Brooks vs Rak-Sakyi (per 90)

[jono_t2000]

Brooks is still quite a raw attacking player, but I think Brooks offers more to the team. Rak Sakyi, as you said, offers little defensively. Brooks is still a productive player when attacking, and he will get better if we continue to play him.

If it’s one or the other, I’d take Brooks for the reasons above, plus he’s our own player. We should prioritize our own before loanees, especially when they’re close in ability like these two clearly are.

No bias towards anyone

To be clear though, I’d like them both to play.

You're right in saying that Rak-Sakyi likes to stay high up and out wide when the opposition has possession.

Tbh I am fine with that in a back 4 as it gives us an attacking outlet to quickly hit on the counter.

There will be games where Brooks defensive strengths are required, but for the most part having JRS available to quickly transition to in a turnover will give the opposition more to think about than him tracking back and forward spending energy unneccesarily.

I think someone above put it best.. Rak-Sakyi looks like a natural winger where as Brooks looks like someone who has the ability to play as a winger but is still learning the trade.

 

[Grizzly blade]

You can pick up the defensive game quite easily, it’s hard work and experience…it’s not so easy for you to raise your skill level and creativity level to that of the other lad.

 

[Grizzly blade]

That post has to be a wind up.

It’s ok.
I’m aware many won’t agree, that’s fine.

We don’t all have to have the same opinion, I clearly see it differently to you.

 

[JayGreen17]

You're right in saying that Rak-Sakyi likes to stay high up and out wide when the opposition has possession.

Tbh I am fine with that in a back 4 as it gives us an attacking outlet to quickly hit on the counter.

There will be games where Brooks defensive strengths are required, but for the most part having JRS available to quickly transition to in a turnover will give the opposition more to think about than him tracking back and forward spending energy unneccesarily.

I think someone above put it best.. Rak-Sakyi looks like a natural winger where as Brooks looks like someone who has the ability to play as a winger but is still learning the trade.

We looked very exposed down that side against Watford so I do think you’re right, Wilder will play either depending on who we’re playing I guess. Good options to have.

 

[Blade45]

You can pick up the defensive game quite easily, it’s hard work and experience…it’s not so easy for you to raise your skill level and creativity level to that of the other lad.

I don’t think defending is easy to pick up, especially as a wide midfielder. Brooks has played everywhere from left back to the right wing, it’s obvious he’d be better at defending.

Am I the only one who thinks that the difference in attacking ability between Rak Sakyi and Brooks isn’t that big. Rak Sak is still better, but it’s not like Brooks looks like a complete idiot attacking.

 

[Blade45]

You're right in saying that Rak-Sakyi likes to stay high up and out wide when the opposition has possession.

Tbh I am fine with that in a back 4 as it gives us an attacking outlet to quickly hit on the counter.

There will be games where Brooks defensive strengths are required, but for the most part having JRS available to quickly transition to in a turnover will give the opposition more to think about than him tracking back and forward spending energy unneccesarily.

I think someone above put it best.. Rak-Sakyi looks like a natural winger where as Brooks looks like someone who has the ability to play as a winger but is still learning the trade.

This is true, they have different strengths and it’s always good to have different options, but if it was one or the other, I’d take Brooks.

I do really want them to play together though.

 

[Bladezz]

Was listening to a Watford podcast this morning, and the 2 hosts were saying that Rak-Sakyi was the best player they had come up against so far all season.

So just for fun, I thought I would do a comparison on Brooks vs Rak-Sakyi per 90 just to see how it looked;

It does look like Rak-Sakyi is the busier player with more shots, more dribbles, more passes and more touches in the opposition box per 90.

View attachment 192131

Think be more accurate once they have both played a few games. But I love a good stat.

 

[BladeInIreland]

I don’t think defending is easy to pick up, especially as a wide midfielder. Brooks has played everywhere from left back to the right wing, it’s obvious he’d be better at defending.

Am I the only one who thinks that the difference in attacking ability between Rak Sakyi and Brooks isn’t that big. Rak Sak is still better, but it’s not like Brooks looks like a complete idiot attacking.

I don't think it's massive but JRS seems to have that extra bit of confidence and arrogance good wingers have. Brooks often plays the easy, safe pass and seems reluctant to shoot when a chance presents itself. I'm sure this is what wilder will be pushing him to do this season and if he does it we will have a very good player. It's ok for a player to be selfish, it's ok for a player to lose the ball trying something special it just has to pay off every now and again.

 

[Blade45]

I don't think it's massive but JRS seems to have that extra bit of confidence and arrogance good wingers have. Brooks often plays the easy, safe pass and seems reluctant to shoot when a chance presents itself. I'm sure this is what wilder will be pushing him to do this season and if he does it we will have a very good player. It's ok for a player to be selfish, it's ok for a player to lose the ball trying something special it just has to pay off every now and again.

Brooksy needs to realise that he is actually good at dribbling and be more confident with the ball. Once he gains that confidence (which will hopefully come with playing time), Brooks and Rak Sakyi will be on par with each other going forwards.

 

[Dan Emery]

I don’t think defending is easy to pick up, especially as a wide midfielder. Brooks has played everywhere from left back to the right wing, it’s obvious he’d be better at defending.

Am I the only one who thinks that the difference in attacking ability between Rak Sakyi and Brooks isn’t that big. Rak Sak is still better, but it’s not like Brooks looks like a complete idiot attacking.

Exactly. Ask Jayden Bogle how easy it is to pick up defending

 

[Thrice]

Would love to see both together. Brooks on the left, JRS on the right.

I think I prefer Brooks on the right. Allows him to cut inside. That option would be all but gone for him as a left-footed LW.

 

[BladeInIreland]

Brooksy needs to realise that he is actually good at dribbling and be more confident with the ball. Once he gains that confidence (which will hopefully come with playing time), Brooks and Rak Sakyi will be on par with each other going forwards.

I agree, he's developing and isn't the final product which is to be expected. This is a big season for him and I'm sure Wilder will be encouraging (and demanding) him to keep making those runs and be a bit more aggressive with the final ball.

 

[Blade45]

I agree, he's developing and isn't the final product which is to be expected. This is a big season for him and I'm sure Wilder will be encouraging (and demanding) him to keep making those runs and be a bit more aggressive with the final ball.

What’s encouraging for me is that it’s clear Brooks improved a lot over the summer, and has been prioritising his development.

 

[BladeInIreland]

What’s encouraging for me is that it’s clear Brooks improved a lot over the summer, and has been prioritising his development.

100% It's also encouraging that RJS has been subject to large bids and premier league interest and here we are all trying to work out who is better and should play.

 

[s4-blade]

Was listening to a Watford podcast this morning, and the 2 hosts were saying that Rak-Sakyi was the best player they had come up against so far all season.

So just for fun, I thought I would do a comparison on Brooks vs Rak-Sakyi per 90 just to see how it looked;

It does look like Rak-Sakyi is the busier player with more shots, more dribbles, more passes and more touches in the opposition box per 90.

View attachment 192131

Rak Sakyi is clearly a massive handful and exciting talent when on the ball in attacking areas and is a fantastic player. However he doesn’t quite have the level of awareness, defensive discipline, tackle and interception ability. He struggles tracking his man and often left us exposed down that wing against Watford. For that reason it is currently, and rightfully, Brooks’s shirt to lose once he is back from the concussion protocol.

However, this is very similar to how Mcattee started, he too was like a rabbit in the headlights defensively. But he picked it up very very quickly due to having a very good footballing IQ. I’m sure Rak sakyi will see very similar rapid development and by the second half of the season will be an absolute monster all round.

 

[BrisBlade]

I think I prefer Brooks on the right. Allows him to cut inside. That option would be all but gone for him as a left-footed LW.

I get what you're saying, but it works both ways. It's more difficult for a left footer playing on the right to whip in a good early cross which is exactly the sort of service Moore thrives on.

 

[bonobo]

Brooks has 3 league assists I believe....

The 'lack of end product'... is harsh.

including two with crosses from his weaker right foot, because he was willing to go outside his man, where there was more space to exploit...

 

[MayorOJC]

I think I prefer Brooks on the right. Allows him to cut inside. That option would be all but gone for him as a left-footed LW.

Only problem is JRS likes to do the exact same thing - and he's a lot better at it. I'd be interested to see if Brooks can have a bit more end product from the left.

 

[Keen Blade]

I don’t think defending is easy to pick up, especially as a wide midfielder. Brooks has played everywhere from left back to the right wing, it’s obvious he’d be better at defending.

Am I the only one who thinks that the difference in attacking ability between Rak Sakyi and Brooks isn’t that big. Rak Sak is still better, but it’s not like Brooks looks like a complete idiot attacking.

Brooks attacking has improved since last season and will continue to do so.

 

[Keen Blade]

I think in the situation where we are chasing the game after 60 mins or O'Hare gets tired , we hook O'Hare and bring on whichever of Brooks or Jez is on the bench , play with both wingers and even have them swapping flanks every 5 minutes , to really rattle tired defences.
But Wilder has to get much more astute with his subs for this and realise it's a squad game.
We should not go through any game without utilising (for at least 20 minutes) both Brooks & Jez.
They are each too good to be sat on the bench for the whole game. That is a waste of talent.
I would tell them both that they will definitely get 20-30 minutes every game and that the choice of who starts will depend on the opposition.
We have some exciting attacking players this season and I'd like to see them being rotated during the game by proactive substitutions ...
Not waiting until we've lost the initiative or conceded a goal.
Moore , Campbell , Brewster , O'Hare , Hamer , Brooks , Jez , Blaster - all of these are capable attackers at this level and all should feel that they will participate either by starting or from the bench.
Let's exploit our talent fully

 

[Blade45]

I think in the situation where we are chasing the game after 60 mins or O'Hare gets tired , we hook O'Hare and bring on whichever of Brooks or Jez is on the bench , play with both wingers and even have them swapping flanks every 5 minutes , to really rattle tired defences.
But Wilder has to get much more astute with his subs for this and realise it's a squad game.
We should not go through any game without utilising (for at least 20 minutes) both Brooks & Jez.
They are each too good to be sat on the bench for the whole game. That is a waste of talent.
I would tell them both that they will definitely get 20-30 minutes every game and that the choice of who starts will depend on the opposition.
We have some exciting attacking players this season and I'd like to see them being rotated during the game by proactive substitutions ...
Not waiting until we've lost the initiative or conceded a goal.
Moore , Campbell , Brewster , O'Hare , Hamer , Brooks , Jez , Blaster - all of these are capable attackers at this level and all should feel that they will participate either by starting or from the bench.
Let's exploit our talent fully

Good suggestion that.

I agree, both are too good to simply leave rotting on the bench for games at a time. I think both of these lads will have good seasons.

Who knows, maybe Rak Sakyi likes Sheffield so much he wants to sign permanently

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

My dream

Call me old fashioned if you like.....(pauses to give opportunity to call me old fashioned)....but there's nothing better than seeing 2 talented wingers going full tilt at a defence.

 

[S64 Blade]

I’m still a bit perplexed by this end product argument against Brooks. He has been involved in goals in every game he’s played in, in the league.

Was our best attacking threat in 2 of the 3 games he’s played in.

Should have had another assist too, if it wasn’t for Moore fluffing a chance from 6 yards out.

What more do people realistically want? The second coming of Cristiano Ronaldo?

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

Good suggestion that.

I agree, both are too good to simply leave rotting on the bench for games at a time. I think both of these lads will have good seasons.

Who knows, maybe Rak Sakyi likes Sheffield so much he wants to sign permanently

Perhaps we could woo him by taking him out for a picnic in one of the parks. Everyone loves a picnic!

 

[Berkshire Blade]

I’m still a bit perplexed by this end product argument against Brooks. He has been involved in goals in every game he’s played in, in the league.

Was our best attacking threat in 2 of the 3 games he’s played in.

Should have had another assist too, if it wasn’t for Moore fluffing a chance from 6 yards out.

What more do people realistically want? The second coming of Cristiano Ronaldo?

His shooting, crossing and passing isn't as strong as his dribbling. Being able to go past or through someone is great but if you don't make the most of that it's pointless

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

His shooting, crossing and passing isn't as strong as his dribbling. Being able to go past or through someone is great but if you don't make the most of that it's pointless

He's a young lad though. Time to work on it.

 

[S64 Blade]

His shooting, crossing and passing isn't as strong as his dribbling. Being able to go past or through someone is great but if you don't make the most of that it's pointless

Ignoring the goals he’s set up and the one Moore missed?

 

[Berkshire Blade]

Ignoring the goals he’s set up and the one Moore missed?

Some of the key build up passes and assists haven't exactly been great balls. You can get an assist from passing it to a player who shoots from the half way line to a empty goal it doesn't make you a better player.

 

[Millhousesblade1889]

Was listening to a Watford podcast this morning, and the 2 hosts were saying that Rak-Sakyi was the best player they had come up against so far all season.

So just for fun, I thought I would do a comparison on Brooks vs Rak-Sakyi per 90 just to see how it looked;

It does look like Rak-Sakyi is the busier player with more shots, more dribbles, more passes and more touches in the opposition box per 90.

View attachment 192131

Be interesting to see their defensive stats too, big part of the game in that position.

I liked the look of Rak-Sakyi, Charlton fans said in the ‘view from’ that he’s gets better as he grows in confidence.

 

[SwissBlade]

You can pick up the defensive game quite easily, it’s hard work and experience…it’s not so easy for you to raise your skill level and creativity level to that of the other lad.

Bogle and Lowe didn’t manage it…