Ross Barclay

Have been saying for ages we need to utilize Giroud with the supply hed get from Mount and James.
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Giroud is seriously underrated.

He's one of those you have to watch consistently to see it (I thought he was sh!te playing for Arsenal) but as a 2nd/3rd choice plan B option he's fantastic. Not the most predatory striker in the world but does the simple things right for a striker expected to leading the line solo/good link up guy.

In a perfect scenario we'd signed a striker this summer to compete with Abraham, but Lampard would somehow convince Giroud to sign another 12 month extension to stay as 3rd choice.

https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1231327201032855552/vid/720x720/uVOTO2b_zq709vBg.mp4

Fair play Girooo.
Struck beautifully.

https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1231327201028648961/vid/720x720/t9rv0gud_zFWd-_2.mp4

Alonso went one better with his left

Speaking of left-footers...something about (clean) left-footed passes and strikes infinitely more aesthetically pleasing than right.

We've have had some of the most elegant left-footed players over the years.
Thinking Tambling, Mata, Greaves, Robben, Le Saux etc (Ziyech next season) to name a few.

Honourable mention to JT...hard-pressed to find a ball-playing centre-half in the bygone or modern era that was as adept, strong, composed with both-feet playing pinpoint diagonals/switch of play and general passes to consistently alieviate pressure like he was.

Made it difficult to work out which was JT''s stronger foot (reflected in the equal amount of goals that he scored with his right and left foot, 10 goals each).
One of his most undervalued elements.

Element that we are currently missing in defence.

Whole team played well, apart from Rudiger average.
Always been rash & erratic positionally especially, Rudi...easily our most overhyped defender.


http://pbs.twimg.com/media/ERaB20pWAAEOoCR.jpg -

This one with blood streaming through onto his shirt has been our standout CB, since returning to the lineup. Restoring the faith Frank had in him.


Also turns out Girooo made himself unavailable for selection (hence Bats starts):

https://youtu.be/QaR2TFdEsj8 - 9 mins onwards.

Mf - first you say we are missing goalscorers in defence, and then complain that Rudiger is our “most overhyped defender”. Weird. Of our central defenders - he is the only one who looks likely to score from set pieces. Christensen, arguably our most cultured and skillful central defender, looks like he might never score in his career. The ability to score as a defender is an underrated ability at times.

But back to your original point, Vava, I agree Barkley had an excellent game. In a way he reminds me of Joe Cole - sometimes he forgets how bad he is and actually plays really well.

'Mf - first you say we are missing goalscorers in defence, and then complain that Rudiger is our “most overhyped defender”. Weird. Of our central defenders - he is the only one who looks likely to score from set pieces.'


You misinterpreted the point that I was making, you picked out one section of what I said without fully understanding the context.
I was lauding JT's magnificient ambipedal play, that's what we are missing in defence.

My statement regarding Rudi wasn't me complaining, was an observation.

Furthermore, all our CB's are capable of scoring from set-pieces on any given day. Rudiger isn't special in that regard.

Zouma scored off the bench against United.
Tomori scored in his last start.

There's been times when AC has been desperately unlucky, with goalkeepers producing brilliant saves to stop him from scoring.
Other times poor execution in directing header or shot.