Akpan

[Lacoste]

I've been living abroad for the last 6 months so haven't had the chance to see him play. Was just wondering what you all thought of him - good enough for the champ? How has he played so far?

Same with Carrico really!

[winchester_royal]

I like him a lot, still very raw though and can't imagine we'll be seeing too much of him next season. Hard to know whether/where he'll be able to fit into Adkins' system as he got injured when Nige was appointed, but Crawley fans think his passing is his best asset so you'd assume he'll slot in somewhere eventually if he's a progressive sort. Has the physique to be our Schneiderlin, but not sure he has the tactical awareness just yet.

[Ian Royal]

Bit of an all rounder in midfielder terms from what I could see. Can pass a bit, pretty strong, fairly quick, decent shot. I like the look of him, it's just whether he can deliver or not. He's not on Karacan's level yet, but I think he has the potential to be a significantly better player if he can reach that potential.

[RockheadRumple]

I love him.

[fatslimman1]

he has had some really good games last season like the chelsea one when he set up le fondre twice. He looks like hes got a lot of potential

[Royalee]

Good player, still young and I think he has a part to play next season - one of McDermott's very few decent signings last year.

[AthleticoSpizz]

Good player, still young and I think he has a part to play next season - one of McDermott's very few decent signings last year.

glad that you had the common sense not to say "only"

[St. Brynjar]

Very good player, unlucky to miss so many games through injury.

[Royalee]

Good player, still young and I think he has a part to play next season - one of McDermott's very few decent signings last year.

glad that you had the common sense not to say "only"

McCleary, Guthrie and Carrico were decent too but it's hard to give him much credit for those as he never played them.

[AthleticoSpizz]

yappa, and even Gunter too

[Lovely hot donuts!]

When he first signed I was sceptical but was soon proved wrong. In many of our most dire games towards then end of Brian's era he was the only player who seemed fit to wear the hoops and I was often angered at him being substituted.
Unfortunately, since Nigel has taken over, his chances seem to have been a tad limited.
I have no doubt he could be a very important player in the championship if he is given the chance.

[WAZZOCK]

His assist for Alf against Chelsea was ridiculously good.

[yappy]

Not really sure how Carrico can be considered a decent signing yet when he's only played about 70 mins!

Akpan shows a lot of promise, think he could be very good at Championship level. Reckon we may see more of him than some may expect, seem to recall he played in most of Adkins first games before he got injured?

[Royal With Cheese]

Will be a more than decent Championship midfielder. However he's going to find it hard to get games next season I think.

[Maguire]

Happy to fly in the face of all the comments on this thread - think he looks pretty rubbish and doubt he'll nail down a first team spot next season.

To say he was the only player "fit to wear the hoops" at times is totally to me.

I think people are just being positive because he hasn't played enough times to confirm he's rubbish yet.

[urz13]

I think he started well but deteriorated after the Chelsea game. He seems a fairly good passer, can't really shoot or tackle but wins the occasional header. He didn't really do anything in his last few games but then neither did anyone else.

[Barry the bird boggler]

Central midfield wise our options are: Guthrie, Carrico, Karacan, Akpan and Leigertwood.

Would imagine that Leigertwood has had his time a Reading now and is on his way out, leaving the other four to fight over 2 places - or perhaps 3 every so often depending on what NA is thinking.

Believe all four are capable of playing in the PL to varying degrees and all four are certainly good enough for a top end Championship squad.

[maffff]

I don't think he's a defensive midfielder and when he's been pushed back he's been solid enough sometimes but others play runs past him, he doesn't have the same bite about him game as Ledge/Carriço etc.

The most promise has come from him picking up the ball in midfield and driving play forward, a few times running at defences. I think he'd thrive if he was given the slightly advanced role infront of Jem and Guthrie. Otherwise he'll be a bit of a Jay Tabb.

[MouldyRoyal]

I don't think he's a defensive midfielder and when he's been pushed back he's been solid enough sometimes but others play runs past him, he doesn't have the same bite about him game as Ledge/Carriço etc.

The most promise has come from him picking up the ball in midfield and driving play forward, a few times running at defences. I think he'd thrive if he was given the slightly advanced role infront of Jem and Guthrie. Otherwise he'll be a bit of a Jay Tabb.

Genuinely unsure why people think he's a defensive midfielder*. He's box to box.

*Actually I am not, people just think he's ledge mk 2.

[maffff]

Genuinely unsure why people think he's a defensive midfielder*. He's box to box.

*Actually I am not, people just think he's ledge mk 2.

He's better when on the ball and taking play forward than getting the ball in the first place. I'm not sure even box to box suits him as a description as the defensive part of his game isn't a huge strength.