Let me quickly touch on why I thought he was sub par. It was based purely on his touch, spatial awareness and his decision making. I believed that if a player lacked these attributes at his age, they would never really improve.
Well, I have to doff my cap to the coaches and the man himself. They must have worked so hard. Speed and strength are nothing without these things. What I saw in the last two games is a good touch, good technique, awareness of the game round him and great decision making. If he keeps this up, coupled with his determination, speed and strength....blimey.
Gutted for him and for us that he came off. I can't believe I'm saying this but we are a lesser team without him.
I wonder if getting the likes of Ivan & Knockheart has helped him.
His first touch has improved immensely and I agree that's the big difference.
Agree.
Agree 100 % with the OP - he is proving a lot of us wrong at the moment I am pleased to say
AK has always had touch and awareness but could be somewhat clumsy which is probably why his decision making sometimes looks crazy. For anyone who watches games closely he demonstrated a range of skills in Championship and PL for us, and was just as frustrated with the clumsier outcomes as we were. He has only proven to be a problem to one manager and that manager may have been the reason why there was a problem rather than it being AK. AK has always been OK in my books since he arrived here and its taken a long time for his contributions to be appreciated.
All round game was superb, great assist for BR goal, and is improving every week
Very good performance last night. Mentally much more switched on.
He's box office. Get the ball to him and see what he tries. Sometimes it works, often it doesn't but there's not a lot the defender can do about it either way.
At this level touch isn't about skill, it's about state of mind, acclimatisation to the level, relaxation and above all confidence. Berbatov achieved a miraculous level by convincing himself that he was vastly better than everyone else (and granted, a fair bit of practice) but with the downside that he thought he was vastly better than everyone else. AK47 is at the good end of that spectrum right now. Keeping him grounded will be key.
Pace and acceleration are part of his game, but I can't recall seeing a player who is better at deceleration. There was one in preseason that was staggering. That's what all those muscles are for. Try it ten times in the park. Run as quick as you can then stop as fast as you can. Brutal on the core.
Delighted for him and us. Two swallows don't make summer, but he's playing with measured aggression now and is all the better for it.
Have to say SP has had a lot to do with this. He could easily have sold him. :54:
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Quote from: bog on November 27, 2019, 09:15:38 AM
Have to say SP has had a lot to do with this. He could easily have sold him. :54:
092.gif
Tony Khan, Jokanovic and now Parker have seen/saw the good in him.
It's only Ranieri (and to be honest a good few posters on here) that didn't.
Always been a fan and stuck with him and tried to defend him as much as i could. So happy for him and hes a lot better player than people have every appreciated.
Always thought there was a player there and glad we're starting to finally see it. Good attitude (as in hes passionate and wants to succeed) and has attributes people wish they had. Seems some good coaching is paying off. Lets just hope his injury is a short one. I have full faith in Knock coming back in though.
Im converted ,great performance yesterday and last friday !
encouraging performance and testament to the fact he can be coached and isn't entirely brainless as many of us feared. Now it's about consistency and hopefully he can keep his levels up & continue to improve his technical ability & footballing intelligence. If so, given his pace & power - he's potentially a very good player.
Don't really get the "finally the coaching is paying off..." comments.
If a Derby fan read this forum they'd be totally perplexed because when they last came to CC in May 2018, AK47 caused them nothing but grief, and last night he caused them nothing but grief, but for some reason, in the intervening year and a half, his own fans in SW6 seem to have decided that actually he's rubbish so now they're surprised to see him playing well.
Quote from: Carborundum on November 27, 2019, 08:53:32 AM
He's box office. Get the ball to him and see what he tries. Sometimes it works, often it doesn't but there's not a lot the defender can do about it either way.
At this level touch isn't about skill, it's about state of mind, acclimatisation to the level, relaxation and above all confidence. Berbatov achieved a miraculous level by convincing himself that he was vastly better than everyone else (and granted, a fair bit of practice) but with the downside that he thought he was vastly better than everyone else. AK47 is at the good end of that spectrum right now. Keeping him grounded will be key.
Pace and acceleration are part of his game, but I can't recall seeing a player who is better at deceleration. There was one in preseason that was staggering. That's what all those muscles are for. Try it ten times in the park. Run as quick as you can then stop as fast as you can. Brutal on the core.
Delighted for him and us. Two swallows don't make summer, but he's playing with measured aggression now and is all the better for it.
Excellent analysis !
Quote from: Statto on November 27, 2019, 12:35:32 PM
Don't really get the "finally the coaching is paying off..." comments.
If a Derby fan read this forum they'd be totally perplexed because when they last came to CC in May 2018, AK47 caused them nothing but grief, and last night he caused them nothing but grief, but for some reason, in the intervening year and a half, his own fans in SW6 seem to have decided that actually he's rubbish so now they're surprised to see him playing well.
I just think he looks better technically, and more confident on the ball than he did. He was pretty unpredictable before and often looked aimless but managing to get into decent positions through pace/strength alone. I just think hes added to his game which is testament to him and teh staff really.
Quote from: FFC1987 on November 27, 2019, 01:31:23 PM
Quote from: Statto on November 27, 2019, 12:35:32 PM
Don't really get the "finally the coaching is paying off..." comments.
If a Derby fan read this forum they'd be totally perplexed because when they last came to CC in May 2018, AK47 caused them nothing but grief, and last night he caused them nothing but grief, but for some reason, in the intervening year and a half, his own fans in SW6 seem to have decided that actually he's rubbish so now they're surprised to see him playing well.
I just think he looks better technically, and more confident on the ball than he did. He was pretty unpredictable before and often looked aimless but managing to get into decent positions through pace/strength alone. I just think hes added to his game which is testament to him and teh staff really.
I agree with this. To me he has visibly improved some areas of technique. I had doubted that any mature adult could improve significantly in some of those areas so I'm pleased and impressed by what I now see. I too have put that down to coaching, I guess it could alternatively be some change in AK's mindset, I had just assumed it was a result of some very good coaching.
Sad to see him go off last night. Really think he has been a big difference in the otherwise pedestrian (at times) play.
Hate to be one of those 'told you so' types but was fighting his corner before the end of the season when folk were calling for him to be sold, loaned, not return from loan. I think people are quick to forget that the 23 game unbeaten run (and turnaround) started before Mitro and Targett arrived (admittedly that was a huge lift and I don't believe it would have happened without) and Abou was a HUGE part of that. He was playing tremendously (as in the last week) and it was almost a shame the timing of it (being Jan) and Mitro arriving.
Is he the finished article? No, as someone who was technically fantastic and everything else but with his physical attributes, would be playing Champions League level football.
Is he bloody good at this level (and, for me, with confidence and the right system/use, decent enough at Prem level - lower to middle)? Yes.
I think the fact that he gained his confidence from playing as our striker against QPR blended into his solid performance as a winger last night is the best attribute. There does have to be some credit to Parker's system as well that allows our wingers to find themselves central and be influential. The fact that Kamara has now shown he can be dynamic positionally is a good thing for the club. Hopefully he can keep scoring goals and continue to challenge Knockaert for that RW spot.
Quote from: FFC1987 on November 27, 2019, 01:31:23 PM
Quote from: Statto on November 27, 2019, 12:35:32 PM
Don't really get the "finally the coaching is paying off..." comments.
If a Derby fan read this forum they'd be totally perplexed because when they last came to CC in May 2018, AK47 caused them nothing but grief, and last night he caused them nothing but grief, but for some reason, in the intervening year and a half, his own fans in SW6 seem to have decided that actually he's rubbish so now they're surprised to see him playing well.
I just think he looks better technically, and more confident on the ball than he did. He was pretty unpredictable before and often looked aimless but managing to get into decent positions through pace/strength alone. I just think hes added to his game which is testament to him and teh staff really.
Personally i have never been one who questioned his touch or technique, Ive read a lot of rubbish about it for sure, but I never had an issue with it.
What has changed is he's less greedy and more a team man now, you can see that by the amount of times last night he was pulling the ball back. It didnt always work and thats what you have always got with him.
Like i said, a better player even a couple of years ago than people make out.
Quote from: MJG on November 27, 2019, 03:30:25 PM
Like i said, a better player even a couple of years ago than people make out.
You are correctly dating this to four months or so into his Fulham career, when he had a promising few matches until Mitro took his place.
That was amply justified, but it did result in AK only really re-surfacing late in the promotion season, again looking promising., but hardly enough to really tell.
Then last season was hopeless for almost everyone, AK certainly included, just with some additional factors in his case. Barely a look in this season until now -- and, lo and behold, two whole years of a short career have been and gone!
Suggestions that he is way out of depth seem to have ceased. As for his true degree of potential, no surprise if the jury is still out on that with so little evidence despite so much time having passed.
Quote from: b+w geezer on November 27, 2019, 03:59:50 PM
Quote from: MJG on November 27, 2019, 03:30:25 PM
Like i said, a better player even a couple of years ago than people make out.
You are correctly dating this to four months or so into his Fulham career, when he had a promising few matches until Mitro took his place.
That was amply justified, but it did result in AK only really re-surfacing late in the promotion season, again looking promising., but hardly enough to really tell.
Then last season was hopeless for almost everyone, AK certainly included, just with some additional factors in his case. Barely a look in this season until now -- and, lo and behold, two whole years of a short career have been and gone!
Suggestions that he is way out of depth seem to have ceased. As for his true degree of potential, no surprise if the jury is still out on that with so little evidence despite so much time having passed.
im sorry but I'm not having that, hopeless for everyone? Well for me he was literally one of the only reasons to actual turn up to watch us in such a miserable season. And Mitrovic himself said last season that we are a better team when he plays, and he was right, the footage is still there for all to see. Everyone remembers the penalty miss against Huddersfield, but no one recalls just how piss poor we were against them until Abou came on and changed the game, and let's not forget he won the penalty himself in that game.
I reflect on the Gillingham stories that emerged soon after we signed him. Allegedly they had taken a good look and decided he would never cut it at the Prestfield, followed by much amusement at the price we had paid.
Not sure anything written on this board can quite live down to this level of misjudgement. In what parallel universe would he ever have been less than a success there?
I'd agree with Fulhamben that AK played well against woeful Huddersfield , had shown glimpses in some other games, and would not have been first choice, by a long chalk, for the player you'd want to be removed from the ranks for the rest of the season -- for footballing reasons anyway.
I was really just using a shorthand to imply that the whole environment was so hopeless last season that AK's career essentially stalled. When combined with the stall following Mitro's arrival, plus the lack of opportunity this season until now, it's been a period with much less chance than might have been hoped for an enthuiastic player hoping to make his way. Much less chance also for us to see what he can really do give decent circumstances and a bit of run.
I'm with the fact that
AK has shown a marked improvement . But I'm still finding it hard to like him after more than one misdemeanour at the club. I can't ever remember the police being called to our training facility before or since.. it looks like I'm probably on my own here but any minor breach of etiquette and I'd want him gone.
Quote from: MJG on November 27, 2019, 03:30:25 PM
Quote from: FFC1987 on November 27, 2019, 01:31:23 PM
Quote from: Statto on November 27, 2019, 12:35:32 PM
Don't really get the "finally the coaching is paying off..." comments.
If a Derby fan read this forum they'd be totally perplexed because when they last came to CC in May 2018, AK47 caused them nothing but grief, and last night he caused them nothing but grief, but for some reason, in the intervening year and a half, his own fans in SW6 seem to have decided that actually he's rubbish so now they're surprised to see him playing well.
I just think he looks better technically, and more confident on the ball than he did. He was pretty unpredictable before and often looked aimless but managing to get into decent positions through pace/strength alone. I just think hes added to his game which is testament to him and teh staff really.
Personally i have never been one who questioned his touch or technique, Ive read a lot of rubbish about it for sure, but I never had an issue with it.
What has changed is he's less greedy and more a team man now, you can see that by the amount of times last night he was pulling the ball back. It didnt always work and thats what you have always got with him.
Like i said, a better player even a couple of years ago than people make out.
I don't know man, he had a very poor touch, often covered up by his pace to get on the end of it. he reminded me of Thaore in some ways hence why i was so excited about him. I'd say his touch has improved even if thats just because his form has increased. I'm a big fan so in no way putting the lad down.
Quote from: bobbo on November 28, 2019, 09:17:01 AM
I'm with the fact that
AK has shown a marked improvement . But I'm still finding it hard to like him after more than one misdemeanour at the club. I can't ever remember the police being called to our training facility before or since.. it looks like I'm probably on my own here but any minor breach of etiquette and I'd want him gone.
Seemingly those in charge at the club, those in charge of the team, and the teammates of AK have no problem with him. At least not to the extent that they got rid of him, refused to play him or didn't cheer for him.
But still, as someone that presumably knows less about what actually happened in most of those situations, you would rather have him gone as soon as he does anything else that can be deemed not ok? That is strange to me. Personally I rather leave it up to those actually involved and potentially affected by any alleged misbehavior.
But I don't think you are alone. Plenty of posters were rather vocal about their dislike for AK and I am sure not all of them have changed their minds. I guess they have just stayed out of the conversation for the moment since the vibe surrounding him is generally very positive at the moment. I am sure they will return in case of any minor breaches of etiquette.
Quote from: Sting of the North on November 28, 2019, 11:26:20 AM
Quote from: bobbo on November 28, 2019, 09:17:01 AM
I'm with the fact that
AK has shown a marked improvement . But I'm still finding it hard to like him after more than one misdemeanour at the club. I can't ever remember the police being called to our training facility before or since.. it looks like I'm probably on my own here but any minor breach of etiquette and I'd want him gone.
Seemingly those in charge at the club, those in charge of the team, and the teammates of AK have no problem with him. At least not to the extent that they got rid of him, refused to play him or didn't cheer for him.
But still, as someone that presumably knows less about what actually happened in most of those situations, you would rather have him gone as soon as he does anything else that can be deemed not ok? That is strange to me. Personally I rather leave it up to those actually involved and potentially affected by any alleged misbehavior.
But I don't think you are alone. Plenty of posters were rather vocal about their dislike for AK and I am sure not all of them have changed their minds. I guess they have just stayed out of the conversation for the moment since the vibe surrounding him is generally very positive at the moment. I am sure they will return in case of any minor breaches of etiquette.
I very much supported him throughout, but lets not pretend that what he did visibly on the pitch wasn't professional too. The penalty situation was fine worthy and showed insubordinate to both the captain, the manager and the assigned penalty taker so he was worthy of at least some criticism.
Quote from: MJG on November 27, 2019, 03:30:25 PM
Personally i have never been one who questioned his touch or technique, Ive read a lot of rubbish about it for sure, but I never had an issue with it.
What has changed is he's less greedy and more a team man now, you can see that by the amount of times last night he was pulling the ball back. It didnt always work and thats what you have always got with him.
Like i said, a better player even a couple of years ago than people make out.
Concur with your points MJG even to the extent that it is managers/head coaches who can influence players and turn their heads the right way after damage has been done. The same manager/coach can make matters worse. AK was fine until the penalty incident, which then got blown out of proportion in the comments made after the match by someone who should have known better. It predictably went downhill fast for AK after that given the strong character he has. It is that same character that is helping him transform himself back into the AK we were promised when he first arrived. He is still a young player but I credit him for having the nous to stick out a rough patch of apparent injustices, and I look forward to his continued improvement on the pitch where it matters most in an FFC shirt.
Quote from: FFC1987 on November 28, 2019, 11:33:05 AM
Quote from: Sting of the North on November 28, 2019, 11:26:20 AM
Quote from: bobbo on November 28, 2019, 09:17:01 AM
I'm with the fact that
AK has shown a marked improvement . But I'm still finding it hard to like him after more than one misdemeanour at the club. I can't ever remember the police being called to our training facility before or since.. it looks like I'm probably on my own here but any minor breach of etiquette and I'd want him gone.
Seemingly those in charge at the club, those in charge of the team, and the teammates of AK have no problem with him. At least not to the extent that they got rid of him, refused to play him or didn't cheer for him.
But still, as someone that presumably knows less about what actually happened in most of those situations, you would rather have him gone as soon as he does anything else that can be deemed not ok? That is strange to me. Personally I rather leave it up to those actually involved and potentially affected by any alleged misbehavior.
But I don't think you are alone. Plenty of posters were rather vocal about their dislike for AK and I am sure not all of them have changed their minds. I guess they have just stayed out of the conversation for the moment since the vibe surrounding him is generally very positive at the moment. I am sure they will return in case of any minor breaches of etiquette.
I very much supported him throughout, but lets not pretend that what he did visibly on the pitch wasn't professional too. The penalty situation was fine worthy and showed insubordinate to both the captain, the manager and the assigned penalty taker so he was worthy of at least some criticism.
Ok. Haven't seen anyone pretending that though. I am also sure that Kamara was criticized, and rightfully so. But that is hardly the only situation that is referred to, and several other situations lack a lot of context for us on the outside. As far as I know. In any case, my point still stands regardless of if he has previously misbehaved a little or a lot.
Quote from: Sting of the North on November 28, 2019, 11:43:38 AM
Quote from: FFC1987 on November 28, 2019, 11:33:05 AM
Quote from: Sting of the North on November 28, 2019, 11:26:20 AM
Quote from: bobbo on November 28, 2019, 09:17:01 AM
I'm with the fact that
AK has shown a marked improvement . But I'm still finding it hard to like him after more than one misdemeanour at the club. I can't ever remember the police being called to our training facility before or since.. it looks like I'm probably on my own here but any minor breach of etiquette and I'd want him gone.
Seemingly those in charge at the club, those in charge of the team, and the teammates of AK have no problem with him. At least not to the extent that they got rid of him, refused to play him or didn't cheer for him.
But still, as someone that presumably knows less about what actually happened in most of those situations, you would rather have him gone as soon as he does anything else that can be deemed not ok? That is strange to me. Personally I rather leave it up to those actually involved and potentially affected by any alleged misbehavior.
But I don't think you are alone. Plenty of posters were rather vocal about their dislike for AK and I am sure not all of them have changed their minds. I guess they have just stayed out of the conversation for the moment since the vibe surrounding him is generally very positive at the moment. I am sure they will return in case of any minor breaches of etiquette.
I very much supported him throughout, but lets not pretend that what he did visibly on the pitch wasn't professional too. The penalty situation was fine worthy and showed insubordinate to both the captain, the manager and the assigned penalty taker so he was worthy of at least some criticism.
Ok. Haven't seen anyone pretending that though. I am also sure that Kamara was criticized, and rightfully so. But that is hardly the only situation that is referred to, and several other situations lack a lot of context for us on the outside. As far as I know. In any case, my point still stands regardless of if he has previously misbehaved a little or a lot.
I don't blame the posters who criticised him at the tiem to be honest. I was gutted for him as a fan but thought, based on all info available, it was safe to say he behaved inappropriately.
I hope a lot of posters who still dont like him can at least see that, regardless of what went on, its testament to AK for coming back, working hard, getting his head right and showing his talent for us. Takes real courage in the face of adversity to overcome it all and stand up and perform to the levels he has. Hopefully, people can also see he's changed and is a strength to this team and squad and the saga before is behind him and us.
I think when the team's form is up and down like ours has been. Coaching comes down to stopping the errors. When you hit a bit of form coaches can I assume, then switch their attention to individual players and how to best exploit their individual skills within the team framework. Mitro's ban came just at the right time.
SP had a smile on his face during the after match press conference and had said before that managing AK was a challenge. He's now got a couple of goals. Bobby has broken his duck and TC has added to his tally. I hope the injuries arent serious and we continue to add points and goals.
Quote from: bobbo on November 28, 2019, 09:17:01 AM
I'm with the fact that
AK has shown a marked improvement . But I'm still finding it hard to like him after more than one misdemeanour at the club. I can't ever remember the police being called to our training facility before or since.. it looks like I'm probably on my own here but any minor breach of etiquette and I'd want him gone.
Well I want you gone. Any fan who turns on young player bc he got a bit wound up at the training ground and some pi!!ock called the police (who then took no further action) shouldn't be allowed in the ground IMO because he falls outside the definition of a "Fulham supporter". Whoever called the police should also be fined for wasting police time. But there you go. Luckily for all of us, neither your views nor mine determined how the situation was resolved.
Quote from: bobbo on November 28, 2019, 09:17:01 AM
I'm with the fact that
AK has shown a marked improvement . But I'm still finding it hard to like him after more than one misdemeanour at the club. I can't ever remember the police being called to our training facility before or since.. it looks like I'm probably on my own here but any minor breach of etiquette and I'd want him gone.
I was under the impression the old bill had a season ticket.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/11/01/sacked-fulham-data-specialist-called-police-training-ground/
Quote from: Statto on November 28, 2019, 01:52:34 PM
Quote from: bobbo on November 28, 2019, 09:17:01 AM
I'm with the fact that
AK has shown a marked improvement . But I'm still finding it hard to like him after more than one misdemeanour at the club. I can't ever remember the police being called to our training facility before or since.. it looks like I'm probably on my own here but any minor breach of etiquette and I'd want him gone.
Well I want you gone. Any fan who turns on young player bc he got a bit wound up at the training ground and some pi!!ock called the police (who then took no further action) shouldn't be allowed in the ground IMO because he falls outside the definition of a "Fulham supporter". Whoever called the police should also be fined for wasting police time. But there you go. Luckily for all of us, neither your views nor mine determined how the situation was resolved.
#boyed.. also, true. I'm gutted he went of injured. He's really matured in personality and as a footballer and you CAN tell that from 1 and a half games imo.
