, it doesn’t take into account the accuracy of the passes, whether he is having to backpedal, if he has two men on him, if the defender is able to get a run in to attack (something Lloyd Jones is incredible at timing), if there’s a player nearby for Leaburn to flick it onto easily, wind etc.
He probably does need to run and press better (Fotmob doesn’t have this stats and I don’t have time to dig further) and he looks like he could do with bulking up. I’m not saying he’s beyond criticism but that lots of the criticism is totally over the top and expecting near perfection
Do I really need to make my wording that clear though, I don't expect him to win an aerial dual where a ball is wayward or he's got his back to two, that goes without saying. But every 1 on 1 aerial dual where he has the height advantage (which feels like 99% of the time) he should be winning almost every time. Or at least make it hard for the centre back.
You don't need to use a data site to find out if Leaburn needs to run and press better, just watch him yourself or ask someone who watches him. He has similar closing down abilities to Gassan.
I don't expect perfection, I expect a player who hasn't been involved much, and is presumably back to match fitness (or he shouldn't be playing) to chase down every ball. We have 10 games left. We can't have people being half arsed. Campbell has played what feels like every minute of every game and absolutely kills himself before he gets subbed.
Leaburn definitely doesn't need bulking up, if anything he's too muscular.
When he’s in the top 9% of something he is winning a huge amount more than the majority of strikers are the reason he isn’t is probably down to the factors I listed above rather than a lack of ability.
The point of stats is that looks can be deceptive, which is my argument with the heading but clearly one we will disagree on. Equally if you looked just at running stats for someone like Alfie May you’d think he’s a good presser but your eyes tell you his pressing patterns are often wrong, you need to be able to use your eyes and stats in my opinion.
Maybe bulking up was the wrong analysis and he needs to get better at how to use his body, I’ve only seen him from high vantage points in person this season and it’s hard to see on the stream.
Ultimately he’s a young player with weaknesses in his game, he has plenty of time to develop. Hopefully he kicks on in the run in and chips in with some goals and either plays well next season or goes for a decent fee in the summer.
To make it clear as well I'm being critical because of his ceiling. If he was like Danny Hylton I wouldn't give two craps.
I said after his Wycombe home performance that he won't be around long if he plays like that consistently and it's the truth, so where is it since? TC is consistent in his playstyle, as is Small, why can't Miles at least replicate the work rates.
He's either unfit, protecting himself or somehow got worse in 3 months after already coming back from an injury.
I want him to do well, it's just a talking point atm where our defence is excellent and our midfield isn't too bad either. If we had the Miles that destroyed Wycombe every game, we would be pissing on teams.
For strikers in L1 Leaburn is in the top 9% for percentage of aerial duels won. When expanded to all duels he is in the top 11% still. He is good in the air and good in the tackle, people just have an idea that because he’s tall he should win every single header, it is more noticeable when Godden (top 23% for aerial duels won) wins a header because he’s a lot shorter!
Thats why statistics are mostly nonsense. I’m staggered at times for a guy who’s 6”6 how often he doesn’t win his headers.
For strikers in L1 Leaburn is in the top 9% for percentage of aerial duels won. When expanded to all duels he is in the top 11% still. He is good in the air and good in the tackle, people just have an idea that because he’s tall he should win every single header, it is more noticeable when Godden (top 23% for aerial duels won) wins a header because he’s a lot shorter!
Thats why statistics are mostly nonsense. I’m staggered at times for a guy who’s 6”6 how often he doesn’t win his headers.
Or does it expose our bias/flawed expectations? The answer is probably a little of both and you need to use both your eyes and the stats to get a full picture
I think he's already a brilliant asset to Charlton. And he'd be a brilliant asset to any of our competitors in League One. Those two things are unarguable, in my view.
Much more importantly, I expect him to be a brilliant asset to Charlton next season too. And a brilliant asset to any of our Championship competitors.
You probably thought the deal to sell Ezri Konsa was a good one, right?
No. Lookman to Everton was a good deal and Ademola has gone on to become a top player.
I just don’t see Leaburn as having a ceiling anywhere near as high as that. Just my opinion and hope I’m proved wrong of course.
It was obvious to most that Lookman had a high ceiling, he pace, skill, scored goals and was good with both feet. He could add excitement to games even when not at his best. I don’t think anyone predicted he’d go as far as scoring a hat trick in a European final or be nominated for the Ballon d’Or though.
Many didn’t rate Konsa because at the time he was an inconsistent young player who was still learning to deal with physical L1 players - a lot like Leaburn is.
If it clicks for Leaburn in terms of hold up play and consistency he could go very far. I think the question is whether it will, rather than whether he has that potential.
Big hold up strikers and CBs tend to peak in their late 20s, he’s got plenty of time to hopefully make a lot of progress.
For strikers in L1 Leaburn is in the top 9% for percentage of aerial duels won. When expanded to all duels he is in the top 11% still. He is good in the air and good in the tackle, people just have an idea that because he’s tall he should win every single header, it is more noticeable when Godden (top 23% for aerial duels won) wins a header because he’s a lot shorter!
Thats why statistics are mostly nonsense. I’m staggered at times for a guy who’s 6”6 how often he doesn’t win his headers.
I'd argue that you notice those a lot more than you notice when he does win (I'm using a general "you" not calling you out specifically.)
Him losing is more noticeable because it doesn't actually happen very often but because of that it actually becomes more memorable/notable.
I dont think "confirmation bias" is exactly the right term but its something similar happening I think.
Comments
£5m might be pushing it but I can see £3m with add-ons being feasible.
Maybe I've underestimated things a bit there with going for £3m+ add-ons for Miles but only having a year left does limit things slightly on the fee.
He had that lovely purple patch that lasted 5 games where he got 5 goals and 2 assists. Since then he's played 11 games of football and a total of 401 minutes of a possible 990 and managed 1 assist.
Which wouldn't be too bad if he was working hard and keeping the ball up top, but he isn't winning headers or bringing other players in, Godden is far more effective in the air. He looks slower now after injury, and I do think he looks disinterested at times. So I can see why people tweet about it etc. He does have the body language of a player who thinks he's above it at times.
He has talent, but a lot of players do, I don't think he's anywhere near as good as he should be, not consistently enough anyway.
I can see why fans get frustrated. Anderson gets forgiven because his work rates are brilliant, Small and TC are not only skillful, but work extremely hard. All a similar age to Miles who doesn't have the work rates and isn't offering much at all up top.
January Stockley would be more effective in this team, that's the sad truth.
(I know L1 football is different to PL football but he will attempting more duels so impressive to still have such high numbers!)
Stockley 6'2 and was very good in the air pre-injury, same for Chuks. Lloyd Jones is the player he is because of his height, if Lloydy was 6'1 he would be nowhere near as good, fortunately for him and us, he's 6'4 and clatters people.
If you're 6'5 and play in a team where we play it long fairly often, and use width, you should be getting on the end of crosses, making runs and if you can't do that, bully the centre backs.
Miles isn't running, he ain't getting on the end of crosses, and he ain't bullying any decent centre backs atm. Might sound harsh but this is just the truth.
With his size, he needs to be doing more for the team. If people think it's too much pressure and too soon, that's fine, but the inescapable truth right now is that he's been a bit of a passenger, as are 3 of our other striker options.
I hope he turns it around as he appears to be a nice lad, and we could massively do with Miles at his best for these last ten games, he has match winner potential.
He probably does need to run and press better (Fotmob doesn’t have this stats and I don’t have time to dig further) and he looks like he could do with bulking up. I’m not saying he’s beyond criticism but that lots of the criticism is totally over the top and expecting near perfection
Put Haaland in this league and centre backs would be asking to play in goal, Isak wouldn't even need to jump. We are talking about centre backs like Gabriel, Saliba, Van Dijk, Andersen, Konate, Botman etc they're up against.
Miles doesn't even need to contest with the best centre back in this league, he even gets to train with him.
Jumping for a ball and heading it is a universal skill and should be able to carry over regardless of the league, the higher the leagues go, the better people are in the air. If Miles can't tear apart these league1 carthorses, he's gonna struggle against quality centre backs.
We all see it at the games and I hear it around me every game, he simply doesn't do enough. Let's hope that changes.
He has so much to work on, but the talent is there and I’m certain the desire is too. It is often this way for young players where they have peaks and troughs.
He does seem to have lost a touch of acceleration with his upper body working out he’s done with his time off. I hope that they can find a balance for him.
You don't need to use a data site to find out if Leaburn needs to run and press better, just watch him yourself or ask someone who watches him. He has similar closing down abilities to Gassan.
I don't expect perfection, I expect a player who hasn't been involved much, and is presumably back to match fitness (or he shouldn't be playing) to chase down every ball. We have 10 games left. We can't have people being half arsed. Campbell has played what feels like every minute of every game and absolutely kills himself before he gets subbed.
Leaburn definitely doesn't need bulking up, if anything he's too muscular.
The point of stats is that looks can be deceptive, which is my argument with the heading but clearly one we will disagree on. Equally if you looked just at running stats for someone like Alfie May you’d think he’s a good presser but your eyes tell you his pressing patterns are often wrong, you need to be able to use your eyes and stats in my opinion.
Maybe bulking up was the wrong analysis and he needs to get better at how to use his body, I’ve only seen him from high vantage points in person this season and it’s hard to see on the stream.
Ultimately he’s a young player with weaknesses in his game, he has plenty of time to develop. Hopefully he kicks on in the run in and chips in with some goals and either plays well next season or goes for a decent fee in the summer.
I said after his Wycombe home performance that he won't be around long if he plays like that consistently and it's the truth, so where is it since? TC is consistent in his playstyle, as is Small, why can't Miles at least replicate the work rates.
He's either unfit, protecting himself or somehow got worse in 3 months after already coming back from an injury.
I want him to do well, it's just a talking point atm where our defence is excellent and our midfield isn't too bad either. If we had the Miles that destroyed Wycombe every game, we would be pissing on teams.
That's not my valuation !
I'm going by the CL scale after he scored the brace 😀
He went from Golfie's 50K 1st half to 4 and 5 million by others.
If he stays to the end of next season he can go for zero if no extension signed.
Much more importantly, I expect him to be a brilliant asset to Charlton next season too. And a brilliant asset to any of our Championship competitors.
I just don’t see Leaburn as having a ceiling anywhere near as high as that. Just my opinion and hope I’m proved wrong of course.
Many didn’t rate Konsa because at the time he was an inconsistent young player who was still learning to deal with physical L1 players - a lot like Leaburn is.
If it clicks for Leaburn in terms of hold up play and consistency he could go very far. I think the question is whether it will, rather than whether he has that potential.
Big hold up strikers and CBs tend to peak in their late 20s, he’s got plenty of time to hopefully make a lot of progress.
Him losing is more noticeable because it doesn't actually happen very often but because of that it actually becomes more memorable/notable.
I dont think "confirmation bias" is exactly the right term but its something similar happening I think.