Koleosho

[NickBFC]

He is frustrating and wasteful, but young and still inexperienced. He has the attributes to do well once his awareness and decision making (hopefully!) improves over time. I think I would be tempted to use him from the bench as his directness and pace should cause tiring teams problems later on in games.

[billyhamilton82]

He is one of the reasons we have such a good defensive record.

His support for the left back and his pace to get back at an attacking winger/lb is often overlooked.

[alwaysaclaret]

Is he getting abuse?

He isn't immune from criticism just because he's young, raw and had an injury.

He has been very poor in large parts and doesn't deserve to be in the starting line up in my opinion. Sadly we're not blessed with great options due to injuries.

There's no doubt he has potential and patience is needed to allow him to try and maximise his raw talent. My patience doesn't extend to him being in the team when he doesn't deserve to be.

The 3 times he was outmuscled on the edge of our box trying to be clever was pretty numb stuff. Once, ok try and show your skills but to keep repeating it isn't great team play or awareness.

Completely agree with this Walt, problem is we just don't have a a replacement.

As said further up the thread, we should be managing him a bit more like dyche did with mcneil.

We just have sarmiento and Anthony in wide positions atm, but can't be asking either to play 90 minutes week in week out.

A fit Benson would be the best remedy, but can't see that happening anytime soon either.

[claretspice]

Really not sure about this being doubled up on argument. Even if it was true, which I don't think it is, then he has to find a way to escape it. However there were numerous times when he had the full back 1 v 1 and he doesn't seem to know what to do.
Last season he had absolute no fear in going down the outside on the left and he would beat players for fun in doing so, which made him unpredictable because he could go either way.

This season he's really reluctant to try and just outrun players down the left and I suspect he isn't quite as quick as he was and it's damaged his confidence because he isn't just sprinting past opponents in the same manner as he was.

It's absolutely true he was being doubled up on. Barlaser was across every time he got the ball and the full back Dijksteel (who is very quick in the first place) dropped off a yard. Koleosho did go outside a couple of times and won corners and throw ins but he got very few opportunities.

Of course he has to learn to combat that, but this is a team sport and it's actually for the team to create more opportunities for him to get the ball in space - and to exploit the gaps created when a team doubles up on one player. Zaroury had a similar drop off in the spring two seasons ago but the difference was we had more runners on his side to both create space for Zaroury and to exploit the space created by the marking of Zaroury.

I'm not sure if he has lost pace since his injury - it's possible but I think right now it's more likely he's lost confidence and most players seem a yard quicker when the game is coming easily to them. It's hardly surprising that a player who was flying as an unknown quantity before the injury at such a young age might be tentative as he's trying to recapture that form post injury. It's also worth bearing in mind that I think he's started less than 30 first team games and is doing all this aged barely 20. It's not really a surprise it's taking him some time to get back to his best and we all need to be patient.

[Goliath]

It's absolutely true he was being doubled up on. Barlaser was across every time he got the ball and the full back Dijksteel (who is very quick in the first place) dropped off a yard. Koleosho did go outside a couple of times and won corners and throw ins but he got very few opportunities.

Of course he has to learn to combat that, but this is a team sport and it's actually for the team to create more opportunities for him to get the ball in space - and to exploit the gaps created when a team doubles up on one player. Zaroury had a similar drop off in the spring two seasons ago but the difference was we had more runners on his side to both create space for Zaroury and to exploit the space created by the marking of Zaroury.

I'm not sure if he has lost pace since his injury - it's possible but I think right now it's more likely he's lost confidence and most players seem a yard quicker when the game is coming easily to them. It's hardly surprising that a player who was flying as an unknown quantity before the injury at such a young age might be tentative as he's trying to recapture that form post injury. It's also worth bearing in mind that I think he's started less than 30 first team games and is doing all this aged barely 20. It's not really a surprise it's taking him some time to get back to his best and we all need to be patient.

Is that not just the Boro shape, well most teams actually. Very few teams just defend full back v winger, I wouldn't necessarily classify it as intentionally doubling up.
We were the masters of it under Dyche.

It allows the full back to narrow and make a solid block which close the gaps centrally.
We will see in due course but I have concerns about his progression tbh. I think he could be a really good George Boyd style hard working winger eventually if he was willing to accept that but I don't see the exciting creative type that many seem to.

[hoosier-daddy]

Completely agree with this Walt, problem is we just don't have a a replacement.

As said further up the thread, we should be managing him a bit more like dyche did with mcneil.

We just have sarmiento and Anthony in wide positions atm, but can't be asking either to play 90 minutes week in week out.

A fit Benson would be the best remedy, but can't see that happening anytime soon either.

Not sure why Redmond wasn't on the bench yesterday but he's the player I'd say is most likely to be able to give Koleosho fewer minutes and maybe be an impact sub. But Redmond went from appearing on the bench to not being on it.

[claretspice]

Is that not just the Boro shape, well most teams actually. Very few teams just defend full back v winger, I wouldn't necessarily classify it as intentionally doubling up.
We were the masters of it under Dyche.

It allows the full back to narrow and make a solid block which close the gaps centrally.
We will see in due course but I have concerns about his progression tbh. I think he could be a really good George Boyd style hard working winger eventually if he was willing to accept that but I don't see the exciting creative type that many seem to.

Well, let's put it this way. Hackney didn't do the same thing on the opposite side and given he also had Roberts and Sarmiento creating extra men, that meant Anthony had his full back isolated to attack 1v1 far more frequently.

If you have concerns about the progression of someone who has played so few games for us (and at all), is so young, and has had 9 months of his 17 month Burnley career rehabilitating from a very serious injury, that probably says more about your level of patience than anything else. Give the kid time.

[Big Vinny K]

“He could be a really good George Boyd style hard working winger eventually”

It’s what every young footballer dreams of I’m sure.

You have got to have a dream.

Reach for the stars Luca.

[Goliath]

“He could be a really good George Boyd style hard working winger eventually”

It’s what every young footballer dreams of I’m sure.

You have got to have a dream.

Reach for the stars Luca.

[blatherwickstattoos]

“He could be a really good George Boyd style hard working winger eventually”

It’s what every young footballer dreams of I’m sure.

You have got to have a dream.

Reach for the stars Luca.

Hahaha take nothing away from Boyd. Incredible athlete

[Big Vinny K]

Hahaha take nothing away from Boyd. Incredible athlete

I loved George Boyd - absolute quality player.
It was the wording…..when you have the likes of George Best, Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Jarzinho etc to aspire to as a winger you don’t tend to dream of a hard working winger !!

[Goliath]

I loved George Boyd - absolute quality player.
It was the wording…..when you have the likes of George Best, Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Jarzinho etc to aspire to as a winger you don’t tend to dream of a hard working winger !!

To be fair..that was sort of the point I was making. I think his talent is his speed and work rate, flair and technical ability aren't his forte and I would assume never will be. Do footballers learn technical ability in their 20's, I think that'd be quite unusual.

[agreenwood]

Is he getting abuse?

He isn't immune from criticism just because he's young, raw and had an injury.

He has been very poor in large parts and doesn't deserve to be in the starting line up in my opinion. Sadly we're not blessed with great options due to injuries.

There's no doubt he has potential and patience is needed to allow him to try and maximise his raw talent. My patience doesn't extend to him being in the team when he doesn't deserve to be.

The 3 times he was outmuscled on the edge of our box trying to be clever was pretty numb stuff. Once, ok try and show your skills but to keep repeating it isn't great team play or awareness.

He gets lots of abuse from people sat around me, yes.

[RVclaret]

Imagine being a fully grown adult and abusing a 20 year old who is trying his best for the team. Proper weird behaviour if you ask me.

[IanMcL]

I loved George Boyd - absolute quality player.
It was the wording…..when you have the likes of George Best, Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Jarzinho etc to aspire to as a winger you don’t tend to dream of a hard working winger !!

George Boyd was the white Pele!

That was sacrificed to get the best out of his engine.

[CoolClaret]

George Boyd was an incredibly technically gifted footballer; he just lacked pace/acceleration. If GB would've had had pace, I have no doubts that he would have played for most of his career in the top flight.

[expoultryboy]

This is a young lad with with plenty of skill and speed . WHAT do our coaching staff do all week ? Luca turns inside 90% of the time and just runs into traffic . What isn't he being told/coached to go on the outside and get a cross in ?

[Jakubs Tash]

Whenever Koleosho steps out on to the pitch he gets my full support - as all the players do.

However there’s no denying that he’s been poor this season. His best half was last week at Stoke when he kept it simple and let the ball go quicker.

The manager shouldn’t really be selecting Koleosho to start as many games as he had…..the lad clearly needs a break from the team. There was no reason last night why Sarmiento couldn’t have played wide and Hannibal or Flemming play as the 10. But yet Parker persists with him even though he’s clearly very low on confidence.

Yes, Koleosho is only a young man, he did indeed have a long lay off with injury last season and he has been carrying the burden of our creative spark this season. But let’s not forget that it’s the manager’s decision to keep picking him and Luca Koleosho gets paid very handsomely indeed to turn out for our team every week. Some supporters on here are making out like he’s doing it out of the goodness of his heart.

The undeniable fact is that Koleosho has been poor this season. He has scored one goal and created none. I can’t remember one game where he frightened the opposition to death.

[ecc]

He is one of the reasons we have such a good defensive record.

His support for the left back and his pace to get back at an attacking winger/lb is often overlooked.

Yes. Doak must be one of the best wingers in the division. That's why Humphreys played LB and Luca spent a lot of time helping Humphreys nullify Doak's threat.

[CalamityClaret]

He's being played out of position, no two ways about it. It's unfair to judge his performances because of that. All this nonsense about getting credit for running over and supporting His team mates is a load of turd though. Like any of them are in any danger of being attacked. Just more likely to be booked or even sent off which will only have a negative impact

[RVclaret]

Whenever Koleosho steps out on to the pitch he gets my full support - as all the players do.

However there’s no denying that he’s been poor this season. His best half was last week at Stoke when he kept it simple and let the ball go quicker.

The manager shouldn’t really be selecting Koleosho to start as many games as he had…..the lad clearly needs a break from the team. There was no reason last night why Sarmiento couldn’t have played wide and Hannibal or Flemming play as the 10. But yet Parker persists with him even though he’s clearly very low on confidence.

Yes, Koleosho is only a young man, he did indeed have a long lay off with injury last season and he has been carrying the burden of our creative spark this season. But let’s not forget that it’s the manager’s decision to keep picking him and Luca Koleosho gets paid very handsomely indeed to turn out for our team every week. Some supporters on here are making out like he’s doing it out of the goodness of his heart.

The undeniable fact is that Koleosho has been poor this season. He has scored one goal and created none. I can’t remember one game where he frightened the opposition to death.

He’s scored 2. Currently he’s in the top 5 for most chances created in the league this season, which I wouldn’t regard as poor, and certainly wouldn’t calling it an undeniable fact when it’s quite literally, by definition, an opinion.

[Tricky Trevor]

I’ve backed him all season after his 10months out and his youth but by now he should be back up to speed and he just isn’t. In his short PL run he was superb taking on PL FBs for fun now he can barely get by Championship defenders and when he does he runs up blind alleys or overhits the ball. His workrate is a major plus but his first role is attacking production and it’s not there.
I’d like him benched for a month to give him a chance to sort it out.

[Jakubs Tash]

He’s scored 2. Currently he’s in the top 5 for most chances created in the league this season, which I wouldn’t regard as poor, and certainly wouldn’t calling it an undeniable fact when it’s quite literally, by definition, an opinion.

You often use stats off websites to make your point and the stats often don’t reflect what we watch. On chance creation, whose opinion is it that it was a chance?

Koleosho has been poor. What part of his game do you like the look of? Which games do you remember him being a real thorn in the side of the opposition.

I know what I see regardless of the stats on websites.

(I forgot the Cardiff goal)

[Newcastleclaret93]

He’s scored 2. Currently he’s in the top 5 for most chances created in the league this season, which I wouldn’t regard as poor, and certainly wouldn’t calling it an undeniable fact when it’s quite literally, by definition, an opinion.

Rv not sure what website your using to source that info but footmob is one of the most reliable stat sites out there and Koleosho doesn’t even rank in the top 100 players in the league for big chances created this season.

Burnley’s highest big chance creators interestingly are:

Laurent 4
Brownhill 3
Pires 3

[Newcastleclaret93]

Rv not sure what website your using to source that info but footmob is one of the most reliable stat sites out there and Koleosho doesn’t even rank in the top 100 players in the league for big chances created this season.

Burnley’s highest big chance creators interestingly are:

Laurent 4
Brownhill 3
Pires 3

After some more digging his creation stats are the following,

He’s has created 26 chances in 18 games this season, however only one of them chances has been deemed a “big chance”.

His expected assists this season are 1.86 assists.

So I think it is actually quite fair to say that as an attacking outlet he’s been really quite poor this season.

2 goals and 0 assists. Then his underlying creation stats are also poor ranking him not even in the top 150 in the league.

[RVclaret]

Rv not sure what website your using to source that info but footmob is one of the most reliable stat sites out there and Koleosho doesn’t even rank in the top 100 players in the league for big chances created this season.

Burnley’s highest big chance creators interestingly are:

Laurent 4
Brownhill 3
Pires 3

That’s big chances.

Not sure where these two get their data exactly but it lines up with Chakvadatze and Doak top 2.

https://x.com/champchatpod24/status/185 ... 49675?s=46

[Newcastleclaret93]

That’s big chances.

Not sure where these two get their data exactly but it lines up with Chakvadatze and Doak top 2.

https://x.com/champchatpod24/status/185 ... 49675?s=46

Not sure where they have got there stats from either.

Azaz and Doughty are top for chances created in the league

[RVclaret]

Not sure where they have got there stats from either.

Azaz and Doughty are top for chances created in the league

Open play I doubt Doughty is. Lot of his are from set pieces.

[Dressinggown]

As far as I can see he has potential but his current role has largely been exposed by opposition game plans.

In the first half last night Boro doubled up on him whenever he had possession and forced him to go inside where he was largely ineffective resulting in poor decisions about when / where to pass or losing possession with the ball at his feet.

He had a bit of success when going on the outside and at times could have played first time balls into the box but having little forward support.

As outlined in previous posts, he is young, with talent, and is certainly one that will benefit from coaching and experience.

Still, there may be offers from bigger clubs with bigger budgets during the January window madness which we might be unable to refuse. I'm unaware of his contract details which could have various sell on clauses.

[Alan Young]

He’s a runner/dribbler and not much else in my opinion.

Probably the reason he was more effective last season when sides played high against us and much of our attacking threat was on the counter with space to run into.

He’s been exposed this season against sides that sit deep and force you to come up with a bit of magic to unlock them. Zaroury for example had the ability to drop a shoulder and sit people down without ever having the pace of Koleosho. He could also strike a ball well which means defenders were less willing to just stand off them.

It’s ok saying he’s raw, only 20yo etc but ability/technique is very much a natural thing and I don’t see him being able to improve those things drastically. He’ll always be a threat on the counter, maybe as an impact sub and I’m sure some PL teams will have an eye on him but I don’t see him being more than a poor man’s Adama Traore unfortunately.

[Newcastleclaret93]

He’s a runner/dribbler and not much else in my opinion.

Probably the reason he was more effective last season when sides played high against us and much of our attacking threat was on the counter with space to run into.

He’s been exposed this season against sides that sit deep and force you to come up with a bit of magic to unlock them. Zaroury for example had the ability to drop a shoulder and sit people down without ever having the pace of Koleosho. He could also strike a ball well which means defenders were less willing to just stand off them.

It’s ok saying he’s raw, only 20yo etc but ability/technique is very much a natural thing and I don’t see him being able to improve those things drastically. He’ll always be a threat on the counter, maybe as an impact sub and I’m sure some PL teams will have an eye on him but I don’t see him being more than a poor man’s Adama Traore unfortunately.

I tend to agree with you here.

I personally think he will shine if we are promoted as we will likely be a counter attacking side.

But right now he is definitely not the type of winger our side needs

[bfcjg]

I've said it a few times,I'd play him up the middle Tella style. His pace would frighten centre halves,it would be harder for the opposition to double up on him, he'd be less likely to run into blind alleys as he'd be chasing through balls and flick ons,and as per Leeds away we know he can finish.

[Bosscat]

I've said it a few times,I'd play him up the middle Tella style. His pace would frighten centre halves,it would be harder for the opposition to double up on him, he'd be less likely to run into blind alleys as he'd be chasing through balls and flick ons,and as per Leeds away we know he can finish.

You might have hit on something would try this

[Overseascricketer]

I’ll never understand how people thought he was better than Odobert 🫣. Zero end product. Can’t defend won’t defend and has the decision making of an under 10.

He’s quick and that’s about it… but doesn’t seem to want to take his man on down the outside.

As for him being better on the left he’s been even worse there.

Time for a long rest I think

[superdimitri]

He's always marked by two men. Once he's not seen as our main threat it should be a lot easier for him.
Apart from Anthony our players have a terrible knack of not looking up before they make a pass and he needs to change that along with others.
It was a certain goal yesterday if Hannibal played a easy ball to Anthony but he got it in his head to shoot instead.

Should get better the more they play together.

[CoolClaret]

I've said it a few times,I'd play him up the middle Tella style. His pace would frighten centre halves,it would be harder for the opposition to double up on him, he'd be less likely to run into blind alleys as he'd be chasing through balls and flick ons,and as per Leeds away we know he can finish.

Yeah I thought this early in the season when Foster was fit - 4-2-2-2, two split 'wide-forwards'.

[dougcollins]

I've said it a few times,I'd play him up the middle Tella style. His pace would frighten centre halves,it would be harder for the opposition to double up on him, he'd be less likely to run into blind alleys as he'd be chasing through balls and flick ons,and as per Leeds away we know he can finish.

He's no Tella but I've said the same myself, there are worse things we could try.

[Dark Cloud]

I think as things stand he could be a brilliant sub for the final 20 minutes of games. Teams are tiring, games are slightly more open and he's tricky and has loads of pace. It worked for Benson a couple of seasons ago and it could really work for Koleosho (imo)

[KlyBfc]

Not sure if this has been said, but we do need to remember that Luca is not only still young but also in terms of his career hes not played an awful lot of first team football.
We signed him for relative peanuts as a raw talent (a lot less than Odobert) who had played a mere handful of first team games. He hit the ground running and then got along term injury. At the minute he looks exactly what we signed for a million or two, a quick drinbling raw talent. The lad has lots to learn and with more and more game time under his belt and good coaching im sure he will improve, but as with most young players it will be a rollercoaster of a process.

[Overseascricketer]

If it’s true we turned 30 million down for him then we need to take a long hard look at ourselves. Doesn’t look like a 30 thousand pound player never mind 30 million.

Play him on the left or right he has no end product and just gives it away every time. Infuriating