AFC Rushden (a) UPGRADED TO FIRST TEAM SQUAD FIXTURE

[everbrite]

Agree with your comments. I actually think it's a bit unfair to expect him to jump 7 levels and play in a new position, but I guess if JE can turn him in to a striker/wide player then it opens up more opportunities for him in terms of playing time.

It's very rare a player makes this sort of jump successfully, at least not an immediate jump of 7 levels. Jamie Vardy went from level 8 - level 1 but played at various levels in-between. Scott Hogan went from level 8 - level 2 but again he played at various clubs in-between. Perhaps one of the best examples might be Conor Washington who went from St Ives in the UCL (level 9) to Newport Country (level 4) and had instant successes. Now at QPR of course. Lobjoit is coming from level 10 where up until the last 5 years or so it wasn't even mandatory to have floodlights or a bar around the pitch! With the greatest of respect it's incomparable to the professional game.

I think Lobjoit has the physical attributes but his touch needs to improve significantly.

Good sensible comment. Loibjot will have to learn to master the basics PDQ. Maybe the others had or acquired
a greater degree of skills!

[Deepcut Cobbler]

...... Lobjoit is coming from level 10 where up until the last 5 years or so it wasn't even mandatory to have floodlights or a bar around the pitch! .....

At what level do they take the bar out? :-)

[Deepcut Cobbler]

Agree with your comments. I actually think it's a bit unfair to expect him to jump 7 levels and play in a new position, but I guess if JE can turn him in to a striker/wide player then it opens up more opportunities for him in terms of playing time.

It's very rare a player makes this sort of jump successfully, at least not an immediate jump of 7 levels. Jamie Vardy went from level 8 - level 1 but played at various levels in-between. Scott Hogan went from level 8 - level 2 but again he played at various clubs in-between. Perhaps one of the best examples might be Conor Washington who went from St Ives in the UCL (level 9) to Newport Country (level 4) and had instant successes. Now at QPR of course. Lobjoit is coming from level 10 where up until the last 5 years or so it wasn't even mandatory to have floodlights or a bar around the pitch! With the greatest of respect it's incomparable to the professional game.

I think Lobjoit has the physical attributes but his touch needs to improve significantly.

Good post, the major differences as you rise up the tiers is the speed that the game is played at and the speed of thought when in match situations.
The basic footballing ability at whichever level remains relatively constant to/for the individual but without assimilating the playing speed and speed of thought, players will always struggle.

[Tabasco Kid]

Lobjoit will need time to adjust. Full time training will be a wake up call for him and he is also being asked to play as a winger. He scored 60 goals last season as a centre forward, so not only does he have full time training to negotiate but also a new position to learn effectively.

I am a big fan of square pegs, in square holes. I dont see the point in signing someone, then playing them out of position.
Lets face facts, Leon was signed because of his ability to be in the right place at the right time, not his ability to skip down the wing.
Natural goalscorers are not that prevalent at any level, so why not use him, at what he does best?
I can recall Lineker playing on the right wing, under Cruyff at Barcelona. Why? He should be in the middle.
What about Atko playing Seal, as a solo striker? It was clear that he was not happy with his back to goal on his own. He needed the knock down to run onto. Thats what he did best.
I am hoping that Leon takes his chance, and does well. I am keen to see him play, but dont stick him out wide.