Simon Francis

Was speaking to someone Friday night (this was massively backed up in the game Saturday) saying how much we rely on Franno.

He is our only leader (worryingly), our best header of the ball, best crosser, arguably best defender...all adds up.

Certainly don't realize his massive influence until he's not there, and for someone coming up to 34 and our 4th season in the Premier League is a slight worry
 
wimborne cherries said:
Was speaking to someone Friday night (this was massively backed up in the game Saturday) saying how much we rely on Franno.

He is our only leader (worryingly), our best header of the ball, best crosser, arguably best defender...all adds up.

Certainly don't realize his massive influence until he's not there, and for someone coming up to 34 and our 4th season in the Premier League is a slight worry
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He's clearly not a better defender or header of the ball than Ake or Cook. He doesn't even go up for most corners and he's often our tallest player.
 
wimborne cherries said:
Was speaking to someone Friday night (this was massively backed up in the game Saturday) saying how much we rely on Franno.
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I like Francis but we didn't lose on Saturday because of defensive frailties; we lost because Charlie Daniels passed to the wrong team.
And, subsequently, because our forwards couldn't create chances.
Perhaps Franno's clever crosses from the right may have helped in attack, but I wouldn't say our defence was defective in any way.
 
I’ve heard from 2 separate sources that Franno is extremely popular within the squad. The feeling amongst the players is there aren’t many natural leaders in the squad but Francis is the one player they do look up to.

Say what you like about his qualities as a player, but I’ve no reason to doubt what I’ve been told. If you look at our record when Franno plays compared to when he doesn’t, then the evidence is there.
 
I dont think anyone will dispute Franno's qualities, and he does offer us something more when he's playing than we have when he's not. However, I also don't think we can ignore his frailties as well... He's lost a yard in pace both physically and mentally...

In the PL that can be extremely costly... He's unfortunately part of that small group of players that have been part of our greatest period in history, but are now needing to be replaced for us to progress even further.
 
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I'd slightly disagree he's lost physical pace. Its just that he faces quicker and more skilful players now compared to 2015. From a standing start he struggles, but in a foot race over a longer distance, I'd argue he's one of the fastest in our squad. Zaha would probably agree!

To move forward he obviously does need replacing. But to properly replace him, we might need as many as 3 players - a RB a CB and a captain. The problem is the one player with captain potential in our squad - Steve Cook - has similar flaws in his game to Franno.
 
wimborne cherries said:
Was speaking to someone Friday night (this was massively backed up in the game Saturday) saying how much we rely on Franno.

He is our only leader (worryingly), our best header of the ball, best crosser, arguably best defender...all adds up.

Certainly don't realize his massive influence until he's not there, and for someone coming up to 34 and our 4th season in the Premier League is a slight worry
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And the award for the most rosy of rose tinted glasses goes to.......
 
Franno is a decent enough player and is a blow to lose, above all, because we had no option to change to a back 4.
 
If Rico put in the performances Franno has this season we would be saying he was an awesome signing. Think of the difference currently between them...

Always underrated and no different to Cook or Ake this year in terms of performance... he is just some people’s scapegoat.
 
...blimey give Rico a chance, hopefully he will work out as good as Franno & Daniels at their best...which they unfortunately are not at that level anymore..

I don't know why Eddie has not thought to cover right back, even before signing Rico?..we have at least three players who can cover Daniels in Ake, Mings and Cook?...but only Smith who can cover a 'creaking' Francis...and now we have no one!

Especially when we have a player in Ibe who cannot for the life of him defend or offer cover to the RB, and it is waste putting Fraser there?

All teams have weaknesses in their defensive cover, so I guess we are no different in many ways...?
 
Tinpot Club said:
To move forward he obviously does need replacing. But to properly replace him, we might need as many as 3 players - a RB a CB and a captain..
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Interesting statement. On top of all the above he’s also a bloody nice bloke. Shows why it’s not as easy as just naming A.N. Other championship starlet and writing a fat cheque. So now you’ve got to find a RB, CB, captain, nice bloke, team player.....

Bradbury’s mate will be hard to replace.
 
Whilst I don't agree that he's our best defender or header of the ball he's obviously been good for us in the past and is having a decent enough season - certainly much better than his critics predicted. Smith would still be ahead of him for me but he's still a big loss.
 
Francis has been a terriffic asset to the club. But as always time takes it toll. He is now losing his pace and we really must look to replace him, certainly next season. No doubt he would an excellent squad member to supplement when injuries occurr.
 
northstandmark said:
If we could transplant Franno's crossing ability into Ibe...now that would make something of Jordon.
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The frustrating thing is that there's no reason Jordon shouldn't be a great crosser because his corners are decent enough. I say the frustration but obviously it's not the only frustration with our Jordon.
 
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