Head Down Hoskins

[Ron Obvious]

Hoskins is Shyte, all he’s got is running running and more running.
Powell is light years ahead and should be starting.

Powell seems to do better when coming off the bench.

[rebelspawn]

Hoskins seems to attract criticism much as Cornell does, much of it unwarranted.

I can think one one particularly poor cross yesterday, but that aside as solid as anyone.

Already been mentioned - his energy levels and willingness to work are his strengths, and why he's a regular in the side.

Sure, one poor cross, but how many blocked crosses and passes?

I like Sam, i like his effort, his legs, engine and enthusiasm but it seems to me that as each game passes he is finding it harder and harder to get the ball past players. There have been so many occasions this season when he has the ball and could easily distribute it but instead he drags the ball and changes the angles before promptly firing the ball at the opposition player. that is what frustrates me most about him.

[Terryfenwickatemyhamster]

He had a good game on Saturday so those that defend him are on a high and have been waiting for this opportunity to light a big bright torch for him and wave it around. That alone speaks volumes about his overall talent.

On the whole he lacks any final product, and his distribution is very poor. I would say the Curle seems to be making progress with him, so that is a good thing. But as is normally the case on here, people will dine out on the occasional good performance from someone they wish to defend.

[guest2995]

I don’t agree that he played well on Saturday .
He was our weakest link although he did put his shift in.
Everyone is willing him to do well but it’s just time to try someone else in my view .

[Poggy]

I don't think he's been the same player since his serious injury.

In our early days in League 1, I can remember he was often fouled 4 or 5 times a game and caused teams a lot of problems.

As many have said, if his end product was better he certainly wouldn't still be playing for us but I can never fault the lads effort. I think he's signed until 2020 so he won't be going anywhere soon.

[guest2677]

He had a good game on Saturday so those that defend him are on a high and have been waiting for this opportunity to light a big bright torch for him and wave it around. That alone speaks volumes about his overall talent.

On the whole he lacks any final product, and his distribution is very poor. I would say the Curle seems to be making progress with him, so that is a good thing. But as is normally the case on here, people will dine out on the occasional good performance from someone they wish to defend.

Really. Which Saturday was this?

[Terryfenwickatemyhamster]

Really. Which Saturday was this?

You never accurately gauge the intellect of those that you are engaging with via the internet. But I would of thought there was a huge hint about which Saturday I was referring in my initial post.

Or..... Am I to understand that you disagree with me, and believe he has never had a good game? If that's the case. Feel free to say it. Don't sit on the fence like Manwork did 

[guest2677]

You never accurately gauge the intellect of those that you are engaging with via the internet. But I would of thought there was a huge hint about which Saturday I was referring in my initial post.

Or..... Am I to understand that you disagree with me, and believe he has never had a good game? If that's the case. Feel free to say it. Don't sit on the fence like Manwork did 

I absolutely agree with you regards intellect and the internet. I often have trouble discerning intellect face to face that said.
Clearly I knew which Saturday you were referring to, and i'd have thought it obvious from my reply that i disagree with you about him having a good game. Ergo, the point of my post.
Intelligence eh?...
Oh, and it's 'would have thought' btw 

Generally, i agree with you about Hoskins play, not your point about Curle improving him though, because I don't think he has. Yes, i have occasionally seen him play well, Plymouth tail end of last season comes to mind.
Having said that, I'd play Hoskins over Waters.

[everbrite]

I absolutely agree with you regards intellect and the internet. I often have trouble discerning intellect face to face that said.
Clearly I knew which Saturday you were referring to, and i'd have thought it obvious from my reply that i disagree with you about him having a good game. Ergo, the point of my post.
Intelligence eh?...
Oh, and it's 'would have thought' btw 

Generally, i agree with you about Hoskins play, not your point about Curle improving him though, because I don't think he has. Yes, i have occasionally seen him play well, Plymouth tail end of last season comes to mind.
Having said that, I'd play Hoskins over Waters.

There is up until January nobody better than Hoskins so all this ego talk about intelligence etc is irrelevant. We have to go with what we have -    .   I thought pragmaticism was a local trait? Anyway who cares about intelligence you either have it or you don't!

[Coolcat]

There is up until January nobody better than Hoskins so all this ego talk about intelligence etc is irrelevant. We have to go with what we have -    .   I thought pragmaticism was a local trait? Anyway who cares about intelligence you either have it or you don't!

So you are very much in the nature camp regarding intelligence then...despite scientific research pointing hugely towards nurture - studies, environment etc as opposed to hereditary! 

As an aside, I don't think either Tel or CJ were referring to Hoskins regarding intelligence!

[DrillingCobbler]

Hes the best at what he does, we've got. Far better than Waters, who in my mind is a 'poor mans Hoskins'. Didn't see anything on Saturday (again) that changes my mind on that.

Maybe when Morais is fit, Sam will drop down the pecking order. Depends how Kieth utilises him.

I've always been a fan of Hoskins. I totally get why he's marmite when it comes to opinion. As a lively inside forward/wide player who you don't necessarily need to see a return of goals from, I think he does a good job at this level. His work off the ball also allows other players far more space than they would otherwise get. And helps us out when we don't have possession.

He rarely gets subbed so in my mind he is very much in Kieth's longer term thinking.

[Tabasco Kid]

Oh, and it's 'would have thought' btw 

Not in Northamptonian, it ent me ol duck.

[everbrite]

So you are very much in the nature camp regarding intelligence then...despite scientific research pointing hugely towards nurture - studies, environment etc as opposed to hereditary! 

As an aside, I don't think either Tel or CJ were referring to Hoskins regarding intelligence!  Of course they were not

You have point on nuture - studies etc enable those well nutured can often assume pseudo intelligence. Its no accident  that Winchester and Eton regularly produce pupils with high IQ.

[guest1269]

You have point on nuture - studies etc enable those well nutured can often assume pseudo intelligence. Its no accident  that Winchester and Eton regularly produce pupils with high IQ.

Mmmmm - I would suggest they already had the high IQ, although many that go there don't - and that's not what public school produces - what it does deliver, is the confidence to leverage whatever assets you have for maximum potential. Also never confuse high IQ with emotional or practical intelligence. 

[The 12th Marquis of Sixfields]

He can run for an hour and a half but so could Paula Radcliffe and i wouldn't have her in my team either. She'd probably have a better final ball though

[Terryfenwickatemyhamster]

There is up until January nobody better than Hoskins so all this ego talk about intelligence etc is irrelevant. We have to go with what we have -    .   I thought pragmaticism was a local trait? Anyway who cares about intelligence you either have it or you don't!

I can't really put into words just how spectacularly you have missed the point. So I refer you to the Honourable  member, Coolcats answer.

[Terryfenwickatemyhamster]

He can run for an hour and a half but so could Paula Radcliffe and i wouldn't have her in my team either. She'd probably have a better final ball though

 

[everbrite]

I can't really put into words just how spectacularly you have missed the point. So I refer you to the Honourable  member, Coolcats answer.

I noted Coolcats comments and am mesmerised by his explanation on ‘intelligence’.

[Monkey]

You'd have thought that if Hoskins was that bad then one (or all) of our managers him would have noticed and stopped playing him. Even the poor managers we've had are significantly more qualified than any of you to decide if he adds any value to the team.
For the record, I like him as a player and think we are better with him in the team, than not... but agree his end product is frustrating.

[guest1269]

I noted Coolcats comments and am mesmerised by his explanation on ‘intelligence’.

No need to be mesmerized because it is very likely (within a complex subject) he is wrong - no question both nature and nurture play a part in intelligence, but at the risk of being called out for being argumentative there is considerably more peer reviewed scientific evidence to suggest a stronger genetic basis to intelligence than an environmental one.

.......but back to topic I'm with you & until I can see a better player than Hoskins being picked to run at defenders he and the manager who picks him gets my support.j