Some Derby County supporters have taken to Twitter to call for an improvement from Tom Lawrence.
In the pre-match press conference ahead of Derby’s clash with Cardiff City, manager Phillip Cocu talked about Lawrence after he was deployed as a centre-forward for Wales this week.
(Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images).
Cocu believes the former Leicester City man has the tools to thrive in several roles. Lawrence mostly features out on the left side for the Rams, but he’s arguably better in central areas.
Derby supporters, however, feel Lawrence should instead work on his consistency in one role as opposed to the player being called upon to provide quality in several different positions.
Shame we only see that quality once maybe twice a season eh.
— stephen. (@dcfcstephen) September 12, 2019
He’s too much of a luxury , especially ina team who need to tough out some results . Shoots when he should pass , passes when he should shoot . Offers no help defensively . Fed up with giving him chance after chance .
— sp castle (@fearsatanremix) September 12, 2019
Pity it’s only once or twice a season! I find him one if the frustrating players to watch I’ve seen
— Martin Hodgkinson (@Martinhodge50) September 12, 2019
He doesn’t have the ability to stop giving the ball away!!! A very talented lad who needs to cut this annoying habit out of his game.
— Noel Hanna (@nozzy62) September 12, 2019
Has anyone picked him up from Huddersfield yet? 😂
— Adam Hurt (@adam_hurt) September 12, 2019
Lawrence is a very frustrating player, in terms of skill, ability, consistency as well as overall attitude for DCFC but you also sense that he might not have found his best position. This might be his moment as they say.
— Michael Broadley (@BroadleyMichael) September 6, 2019
Lawrence is extremely good in the number 10 role with runners either side. Runs into the space ahead brilliantly.
Not as good on the wing by a long shot.— Tim (@xDronee) September 12, 2019
Why Tom Lawrence has a weight of expectation at Derby County:
Tom Lawrence signed for the Rams from Leicester City for £5 million in 2017.
He was largely seen as a direct replacement for Tom Ince who signed for Huddersfield Town in the Premier League.
This was arguably an unfair amount of pressure to place on Lawrence. After all, Ince was an excellent Championship player, scoring 26 goals and grabbing 14 assists in two seasons at Pride Park.
Lawrence, meanwhile, arrived as 23-year-old and has been unable to shake off that expectation. Over the past two years, he has netted 12 goals and grabbed nine assists.
The now 25-year-old started the season on fire. He netted twice in the 2-1 win at Huddersfield, while posting three successful take-ons and winning five free kicks.
(Photo by George Wood/Getty Images).
Lawrence set the bar to such a high standard at Huddersfield. Unfortunately, supporters have been keen to see repeat performances, but so far they haven’t been forthcoming.