I wouldnt write Pogba off yet.
comment by Big McTominay (U22257)
posted 2 minutes ago
I wouldnt write Pogba off yet.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He wants out and I don't think that he is quite right for that role. He is our best option for the rest of the season, assuming we can't get Maddison (or someone else) in January, but long term I don't think he moves the ball about quick enough.
Hopefully pogba gets back soon and can motivate himself to put in a consistent run of form till the end of the season.
I think most people would then be expecting him to get the move that his agent and him have being trying to engineer
i mentioned on another article that we should be going all out for kavertz and wrapping up a deal before other big clubs start sniffing around.
he is exactly the type of player we need linking up the play between midfield and our forward line.
comment by Nostraduncus (U11713)
posted 4 minutes ago
i mentioned on another article that we should be going all out for kavertz and wrapping up a deal before other big clubs start sniffing around.
he is exactly the type of player we need linking up the play between midfield and our forward line.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I like the combining of his name
comment by Nostraduncus (U11713)
posted 2 minutes ago
i mentioned on another article that we should be going all out for kavertz and wrapping up a deal before other big clubs start sniffing around.
he is exactly the type of player we need linking up the play between midfield and our forward line.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Not really seen much of him, but that is certainly what we need - someone to add some creativity in that central attacking area. I honesty think that a couple of astute signings would massively improve us.
comment by Pride of the North (U6803)
posted 9 minutes ago
comment by Nostraduncus (U11713)
posted 4 minutes ago
i mentioned on another article that we should be going all out for kavertz and wrapping up a deal before other big clubs start sniffing around.
he is exactly the type of player we need linking up the play between midfield and our forward line.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I like the combining of his name
---------------------------------------------------------------------
was gonna put his first name then decided not too... i got confuddled
comment by Elvis (U7425)
posted 10 minutes ago
comment by Nostraduncus (U11713)
posted 2 minutes ago
i mentioned on another article that we should be going all out for kavertz and wrapping up a deal before other big clubs start sniffing around.
he is exactly the type of player we need linking up the play between midfield and our forward line.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Not really seen much of him, but that is certainly what we need - someone to add some creativity in that central attacking area. I honesty think that a couple of astute signings would massively improve us.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
he is very Kaka like in the way he plays, quick feet, some nice tricks and seems to glide past players with relative ease
also if we are looking for a right sided player you could do a lot worse that Leon bailey who is also at Leverkusen... can play on either side too
We definitely need some genuine quality in the midfield in an attacking sense. Fernandes, Maddison & Donny van de Beek are three excellent players that would be gettable. van de Beek being the pick of the bunch in my view.
We definitely need to sort Gomes' contract though. To lose him would be shocking.
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
I liked Mata's running beyond the forwards in the first half last night. It created a few openings for us but there was one in particular where his pace seemed to stop him going through.
comment by United we win (U19958)
posted 43 minutes ago
How good really is madison?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He looks pretty decent from what I have seen, but whether it is him or someone else, this for me is the key position that we need to focus on now.
I'm not sure if Kai Havertz would be absolutely right for us. He's a big talent no doubt about it but I could see him establishing himself as more of a forward in the future, operating in a similar fashion to Firmino who also started out playing as an attacking midfielder/second striker for Hoffenheim.
He's got the physical attributes, he's a threat in the air and his hold up and link up play is pretty good.
A big part of his game is finding spaces to exploit in and around and in behind the last line of defenders and getting goals and that showed in his return last season.
He'd also have his choice of pretty much any club I'd imagine so I see no reason why he'd choose us in our current state. Leverkusen's CEO has come out and said they won't accept anything less than what Joao Felix went for in the summer as well. Good luck with that.
We really need both a deep-lying playmaker and a creator to play further forward but ideally I'd like this player to be more of a midfielder than a 10/second striker so that it's easier for us to adapt to a different system if we ever need to.
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
Mata has the brain but not the legs
We're shiyte but Spurs are more shiyte so maybe Eriksen will fancy the step up in January?
comment by Mike (U1170)
posted 3 minutes ago
We're shiyte but Spurs are more shiyte so maybe Eriksen will fancy the step up in January?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I was chatting to some Danish guy when I was in Thailand and he said it's common knowledge that one of the spurs defender (can't remember who he said) had banged Eriksen's wife and has caused a big rift in the Spurs squad. Apparently Kane punched whichever player it was.
This conversation was taking place over 2 bottles of whisky though, so who knows
ji... thats the rumour.. was jan vertonghen by all accounts
comment by The Red Side™ (U11275)
posted 19 minutes ago
We really need both a deep-lying playmaker and a creator to play further forward but ideally I'd like this player to be more of a midfielder than a 10/second striker so that it's easier for us to adapt to a different system if we ever need to.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
This.
In McTominay & Fred we have two players who will put in a shift, challenge for the ball and provide lots of energy but the quality on the ball is really poor for a team with aspirations of competing for trophies and CL football.
One of things I look for in a midfielder is *how* they give the ball away. Every player loses the ball - even Xavi - but the good players rarely lose the ball cheaply and when under no pressure. It's usually trying something difficult or they've been pressed to death by the opposition and couldn't get out of that particular situation.
The problem with all of our midfielders bar Pogba* is that that they give the ball away so cheaply (McTominay has really developed as a player but he shouldn't be giving the ball away so often in the manner he did against such poor opposition last night) AND they struggle to get out of situations when they're under pressure. The technical ability isn't that of a top midfielder.
*Pogba obviously gives the ball away cheaply at times too, but not through sloppy, naff passes, but through overplaying at the wrong times. It's that same confidence in his ability - technically and physically - that make him so good. Just needs to pick his moments better.
comment by Ji Sung Park's Cousin - Ole's joy Manticore (U2958)
posted 7 minutes ago
comment by Mike (U1170)
posted 3 minutes ago
We're shiyte but Spurs are more shiyte so maybe Eriksen will fancy the step up in January?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I was chatting to some Danish guy when I was in Thailand and he said it's common knowledge that one of the spurs defender (can't remember who he said) had banged Eriksen's wife and has caused a big rift in the Spurs squad. Apparently Kane punched whichever player it was.
This conversation was taking place over 2 bottles of whisky though, so who knows
----------------------------------------------------------------------
That sounds ridiculous
comment by BerbaKing11 (U6256)
posted 16 minutes ago
That sounds ridiculous
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Wayne Bridge might disagree!
Whilst Mata isn't the answer, as pointed out, last night does show that we need somebody more specialist in the role than Lingard or Pereira.
Loved Martials link play too, his movement was brilliant and I love it when he drops deep and carries the ball. This lead to his goal vs Norwich too. It just means we need midfield runners.
If his heart was in it, I'd love a punt on Eriksen.
comment by Ji Sung Park's Cousin - Ole's joy Manticore (U2958)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by BerbaKing11 (U6256)
posted 16 minutes ago
That sounds ridiculous
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Wayne Bridge might disagree!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I saw rumours of John Terry being a contestant in the Celebrity Jungle next week, along with Bridges current Mrs her from the Saturdays
comment by The Red Side™ (U11275)
posted 47 minutes ago
I'm not sure if Kai Havertz would be absolutely right for us. He's a big talent no doubt about it but I could see him establishing himself as more of a forward in the future, operating in a similar fashion to Firmino who also started out playing as an attacking midfielder/second striker for Hoffenheim.
He's got the physical attributes, he's a threat in the air and his hold up and link up play is pretty good.
A big part of his game is finding spaces to exploit in and around and in behind the last line of defenders and getting goals and that showed in his return last season.
He'd also have his choice of pretty much any club I'd imagine so I see no reason why he'd choose us in our current state. Leverkusen's CEO has come out and said they won't accept anything less than what Joao Felix went for in the summer as well. Good luck with that.
We really need both a deep-lying playmaker and a creator to play further forward but ideally I'd like this player to be more of a midfielder than a 10/second striker so that it's easier for us to adapt to a different system if we ever need to.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Even if we’re sticking with the system Ole has in place now, we need that player to be more of an attacking midfielder than a second striker.
One of our biggest issues this season has been the midfield two being overrun in games, the monumental gap between the two and the forwards, and the failure of the forwards to drop in to help with the transition when we win the ball back.
It was closer to 4-2-4 than 4-2-3-1 in many of the games in which we’ve struggled, and only in the last couple of weeks (more or less coinciding with Pereira moving central) has the coaching staff addressed the issue, to obvious and immediate effect.
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Our need for a play maker
Page 1 of 2
posted on 8/11/19
I wouldnt write Pogba off yet.
posted on 8/11/19
comment by Big McTominay (U22257)
posted 2 minutes ago
I wouldnt write Pogba off yet.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He wants out and I don't think that he is quite right for that role. He is our best option for the rest of the season, assuming we can't get Maddison (or someone else) in January, but long term I don't think he moves the ball about quick enough.
posted on 8/11/19
Hopefully pogba gets back soon and can motivate himself to put in a consistent run of form till the end of the season.
I think most people would then be expecting him to get the move that his agent and him have being trying to engineer
posted on 8/11/19
i mentioned on another article that we should be going all out for kavertz and wrapping up a deal before other big clubs start sniffing around.
he is exactly the type of player we need linking up the play between midfield and our forward line.
posted on 8/11/19
comment by Nostraduncus (U11713)
posted 4 minutes ago
i mentioned on another article that we should be going all out for kavertz and wrapping up a deal before other big clubs start sniffing around.
he is exactly the type of player we need linking up the play between midfield and our forward line.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I like the combining of his name
posted on 8/11/19
comment by Nostraduncus (U11713)
posted 2 minutes ago
i mentioned on another article that we should be going all out for kavertz and wrapping up a deal before other big clubs start sniffing around.
he is exactly the type of player we need linking up the play between midfield and our forward line.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Not really seen much of him, but that is certainly what we need - someone to add some creativity in that central attacking area. I honesty think that a couple of astute signings would massively improve us.
posted on 8/11/19
comment by Pride of the North (U6803)
posted 9 minutes ago
comment by Nostraduncus (U11713)
posted 4 minutes ago
i mentioned on another article that we should be going all out for kavertz and wrapping up a deal before other big clubs start sniffing around.
he is exactly the type of player we need linking up the play between midfield and our forward line.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I like the combining of his name
---------------------------------------------------------------------
was gonna put his first name then decided not too... i got confuddled
posted on 8/11/19
comment by Elvis (U7425)
posted 10 minutes ago
comment by Nostraduncus (U11713)
posted 2 minutes ago
i mentioned on another article that we should be going all out for kavertz and wrapping up a deal before other big clubs start sniffing around.
he is exactly the type of player we need linking up the play between midfield and our forward line.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Not really seen much of him, but that is certainly what we need - someone to add some creativity in that central attacking area. I honesty think that a couple of astute signings would massively improve us.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
he is very Kaka like in the way he plays, quick feet, some nice tricks and seems to glide past players with relative ease
posted on 8/11/19
also if we are looking for a right sided player you could do a lot worse that Leon bailey who is also at Leverkusen... can play on either side too
posted on 8/11/19
We definitely need some genuine quality in the midfield in an attacking sense. Fernandes, Maddison & Donny van de Beek are three excellent players that would be gettable. van de Beek being the pick of the bunch in my view.
We definitely need to sort Gomes' contract though. To lose him would be shocking.
posted on 8/11/19
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 8/11/19
I liked Mata's running beyond the forwards in the first half last night. It created a few openings for us but there was one in particular where his pace seemed to stop him going through.
posted on 8/11/19
comment by United we win (U19958)
posted 43 minutes ago
How good really is madison?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He looks pretty decent from what I have seen, but whether it is him or someone else, this for me is the key position that we need to focus on now.
posted on 8/11/19
I'm not sure if Kai Havertz would be absolutely right for us. He's a big talent no doubt about it but I could see him establishing himself as more of a forward in the future, operating in a similar fashion to Firmino who also started out playing as an attacking midfielder/second striker for Hoffenheim.
He's got the physical attributes, he's a threat in the air and his hold up and link up play is pretty good.
A big part of his game is finding spaces to exploit in and around and in behind the last line of defenders and getting goals and that showed in his return last season.
He'd also have his choice of pretty much any club I'd imagine so I see no reason why he'd choose us in our current state. Leverkusen's CEO has come out and said they won't accept anything less than what Joao Felix went for in the summer as well. Good luck with that.
We really need both a deep-lying playmaker and a creator to play further forward but ideally I'd like this player to be more of a midfielder than a 10/second striker so that it's easier for us to adapt to a different system if we ever need to.
posted on 8/11/19
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 8/11/19
Mata has the brain but not the legs
posted on 8/11/19
We're shiyte but Spurs are more shiyte so maybe Eriksen will fancy the step up in January?
posted on 8/11/19
comment by Mike (U1170)
posted 3 minutes ago
We're shiyte but Spurs are more shiyte so maybe Eriksen will fancy the step up in January?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I was chatting to some Danish guy when I was in Thailand and he said it's common knowledge that one of the spurs defender (can't remember who he said) had banged Eriksen's wife and has caused a big rift in the Spurs squad. Apparently Kane punched whichever player it was.
This conversation was taking place over 2 bottles of whisky though, so who knows
posted on 8/11/19
ji... thats the rumour.. was jan vertonghen by all accounts
posted on 8/11/19
comment by The Red Side™ (U11275)
posted 19 minutes ago
We really need both a deep-lying playmaker and a creator to play further forward but ideally I'd like this player to be more of a midfielder than a 10/second striker so that it's easier for us to adapt to a different system if we ever need to.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
This.
In McTominay & Fred we have two players who will put in a shift, challenge for the ball and provide lots of energy but the quality on the ball is really poor for a team with aspirations of competing for trophies and CL football.
One of things I look for in a midfielder is *how* they give the ball away. Every player loses the ball - even Xavi - but the good players rarely lose the ball cheaply and when under no pressure. It's usually trying something difficult or they've been pressed to death by the opposition and couldn't get out of that particular situation.
The problem with all of our midfielders bar Pogba* is that that they give the ball away so cheaply (McTominay has really developed as a player but he shouldn't be giving the ball away so often in the manner he did against such poor opposition last night) AND they struggle to get out of situations when they're under pressure. The technical ability isn't that of a top midfielder.
*Pogba obviously gives the ball away cheaply at times too, but not through sloppy, naff passes, but through overplaying at the wrong times. It's that same confidence in his ability - technically and physically - that make him so good. Just needs to pick his moments better.
posted on 8/11/19
comment by Ji Sung Park's Cousin - Ole's joy Manticore (U2958)
posted 7 minutes ago
comment by Mike (U1170)
posted 3 minutes ago
We're shiyte but Spurs are more shiyte so maybe Eriksen will fancy the step up in January?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I was chatting to some Danish guy when I was in Thailand and he said it's common knowledge that one of the spurs defender (can't remember who he said) had banged Eriksen's wife and has caused a big rift in the Spurs squad. Apparently Kane punched whichever player it was.
This conversation was taking place over 2 bottles of whisky though, so who knows
----------------------------------------------------------------------
That sounds ridiculous
posted on 8/11/19
comment by BerbaKing11 (U6256)
posted 16 minutes ago
That sounds ridiculous
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Wayne Bridge might disagree!
posted on 8/11/19
Whilst Mata isn't the answer, as pointed out, last night does show that we need somebody more specialist in the role than Lingard or Pereira.
Loved Martials link play too, his movement was brilliant and I love it when he drops deep and carries the ball. This lead to his goal vs Norwich too. It just means we need midfield runners.
If his heart was in it, I'd love a punt on Eriksen.
posted on 8/11/19
comment by Ji Sung Park's Cousin - Ole's joy Manticore (U2958)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by BerbaKing11 (U6256)
posted 16 minutes ago
That sounds ridiculous
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Wayne Bridge might disagree!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I saw rumours of John Terry being a contestant in the Celebrity Jungle next week, along with Bridges current Mrs her from the Saturdays
posted on 8/11/19
comment by The Red Side™ (U11275)
posted 47 minutes ago
I'm not sure if Kai Havertz would be absolutely right for us. He's a big talent no doubt about it but I could see him establishing himself as more of a forward in the future, operating in a similar fashion to Firmino who also started out playing as an attacking midfielder/second striker for Hoffenheim.
He's got the physical attributes, he's a threat in the air and his hold up and link up play is pretty good.
A big part of his game is finding spaces to exploit in and around and in behind the last line of defenders and getting goals and that showed in his return last season.
He'd also have his choice of pretty much any club I'd imagine so I see no reason why he'd choose us in our current state. Leverkusen's CEO has come out and said they won't accept anything less than what Joao Felix went for in the summer as well. Good luck with that.
We really need both a deep-lying playmaker and a creator to play further forward but ideally I'd like this player to be more of a midfielder than a 10/second striker so that it's easier for us to adapt to a different system if we ever need to.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Even if we’re sticking with the system Ole has in place now, we need that player to be more of an attacking midfielder than a second striker.
One of our biggest issues this season has been the midfield two being overrun in games, the monumental gap between the two and the forwards, and the failure of the forwards to drop in to help with the transition when we win the ball back.
It was closer to 4-2-4 than 4-2-3-1 in many of the games in which we’ve struggled, and only in the last couple of weeks (more or less coinciding with Pereira moving central) has the coaching staff addressed the issue, to obvious and immediate effect.
Page 1 of 2