John Buckley

[joey_big_nose]

Thought he deserved his own thread.

Based on the rave reviews he's getting seems like this guy is the most promising youth player to come through since Phil Jones. I can't think of anyone there has been such universal praise for.

Got a bit of game time end of last season, and has played a lot in pre season. LET suggested he may go on loan, but I guess he may actually make the season squad given the quality he's show.

In our preferred 4231 he seems most comfortable across the attacking 3 mids, but there might be a significant role for him to play in the deeper 2 mids if we want someone in off the bench to improve our passing game when we're chasing a match. We havent had that since Cairney left.

Excited to see him, Davenport, Nyambe, Chapman and maybe even Hart and Rankin-Costello play a significant role next year. Plus Travis, Armstrong, Lenihan, Dack, Gallagher and Rothwell who are all established but still young and improving. Also I'm not a Brereton fan at all, but have to admit he's moved on a bit from an abject start to his Rovers career.

I think how well we do is largely going to be determined by how these young players step up as while a bit of experience from Johnson and Downing will maybe help shore things up they are unlikely to substantially move the needle from last season.

Would love to see a midfield of Buckley, Travis, Rothwell, Dack powering us up the table!

[Bigdoggsteel]

Hopefully Johnson being in Mowbrays ear will mean that he stays with the first team this season. 

[Mattyblue]

The lad looks the real deal.

I can only imagine it’s his slightness that counts against him. Year in League 1 to ‘toughen him up’ etc. 

I don’t particularly agree, but that must be the rationale.

Edited July 25, 2019 by Mattyblue

[BlackburnEnd75]

I feel like he'll end us a centre mid pulling the strings. But playing him in the 3 attacking midfield slots is an easier way to get him game time.

You could tell in his sub appearance vs Wednesday last season that he was technically the best centre mid we have already.

[Oldgregg86]

I would have no worries about throwing this lad in at the deep end. I'm really excited to see how far he can go. He is dripping in quality 

[Mattyblue]

He’s 20 in couple of months, not 17-18, so time for him to make his mark.

Edited July 25, 2019 by Mattyblue

[Bigdoggsteel]

Just now, Mattyblue said:

The lad looks the real deal.

I can only imagine it’s his slightness that counts against him. Year in League 1 to ‘toughen him up’ etc. 

I don’t particularly agree, but that must be the rationale.

Ya I am sure it does , but I don't think it should. A manager should be able to find a way to play him and protect him. Play him in the middle with Johnson or Travis there to protect him as his enforcer  

[K-Hod]

In the brief cameo I saw of him last season, he looked raw, but at Mansfield away he looked sensational.

He looks very promising indeed.

[G Somerset Rover]

Just now, Mattyblue said:

He’s 20 in couple of months, not 17-18, so time for him to make his mark.

Exactly. Don’t see what a year with bruisers will do personally. He already has PL vultures circling. He needs to be part of the squad with us this season.

[arbitro]

He looks a natural to me. He moves and plays like Foden and given the platform could be up there with him.

It would be folly to send him out to aid his development - that has to be done in house.

[BRFC4EVA]

I remember him signing a new contract recently, when does that go through to? You'd think 90mins vs Oldham was a given.

[Mattyblue]

2022

[FGS5635]

Modern day football isnt that physical anymore. His slightness is his best weapon really.

Worst thing they could do is try and bulk him up and slow him down and risk injuries with to much size his frame isnt built for

[Bigdoggsteel]

Just now, FGS5635 said:

Modern day football isnt that physical anymore. His slightness is his best weapon really.

Worst thing they could do is try and bulk him up and slow him down and risk injuries with to much size his frame isnt built for

True, but a player gets far more protection in the Premier league or in European football. The Championship has that extra physicality to it. 

[FGS5635]

Just now, Bigdoggsteel said:

True, but a player gets far more protection in the Premier league or in European football. The Championship has that extra physicality to it. 

Possibly, but then I imagine he has been the smallest player all his life. Not stopped him reaching this level and Im sure it wont stop him going forward either.

[Bigdoggsteel]

Just now, FGS5635 said:

Possibly, but then I imagine he has been the smallest player all his life. Not stopped him reaching this level and Im sure it wont stop him going forward either.

Ya, it should't really, but some of the refs are crap and he will have it put up to him more from a physical standpoint than he has under age. Dack gets fouled a lot, but he is a robust little fecker. 

[DE.]

It's a shame he plays CM as it's a position we're arguably already overstocked in. Evans, Johnson and Travis are likely to be ahead of him in the pecking order, and we currently still have Smallwood lurking around with Downing also able to play that position if needed. I'd be happy to get rid of Evans & Smallwood to allow players like Buckley a visible route to the first team, but at the moment it's unfortunately looking like both will be staying.

[FGS5635]

Just now, Bigdoggsteel said:

Ya, it should't really, but some of the refs are crap and he will have it put up to him more from a physical standpoint than he has under age. Dack gets fouled a lot, but he is a robust little fecker. 

Small person syndrome. They are all little s houses on the sly

[Colt Seavers]

3 hours ago, joey_big_nose said:

 

In our preferred 4231 he seems most comfortable across the attacking 3 mids, but there might be a significant role for him to play in the deeper 2 mids if we want someone in off the bench to improve our passing game when we're chasing a match. We havent had that since Cairney left.

I likened him to Simon Barker last night but you are more accurate (and up to date) with the  Cairney comparison. He doesn't have quite the same street smarts as a Cairney type yet but is a little quicker all round and can be the better player in time.

I saw lots of him at Leyland last year and he always stood out. He is fantastic at receiving the ball deep from the defence and turning his man to create space.  No other player  at the club does this better. He showed last night that he is equally comfortable playing much further forward. Although unusually slight, he has strong legs and I haven't seen him knocked off the ball yet. Contrast that with Magloire for example who really needs to work on his strength when physically competing man to man. 

I would hate Buckley to go out on loan. I believe he is better here, coming up against the likes of the truly terrifying sight of Bradley Johnson smashing him around in training every day. 

[Stuart]

He needs to be judged against Championship opposition, not lower league pre-season matches but the early signs are promising.

[donnermeat]

How long has Buckley been with the club? Did we pick him up at 16 after being discarded by a PL academy a la Travis and Butterworth?

[Mike E]

Just now, donnermeat said:

How long has Buckley been with the club? Did we pick him up at 16 after being discarded by a PL academy a la Travis and Butterworth?

Been a Rover since he was 6.

[roverandout]

I'm sure mowbary will play him at rightback

[Bigdoggsteel]

21 minutes ago, Mike E said:

Been a Rover since he was 6.

Wow. It would be great to have a player like that as a regular starter. 

[Fraserkirky]

If he can prove he can shoot then he reminds me of a Paul Scholes.