Who will be our star player this season

[Tribesmen]

Robbie Brady , he will really do well this season .

[Dom]

Hendrick looked at his best when given a bit of freedom to run with the ball and go at their back four. If we did play a 4-5-1, he'd be able to have that bit of freedom because someone could fill in behind.
Ben Mee will be excellent as always, just hope he can play as well with either Tarkowski or a new CB as he did with Keane.

I also think Walters will be a massive player for us this season.

[claretandy]

Hopefully, Steven Defour, if he stays fit and we build the team around him and Hendrick, needs a change in formation though.

[ablueclaret]

Of course as people point out I am from the old romantic school, brought up on a conveyor belt of young talent, I find the pragmatic approach of SD somewhat toxic, even soul destroying at times, although of course I admit that it has been hugely successful given our resources.
I just feel that having a youth policy hardly seems worth it if the players are never going to be given a chance.
SD's preferred route of buying in established players has off course a good deal of sense but it does lack that edge of anticipation and excitement. That's why for me a player like Agyei is worth shouting for, he expresses hope over conformity, a force of nature that you hope blossoms.
Of course the realists, the pragmatists usually win out, but for those of us who dare to dream there is just sometimes something a whole lot more enticing.

[claretspice]

Are you Hendricks agent or something? He's got "everything you want from a modern footballer". Is that a serious comment? I'm pretty sure you said the same about Andre Bikey.

The jury's still out big time imo. If he's so good why did he only get two goals (one he'd never be able to do the rest of his career) and one assist in 32 games?

I'm all for bigging up our players but I think you're verging on claret tinted glasses concerning JH

In terms of Hendrick - you make a fair point and I should have qualified what I meant by him having everything you want from a modern midfielder - I was referring to his physical and technical qualities. I think he's got the lot in that regard and that's why I think he has the potential to become such a big player for us. I tend to agree with you that he needs to add more matchcraft, and goals and assists is a big part of that. But last year was always going to be a transitional season for him - big step up in quality, big change in style and environment in moving from Derby to Burnley, and a disrupted pre-season 12 months ago to boot.

Of course, the trick with raw ability and potential is to turn it into end product - you mention Bikey, and that's obviously a great example of a player who had everything you could wish for in terms of physical and technical attributes (I did say that and I stand by it), but never matched it with the sort of appreciation of the game, work ethic and the general mentality to make the most of his enormous potential. Hopefully, Hendrick's story will have a very different end - certainly, the suggestion is that he's got a far, far better attitude and willingness to learn.

[jdrobbo]

JBG starting to get up to speed now. Wonderful to watch, works tirelessly for the team and has spark...he can light the touchpaper in games.

Two HUGE assists this week alone have contributed to a six points return against Newcastle and Southampton.

[ElectroClaret]

Tarkowski.

[CoolClaret]

Think you've gotta say Nick Pope;the Heaton injury could have really gone terribly for us but he's stood up in our time of need and delivered!

[Croydon Claret]

Nick Pope. Thrust into the limelight unexpectedly and whilst most feared the worst he's proved every one of his doubters wrong.

Been absolutely superb