Harper heading

[1960]

When a footballer has a weakness shouldn't he practise to improve it? I'm pretty much a fan of Harper, but he just can't head a ball (or tackle for that matter). At one point in the second half yesterday we had a corner or freekick wide on the left. All our players had bombed up into the area, the ball bounced about a bit and Harper made a feeble attempt to head it. Missed it completely and the defender headed out, setting up a breakaway with most of our players stranded. Fortunately the defence managed to cover, but it could have been disastrous.

So Harps - you're brilliant at what you do, but please practise what you're not good at.

[John Madejski's Wallet]

Harps' problem to me seems to be that he's scared of getting hurt.

In the same way he loses out in every 50:50 tackle he goes near (if he even bothers) when he's jumping with someone he takes his eye off the ball and twists his body to protect himself from the opposition player.

But then Harps has always been lightweight. Always will be. But for most people his arm flapping, backing off and sideways passing & moving more than make up for his weaknesses!!!

[lovetoscore]

He can't head,tackle or shoot! he usually picks the most predictable pass too.Can't fault him for his energy but that's about it!

[Row Z Royal]

He can't shoot!

I think his 3 goals from reasonable distance this season would say otherwise.

And that cracker at Palarse last season.

[Millsy]

Harps' problem to me seems to be that he's scared of getting hurt.

That's what I thought.

Which seems odd considering he doesn't wear proper shinpads! (if this is true)

He definitely is becoming much mroe aggressive in midfield now though making some good tackles. He's not exactly a Phil Parkinson but he's not a softie anymore.

[Victor Meldrew]

Bobby Moore couldn't kick with his left foot.
Ryan Giggs can't kick with his right foot.
Paul Scholes can't tackle.
Players all have faults and probably should practice more on what they do well 'cos any amount of practising will probably show no improvement.
Having said that,Lita's timing of jumping for headers has improved as has Sonko's passing but there again I think James' shooting and tackling have improved.

[readingfc_4_life_and_beyo]

I seem to remember Harper HEADING a goal from the edge of the 18 yard box last season.

Into the top corner.

[Coppelled Streets]

Sack Hoon!!

[Y26]

When a footballer has a weakness shouldn't he practise to improve it? I'm pretty much a fan of Harper, but he just can't head a ball (or tackle for that matter). At one point in the second half yesterday we had a corner or freekick wide on the left. All our players had bombed up into the area, the ball bounced about a bit and Harper made a feeble attempt to head it. Missed it completely and the defender headed out, setting up a breakaway with most of our players stranded. Fortunately the defence managed to cover, but it could have been disastrous.

So Harps - you're brilliant at what you do, but please practise what you're not good at.

Is it not harper who goes on the near post when the opposition has a corner? He seems pretty good at heading there. He gets a good solid head on every ball he has a chance to get a head on.

Admittedly, he is not under much pressure, but it shows he can head the ball OK.

[Thomas L'Heureux]

I seem to remember Harper HEADING a goal from the edge of the 18 yard box last season.

Into the top corner.

Against Millwall when they had an out-field player in goal and we completely dicked them?

I know a few people who refer to Harper as "chicken", a very apt nickname.

[MC ROYAL]

Harper has been getting stuck in a lot this year, you don't get to 7th in the Prem if one of your permanent centre midfielders is afraid of a challenge.

[Thomas L'Heureux]

Harper's usually the first man when we're defending corners, and he quite often gets distance on his clearing headers.

He does make tackles, but he very rarely 'gets stuck in' as they say, and usually shirks a lot of 50-50 balls.

He runs more than any other player in our team though, and that is an asset in itself. His work-rate and closing down are sometimes more effective than diving in with a challenge and giving away a freekick.

[brendywendy]

Harper's usually the first man when we're defending corners, and he quite often gets distance on his clearing headers.

He does make tackles, but he very rarely 'gets stuck in' as they say, and usually shirks a lot of 50-50 balls.

He runs more than any other player in our team though, and that is an asset in itself. His work-rate and closing down are sometimes more effective than diving in with a challenge and giving away a freekick.

he doesnt fly in two footed into challenges, no
but then he doesnt miss those challenges end up on his arse with th eplayer passed him either
invariably he makes sure he gets into the correct position 1st and shields the passing options of the opposition often forcing them into less dangerous areas,
this work is pivotal to the way we are set up
its not barnstorming like sids often does, but no less important

[Scarface]

he doesnt fly in two footed into challenges, no
but then he doesnt miss those challenges end up on his arse with th eplayer passed him either
invariably he makes sure he gets into the correct position 1st and shields the passing options of the opposition often forcing them into less dangerous areas,
this work is pivotal to the way we are set up
its not barnstorming like sids often does, but no less important

Perhaps you are right, but in the last 3 league games Harper hasn't even turned up. So if you're right and he is pivotal to the entire side, this probably explains the last 3 dogshit league performances.

[Heart and Seol]

harper can head a ball

watch the next corner we defend, he is always on the edge of the 6 yard box by near post... and on a number of occasions he has headed clear

[Gordons Cumming]

Can Gunnarsson head a ball?

[SpaceCruiser]

Sack Hoon!!

Who is Joe Gamble?

[RG6]

harper can head a ball

watch the next corner we defend, he is always on the edge of the 6 yard box by near post... and on a number of occasions he has headed clear

He's probably been told to play there as he'd be sh!te trying to head the ball out when it comes into the box.

[Heart and Seol]

harper can head a ball

watch the next corner we defend, he is always on the edge of the 6 yard box by near post... and on a number of occasions he has headed clear

He's probably been told to play there as he'd be sh!te trying to head the ball out when it comes into the box.

LOL True

[3 veesinarow]

When a footballer has a weakness shouldn't he practise to improve it? I'm pretty much a fan of Harper, but he just can't head a ball (or tackle for that matter). At one point in the second half yesterday we had a corner or freekick wide on the left. All our players had bombed up into the area, the ball bounced about a bit and Harper made a feeble attempt to head it. Missed it completely and the defender headed out, setting up a breakaway with most of our players stranded. Fortunately the defence managed to cover, but it could have been disastrous.

So Harps - you're brilliant at what you do, but please practise what you're not good at.

One missed header and it's a weakness that needs practice??? Do you believe that everything must happen correctly 100% of the time and it's an unerring indicator of poor industry if it doesn't? In the heat of a professional football match - or any other football match, for that matter - all sorts of things should happen, but don't due to being off balance, pressured by opponents, left short by teammates etc. Of course, things are practiced in training, as they rightly should be, but to pick out one isolated incident in this way smacks of nitpicking for the sake of it.
I bet he, and others, will miss headers in future games that DON'T lead to dangerous breakaways. It's something of a lottery when it comes to that.
As mentioned elsewhere, Harper patrols the near post at corners and anything delivered poorly into that area is met with a header from him which more often than not makes it into touch without bouncing. He did indeed score from 18 yards out last season with a header that was forced up and over a crowded box and cleared the defender on the line.
The last time you made an error at work, how many people suggested that you might like to go away and run through it a hundred times until you were perfect and therefore absolutely immune from ever doing it again?