Laca and Auba

Clinical is a term used for goal poachers. Auba goals are all made by manufacturing link play between himself and wider over lapping players, be it Saka or AMN. He is involved in all our most dangerous moments. Which is why is able to score so many goals.

If anything you can accuse him of being too selfless. Trying to lay on goals for others. Even yesterday he had an opportunity to shoot but instead tried to lay it on for Eddie.

If you are saying he isn't involved enough because opposing teams find it easier to isolate and defend a wing then they would if he was playing through the middle, you would have a point. And its something all have been saying for a while. Thats not because of Auba's work rate. Its because having the threat of Auba in the middle when teams don't know which way he would go makes a far more dangerous proposition. As if he isn't already with one golden boot and only missing out last season by one goal.

Auba’s work rate is not in question here. He is captain and leads by example in that regard.

I just find it frustrating the number of simple five yards passes he underhits/overhits. His passing range is below par for a player of his quality.

I think you have to understand the purpose of positional play. Auba's mind is on creating space for himself to shoot or lay on a final ball. Its not to paint pretty patterns. So you cannot expect him to be Pires. He is Henry. You need to compare him to other finishers like Lewandoski. How many 5 yard passes does Lewa even attempt?

Now would we prefer a Pires whose position is deeper and Auba in the middle striker doing the role he did at Dortmund? I think that work better because it would have more players in the midfield which helps possession matching up with opposing midfield numbers.

comment by ubad9jagooner .Ramsey : don't get the hype ! (U7978)
posted 29 minutes ago
Auba’s work rate is not in question here. He is captain and leads by example in that regard.

I just find it frustrating the number of simple five yards passes he underhits/overhits. His passing range is below par for a player of his quality.
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Kinda seems like you're moaning "The striker we play on the doesn't play on the wing like a winger." And blaming one player when team performance overall sees a poor passing day. It does seem contagious in this squad. One or two poor passes on the trot and collapse, whole team forgets how to pass.

As for Laca, he only gets that tired due to chasing back just as much as he presses the ball. Deeper and more we sit, the quicker he'll need to be subbed for Eddie. Auba can get away with being central for ninety mins. Pace and stride length mean he works half as hard as Laca to run as far. Full stride, Laca is almost taking two paces, vs Auba's one. Bit like watching Michael Johnson's run, next to Usain bolt's. Frantic tiny paces vs looong, relaxed, giant strides

Auba played wide in a 4231 system at Dortmund under Klopp and made inside runs from the right.

I don't think he has the linkup to play centrally and needs a Coutinho or Aouar type to drop in that space to connect with him. He had Mkhitaryan at Dortmund who did this.

All Laca goals this season have been tap in. Literally anyone could have scored them. The 1 chance where he was 1v1 and had to think he fluffed it.

comment by BO$$™ (U6401)
posted 35 seconds ago
All Laca goals this season have been tap in. Literally anyone could have scored them. The 1 chance where he was 1v1 and had to think he fluffed it.
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Tap ins are a quality of blindside movement and not many have that.

Auba is in his 30s. He is what he is, he’s not going to become a link man, or a player who can beat players with skill or quick feet.

Against the likes of Fulham or West Ham you can get away with playing him on the wing but god he was so wasted last night. Offered nothing in an attacking sense and struggled defensively. Again a team with the quality Liverpool have, you should play your best players in their best position. Yea it would be harsh to drop Lacazette after his 2 goals so far but there’s no room for sentiment in the PL (unless you are a ref in a Liverpool game).

We should have used both strikers, through the middle with them splitting the game-time. With Saka (not sure on injuries) Pepe, Willian Nelson paying the wing positions. Both of our strikers player their best in the central role and Lacazette especially turns provider also.

IMO it was a poor team selection. Pepe is some random player jinx for VVD and he didn't start so he could bug him all game (a factor in previous victory). Ceballos didn't start and should have. Holding played over Gabriel (and was one step behind all night) TAA got gifted space and time all night because Arteta never seemed to tell anyone to shut him down. Was pretty much all wrong. To the point it surprised me because so far Arteta has looked more than smart enough to know better than picking that lineup or approach to this game. Mark it off as a bad day for him and move on, he won't do that again

Ornstein suggests there is an interest for Laca from Roma.
Edouard of Celtic touted as a replacement.