Physically he would be a nightmare to play against. He caused a couple of good big, experienced defenders real problems yesterday.
First things first, he has to be fit. Secondly, he has to work on his first touch. A few too many times it lets him down. Thirdly, he has to improve his decision making. When to lay it off quickly and simply and get into the box, when to get a shot off, which pass to pick and so on.
The thing with JCH is that he isn't a kid any more. He has quite a bit of experience. I agree that he has the potential to be a big success in League 1 but it is time for him to deliver. Will he do so? I hope so, but he has had a lot of opportunities and hasn't really done it yet. Time will tell.
Always rated JCH from day 1. At his age I'd be giving him a 3 year deal. If he's been available all season who knows. But while Stubbs was manager we were always going to struggle. Look at the C backs Stubbs brought in Wilson & Fry. Wood couldn't get a game but he's proved with Warne at the helm he's solid.
I disagree that he has everything.
He lacks the goalscorers instinct, that desire to get in the right places in the box in case a loose ball falls to him.
Prime example yesterday when he played a ball to adeyemi who chested it into the box where jch was going to run for a one-two. Except jch had stopped after making the pass.
I think hes more likely to score a screamer than a tap in and i'm not sure thats what i want from my CF.
I disagree that he has everything. He lacks the goalscorers instinct, that desire to get in the right places in the box in case a loose ball falls to him. Prime example yesterday when he played a ball to adeyemi who chested it into the box where jch was going to run for a one-two. Except jch had stopped after making the pass. I think hes more likely to score a screamer than a tap in and i'm not sure thats what i want from my CF.
I think that is very fair comment.
He has the size and power to knock defenders around, is no slouch in a foot race (although not lightning quick) and has a hammer of a left foot. But if he is to have the season that TTB has seen in his crystal ball he needs learn the craft and play a bit smarter around the box. The prolific goalscorers get most of their goals from ten yards out or less, and I don't recall JCH getting many of those. The question is whether that is an ability that can be learned or whether it is just an instinct that some have and others don't.
He is only 22, but has 120 appearances under his belt. He is worth sticking with, but if he doesn't fine tune his game before long he will be another player with potential who didn't quite cut it.
His enforced lay-off and the drop down a division means he certainly should be raring to go come August, so let's hope he brings it all to the table.
He needs to be backed up with a smaller craftier player - L1 requires a bully to knock defenders around and then someone to do the nice stuff; I don't think we have that player in the squad at the moment.