Josh King

[JimOG]

From The Guardian

King's talent deserves a late-season recall
It's more than a month since Josh King started a game for Fulham – he was hooked at half-time during the 2-0 defeat by Liverpool, since when he has featured solely off the bench and never for longer than 26 minutes. It makes sense for Marco Silva to protect and nurture such a precious talent – especially given King plays in the middle of midfield, no country for young men. But he is also preparing his team to go again – whether he is in charge or not – and a game against a relegated side is surely an opportunity to field a player who, after a period of acclimatisation this season, can be a mainstay next. There are many youngsters with vivid imagination and superb technical skill, but what marks King out is his ability to accept the ball under pressure and either pass forward or beat men, opening up the pitch in the process. He is raw, but the aim should be to be ready in August

[Baszab]

Slightly more pro active than chubby chops ESR
Well actually a lot more active and direct
I'm fed up with watching ESR despite a token effort last week for 45 minutes

[JimmyConway]

My slight concern is no guarantee he'll be as impressive in second season as first. Very difficult in this league at his age to replicate or even find a level of consistency especially in a demanding position he plays. Don't get me wrong he might find another level for a short time but with his age and physique every possibility we could see a period where he drops off and is considerably less effective. Will be interesting how his body frame looks come start of next season?

[Jim©]

I'd hope that he spends the summer building strength as he's too easily moved aside at the moment. Yes, he's always slight and that plays into his hands with his turning ability and general nippiness but he needs to do a Sess style muscle build IMO.

[3 pigs]

Kevin appears to have bulked up during his lay off. In a good way though. Short and light doesn't work in the Premiership.

[@jolslover]

Kevin appears to have bulked up during his lay off. In a good way though. Short and light doesn't work in the Premiership.

You're right: Cazorla, David Silva, Foden all terrible..

[alfie]

Slightly more pro active than chubby chops ESR
Well actually a lot more active and direct
I'm fed up with watching ESR despite a token effort last week for 45 minutes

ESR has been doing what he is told to do, he is the only player leading the press, that is something King will/can never do. Its the tactics that Silva employs, that restricts the type of play that ESR can offer. You say a token effort, he was certainly one of the better players and it was a mistake when he was taken off, no more press, Wilson should have gone as he contributed nothing.

[SG]

Slightly more pro active than chubby chops ESR
Well actually a lot more active and direct
I'm fed up with watching ESR despite a token effort last week for 45 minutes

ESR has been doing what he is told to do, he is the only player leading the press, that is something King will/can never do. Its the tactics that Silva employs, that restricts the type of play that ESR can offer. You say a token effort, he was certainly one of the better players and it was a mistake when he was taken off, no more press, Wilson should have gone as he contributed nothing.

I agree. Frustrates the hell out of me with the way, ESR, Bobb, King etc are moved around, played and then dropped, not played in their favoured position and then expected to star. Yet Wilson plays week in week out.
This is the fault of the manager in my view

[sarnian]

Kevin appears to have bulked up during his lay off. In a good way though. Short and light doesn't work in the Premiership.

You're right: Cazorla, David Silva, Foden all terrible..

Watch Silva, Foden and King and unfortunately you will find only one of the three gets easily brushed off the ball. King is a great talent but will get nowhere unless he can get stronger on the ball.

[ffc_forever]

Josh King may well be a talented lad but he looks like a little boy playing against men. Quite funny watching the ball boy/girl leading him out before kick off and thinking he's on the wrong side.

He don't need to come back looking like Adama in pre-season but he does need to toughen up or become harder to knock off the ball.

I'd send him to America to train with the Jacksonville Jaguars running backs/wide receivers.

[LittleErn]

I thought he actually looked stronger when he came on last week. I don't remember him being muscled off the ball much.