The expert view on Cardiff City's new recruit Lee Tomlin
Mon Jul 24, 2017 8:23 am
The expert view on Cardiff City's new recruit Lee Tomlin
Gregor MacGregor (Bristol Post - Bristol City)
Minday 24th July 2017
Gregor MacGregor (Bristol Post - Bristol City)
What are Tomlin's strengths and weaknesses?
Strengths: Shooting from distance, free-kicks, creating chances.
Weaknesses: Not as mobile as other players and fitness is a bit lacking currently. We got to watch the first training session of pre-season and Tomlin was last on the endurance 12 minute run. He was still agile and fast on the shorter distance stuff, mind. And to balance this up, he pulled off an outrageous nutmeg on one of the younger players during one of the possession-based games. So has the skills, just needs to work on the physical side.
How was he viewed during his time at Bristol City?
Bristol City fans are divided. A year ago they all wanted him to sign after he had scored six goals in 18 games to help the Robins avoid relegation. However, after singning him permanently things have not worked out.
Lee Johnson has been quite vocal about Tomlin not fitting into the ‘culture’ and ‘ethos’ at City due to personal circumstances, which he doesn’t blame Tomlin for.
In particular, he revealed this weekend that Tomlin still lives in Leicester and has to drive three hours to training and three hours back. And it would be then easy to believe that that’s had a knock-on effect to his fitness. Maybe Warnock can motivate him more.
Are there any doubts surrounding Tomlin as a player?
No discipline problems and despite some saying that key City players did not say goodbye publicly like they did with Mark Little who left this summer too, I don’t believe there’s much in that.
City are well stocked in attacking midfield so to let Tomlin go opens up more opportunities for the likes of Jamie Paterson who did brilliantly for the Robins towards the end of the season.
Do you think he'll be a success at Cardiff under Neil Warnock?
I think in the short-term he’ll be useful for Cardiff. Warnock suffers no fools and will get the best from Tomlin. And he’ll likely make the difference in several games.
He’s a quality player, but probably not someone to base the team around currently. Could be a great option from the bench, useful squad player or key player for a season or two, and maybe the Bluebirds will take it from there.
What are Tomlin's strengths and weaknesses?
Well first things first, he can turn a game in the blink of an eye. He's capable of that one match-winning moment from nowhere.
He has the ability to pick that pass or to create that yard of space with a drop of a shoulder. And when he's on song, he's a lovely player to watch.
Judging Tomlin on his time at Boro, I'd say he's most at home in a central No.10 role. That's where he looks most comfortable and can make a real impact on a game.
Lee Tomlin in action for Middlesbrough
As for weaknesses, he was prone to going missing in games sometimes during his time on Teesside, but I do think that comes with the territory of being 'that type' of player.
When a player is as talented and gifted with the ball as Tomlin is, it can be frustrating when he allows a game to pass him by.
How was he viewed during his time at Middlesbrough?
Tomlin was a popular figure during his time at Boro, particularly in the season when the side reached the play-off final, eventually losing to Norwich City.
He played a major role that year in the 4-2-3-1 system which Aitor Karanka preferred. As I said, he did look at his best in a central role, though was sometimes shuffled to the left to accommodate Belgian Jelle Vossen as the No.10.
Karanka was a safety-first manager who made Boro very difficult to break down and hard to beat, but Tomlin offered that touch of flair at the other end of the pitch.
The one moment that really stands out from that year is Boro's win at Manchester City in the FA Cup. Tomlin was magical that day - and there was one moment in particular which highlighted exactly what he's capable of.
Receiving the ball on the edge of the area, he pulled off a Bergkamp-esque swivel to leave Vincent Kompany in a daze. Had he provided the finishing touch it would have surely gone down as one of the great FA Cup goals, but unfortunately his effort cannoned off the post.
Are there any doubts surrounding Tomlin as a player?
Tomlin has been the subject of the odd jibe about his fitness in his career.
He recalled this enjoyable anecdote in a recent interview with one of my colleagues: "On one of my first days at Boro, I was in the changing room and Woody (Jonathan Woodgate) wandered over," he said.
"He said, 'I've heard you're fat - go on then, take your top off'. I did, so Woody looked, and then went, 'What are people saying that for'.
"It's always been the case - my ribs stuck out so sometimes it just looks like fat. But at Boro, I actually lost 10kg.
"I remember speaking to Woody in training and he would say he could never knock me off the ball, because I was that strong. He used to say I reminded him of Robbie Keane.
"But then when I lost a bit of weight, he would come over and say, 'I can knock you off the ball now, you need to put a bit on, you're not strong enough."
In hindsight, I think Tomlin would look back and wonder whether he would have been better off staying at Boro instead of signing for Bournemouth a couple of years back - but then can you blame him for taking a Premier League move?
He's still got to prove he can cut it in the top flight, but when he was at Boro he looked to me to be a top six Championship player, not battling at the other end like he was with Bristol City last season.
Do you think he'll be a success at Cardiff under Neil Warnock?
I think it's a very shrewd signing for Cardiff.
Tomlin knows the league inside out and on his day he's a matchwinner.
The challenge for Warnock is getting the best out of him and finding consistency. If he does that, he's got a real player on his hands.
Gregor MacGregor (Bristol Post - Bristol City)
Minday 24th July 2017
Gregor MacGregor (Bristol Post - Bristol City)
What are Tomlin's strengths and weaknesses?
Strengths: Shooting from distance, free-kicks, creating chances.
Weaknesses: Not as mobile as other players and fitness is a bit lacking currently. We got to watch the first training session of pre-season and Tomlin was last on the endurance 12 minute run. He was still agile and fast on the shorter distance stuff, mind. And to balance this up, he pulled off an outrageous nutmeg on one of the younger players during one of the possession-based games. So has the skills, just needs to work on the physical side.
How was he viewed during his time at Bristol City?
Bristol City fans are divided. A year ago they all wanted him to sign after he had scored six goals in 18 games to help the Robins avoid relegation. However, after singning him permanently things have not worked out.
Lee Johnson has been quite vocal about Tomlin not fitting into the ‘culture’ and ‘ethos’ at City due to personal circumstances, which he doesn’t blame Tomlin for.
In particular, he revealed this weekend that Tomlin still lives in Leicester and has to drive three hours to training and three hours back. And it would be then easy to believe that that’s had a knock-on effect to his fitness. Maybe Warnock can motivate him more.
Are there any doubts surrounding Tomlin as a player?
No discipline problems and despite some saying that key City players did not say goodbye publicly like they did with Mark Little who left this summer too, I don’t believe there’s much in that.
City are well stocked in attacking midfield so to let Tomlin go opens up more opportunities for the likes of Jamie Paterson who did brilliantly for the Robins towards the end of the season.
Do you think he'll be a success at Cardiff under Neil Warnock?
I think in the short-term he’ll be useful for Cardiff. Warnock suffers no fools and will get the best from Tomlin. And he’ll likely make the difference in several games.
He’s a quality player, but probably not someone to base the team around currently. Could be a great option from the bench, useful squad player or key player for a season or two, and maybe the Bluebirds will take it from there.
What are Tomlin's strengths and weaknesses?
Well first things first, he can turn a game in the blink of an eye. He's capable of that one match-winning moment from nowhere.
He has the ability to pick that pass or to create that yard of space with a drop of a shoulder. And when he's on song, he's a lovely player to watch.
Judging Tomlin on his time at Boro, I'd say he's most at home in a central No.10 role. That's where he looks most comfortable and can make a real impact on a game.
Lee Tomlin in action for Middlesbrough
As for weaknesses, he was prone to going missing in games sometimes during his time on Teesside, but I do think that comes with the territory of being 'that type' of player.
When a player is as talented and gifted with the ball as Tomlin is, it can be frustrating when he allows a game to pass him by.
How was he viewed during his time at Middlesbrough?
Tomlin was a popular figure during his time at Boro, particularly in the season when the side reached the play-off final, eventually losing to Norwich City.
He played a major role that year in the 4-2-3-1 system which Aitor Karanka preferred. As I said, he did look at his best in a central role, though was sometimes shuffled to the left to accommodate Belgian Jelle Vossen as the No.10.
Karanka was a safety-first manager who made Boro very difficult to break down and hard to beat, but Tomlin offered that touch of flair at the other end of the pitch.
The one moment that really stands out from that year is Boro's win at Manchester City in the FA Cup. Tomlin was magical that day - and there was one moment in particular which highlighted exactly what he's capable of.
Receiving the ball on the edge of the area, he pulled off a Bergkamp-esque swivel to leave Vincent Kompany in a daze. Had he provided the finishing touch it would have surely gone down as one of the great FA Cup goals, but unfortunately his effort cannoned off the post.
Are there any doubts surrounding Tomlin as a player?
Tomlin has been the subject of the odd jibe about his fitness in his career.
He recalled this enjoyable anecdote in a recent interview with one of my colleagues: "On one of my first days at Boro, I was in the changing room and Woody (Jonathan Woodgate) wandered over," he said.
"He said, 'I've heard you're fat - go on then, take your top off'. I did, so Woody looked, and then went, 'What are people saying that for'.
"It's always been the case - my ribs stuck out so sometimes it just looks like fat. But at Boro, I actually lost 10kg.
"I remember speaking to Woody in training and he would say he could never knock me off the ball, because I was that strong. He used to say I reminded him of Robbie Keane.
"But then when I lost a bit of weight, he would come over and say, 'I can knock you off the ball now, you need to put a bit on, you're not strong enough."
In hindsight, I think Tomlin would look back and wonder whether he would have been better off staying at Boro instead of signing for Bournemouth a couple of years back - but then can you blame him for taking a Premier League move?
He's still got to prove he can cut it in the top flight, but when he was at Boro he looked to me to be a top six Championship player, not battling at the other end like he was with Bristol City last season.
Do you think he'll be a success at Cardiff under Neil Warnock?
I think it's a very shrewd signing for Cardiff.
Tomlin knows the league inside out and on his day he's a matchwinner.
The challenge for Warnock is getting the best out of him and finding consistency. If he does that, he's got a real player on his hands.
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Re: The expert view on Cardiff City's new recruit Lee Tomlin
Mon Jul 24, 2017 8:48 am
He must know in his heart that he's got a point to prove.City fans expect a season out of him.I think as a set of fans we are unique in as much as we'll always forgive a trier even if he's not that good but a good player thats not a trier will be slaughtered.
Re: The expert view on Cardiff City's new recruit Lee Tomlin
Mon Jul 24, 2017 10:10 am
Sneggyblubird wrote:He must know in his heart that he's got a point to prove.City fans expect a season out of him.I think as a set of fans we are unique in as much as we'll always forgive a trier even if he's not that good but a good player thats not a trier will be slaughtered.
Nothing unique in that - you could say that about most club's fans.
Re: The expert view on Cardiff City's new recruit Lee Tomlin
Mon Jul 24, 2017 10:54 am
Remember there have been a load of players that carried some timber. Jan Mobly for instance now he was big, but there were not many better players than him at his prime. I'm very happy with the Tomlin signing and he can be a gem for us.
Re: The expert view on Cardiff City's new recruit Lee Tomlin
Mon Jul 24, 2017 1:18 pm
I'm not fat ... my ribs stick out!
Re: The expert view on Cardiff City's new recruit Lee Tomlin
Mon Jul 24, 2017 2:47 pm
BRILLIANT PLAYER AND WILL PROVE IT THIS SEASON WHEN HE HELPS FIRE US TO THE PROMISE LAND
Re: The expert view on Cardiff City's new recruit Lee Tomlin
Mon Jul 24, 2017 5:16 pm
If anyone can get the best out of him it's NW.
Re: The expert view on Cardiff City's new recruit Lee Tomlin
Mon Jul 24, 2017 9:53 pm
Lee Tomlin says he joined Cardiff City in order to return to the Premier League.
The attacking midfielder signed for the Bluebirds from Bristol City for a fee which could rise to £2.9m.
Tomlin, 28, played six Premier League games for previous club Bournemouth and he believes Cardiff can win promotion from the Championship this season.
"This is a massive club and my ambition is to get back in the Premier League," he told BBC Wales Sport.
"So when I spoke to the gaffer [Neil Warnock], it was an easy decision. He's an unbelievable manager.
"For me, this season, you've got to be aiming for play-offs at least. With the depth and quality we've got, there's no reason why not.
"Just because the other clubs are spending a lot more money, it means nothing. Just look at Leicester winning the Premier League."
Although Tomlin's spell in the top flight with Bournemouth was short-lived, he has enjoyed several productive seasons in the Championship with clubs such as Middlesbrough and Peterborough.
Cardiff manager Neil Warnock described him as his "number one" target this summer and, after a Championship relegation scrap with Bristol City last season, Tomlin hopes to be challenging for promotion in the coming campaign.
"Yeah, 100%. I had to make the right move this time," he added.
"Speaking to the gaffer and watching how they did last season, he said this was one type of player that he needed.
"He's put a lot of faith in me so hopefully I can show him this season."
Tomlin has spent the majority of his career playing in the '10' role between the centre-forward and midfield.
He has 99 club goals to his name and, with Cardiff's top scorer last term Kenneth Zohore to play alongside, Tomlin hopes to be a creative force as well.
"I'd say for me, I'll try and get 10 goals a season but I'd also like to get 10 or 15 assists," he said.
"Almost every striker I've played with has got 15 or 20 goals a season, so hopefully Ken can get that this season."
The attacking midfielder signed for the Bluebirds from Bristol City for a fee which could rise to £2.9m.
Tomlin, 28, played six Premier League games for previous club Bournemouth and he believes Cardiff can win promotion from the Championship this season.
"This is a massive club and my ambition is to get back in the Premier League," he told BBC Wales Sport.
"So when I spoke to the gaffer [Neil Warnock], it was an easy decision. He's an unbelievable manager.
"For me, this season, you've got to be aiming for play-offs at least. With the depth and quality we've got, there's no reason why not.
"Just because the other clubs are spending a lot more money, it means nothing. Just look at Leicester winning the Premier League."
Although Tomlin's spell in the top flight with Bournemouth was short-lived, he has enjoyed several productive seasons in the Championship with clubs such as Middlesbrough and Peterborough.
Cardiff manager Neil Warnock described him as his "number one" target this summer and, after a Championship relegation scrap with Bristol City last season, Tomlin hopes to be challenging for promotion in the coming campaign.
"Yeah, 100%. I had to make the right move this time," he added.
"Speaking to the gaffer and watching how they did last season, he said this was one type of player that he needed.
"He's put a lot of faith in me so hopefully I can show him this season."
Tomlin has spent the majority of his career playing in the '10' role between the centre-forward and midfield.
He has 99 club goals to his name and, with Cardiff's top scorer last term Kenneth Zohore to play alongside, Tomlin hopes to be a creative force as well.
"I'd say for me, I'll try and get 10 goals a season but I'd also like to get 10 or 15 assists," he said.
"Almost every striker I've played with has got 15 or 20 goals a season, so hopefully Ken can get that this season."
Re: The expert view on Cardiff City's new recruit Lee Tomlin
Tue Jul 25, 2017 9:17 pm
i hope, always happy when creative players join the club