Romaine Esse

[TheBigToePunt]

I think we have to remember Esse is 20, Hackney is 23, 3 years is a massive time when a Player is developing, he has a long contract, he is not the finished article, but lets see what a full preseason with a decent manager will do, it may make a big difference, but lets give him a chance, Ian Wright didnt play his first game until he was nearly 22, and he was rubbish for 6 months.

This is true. The thing is, Wright was coming into a poor second tier side who didn't have many other options. That's a huge part of a young players development too, being at a club that have little choice but to pick you most weeks for whatever reason.

The other element is to be an important player, one the other players look to quickly and often, rather than one who is on the pitch as a support act, playing but yet on the periphery too.

Over time, Coppell built the side around Wright. If we had been a good top flight side at the time, I doubt that would have happened.

I think Zaha is the greatest example. As a raw kid he obviously had something, but would get as much wrong as he got right. A combination of faith and circumstances led Freedman to build a defensively strong unit of a back four and two holding midfielders, all of whom seemed to have one job, stop the other lot scoring then pass it to Zaha or Bolasie. Repeat. And again. Doesn't matter if they lose it, or their trick fails, just keep doing it. The combination of the level of football and the limited options made this a feasible plan. What a golden, life changing gift for both wingers. They weren't rotated, weren't subbed, weren't overlooked by their own midfielders if they had lost possession a few times. Again, I doubt it could have been done if we'd been in the premier league at the time.

The problem for Esse is that we are in the premier league, so he has to produce a certain level of average performance which is incredibly difficult to attain, and that's just to get games. For us to build the team around him or make him a key player, he has to look like he's pretty excellent right away, as we can't carry him and we do have other options. The same was true of Olise and Eze. As much as they developed over time, they were at a very good level to begin with. They wouldn't have kicked on otherwise, as they wouldn't have got games, yet alone been made key players.

Overall, it's not just a question of whether Esse might one day be a good top flight player, it's what level is he at right now and, even if he has lots of development to come, does his current level justify a place in the team right now?

 

[aashman12]

He is when I've seen him play.
Continually breaks forward with a good strike on him.
Eight goals and assists so far this season, more than our midfield combined.

He wouldn't play in one of our no10 roles, he's a cdm/cm that has a bit more freedom in a 3 man midfield.

 

[Eaglecoops]

He wouldn't play in one of our no10 roles, he's a cdm/cm that has a bit more freedom in a 3 man midfield.

If he joined us we probably wouldn’t play in the same way. A 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 would give us the attacking option through midfield which is exactly what he is.

 

[Spindle]

His nickname at Blackburn was the Wilpshire Pirlo ,they saw the connection very early in his career .

And they were wrong because he never has played like Pirlo, if you understand what Pirlo played like.

Sergio Busquets in style of play sure.....but not Pirlo.

 

[PatrickA]

Esse is on the bench tonight.

 

[Phil’s Barber]

Esse is on the bench tonight.

Indeed, not even starting for Cov in a home game 🥴

 

[Brinscalleagle2]

Esse is on the bench tonight.

That I think says it all but I will watch the game to see if he can make an impact from the bench.

 

[BigGcpfc]

He's been of for 10 seconds and Cov score. What an impact.

 

[crystal-purley]

I had a good chat with him at the hotel in Norway. He was in good spirits and seemed like a really nice lad. He said he was working hard for his opportunity in the team.

I also spoke with a couple of his school mates from STAC whilst at the Arsenal Carabao game. They said he was still working hard but that he had said he was going to go out on loan in January to try and get his mojo back.

There’s a good player in there somewhere, we’re just yet to see it properly. Perhaps his opportunity will come next season, if he does well at Cov and if Glasner decides not to extend his contract with us beyond the summer.

 

[NEILLO]

This is true. The thing is, Wright was coming into a poor second tier side who didn't have many other options. That's a huge part of a young players development too, being at a club that have little choice but to pick you most weeks for whatever reason.

The other element is to be an important player, one the other players look to quickly and often, rather than one who is on the pitch as a support act, playing but yet on the periphery too.

Over time, Coppell built the side around Wright. If we had been a good top flight side at the time, I doubt that would have happened.

I think Zaha is the greatest example. As a raw kid he obviously had something, but would get as much wrong as he got right. A combination of faith and circumstances led Freedman to build a defensively strong unit of a back four and two holding midfielders, all of whom seemed to have one job, stop the other lot scoring then pass it to Zaha or Bolasie. Repeat. And again. Doesn't matter if they lose it, or their trick fails, just keep doing it. The combination of the level of football and the limited options made this a feasible plan. What a golden, life changing gift for both wingers. They weren't rotated, weren't subbed, weren't overlooked by their own midfielders if they had lost possession a few times. Again, I doubt it could have been done if we'd been in the premier league at the time.

The problem for Esse is that we are in the premier league, so he has to produce a certain level of average performance which is incredibly difficult to attain, and that's just to get games. For us to build the team around him or make him a key player, he has to look like he's pretty excellent right away, as we can't carry him and we do have other options. The same was true of Olise and Eze. As much as they developed over time, they were at a very good level to begin with. They wouldn't have kicked on otherwise, as they wouldn't have got games, yet alone been made key players.

Overall, it's not just a question of whether Esse might one day be a good top flight player, it's what level is he at right now and, even if he has lots of development to come, does his current level justify a place in the team right now?

Ian Wright also had an excellent on-field mentor in Mark Bright.

 

[thai-eagle]

Watched him coming on last night. Clearly understand why OG does not rate him, but that Middlesbro no 7 (Hackey) should be a must transfer target.

 

[JessieJ]

Watched him coming on last night. Clearly understand why OG does not rate him, but that Middlesbro no 7 (Hackey) should be a must transfer target.

I'm going somewhat off-theme here, but, yes he is certainly some player. Therefore will be sought after by quite a number of clubs. Maybe the best we can hope for is that we make an early bid, his agent will wait for other financially better offers, of which there will be plenty, he finally gets taken by a loads-a-money top-table member of the self-styled "elite" thus setting off a process whereby that top-table skins 'Boro of all their best players. Result is that there is already one worse team than us. That's assuming we can scrimp another 9 points, which a long way from certain.

 

[Midlands Eagle]

that Middlesbro no 7 (Hackey) should be a must transfer target.

I think that we've missed the boat on that one as we should have bought him a year or two ago before the whole world found out how good he is

 

[est1905]

He's been of for 10 seconds and Cov score. What an impact.

Was he directly involved in the goal?

 

[doombear]

Was he directly involved in the goal?

I suspect the poster's comment was very much tongue-in-cheek.

 

[Dogburger]

And they were wrong because he never has played like Pirlo, if you understand what Pirlo played like.

Sergio Busquets in style of play sure.....but not Pirlo.

Likely just a lazy connection but what the Blackburn fans were probably just saying was, ....... class .

 

[AbbeyRoad1969]

Was he directly involved in the goal?

Soon after he came on Coventry went 3-1 up and so his role was sit in and see the game out. Don't think he had any opportunities with the ball at his feet. I'm still not sure we have the player we thought a year or so ago. Glasner clearly didn't rate him so with the change of manager in the summer he may get another chance.