Josh Laurent

[Colburn_Claret]

Looks a real addition.
Not a flair player, but does the basics so well, a real rock.
He's going to be a fan favourite.

UTC

[whiffa]

I can't see him starting ahead of Cullen, Brownhill or Hannibal but a good backup. Personally think he's better than Brownhill, don't shout at me.

[Vino blanco]

He gives us height and strength, but I don’t think he has the pace for the Championship.

[Bowclaret]

I’ve been very impressed by him. Very simple, steady and gets stuck in and can see a pass.

[123EasyasBFC]

Laurent wouldn’t be a championship footballer if he could pass the ball like Cullen

[CoolClaret]

I can't see him starting ahead of Cullen, Brownhill or Hannibal but a good backup. Personally think he's better than Brownhill, don't shout at me.

They play completely different roles. Brownhill always performs better a touch further forward.

[NL Claret]

He gives us height and strength, but I don’t think he has the pace for the Championship.

Does a DM need to have pace? There's quite a few others with pace in the team. Not all need to bomb forward at pace and leave us exposed.

[Colburn_Claret]

They play completely different roles. Brownhill always performs better a touch further forward.

Laurent is definitely a DM, with an eye for a forward pass.
Brownhill an AM. Can't compare really, play a different role, in a similar position.

Against our main rivals I can see him being first name on rhe team sheet, against the lesser a luxury we don't require.

A hell of a player though.

[Vegas Claret]

quite active on Twitter
https://x.com/JoshLaurent28/status/1834968276767482225

[Goliath]

Average player. Poor mobility, hides from possession when we are pressed and s a result doesn't have anywhere near enough touches for the role he plays.

[Jakubs Tash]

I didn’t think he was very good today. Leeds played through our midfield at will and that is an area of the pitch where I would expect someone with his attributes to be effective - yet he wasn’t.

He’s not great on the ball so he needs to use his physicality to dominate that area of the pitch and protect the centre halves or he’s offering very little.

[Hedontplayforyou]

He’s adequate backup for sure. Lacked a little for me today in some 50/50s and on another day would have cost us 1 maybe even 2 goals.

However it was a tough game, his stamina wained towards the end after putting a big shift in, don’t want to criticise too much as he and the team worked ever so hard today. Hopefully a decent start to a good season for him.

I do think he’s probably 4th choice if we say Massengo is 5th that is. Who by the way I think may have a chance this season to watch and learn from Brownhill and eventually take his position if/when he goes

[Safron]

Christ on a bike we won today cheer FFS

[Colburn_Claret]

I didn’t think he was very good today. Leeds played through our midfield at will and that is an area of the pitch where I would expect someone with his attributes to be effective - yet he wasn’t.

He’s not great on the ball so he needs to use his physicality to dominate that area of the pitch and protect the centre halves or he’s offering very little.

WTF

[Jakubs Tash]

WTF

You don’t agree? That’s fine. It’s an opinion.

I’ve explained why I thought he wasn’t great.

Maybe you could explain what he did so well that I didn’t notice it?

[JimmyRobbo]

Didn't want us to sign him.

He's been OK. V good against BR. OK today. Think he's a better addition than Stephens was but I think he'll just be the type of player who ambles around and is OK. I'll take that.

He doesn't need to be dynamite to be a decent signing. I think the management team knew what they were buying and what they want from him.

[NewClaret]

I thought he did okay today but would like to see Cullen back or Massengo for the next game.

[bobinho]

I thought some of his break up play was ok, but only just ok. His use of the ball was poor as was his awareness when he found himself in possession. Easily stripped of possession.
He’s an option off the bench, a cover player, nothing more for me I’m afraid.

Superb backs to the wall stuff today, very proud of them as a whole.

[blatherwickstattoos]

Great physical presence which is what we need

[equinox]

There was one particular occasion where on the the edge of our box he totally froze whilst in possession, please don't do that again.

[Goliath]

There was one particular occasion where on the the edge of our box he totally froze whilst in possession, please don't do that again.

He doesn't have that awareness of what's around him to be comfortable in those positions.

[helmclaret]

We are in the Championship guys. Not sure what you expect? He’s a solid championship player who has played two games for us.

He had great awareness when he hooked that first time defence splitting pass to Koleosho in the first half.

[equinox]

We are in the Championship guys. Not sure what you expect? He’s a solid championship player who has played two games for us.

He had great awareness when he hooked that first time defence splitting pass to Koleosho in the first half.

How do you know he's a 'solid Championship player' after two games?

[helmclaret]

From his CV.

You keep bashing him, I’ll get behind him and trust SP.

[equinox]

From his CV.

You keep bashing him, I’ll get behind him and trust SP.

Bullseye Mug and Darts in the post.

[helmclaret]

I’d prefer the speedboat.

[Elizabeth]

Definitely a good player to have in the squad to fill in for injuries and suspensions. As long as he's not playing every week

[fungus_the_bogeyman]

I’ve been really impressed with him. Works hard, shields the defence well, keeps it simple. Long passing ability isn’t great and could benefit from moving the ball a bit quicker, but he’d have been a Premier League player with those attributes. Great bargain pickup I think.

[equinox]

I’d prefer the speedboat.

That's for winners

[helmclaret]

Send one to Josh then.

[BabylonClaret]

Thought he played well today. Broke up play and in the first half was instrumental to our regular turnover of their atta ks.

Second half we rode the first 10-15 then co.pletely nullified their threat. He was a big part of that

[Woodleyclaret]

Another excellent game file under Jeff Hendrick and Dave Jones both also underrated by some but trusted by our manager. A shrewd recruitment by SP

[Rowls]

He's going to be the new David Jones.

Some people can see what he brings, some people don't see what he brings.

[Elizabeth]

Another excellent game file under Jeff Hendrick and Dave Jones both also underrated by some but trusted by our manager. A shrewd recruitment by SP

Not the same file because he'll not be a regular like Hendrick and Jones. He is a good squad filler who's made a good contribution while we are not at full strength yet

[Robbie_painter]

Average player. Poor mobility, hides from possession when we are pressed and s a result doesn't have anywhere near enough touches for the role he plays.

Are you ever happy?

[RVclaret]

Are you ever happy?

Only when Jay Rod is in the team.

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

We are in the Championship guys. Not sure what you expect? He’s a solid championship player who has played two games for us.

He had great awareness when he hooked that first time defence splitting pass to Koleosho in the first half.

Exactly this. Not sure what people are expecting he’s had two good games for us.

[matttheclaret]

I think he's done OK so far.

A regular when everyone's available? Probably not. But he can definitely fill in as a dependable squad player and do a job, which every team needs.

No complaints about this signing, think he'll he very useful

[Boss Hogg]

Thought he played well today other than a couple of stray balls. Think he’s been a good signing so far. Some fans won’t see what he brings and maybe the same type that didn’t rate David Jones who I thought was very good for us. All the current midfielders offer something different imo.

[NL Claret]

Thought he played well today other than a couple of stray balls. Think he’s been a good signing so far. Some fans won’t see what he brings and maybe the same type that didn’t rate David Jones who I thought was very good for us. All the current midfielders offer something different imo.

Also a poster on the outcake message board said they would drive him here so that puts him on a bad start for some UTC posters.

[Jakubs Tash]

Any body got any stats to back up how well he played?

Tackles
Interceptions
Blocks
Passes completed

Etc etc

[jedi_master]

For whatever reason, we’re far better with him in the team in my opinion. Has to keep starting.

[Rowls]

For whatever reason, we’re far better with him in the team in my opinion. Has to keep starting.

Seconded.

[Goliath]

Much better when played along Cullen with the freedom together forward. He can't receive the ball very well from centre half's but he looks good when allowed together further forward. Also frees up Brownhill to play in his beat position

It does mean we don't have any real cover for Cullen though.
I really would be looking at signing up Cork again for that exact reason.

[willsclarets]

Much better when played along Cullen with the freedom together forward. He can't receive the ball very well from centre half's but he looks good when allowed together further forward. Also frees up Brownhill to play in his beat position

It does mean we don't have any real cover for Cullen though.
I really would be looking at signing up Cork again for that exact reason.

Massengo is a better option than Cork at this point. He's played no football in a long time for his age. And I don't think massengo is a bad player at all, with similar traits to cullen

[NL Claret]

Much better when played along Cullen with the freedom together forward. He can't receive the ball very well from centre half's but he looks good when allowed together further forward. Also frees up Brownhill to play in his beat position

It does mean we don't have any real cover for Cullen though.
I really would be looking at signing up Cork again for that exact reason.

Cork

[JimmyRobbo]

Steady player. Been a solid addition. Not sure he's quite dynamic enough to play alongside Cullen. That would be even stronger defensively but lacking creativity.

Still, a much better addition than I thought he would be. Give SP credit for playing him to his strengths.

[pauliopaulio]

Though he was solid today. Strong in the tackle and a great engine on him. Should have buried that header though.

Think on that showing those 3 should be our first choice 3.

[Goliath]

Massengo is a better option than Cork at this point. He's played no football in a long time for his age. And I don't think massengo is a bad player at all, with similar traits to cullen

Massengo is a runner. He doesn't have the awareness and football intelligence to do the role Cullen does (and Cork used to do).
There's not many of them around and I have no doubts Cork could easily play at this level in that role if required. I believe he played in the u23's today according to someone on this board

[Rileybobs]

Superb today.