Karlan Grant

[CA Baggie]

I'd say Robbo has a little bot of credit from past performances where as Grant has none of that. There isn't a single game that he has won us or come on and been the difference. I think people expected he'd do that in the Championship and he hasn't really yet.

I've said before we're mentally weak as a team and maybe Grant is just another one of those who can't handle the price tag of the move but can certainly handle the wages that come with it.

Before I'm accused of having a go I did point out earlier that he was misused by Bilic and was the wrong player for what we needed with Diangana and CR already covering the forward left position.

[SW4Baggie]

I'd say Robbo has a little bot of credit from past performances where as Grant has none of that.  There isn't a single game that he has won us or come on and been the difference.  I think people expected he'd do that in the Championship and he hasn't really yet. 

I've said before we're mentally weak as a team and maybe Grant is just another one of those who can't handle the price tag of the move but can certainly handle the wages that come with it.

Before I'm accused of having a go I did point out earlier that he was misused by Bilic and was the wrong player for what we needed with Diangana and CR already covering the forward left position.

A lot of our players seem very mentally weak if honest, and it’s emanating into the crowd too… we seem far too convinced we are going to blow leads, or resigned to not grabbing winners in tight games as a fan base… the whole ground seemed to be waiting for the inevitable Luton equaliser, and against Derby there felt absolutely no confidence in the team being able to grab a deserved winner…

[ericlegrisly]

Probably because I warned against it at the time and I guess we all love to be proved right, Grant is simply not very good.

Being overpriced is not his fault; I take on board the nice things people have said about his desire to do well and his working hard but the reality is that he is a poor player.

Shame and all that but he has done nothing in 25 ish games with us to warrant being in the 11.

Price tag regardless.

[CA Baggie]

I'd say Robbo has a little bot of credit from past performances where as Grant has none of that.  There isn't a single game that he has won us or come on and been the difference.  I think people expected he'd do that in the Championship and he hasn't really yet. 

I've said before we're mentally weak as a team and maybe Grant is just another one of those who can't handle the price tag of the move but can certainly handle the wages that come with it.

Before I'm accused of having a go I did point out earlier that he was misused by Bilic and was the wrong player for what we needed with Diangana and CR already covering the forward left position.

A lot of our players seem very mentally weak if honest, and it’s emanating into the crowd too… we seem far too convinced we are going to blow leads, or resigned to not grabbing winners in tight games as a fan base… the whole ground seemed to be waiting for the inevitable Luton equaliser, and against Derby there felt absolutely no confidence in the team being able to grab a deserved winner…

I think it stood out during the relegation season of 2018, as soon as we had been all but relegated we started playing again.  We stuttered the season after and blew the position we had at the top of the league (not helped with the Big Dave situ and all what that entailed), then we couldn't get going post CoVid buckling under the pressure from Brentford (who then also blew it!).  Last season was just a clusterfuck carry on from the end of the promotion season with poor transfers and a manager playing games with the club.

The constant is Livermore.  He has the captain's armband and should be dragging everyone along and inserting that edge to us that McInnes (Olsson, McAuley, Reid, Foster, Scharner, Gregan & Badge kisser did too).  I know he's been through personal tragedy and must have some mental strength from that (despite the drug taking) but he just doesn't seem a natural leader.

We just seem too nice right now and our idea of being hard is silly and\or petulant fouls resulting in yellow and red cards (livermore again).  Who is grabbing the players and bollocking them? 

We're not far away from proving once again to be too good for this league but the margin for error feels tighter than it's been in a generation (as much about the owners as anything).

[GunsOfNavarone]

Might consider following another sport as it's becoming increasingly apparent to me that I know fuck all about football. 

Grant certainly hasn't set the world alight since signing for us but he's contributing far more to the team than some realise.

I do not see myself existing on a higher level to others from a tactical contribution level. He didn't score accepted but I don't remember him having an opportunity.

Beyond that Grant clearly did what was asked of him on Saturday. He came on, stretched their back line and filled pockets of space between them. He contributed to one chance and also carved out a superb opportunity for Hugill who fluffed his lines.

May take up dwarf throwing across Sandwell Valley instead. Being 5ft 8in means those shorter than me automatically qualify as dwarves. Watch your backs you angry little fuckers.

[MancBaggie]

I'd say Robbo has a little bot of credit from past performances where as Grant has none of that.  There isn't a single game that he has won us or come on and been the difference.  I think people expected he'd do that in the Championship and he hasn't really yet. 

I've said before we're mentally weak as a team and maybe Grant is just another one of those who can't handle the price tag of the move but can certainly handle the wages that come with it.

Before I'm accused of having a go I did point out earlier that he was misused by Bilic and was the wrong player for what we needed with Diangana and CR already covering the forward left position.

A lot of our players seem very mentally weak if honest, and it’s emanating into the crowd too… we seem far too convinced we are going to blow leads, or resigned to not grabbing winners in tight games as a fan base… the whole ground seemed to be waiting for the inevitable Luton equaliser, and against Derby there felt absolutely no confidence in the team being able to grab a deserved winner…

I think it stood out during the relegation season of 2018, as soon as we had been all but relegated we started playing again.  We stuttered the season after and blew the position we had at the top of the league (not helped with the Big Dave situ and all what that entailed), then we couldn't get going post CoVid buckling under the pressure from Brentford (who then also blew it!).  Last season was just a clusterfuck carry on from the end of the promotion season with poor transfers and a manager playing games with the club.

The constant is Livermore.  He has the captain's armband and should be dragging everyone along and inserting that edge to us that McInnes (Olsson, McAuley, Reid, Foster, Scharner, Gregan & Badge kisser did too).  I know he's been through personal tragedy and must have some mental strength from that (despite the drug taking) but he just doesn't seem a natural leader.

We just seem too nice right now and our idea of being hard is silly and\or petulant fouls resulting in yellow and red cards (livermore again).  Who is grabbing the players and bollocking them? 

We're not far away from proving once again to be too good for this league but the margin for error feels tighter than it's been in a generation (as much about the owners as anything).

Good post CAB. 

JL is a really good guy and club captain who cares deeply about the club - well beyond just the results and playing side.  This came out during the 2020 promotion - when a lot of ancillary jobs were on the line.  IMO the qn remains as to whether he strong or nasty enough.

In fairness to Grant - and this is something of damning indictment to yet another lukewarm team performance - he actually improved us on Saturday

[Remi_Moses]

We have fans and I use the word fans loosely, that are never happier then when they abuse their own.
Many have felt the wrath, few turn it around.
Sam, Bartman, Livermore, Sawyer's, Philips, Zohore, Austin, Burke to name a few. Now it's just "Grants" turn.
We need a new hero to stop the Witch Hunters IMO.

[GunsOfNavarone]

There's only one Ronnie Wallwork, one Ronnie Wallwork, we thought he was shite, but now he's alright, walking in a Megson wonderland. That turned out well......   .

[Hopalong]

His highlights reel from Hudds tell you there is a good wide forward in there and one who knows where the goal is.  However lost confidence robs you of a split second of sharpness and zip in the shot, and the missed penalty was a good example of player struggling.

Without the pricetag and indeed without Grady and Robbo around we would have no issues with giving him more time, he works hard and has created chances, indeed the goals may come.  However in Grady we allready had our specialust left winger and fans favourite in place to be joined by Robbo who although only makewait was a real upgrade on Burke.

So we have an unbalaced forward line lacking a quality CF as Slav decided that KG could play the lone striker role and pushed for the deal even though overpriced. Still a baffling decision which seems to sit heavily on KG's shoulders and makes him an easy target for those fans looking for a spacegoat.

Apart from not matching up to unrealistic expectations I don't think he's done a lot wrong this season.  His work ethic looks good and with confidence may still make a major contribution this season.

Grant played as a centre forward at Charlton where he scored 14 in 28 in the first half 2018/19 which earned him a move to Hudds in the Prem where he scored 4 in 13. 

The season after he scored 19 in 43 primarily playing left side of the front three.  Quite a few of those were penalties.  If you look at his goals that season nearly every goal is a carbon copy - cutting in from he left onto his right foot -  similar to the goal he scored at Brighton.
It's somewhat baffling therefore why we signed him (thought it's clear Bilic thought he could play a lone striker role which proved beyond him) when we already had Diang and Robinson because he's not an out and out No 9 in a 4-5-1.  

Difficult to know what the solution is,  but Val is paid a lot of money to find such solutions.  A change in formation might be the answer but I can't see Val doing that. 

Maybe when Clarke is back Diang could drop to wing-back with Grant playing left side of the three.   But that means Townsend dropping out and weakening us defensively down the left so probably a no-go.  

[CA Baggie]

His highlights reel from Hudds tell you there is a good wide forward in there and one who knows where the goal is.  However lost confidence robs you of a split second of sharpness and zip in the shot, and the missed penalty was a good example of player struggling.

Without the pricetag and indeed without Grady and Robbo around we would have no issues with giving him more time, he works hard and has created chances, indeed the goals may come.  However in Grady we allready had our specialust left winger and fans favourite in place to be joined by Robbo who although only makewait was a real upgrade on Burke.

So we have an unbalaced forward line lacking a quality CF as Slav decided that KG could play the lone striker role and pushed for the deal even though overpriced. Still a baffling decision which seems to sit heavily on KG's shoulders and makes him an easy target for those fans looking for a spacegoat.

Apart from not matching up to unrealistic expectations I don't think he's done a lot wrong this season.  His work ethic looks good and with confidence may still make a major contribution this season.

Grant played as a centre forward at Charlton where he scored 14 in 28 in the first half 2018/19 which earned him a move to Hudds in the Prem where he scored 4 in 13. 

The season after he scored 19 in 43 primarily playing left side of the front three.  Quite a few of those were penalties.  If you look at his goals that season nearly every goal is a carbon copy - cutting in from he left onto his right foot -  similar to the goal he scored at Brighton.
It's somewhat baffling therefore why we signed him (thought it's clear Bilic thought he could play a lone striker role which proved beyond him) when we already had Diang and Robinson because he's not an out and out No 9 in a 4-5-1.  

Difficult to know what the solution is,  but Val is paid a lot of money to find such solutions.  A change in formation might be the answer but I can't see Val doing that. 

Maybe when Clarke is back Diang could drop to wing-back with Grant playing left side of the three.   But that means Townsend dropping out and weakening us defensively down the left so probably a no-go.  

Or just accepting that at the moment Diangana is ahead of Grant in the pecking order if we're using CR as a centre forward and we take it from there.

His record suggests that he'll score goals, he'll have to earn the opportunity to start games by doing well off the bench.  Saturday was the first game I haven't seen so I'll take peoples word that he improved us.  That doesn't sound like a difficult task.