Josh Eccles (3 Viewers)

[Old Warwickshire lad]

And even though he is still young, he has got more guts than anyone else in the team.

 

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[MalcSB]

There were loads of times last season that it was Eccles who would suddenly be in the right place to snuff out danger.f

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

I think Eccles is our most improved player by a mile. He's came on leaps and bounds and now doesn't look out of place at all

A very good championship midfielder

Saying that however, we won't get Autos with him starting every game. He still has a lot to improve on with his transition and carrying of the ball, and that's why I feel we were looking at Stamenic,and will see another midfielder come in

This is fairest assessment of Eccles on here. Robins said numerous times that we need more quality and earmarked midfield too. We need more goals in that area and either Sheaf or Eccles needs to step up. I don’t think we get autos playing both Sheaf and Eccles. In this respect, we certainly miss the attributes Hamer bought to our team and feel Robins is trying to recreate that still.

 

[BlueSkiesForever]

So he had more assists than the rest of the squad apart from Wright last season?
Was that ambitious enough for you ?

Alright he got 5 assists last season but I believe I’m right in saying he’s only scored 2 goals over the last 2 seasons combined. I realise his job is not to get goals but there’s no reason why he can’t add to that.

He gets a lot of the ball and is good with it in terms of passing and helping players out, I’d just like to see him be a bit more ambitious going forward, he could really be some player if he worked at, in my humble shitty opinion of course

 

[Ccfcisparks]

Alright he got 5 assists last season but I believe I’m right in saying he’s only scored 2 goals over the last 2 seasons combined. I realise his job is not to get goals but there’s no reason why he can’t add to that.

He gets a lot of the ball and is good with it in terms of passing and helping players out, I’d just like to see him be a bit more ambitious going forward, he could really be some player if he worked at, in my humble shitty opinion of course

Maybe his role isnt to be ambitious getting forward? Thought of that?

I hope you arent gonna go on like this when the season starts.

 

[BlueSkiesForever]

I think it depends on the role he is given. You can't have all your midfield bombing forward. Sometimes you need someone to sit and hold back.

But when he does get forward he often puts good intelligent balls into the box. It may not always find a target, but what he does do is work the defenders. Something we don't do enough, especially JDS.

If you make the CB's play the ball you often get possession back, build pressure you force errors. How many OG's have there been in the Euros? Turn defenders and force CB's to play the ball facing their own goal and mistakes happen.

His corner taking isn't as bad as some people make out as we scored a few off them. He lacks consistency with them and Hamer was consistently good..

Both Sheaf and Eccles get in good positions on the edge of the box but then lack composure. It doesn't mean they can't improve on it.

I think you are right at times Eccles needs more confidence but Mark Robins said, "He can be anything he wants to be."

Eccles has some great skills and can take the ball out of the air and into his stride with one touch, as well as anyone at the club.

This is a very fair take, and I agree with you completely. People seem to think that I absolutely hate Eccles, I don’t, it’s just that I think there’s more in him than he currently offers. If he works on maybe being a bit more confident and not worried about losing the ball due a risky/threatening pass going astray then he could be a great player for us.

 

[BlueSkiesForever]

Maybe his role isnt to be ambitious getting forward? Thought of that?

I hope you arent gonna go on like this when the season starts.

I did say “I realise his job isn’t to score goals”, I get that’s not his priority I just find that our midfield at times becomes very static and lacking a bit of ambition and/or confidence that’s all.

Genuinely, I hope he proves me so wrong this season because if so it means we’ll have a much stronger chance of getting promoted. I have nothing against the guy, all I care about is us getting promoted and proving to the likes of Leicester, Leeds, Sheffield etc that we’re just as good as them, if not better.

 

[Hobo]

This is a very fair take, and I agree with you completely. People seem to think that I absolutely hate Eccles, I don’t, it’s just that I think there’s more in him than he currently offers. If he works on maybe being a bit more confident and not worried about losing the ball due a risky/threatening pass going astray then he could be a great player for us.

I am not arguing with the bar you set. But sometimes Sat elevated in the stands it is easier to see the right pass than when you are on the pitch in the forest of players.

But you seem to agree he is doing more right than wrong.

If he can kick on as much as he did last season we will be in a very good place

 

[BlueSkiesForever]

I am not arguing with the bar you set. But sometimes Sat elevated in the stands it is easier to see the right pass than when you are on the pitch in the forest of players.

But you seem to agree he is doing more right than wrong.

If he can kick on as much as he did last season we will be in a very good place

Again agree with you completely, he’s not a bad player but if he could just work on a few elements of his game he’d be a great player.

 

[Ccfcisparks]

Again agree with you completely, he’s not a bad player but if he could just work on a few elements of his game he’d be a great player.

He's a great player already

 

[SeshMouseSkyBlue]

There was a guy who sat behind me last season who would only speak to moan about Eccles! 10 other players could make a mistake but as soon as Eccles makes a mistake it was “fuck sake Eccles you’re fucking useless”. Got quite boring in the end!

 

[Deleted member 9744]

There was a guy who sat behind me last season who would only speak to moan about Eccles! 10 other players could make a mistake but as soon as Eccles makes a mistake it was “fuck sake Eccles you’re fucking useless”. Got quite boring in the end!

I think it could be one of three posters in here!

 

[Deleted member 9744]

This is a very fair take, and I agree with you completely. People seem to think that I absolutely hate Eccles, I don’t, it’s just that I think there’s more in him than he currently offers. If he works on maybe being a bit more confident and not worried about losing the ball due a risky/threatening pass going astray then he could be a great player for us.

People think you hate Eccles because you criticise him multiple times every day. We all know your view by now.

 

[2024/25 League 1 Champs?]

I know you’re not saying Eccles is as good as KDB, obviously, but you said if we owned KDB then Cov fans would be complaining about his sideways passing. My point is that Eccles doesn’t do enough outside of sideways passing to make up for it, the reason people don’t moan about KDB passing sideways is because he shoots, creates chances, always looks for that threatening pass, has confidence and has good movement. Eccles rarely does any of that and that’s my main issue with him, yes he’s a more defensive player but just because you’re playing in a more defensive role doesn’t mean you can’t try something ambitious or get forward or shoot from time to time.

I think Eccles is a great player to have in our squad but like @Saddlebrains said earlier I don’t think starting him week in week out is a good thing. I’ve got zero evidence for this but I do wonder if there’s a bit of a confidence issue with him, just needs to be a bit less cautious at times, look for that killer pass and try pulling it off every now and again.

I would completely agree with all of this - and also add that as much of an improved player as he is, I wouldn’t want to start him in a lone holding role week in week out, my assumption is he will be back up for Sheaf and maybe starting alongside him sometimes if tactics require

As a side point I’m starting from scratch again with Eccles (and others) and keeping a close eye on his development from first game onwards this season, it will be interesting to see how he pushes on this season

 

[Deleted member 9744]

I would completely agree with all of this - and also add that as much of an improved player as he is, I wouldn’t want to start him in a lone holding role week in week out, my assumption is he will be back up for Sheaf and maybe starting alongside him sometimes if tactics require

As a side point I’m starting from scratch again with Eccles (and others) and keeping a close eye on his development from first game onwards this season, it will be interesting to see how he pushes on this season

That's two of them.

 

[clint van damme]

That's two of them.

Are you sure?!

 

[Hobo]

There was a guy who sat behind me last season who would only speak to moan about Eccles! 10 other players could make a mistake but as soon as Eccles makes a mistake it was “fuck sake Eccles you’re fucking useless”. Got quite boring in the end!

Yes and fans around me who had a similar attitude to Palmer, Simms and Wright.

 

[SeshMouseSkyBlue]

Yes and fans around me who had a similar attitude to Palmer, Simms and Wright.

I think a lot of opinions changed on Wright over the season! Many wrote him off before he had chance to get going! Come end of the season we wouldn’t wanna sell for anything less than £20mill

 

[Deleted member 9744]

I think a lot of opinions changed on Wright over the season! Many wrote him off before he had chance to get going! Come end of the season we wouldn’t wanna sell for anything less than £20mill

Wright was good from the start. I never understood the negativity towards him. Simms was the one who improved immensely from a poor start.

 

[David O'Day]

I think a lot of opinions changed on Wright over the season! Many wrote him off before he had chance to get going! Come end of the season we wouldn’t wanna sell for anything less than £20mill

Some of the nonsense spouted about Wright was embarrassing.

 

[AFCCOVENTRY]

There was a huge expectations after having Vik and the money spent on both Wright and Simms.

At the end of the day they got nearly 40 goals between them in their first season.

I fully expect that to be closer to 50 this season.

 

[BlueSkiesForever]

He's a great player already

Fair enough, it’s all just personal opinion but I think he’s yet to be great. He’s definitely better than average for this league but I wouldn’t say he’s great atm, still time though.

 

[BlueSkiesForever]

People think you hate Eccles because you criticise him multiple times every day. We all know your view by now.

Come on it’s not multiple times a day I know what you mean but it’s more because I get sucked into arguing the opposing point of view when people say he’s flawless or amazing. I don’t actually hate him or think he’s poor, just not as amazing as a lot of people reckon.

 

[BlueSkiesForever]

I would completely agree with all of this - and also add that as much of an improved player as he is, I wouldn’t want to start him in a lone holding role week in week out, my assumption is he will be back up for Sheaf and maybe starting alongside him sometimes if tactics require

As a side point I’m starting from scratch again with Eccles (and others) and keeping a close eye on his development from first game onwards this season, it will be interesting to see how he pushes on this season

Yes!! I’ve finally gained a friend!

 

[2024/25 League 1 Champs?]

That's two of them.

I find it funny that people engage with a forum but then shoot down any opinions that don’t align with their own, it’s almost like nobody is allowed to have a view unless it’s the same as yours….

 

[FergieTheFinisher]

This is a very fair take, and I agree with you completely. People seem to think that I absolutely hate Eccles, I don’t, it’s just that I think there’s more in him than he currently offers. If he works on maybe being a bit more confident and not worried about losing the ball due a risky/threatening pass going astray then he could be a great player for us.

Agree with there being more in him than we previously seen. Interesting to see in recent Boatengs uncut video he comments about him having a good strike. Lets hope George instills some confidence in him to have a go more often.

 

[MalcSB]

I find it funny that people engage with a forum but then shoot down any opinions that don’t align with their own, it’s almost like nobody is allowed to have a view unless it’s the same as yours….

I don’t agree.

 

[skybluecam]

I think Eccles is our most improved player by a mile. He's came on leaps and bounds and now doesn't look out of place at all

A very good championship midfielder

Saying that however, we won't get Autos with him starting every game. He still has a lot to improve on with his transition and carrying of the ball, and that's why I feel we were looking at Stamenic,and will see another midfielder come in

Bang on, he is a good barometer of where our squad is. If we had enough quality for him to be a squad player/competing for a place we’re probably up there with the best in the league. While he’s a nailed on starter we probably aren’t.

 

[2024/25 League 1 Champs?]

I don’t agree.

you’re wrong

 

[Deity]

He's a great player already

Eccles has real promise and is a competent Championship player who continues to improve but he clearly isn’t a great player yet.

 

[2024/25 League 1 Champs?]

Bang on, he is a good barometer of where our squad is. If we had enough quality for him to be a squad player/competing for a place we’re probably up there with the best in the league. While he’s a nailed on starter we probably aren’t.

but do you think with perhaps one more midfield signing of the calibre of Stamenic he will be nailed on?

In my opinion he doesn’t get in ahead of Sheaf, and probably not Rudoni either

if Torp pushes on like he was last season arguably he’ll also be ahead of Eccles, and I imagine Stamenic (or similar) would have been expected to start too….

* Please note these views are my own and are not in any way to be taken as being factual, merely an expression of opinion *

 

[Hobo]

Eccles has real promise and is a competent Championship player who continues to improve but he clearly isn’t a great player yet.

I think this year is a big one for him. He got the minutes and regular game time last season. He needs to really believe in himself and back his own ability. I think this year he needs to show new levels of maturity and confidence.

That step from promising prospect into I'm a mature player now and it's my shirt and I'm one of the experienced guys.

 

[hopesprings]

Bang on, he is a good barometer of where our squad is. If we had enough quality for him to be a squad player/competing for a place we’re probably up there with the best in the league. While he’s a nailed on starter we probably aren’t.

Yep agree ..and I alsothink that Boatang could be the making (or breaking)of him George will certainly want him to be able to ast 90 mins full on !!

 

[Legia Sky Blue]

but do you think with perhaps one more midfield signing of the calibre of Stamenic he will be nailed on?

In my opinion he doesn’t get in ahead of Sheaf, and probably not Rudoni either

if Torp pushes on like he was last season arguably he’ll also be ahead of Eccles, and I imagine Stamenic (or similar) would have been expected to start too….

* Please note these views are my own and are not in any way to be taken as being factual, merely an expression of opinion *

Nobody actually knows how good Stamenic is or might be, or actually whether we were definitely interested in signing him. It appears he has potential, but if he is as good as you seem to think he is then presumably Forest would have kept him to play for them this season.

Having Eccles in our team is a strength, not a weakness, and with plenty of Championship experience behind him now, I expect only further improvement to come.

 

[2024/25 League 1 Champs?]

Nobody actually knows how good Stamenic is or might be, or actually whether we were definitely interested in signing him. It appears he has potential, but if he is as good as you seem to think he is then presumably Forest would have kept him to play for them this season.

Having Eccles in our team is a strength, not a weakness, and with plenty of Championship experience behind him now, I expect only further improvement to come.

you didn’t answer the question though did you - is / will Josh Eccles be nailed on to start next season?

I personally don’t think he gets in ahead of Sheaf as DM, and he’s not the same level as Rudoni or Torp in my opinion in a more central / attacking role, and if / when we sign somebody else and if they are a top level midfielder, as it appears we are after, I can only see that push him further down the pecking order in that position.

I think he’s a great player to have available, but I’m not sure whether he’ll be ‘nailed on’ to start ahead of others. I also can’t see him playing a holding role on his own as I still think he has, at present, mistakes in his game which are costly when you’re playing there.

He played well on the right, but then we have options there again now Tats is back, and Rapha has signed…

Again, just my opinion and I’d love to be proved wrong this season