Winger v Ephraim

[TheOddPost]

Hogan, in my opinion, had a great game today.

But what he isn't is a winger who gets to the line and puts in crosses, but what he does do, is cuts in and gives options to other players and makes runs himself.

Are we being a tad harsh on the lad because of the service that Cookie used to deliver?

We don't have a target man that could thrive on long crosses from wide, so is Hogan a team player where we need with his energy and short passes?

Is the definition of a winger that he must be able to play wide and swing in crosses? With our mobile, stumpie ass forwards, I would say no!

Hogan, you are the 'cut inside' man

[QPR1976]

I gotta say, I thought he was pretty poor today.
One of his worse performances so far this season when to be fair, so far, he's been playing at the top of his game.
Everyone has an off day, so perhaps he's earnt the right.

Today, he was virtually non existant in the 1st half (admittedly, other than HH it was tough to name a standout player for us in the first 45).
2nd half, he imporved a little, good corner to set up the 1st goal, and I vaguely recall him beating his man once late in the game.
Otherwise, very average.
Frankly, I was surprised he wasn't one of those taken off. But NW clearly likes him and what he brings to the team (as proven when he tried to buy him when at Palarse).

Too many more games like today, and I can see Smith starting instead.

[Morris]

I gotta say, I thought he was pretty poor today.
One of his worse performances so far this season when to be fair, so far, he's been playing at the top of his game.
Everyone has an off day, so perhaps he's earnt the right.

Today, he was virtually non existant in the 1st half (admittedly, other than HH it was tough to name a standout player for us in the first 45).
2nd half, he imporved a little, good corner to set up the 1st goal, and I vaguely recall him beating his man once late in the game.
Otherwise, very average.
Frankly, I was surprised he wasn't one of those taken off. But NW clearly likes him and what he brings to the team (as proven when he tried to buy him when at Palarse).

Too many more games like today, and I can see Smith starting instead.

Agree.

[TheOddPost]

What do you expect from Smith?

Is he a 'cut in' or a 'wide crosser' - ???????????????????????????

Gotta go, time to bash the bishop againt the misses head and try for a BJ

[QPR1976]

What do I expect from Smith ?
Not sure, hopefully a bit of both and chipping in with a few goals.

I just feel Hogan is a little lightweight and one dimensional, which makes him a predictable and easy for a defender to 'play' him.

I would hope a Premiership player, reputedly costing around £1.5M to bring a little more to the table.

That said, fair play to Ephraim, he's been performing above my expectations this season, and has given Warnock a nice headache to ponder.

I'm already starting to feel more sorry for Helguson once Hulse is fully fit.

[Stedders]

Hogan was poor today. Not only was he a one-trick-pony which their full back sussed very early on, but he also didn't get in the game and created nothing. The one good creative thing he did at the end he wasted by being greedy and shooting. He does work extremely hard though, and fair play to him for that.

Personally I feel his best position is where Adel is, and he is 3rd in the pecking order for that one. Certaibnly he seems to do much better when in a more central position. He has not pace or specific outstanding skill to play wider, but in the middle he seems a natural.

[ollyhoops]

I think most of them other than the back 4 didn't have a great game, Warnock said himself that some of the star players were off form so to be fair to Ephraim he wasn't the only one.

[Stedders]

Heguson was outstanding but yeah the flair players on the whole were quiet.

[swanleyhoop]

If NW had taken off everyone who underperformed first half, we'd have ended up with about 5 players on the pitch (if that).
Someone else pointed out, the quality of Ephraim's game seems directly linked to the quality of AT's game. They seem to be more and more joined at the waist.

[suttonhoops]

hogan does'nt get enough crosses in for me,yesterday can't rempember 1

[Sam-QPR]

He's too predictable. The defenders know exactly what hes going to do. Needs to work on his left foot

[dave58]

What! 1sT half he was missing done nothing he was very poor livened up in thw 2nd hallf but needed to along with Tarbs Mackie & Buzz

[Hoopaman]

Hogan had a poor game. Dumbaya had him in his pocket. The only time hogan beat him was in the 86th minute and then he shot himself from an impossible angle.
Would of been good to see mackie up against him and maybe smith on the opposite side for a change.

[Scarlet pimple]

Was Hogan playing?

[Ads1985]

Heguson was outstanding but yeah the flair players on the whole were quiet.

Agree, Helguson is a changed man. Unselfish, hardworking and is clearly confident. His finishing when fouled for the pen and when he was called offside early in the second half was first class.