Alex Hunt

Thought last nights performance was his best in the EFL for Town that's got to be his standard nobody in our squad can pass like him when he's on form. Great to see at last I think he will thrive under the new Manager I can't believe after one training session we can produce a first half that was like Buckleyball in parts That Glennon pass to Khan was a thing of beauty I want more of that and if I get it seats will be at a premium. Good Times UTM

Quoted from 1mickylyons

Thought last nights performance was his best in the EFL for Town that's got to be his standard nobody in our squad can pass like him when he's on form. Great to see at last I think he will thrive under the new Manager I can't believe after one training session we can produce a first half that was like Buckleyball in parts That Glennon pass to Khan was a thing of beauty I want more of that and if I get it seats will be at a premium. Good Times UTM

I thought he had a good game too, but tbh, the majority of his passes were safe passes, 10 to 15 yard passes to a teammate in space and not under pressure whilst not under pressure himself.  This is not a dig at him, just an close observation of him once he came on for Glennon.

Isn't that a good thing?

His movement and drive were also noticeable. Same with the whole team for the majority of the game. It was about being confident and going forward

What a refreshing change

Quoted from The_Laughing_Mariner

Isn't that a good thing?

Yes it is, and that's why I said he had a good game.  I just thought that some posts after the game were a little overwhelming regarding his performance, such as 'absolute class' , 'brilliant' etc. when there were other players doing the same as him.  And FWIW my opinion is that Mullarkey was the MOTM, despite his slip for their goal.

Most of us knew he was a great player , some seemed to think that him getting 15 minutes every 3-4 games was enough to judge him on.

Now I don’t like to speak I’ll of the dead ( or the sacked ) but he was never a Hurst player , most of this squad aren’t hurst players either which might make our new mangers job that but easier and might make our viewing experience easier on the eye

Quoted from grimps

Most of us knew he was a great player , some seemed to think that him getting 15 minutes every 3-4 games was enough to judge him on.

Now I don’t like to speak I’ll of the dead ( or the sacked ) but he was never a Hurst player , most of this squad aren’t hurst players either which might make our new mangers job that but easier and might make our viewing experience easier on the eye

Lets hope so, but Great?

A bit harsh on Hunt. Man City do ok with many short and accurate passes.

Against Sutton quite a few of our short passes resulted in us losing possession.

Quoted from TownSNAFU5

A bit harsh on Hunt. Man City do ok with many short and accurate passes.

Against Sutton quite a few of our short passes resulted in us losing possession.

Agreed, and that would indicate that some of our players are not as good passers as Hunt, but my point is that a good professional footballer will make those passes 9 times out of 10, that doesn't make him great, or brilliant, or outstanding but an average footballer playing in a League Two side.

Quoted from 123614

Agreed, and that would indicate that some of our players are not as good passers as Hunt, but my point is that a good professional footballer will make those passes 9 times out of 10, that doesn't make him great, or brilliant, or outstanding but an average footballer playing in a League Two side.

I fully admit to being a paid up member of the Alex Hunt Fan Club but I was probably most surprised by his movement and running last night, something that we haven't seen enough of. It seemed that the shackles were off - great to see and long may it continue.

Quoted from 123614

Yes it is, and that's why I said he had a good game.  I just thought that some posts after the game were a little overwhelming regarding his performance, such as 'absolute class' , 'brilliant' etc. when there were other players doing the same as him.  And FWIW my opinion is that Mullarkey was the MOTM, despite his slip for their goal.

After being largely frozen out barring odd minutes here and there since signing a 3 year deal the mental strength required for a young player to perform like that on recall I think was outstanding. I agree ref Mullarkey.Cartwright too again looked assured and took some good crosses.The only way is Up

Quoted from 123614

Agreed, and that would indicate that some of our players are not as good passers as Hunt, but my point is that a good professional footballer will make those passes 9 times out of 10, that doesn't make him great, or brilliant, or outstanding but an average footballer playing in a League Two side.

Love to hear your assessment of our collective throw ins?

For me utterly shambolic with ghe exception of Cropper a while back

Quoted from 1mickylyons

Love to hear your assessment of our collective throw ins?

For me utterly shambolic with ghe exception of Cropper a while back

Agreed.

Quoted from 123614

I thought he had a good game too, but tbh, the majority of his passes were safe passes, 10 to 15 yard passes to a teammate in space and not under pressure whilst not under pressure himself.  This is not a dig at him, just an close observation of him once he came on for Glennon.

I thought Hunt's quick feet and thinking in tight situations last night were stand out features of his performance. Was pleasantly surprised to see him driving forward with the ball too. You may think 10 to 15 yard passes are simple, but Hunt moves the ball much quicker than his teammates and sees angles quicker too. I actually thought he raised Conteh's game with the ball to a higher level.. manager definitely helped by taking the shackles off..

It's never easy coming on as a substitute either so he certainly took his chance.

Football never ceases to amaze. We have as a fan base known there was something wrong for months but we are not privy to what happens on the training ground but something went awry there with the previous setup.

Judging by last night Artell seems to have got the players instant respect. They will know a good coach when they see one and I bet they are looking forward to the rest of the season like the fans.

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

Football never ceases to amaze. We have as a fan base known there was something wrong for months but we are not privy to what happens on the training ground but something went awry there with the previous setup.

Have to say it’s very puzzling. Many of us commented on numerous occasions that we thought we had recruited better players but had been rewarded with a worse team! PH must have had a plan and with his managerial experience an alternative if plan A didn’t work. I appreciate that the first hour v Lincoln in the friendly was against their back ups but that game indicated a change of style and direction that never really materialised despite decent performances against Wimbledon, County and Salford early on.

I’ve always wanted to see a midfield of Hunt, Conteh and Khouri, stating that in previous posts, and maybe that will come to fruition but it was a trio Hursty never fancied. Always interested in what sacked Managers think about in those early days sat at home and whether they regret certain signings and tactical decisions.

PH just seemed to get blinkered and convinced it was all down to the footballing gods and good results would eventually return or was that just his public persona? Ben and Shaun quickly identified how we needed to change and it’s hard to believe these discussions were not held with PH and Deputy Doig and I guess we will never know why with the players he signed he didn’t change his approach.

As I said at the start, puzzling.

Hopefully Alex will get a chance and do well, we all know he has quality. I can't see green and holahan getting much game time barring injuries under artell, as much as I like them both for thier workrate they are not consistently good passers of the ball.

I thought he played well last night and that he's technically a great player. However I still have doubts that he only ever looks good in games that are suited to his style of play. MK Dons are not your stereotypical L2 side, and like to play football themselves. In my opinion he still needs to prove he can impose himself and play well against the rough & tumble type teams. I really hope that the new style of play Artell will impose will help him achieve that, but I'm still a bit doubtful if I'm completely honest.

His play just before we hit the post was brilliant. Both he and Conteh were so comfortable on the ball, even under pressure, which was critical to breaking their press and creating multiple chances on the break in the second half. As a pairing, they could be very exciting.

Technicality wise he will be an absolute sure starter under Artell....however I am not sure he has the discipline of the position to underline his bid for a starting place.
Artell seemingly wants two footed passers of the ball who want possession and that is Hunt all day long but Artell has also made a point of workrate, desire  tracking players when out of possession so he may need to up that side of his game.
I think he is a cracking little player and as others have said his vision and pace of play is above just about everyother midfield player we have but I do think he does switch off a little when defending.

Hopefully Hunt has a manager now who is willing to work with him and give him the chance to impress. He came in because of an injury and Harry being the only one who could slot in that position and he took that roaming midfield position on well with some good movement and passing.

Never quite understood what Hurst wanted from him because he got frozen out and always looked out of position as a defensive midfielder, he doesn't do the things Conteh does well, he's better at finding passes and taking set pieces. It's like after losing Ben Fox he tried to turn Hunt into that type of player that picks up loose balls and breaks up play but then the midfield always looked too deep. We need somebody in the midfield making those surging runs and moving the ball about, just from one game last night it was obvious we have needed that.

Quoted from 123614

Agreed, and that would indicate that some of our players are not as good passers as Hunt, but my point is that a good professional footballer will make those passes 9 times out of 10, that doesn't make him great, or brilliant, or outstanding but an average footballer playing in a League Two side.

Attention seeking moron ffs

Quoted from MuddyWaters

I fully admit to being a paid up member of the Alex Hunt Fan Club but I was probably most surprised by his movement and running last night, something that we haven't seen enough of. It seemed that the shackles were off - great to see and long may it continue.

My brother-in-law is a Sheff Weds fan and on a near weekly basis will ask how Hunt is getting on.  It's to his constant amazement that Hunt has been used, sparingly, as a holding midfielder with a remit to distribute play from deep.  He was long seen as the successor to Barry Bannan at Hillsborough in a far more advanced role, I suppose a No 8 type if we're using modern positions. I've had that constant reminder that Hunt is capable of running at teams and carrying the ball, but it's something we've not seen very often in a Town shirt.

I've mentioned before in the Lincoln home pre-season game he was used much further forward and was running at them, Conteh providing that cover deeper in midfield.  Friendly game yes and understrength Lincoln in the first half yes.  But he showed a big hint of then of what he can do, disappointingly Hurst then opted to go with him and Conteh both holding when the season started.  

I've done little to hide that I think Hunt is potentially a very special player and have long advocated for him to get a fair chance in a position that suits him.  However, just like how 15 minutes here and there wasn't fair to judge him on, nor is 65 minutes in an open end-to-end game.  Consistency is always King, that's the biggest test for Hunt to show that he can do it more often than not.  I'm confident that Artell is the type of manager who will give him that opportunity.  Equally so I like the movement that we saw on Tuesday (to be fair in bits of the previous games under Pearson/Davies) that will compliment Hunt's attributes too.