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The Return of Reece Brown
After much publicised troubles last season off the pitch, this season Reece Brown has been properly rehabilitated into the first team squad and has started showing glimpses of just why so many Blues fans see him as the next big thing to come from the Wast Hills production line.
I’ll say right here and now that no one will be more pleased than me if he does make it. I’ve seen a lot of Brown over the years in the reserves and academy teams and he’s always stood out for his class on the ball with both his range of passing and creativity.
Often, the only issue with Brown would be what seemed to his reticence towards taking games by the scruff of the neck; it was if he knew he was better than what was being played on the pitch and didn’t want to extend himself any further than he had to.
This pre-season we saw a marked change in his demeanour on the pitch. Brown started chasing down balls, winning it back in key areas and all of a sudden looked like the complete midfielder he could be. I do agree with those who think that we shouldn’t over-burden true flair players with too much defensive responsibility but there has to be some at least.
With Tesche out last weekend, I genuinely thought Brown was in with a chance of starting in his place. Stephen Gleeson started the season poorly – at least partially down to carrying a small injury – and with the Irish midfielder being dropped from the squad completely for two games I did wonder how brave Rowett would be and if he’d drop Brown into the midfield two.
Of course, Rowett didn’t… but what he did do was late on the game leave Brown as the only midfielder on the pitch to complete a 2-1 victory. I genuinely don’t think Rowett would have trusted Brown with that responsibility a few months ago and I do think the Dudley-born youngster is starting to thrive on it.
With the lack of a loan window it’s really important that fringe and young players can step into the breach when injuries/suspensions happen – and with Charlee Adams shipped off on loan to Kilmarnock Brown is our only real first-team ready young midfielder now. I think he’ll get more chances too; Davis is on four yellow cards, injuries are always possible – and it might be that we’ll see Brown start in the centre of midfield before too long.
The next step now for Brown is to earn a longer term contract – his current deal runs out at the end of the season. He will need to continue to show his commitment to training is where it should be and that he’s willing to continue on this upward curve on the pitch. Again, I don’t think this contract is that far away now – hopefully his potential is now being realised enough that any risks with respect to his off the field behaviour are outweighed by his value to the club – and it’s so nice to be able to say that.
Tags: Reece Brown
38 Responses to “The Return of Reece Brown”
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I’d love to see him on the pitch against one of the teams who sit back against us. We don’t need 3 defensive midfielders playing against these type of teams, one perhaps but not three.
The finest talent to come out of blues since TF
For me, Brown is the single most gifted player we have on the books. His assurance on the ball is exciting to watch: he always looks a threat. That coupled with his new found defensive edge makes him a very very exciting prospect indeed. KRO Reece.
Yes , Reece Brown looked the part when coming on last Saturday and watching him closely when looking back at the game at home his attitude looked I more much better and he’s ready to challenge for a starting spot no danger , with him , Maghoma , Stewart and Jukey looking good it means we are looking good as a team and with us nearly selling out against QPR on Saturday it’s now a game ime looking forward to instead of dreading after last seasons antics with the police and stewards , bring it on . KRO
It did worry me when GR took off the last holding midfielder on Saturday because we have always relied on being hard to break down and I thought Sheff Wed would be running straight through the middle of us. Thankfully Brown didn’t have to do too much in the game because we managed to stay on the front foot and although he has great quality he could easily have been overrun and outnumbered. I don’t think this would ever be the starting 11 but how good is it that we have these options available to try and change games now.
Last season it seemed to me that I was the only one on this Blog that believed that Reece would come good.
I don’t wish to go over old ground, but I still think Gary’s reluctance to pick him in the first team squad effected Reece’s behaviour. Reece must have thought (rightly in my opinion) that he wasn’t getting the chances his undoubted ability deserved.
My message to Gary is trust him, I am sure he will repay it.
That’s the trouble with players that have talent , they know it …..and they retaliate in one way or another . .ah well …get in there…
Reece As quality on the ball and off the ball his passing is second to none. I think he lacks a bit of strength but this will only come with game time yes he can build it up in the gym with Wight’s but then he could lose agility. So it’s game time he needs. If he keeps doing what he as been doing He will get the game time.and build up his strength naturally.
There are plenty of players with ability that have ended up pulling pints. I hope he grasps an opportunity that most of us would dream of.
As I said the other day, I watched him carefully on Saturday and was impressed with his composure on the ball, even when he was being pressured by two or three Sheffield players. I’m glad the kid has got his head down and decided to take this precious chance he’s been given. Everybody wins. Well done to him.
It’s great that Reece has turned things around and long may it last, the only way he’s gonna be able to earn a new contract is by showing what he can do on the pitch & what I would like to see from GR now is a little bit of squad rotation, I don’t mean wholesale changes but a couple here & there to freshen things up, it’ll help keep the players happy & hopefully a little fresher & fitter so as they last a whole season. Our biggest downfall last season I think was us running out of steam for the last 10 games or so.
Shame about adeyemi not kicking on since leaving blues , i dont think he would get in at blues now …..
I couldn’t believe we got seven figures for Adiyemi. A below average Championships player
No not a chance William and the reason he has not kicked on because he was not good enough in the first place and that’s the way it goes , players that leave Blues are of no concern to me mate whatsoever weather they do well or not . KRO
I have the same feelings re ex-players.
Really? So redmond etc. are no concern? Given the right circumstances do you think maybe they would still be at blues…. I think to look at ex blues players gives us a good indication of where we are and our identity
Yes really :-) KRO
They’re of no concern to me whatsoever. They’re not Blues players.
Seems a bit inconsistent to just disregard them maybe even a little bit fickle. But that’s just the way I see it. Any player who played with pride for the badge is a good one so I’ll continue to notice.
Up to you , enjoy ! KRO
Hopefully Reece has learnt a big lesson and will only go one way now. Richard G obviously thinks that the tail should wag the dog but I disagree. Bad behaviour and attitude would not be tolerated by workmates in a factory let alone the gaffers, so why should football be different?
I havn’t seen that much of him tbh so cannot make a judgement but he seems to have grown up a bit and changed his attitude so now he can move on.He still has a long way to go if he is to become a first team regular and I hope he turns out to be as good as a lot are suggesting.If they are good enough GR is prepared to give them a chance so it’s in his hands now.
Those familiar with our Developement Team will know that we have 3 more potential 1st Teamers in Charlee Adams (out on loan), Charlie Cooper and Luke Maxwell. As others and I have previously written Maxwell has been a bit of a disappointment so far in truth, but he definitely has the potential to make it. I wonder if Reece has realised that very soon he could be overtaken by 1 or more of those players in being in the 1st Team Squad, so has changed his ways.
Agree with your comments regarding Maxwell. Having watched him many times for Kiddy.he was a midfielder in the mould of Hoddle imo. Excited I was at the time but now I am really questioning my judgement. Also,I am hearing that the coaches may switch him to a more suited CH role.Pity because I really did see a star in the making especially with his height,strength and overall vision.
I watched Maxwell pre-season and he looked overweight and cumbersome.
I wonder whether he has the speed to play centre back.
Maxwell’s playing catch-up with his football education because he didn’t come through our academy. He may also have become complacent after his bog step up.
The prospect of Storer and Brown linking up some time this season is really exciting, they will know each others game and with some older heads around them could be the key to unlocking some championship defences.
KRO
On the mark Daniel with Reece Brown comments. The lad is capable of making a major contribution and as stated above could be very influential in unlocking some of the more defence minded visitors to St Andrews. Good to see so many players genuinely in contention at the moment. If you take the Sheff Wed 18 and add in the injured Kus and Tesche with Caddis, Wiggins,Storer,Viv, that’s a healthy 24 who at least on current form could do a job if needs be.
Maybe I’ve missed something but I haven’t heard Solomon-Otabor’s name mentioned for a while; anybody have news on his progress? Remember him scoring an amazing goal against Fulham.
I rated Viv higher than Demari Gray when he first burst on the scene but think that he has now hit a bit of a plateau. This may be because he has his a*** in his hands after being dropped from the 1st Team Squad or that other Teams have now “clocked” how to play him and he needs to learn new skills.
Been playing for the reserves. Progress has stymied somewhat
More good news today with Jack Storer and Ronan Hale in the Development squad after recovering from injuries.
I’ll have a bit of that. Good news.
Blues U23s 5-0 Crystal Palace U23s (Hale, OG, Baba, Caddis (pen,) McDonald.)
Palace side included Mathieu Flamini and Fraizer Campbell.
How nice to feel the opimism on ‘Daniels Blog’, it was not long ago we were discussing who could play in and out of their positions and how 1 injury would totally set us back, now we appear to have Strength and Depth and are feeling sorry for quality players that can not get a mention, and all this seems to have just happened, well done to all of the staff at Stans who have achieved all of this, and before take over date, when hopefully things can only get better.
Reece Brown, so glad that he is finally getting the opportunity to flourish, rather than the Charlies and Luke pushing him on, I hope they are watching his progress with ambition! Looking forward to QPR and can see Brown in the starting line up. Kro
Looking forward to QPR also Adam .. Be intersting to see what Rowett does Saturday as he now as options , start with Brown , Stewart and Jukey ? maybe not but of the three I personally would like to see Stewart start our side with Maghoma and Adams behind Donaldson then you still have Reece and Lukey to come on .. Happy days and roll on tommorow ! KRO
Well done the bears staying up,lets make it a double tomorrow lad’s!!!!
If we win tommorow kirkus we will definitely stay up , only joking :-) yes well done Warwickshire , 50 over champions and let’s hope that we get the backing of fans at Loftus road , we owe them from last season with the conduct of the police and stewards , disgraceful behaviour and that was nothing to do with Blues , can’t wait !! KRO