The Ryan Leonard appreciation thread

[Ilderton Wanderer]

Another 100% totally committed performance from Ryan Leonard last night. The fella gets battered from pillar to post every week yet still puts himself on the line, player of the season so far for me. It’s a tribute to Harris that he’s still here and playing a pivotal role in the side, Neil always was a great judge of character and spotting someone with the right attitude to play for us. It is also looking that the decision to extend his contract in the summer was the right one.

Leonard’s performances are a great example to any young player coming through and shows why having such experience in the team is absolutely vital, especially when the chips are down. I know that he has his issues with injuries but when he’s fit and on song he has to be the first name down on the team sheet. Here’s hoping he can stay fit for as long as possible because when he’s on the pitch we are a lot better for it.

 

[PurleyLion]

I’ve been a fan of his since the beginning, even when he was getting slaughtered on this forum by some.

Only negative at present is he can’t play RB and CM at the same time

 

[onlyagame]

I’ve been a fan of his since the beginning, even when he was getting slaughtered on this forum by some.

Only negative at present is he can’t play RB and CM at the same time

Wasn’t there some sort of “Harris’s mate, cost too much” debate at the time? So I confess I wasn’t a fan of “Leonard the early years” but he won me over last season (although I think he is better in a back five)
Then again, I remember Kitchener’s debut and thought he was going to be shit as well

 

[The Den]

The centre midfield, defensive midfielder centre back. Immense player.

 

[norwichmark]

He needs wrapping up in cotton wool. His pace is deceitful.

 

[King of The Jungle]

Wasn’t there some sort of “Harris’s mate, cost too much” debate at the time? So I confess I wasn’t a fan of “Leonard the early years” but he won me over last season (although I think he is better in a back five)
Then again, I remember Kitchener’s debut and thought he was going to be shit as well

Yeah, I remember Paul Robinson starting out and thought he was Bambi on ice. There was another defender that came through at the same time, I forget his name, but everyone seemed sure that the other bloke would make it and Robbo wouldn't go very far... Ha!

 

[King of The Jungle]

Leonard has a proper Lionheart. I suspect he can handle himself too if necessary, fortunately for the opposition and our disciplinary record he is very disciplined.

 

[CrawLion]

Somewhere around there is an interview with BNC, he gets asked something along the lines of "Who is your favourite player to play along side" and replies "Ryan Leonard" without any hesitation. If we could clone him we would have a great team, I suspect he is good in goal too!

 

[norwichmark]

Leonard has a proper Lionheart. I suspect he can handle himself too if necessary, fortunately for the opposition and our disciplinary record he is very disciplined.

Sure it was Lenny pulling friar tuck off coops. Great temperament too

 

[STWall]

I’ve been a fan of his since the beginning, even when he was getting slaughtered on this forum by some.

Only negative at present is he can’t play RB and CM at the same time

He does sometimes and is deceptively quick!

 

[tony_dolby]

Reall Millwal player, and he's got skill and pace as well as bottle!

 

[Lion1964]

When fit he is our most consistent player , never gives less than 100%. Got a lot of stick in his first season and won the fans over with his no nonsense style and attitude.
If he stays fit he should piss the player of the season polls.

 

[Lion-in-exile]

Agree 100%, although I do hold my breath everytime he goes in for a tackle!

 

[partisan_lion]

When fit he is our most consistent player , never gives less than 100%. Got a lot of stick in his first season and won the fans over with his no nonsense style and attitude.
If he stays fit he should piss the player of the season polls.

I wasn't a fan when he turned up, 2 Bob and brittle, but over the last few seasons you can his worth and like Wallace being played out of position, just rolls hois sleeves up and gets on with it.

 

[BigPaul]

Sure it was Lenny pulling friar tuck off coops. Great temperament too

Friar Tuck!

 

[PurleyLion]

He needs wrapping up in cotton wool. His pace is deceitful.

Deceitful or deceptive or both?

 

[PurleyLion]

Yeah, I remember Paul Robinson starting out and thought he was Bambi on ice. There was another defender that came through at the same time, I forget his name, but everyone seemed sure that the other bloke would make it and Robbo wouldn't go very far... Ha!

Mark Phillips? Certainly more skillful than Robbo.

 

[robbo555]

Yeah, I remember Paul Robinson starting out and thought he was Bambi on ice. There was another defender that came through at the same time, I forget his name, but everyone seemed sure that the other bloke would make it and Robbo wouldn't go very far... Ha!

Wise played Robbo and Mark Phillips (Princess Anne's husband) at right-back at times.

 

[robbo555]

We are a better team with Ryan Leonard in it. His ability to execute last ditch tackles is phenomenal.

I was thinking last night about how many of this squad would you have in the trenches beside you. Quite a few. Hutch, Cooper, Leonard, Murray, Sav, Bradshaw. All rock solid professionals, tough, work their bollocks off and put the team first.

 

[Gerry]

Then again, I remember Kitchener’s debut and thought he was going to be shit as well

Too right! He was getting slaughtered after his first few games and Bryan King wasn’t convincing anybody either. How did those two turn out?!!