Hountondji

[sjb]

Scored for Benin tonight in a 3-0 win over Rwanda.

[Leisure]

Scored for Benin tonight in a 3-0 win over Rwanda.

So at least we know he does know where the goals are!

[bfcjg]

Not sure he'll ever be good enough for our current level let alone the Premier league.

[Down_Rover]

Not sure he'll ever be good enough for our current level let alone the Premier league.

He will have to be. Reports that Foster stretchered off for South Africa

[Darnhill Claret]

Well, it was a very good strike from the edge of the area.

[ElectroClaret]

He will have to be. Reports that Foster stretchered off for South Africa

Looked like he damaged his left knee after colliding with the Congo keeper according to the Burnley Express.
At least he netted.

Let's hope it's not too bad.

[Aclaret]

...time for Harry Houdini to step up.

[fatboy47]

He will have to be. Reports that Foster stretchered off for South Africa

Given the absolute garbage about our new players posted by the halfwits and gobsh1tes on this forum, (usually after seeing about 15 minutes of them in action) I'll reserve judgement if that's OK by everyone.

Apologies...intended as a response to the post before the one quoted.

[Bosscat]

Given the absolute garbage about our new players posted by the halfwits and gobsh1tes on this forum, (usually after seeing about 15 minutes of them in action) I'll reserve judgement if that's OK by everyone.

Apologies...intended as a response to the post before the one quoted.

this

[boatshed bill]

Not sure he'll ever be good enough for our current level let alone the Premier league.

I wouldn't worry too much about that at present.

[ecc]

Given the absolute garbage about our new players posted by the halfwits and gobsh1tes on this forum, (usually after seeing about 15 minutes of them in action) I'll reserve judgement if that's OK by everyone.

Apologies...intended as a response to the post before the one quoted.

Hi fatboy47,

Fair play to you. I sometimes get the impression we have gloryhunter fans on here which, let's be honest, is it a bit difficult. I don't waste my time reading forums for "The Big Clubs" but you only have to see the tweets on live feeds such as the BBC's to realise how fickle - "fickle" is now a euphemism - some of their "fans" are.

It really seems like a lot of people on here want Hountondji to fail. I cannot get my head round that.

[Vegas Claret]

Goal just after 5 minutes on the video, won't do him any harm to notch for his country
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcGZf98mU-w

[CoolClaret]

The way in which this lad has been written off by some on here after barely having a kick is disgraceful.

[bfcjg]

In fairness to him he struck it well, if Foster is out for a while, we will be able to see what a few games does for him, I'd quite willingly enjoy eating humble pie.

[MACCA]

I've sanctioned his song and I hope we can hear it ringing around several times thus season

It's in your neeeeet
In your neeeeert
Houtondji, Houtondji, Houtondji ji ji

To the tune of Zombie by cranberries...
Link below for our younger fans, 1.35 for chorus

https://youtu.be/6Ejga4kJUts?si=G9Tndm6aqCQPviuE

And just a class song for the older posters


Song officially signed of to be used

Cricketfield Leader

[bfcjg]

Sorry MACCA not one of your best.

[MACCA]

Sorry MACCA not one of your best.

Sadly i can't claim this one as my own.

However it has now been signed off

If you can hear it at your displeasure a dozen or more times this season, I think that'll suit all parties.

[Bordeauxclaret]

It’ll sound better when we get Pace’s drum going.

[Stonehouse]

Given the absolute garbage about our new players posted by the halfwits and gobsh1tes on this forum, (usually after seeing about 15 minutes of them in action) I'll reserve judgement if that's OK by everyone.

Apologies...intended as a response to the post before the one quoted.

I think if Scott Parker had rated him he would have been given much more game time if he was the answer to our pretty horrendous goal tally after the first two games.

[Darnhill Claret]

The lad said when he signed that he needs to work on his 'touch' and hopefully that is what is happening away from the glare of the first team. He has good strength, can go past players and can shoot. Let's just support him until he settles which will help everyone.

[Quicknick]

I think if Scott Parker had rated him he would have been given much more game time if he was the answer to our pretty horrendous goal tally after the first two games.

Rather impressive goals conceded since the first two games.

[NottsClaret]

Yeah, he’s clearly not at the level required yet and let’s not get too sanctimonious about criticism. We’re just idiots chatting s*** on the internet, what we say doesn’t count for anything.

He may turn out great, and I’ll give him my full support and encouragement the moment he steps on the pitch which is all that matters. But likewise, I saw his brief cameo in that Cádiz friendly and from such a ludicrously small glimpse of him there, I reckon this is the right place to make a snap judgement that he’d look clumsy in the North East Counties League. As it stands, obvs.

[Grimsdale]

If we're looking for a song for him, how about a bit of Tom Robinson:

2-4-6-8
Hountondji
Blowing away defenders like dynamite

3-5-7-9
Leading the line
Andreas goals taking us back to the top flight

[fatboy47]

Yeah, he’s clearly not at the level required yet and let’s not get too sanctimonious about criticism. We’re just idiots chatting s*** on the internet, what we say doesn’t count for anything.

He may turn out great, and I’ll give him my full support and encouragement the moment he steps on the pitch which is all that matters. But likewise, I saw his brief cameo in that Cádiz friendly and from such a ludicrously small glimpse of him there, I reckon this is the right place to make a snap judgement that he’d look clumsy in the North East Counties League. As it stands, obvs.

There were clowns on this forum (or its previous incarnation) grousing that Ings wasnt good enough to replace Austin and that Vokes was a third rate cast off.

[NottsClaret]

There were clowns on this forum (or its previous incarnation) grousing that Ings wasnt good enough to replace Austin and that Vokes was a third rate cast off.

Probably me to be fair.

[fatboy47]

Probably me to be fair.

Not unless youve changed your name!

Seriously though, maybe he's looked a bit crap so far, but slagging him off after the few minutes he's had is simply unfair.

'I've seen George Best virtually anonymous when he played against Smith (or Latcham) at the turf, and Jimmy Anderson bowl like a drain down at Taunton...and Nick Pope looked very poor against Accy in a cup game before he became a first team regular.
Thankfully nobody wrote them off.

[willsclarets]

He's been asked to play out of position and come on where the pressure has been high. I'll not lie, he's not looked great thus far, but nowhere near enough game time to judge.

I suspect though with Foster injured, if we're going to try 2 up top I'd expect Jay to come in alongside flemming. With legs around him Jay could well get a few goals. For different reasons to Foster, Jay just can't be up top on his own.

[blatherwickstattoos]

He’s defo being played out of position so far this season. He can’t be as bad as foster has been up top and might offer more of a presence.

[AlargeClaret]

While Houndini has indeed looked poor , he’s been out of position and has to be given a fair crack before any judgement can be made .With Fozzy Bear now out ( presumably) injured , it might be worth playing Jay and Houd in some manner or another ?

[jlup1980]

He's not looked great so far, but we've not seen anywhere near enough yet to make a decision on him. He's a big lad, so he could have more of a physical presence than Lyle if nothing else. What's worth pointing out is Hountondji arrived with a better goalscoring record at club level than Lyle, whilst playing at similar levels.

Lyle scored 17 in 98 pre-Burnley, versus 24 in 95 for Hountondji. Neither is particularly impressive, but I would say Hountondji showed clear progress last season; 16 in 39 at Ligue 2 level isn't too bad. By comparison, Lyle is yet to score double figures in a season.

If Lyle is out for a period, it would make sense to try Hountondji out. We all know there's no future in starting Jay, but we could stumble upon a better solution for SP's set-up.

[KRBFC]

Given the absolute garbage about our new players posted by the halfwits and gobsh1tes on this forum, (usually after seeing about 15 minutes of them in action) I'll reserve judgement if that's OK by everyone.

Apologies...intended as a response to the post before the one quoted.

Did you say the same about Dane Richards and Freddie Nimani?

[Bosscat]

Did you say the same about Dane Richards and Freddie Nimani?

Eveeyone saw less than 15 minutes of Dane Richards

[Jamesy]

Not unless youve changed your name!

Seriously though, maybe he's looked a bit crap so far, but slagging him off after the few minutes he's had is simply unfair.

'I've seen George Best virtually anonymous when he played against Smith (or Latcham) at the turf, and Jimmy Anderson bowl like a drain down at Taunton...and Nick Pope looked very poor against Accy in a cup game before he became a first team regular.
Thankfully nobody wrote them off.

I’m not sure what constitutes slagging him off? A few on here have said he has looked poor in the little action we have seen of him. TBH I don’t even think he has been as good as that.
He might find his feet soon and start to look like a footballer. At the moment he looks miles off it.
I chuckled when you mentioned him in the same breath as George Best and Nick Pope and then the legend that is Jimmy Anderson.
He will never be anywhere near this calibre of sportsman.

[Newcastleclaret93]

I still think he’s got something

He scored 14 goals last season so knows where the net is. For context I think we only have one other player that has scored more than 10 in a season in the last 3 years.

The foster injury might very well give Houtondji his break through chance.

His goal for Benin showed a player with ability

[Goliath]

We need to keep all pressure off him, he doesn't look the confident type so if he's thrown in for long then he could just drown.

Short introductions from the bench are the way to go until he starts to make an impact from there. He needs to earn a start, until then we should always start more experienced options

[fatboy47]

I’m not sure what constitutes slagging him off?

He will never be anywhere near this calibre of sportsman.

He's been the recipient of a lot of quite nasty stuff on this board... maybe you've not read it.

And nobody, including me, has suggested he will. If you want to juggle contexts go ahead...leave me out of it though.

[Jamesy]

He's been the recipient of a lot of quite nasty stuff on this board... maybe you've not read it.

And nobody, including me, has suggested he will. If you want to juggle contexts go ahead...leave me out of it though.

I wasn’t trying to have a dig at your Best, Anderson, Pope comparison in terms of having poor games. It just made me chuckle. The first two had earned the right to be poor now and again. With Pope, yes he could have gone either way and luckily he turned out to be a really good un.
Sorry.

[ecc]

I recall when Nick came on the day Tom was injured (shoulder) and Tom had shown he was a good PL keeper and was very popular with us all (I think). It was tough for Nick but he did remarkably well and the rest is history.

[Superjohnnyfrancis]

Was wondering is this fella an ALK/transfer committee buy or the interim team buy as he was bought before Parker came wasnt he?

[Vim Fuego]

He has been slagged. One poster likes to call him 'Houndonkey' on match threads. Terrible to treat a young Claret talent like this so early in his career with us

From what I have seen the lad was played out of position on the left but did a job. He has a bit of pace and would benefit from space especially if we could play on the counter. With the teams we play that sit deep this level it might not be easy for him to shine. Patience and support needed with this young lad

[roperclaret]

We need to keep all pressure off him, he doesn't look the confident type so if he's thrown in for long then he could just drown.

Short introductions from the bench are the way to go until he starts to make an impact from there. He needs to earn a start, until then we should always start more experienced options

Still banging that JRod drum I see

[NewClaret]

Was wondering is this fella an ALK/transfer committee buy or the interim team buy as he was bought before Parker came wasnt he?

Almost certainly an ALK/transfer committee buy, that probably included Kompany at the time of the decision, I’d say.

Seems likely we honoured any discussions we were in at the time of Kompany’s exit, which is the right thing to do in my view.

[KRBFC]

Eveeyone saw less than 15 minutes of Dane Richards

Everyone knew Diego Penny was useless after 30 minutes

[louieollie]

Some absolute posters on this board, just dying to write a player off before the poor sod gets the chance to play in his position🫣. It's the same ones that go out of their way to find a player/players to dig out at every opportunity!

[morninbob]

Scored again....

[RVclaret]

https://x.com/matt_scrafton/status/1846 ... 58567?s=46

The goal. Nice movement.

[Elizabeth]

Looks like there may be a player there. Someone on the end of balls into the box is something we have been missing so far this season. Let's hope ,eh?

[CoolClaret]

https://x.com/matt_scrafton/status/1846 ... 58567?s=46

The goal. Nice movement.

Proper striker's goal that. We need some of that movement in the box.

[Pearcey]

Good to see him scoring, will do wonders for his confidence. He might get an opportunity at the weekend!

[fatboy47]

Strikers goal. Good lad.