Geremi

[James]

Much missed in my opinion since he hasn't been starting in his preferred central role.

 

Yes, he doesn't get the goals and assists, and he doesn't look as good as he did preseason.

 

But, he is the only midfielder that properly looks to provide a short passing option to the defence, and earlier in the season, the defenders have shown that they will use the short option if available.

 

During the full 90 minutes, his passing isn't perfect, but I dont recall him ever getting dangerously caught in possession, and a few times during the game, I have seen him find space, look up and play a delightful pass to Viduka or one of the wingers. This may not be consistent over 90 minutes, but it is a lot more than I have seen from Smith, Butt, Barton and Emre.

 

Defensively, he isn't as good as Butt, and he doesn't tackle as well as Smith or Barton, but he is still pretty good in this department, reads the game well, and makes many good interceptions, and wins a lot of second balls.

 

Not meaning to sound patronising, but the analysis of goals that we score always seems very limited, ie all the praise goes to the goalscorer and whoever provided the assist.

 

Lets take Milner's goal yesterday for example, all the praise and thanks is heaped onto Milner for the good run and cross.

 

What about the good run into the box by Owen that made the cross dangerous, brought Gordon closer to the near post and stopping him coming out for the ball, making the space in the far corner of the goal? What about thew one-two that allowed Milner to beat his man? Or the pass out wide to Milner in the first place? Or the winning back of possession prior to that move?

 

I still need to rewatch the goal to identify these players, but these are all key contributions, without which we would not have scored.

 

When playing, Geremi has provided more key contributions than any other central midfielder. That is because he is the best player in the side at converting defence into attack.

 

Scott Parker was often criticised for winning the ball back and then failing to do anything good with it. Often, the same can be said for Barton, Smith and Butt, while Emre rarely seems to find himself in a counter-attacking situation.

 

Based on all I have said, Geremi should be one of the first names on the team sheet for most matches, and it should be up to the other players to fight for their place alongside him whether it be a 2 or 3 man central midfield.

[TRon]

I would say he's one of our best players for retaining the ball under pressure. Would have been invaluable yeterday, but then I thought Martins would have caused them problems as well with his pace.

 

 

[tmonkey]

Midfield should be Geremi/Barton or Geremi/Emre.

[Kev]

Far to slow, needed nicky butt yesterday

[Thorpinho]

it looks as the moment that Sam has absolutely no idea what he wants his midfield to be. Seems to be a lot of random combinations at the moment hoping for something to work.

[Colos Short and Curlies]

Midfield should be Geremi/Barton or Geremi/Emre.

 

I agree with Ron and Barton, but you can't ignore the fact that Emre and Butt play well together, so for me it should either be Ron and Barton or Butt and Emre, depending on whether we need guile or a runner supporting the front 2

[tmonkey]

Midfield should be Geremi/Barton or Geremi/Emre.

 

I agree with Ron and Barton, but you can't ignore the fact that Emre and Butt play well together, so for me it should either be Ron and Barton or Butt and Emre, depending on whether we need guile or a runner supporting the front 2

 

Forgot about Butt tbh.

 

Youre right there. Emre Butt has probably been our best midfield combination over the past two seasons, and as a unit theyve played well whenever theyve been paired together. Its a pairing that looks natural and should be given more playing time. Dont think Big Sam would play that midfield on a regular basis though, hes spent biggish money on Barton and Smith (who he views as a midfielder who can get goals) and also brought in Geremi for the same position - maybe im wrong about him, but I think he'd be too proud to play a midfield combination he inherited ahead of one hes purchased.

[James]

Far to slow, needed nicky butt yesterday

 

Geremi doesn't need pace for the role he fulfils.

[Tooj]

Far to slow, needed nicky butt yesterday

 

Aye Kev mate, that Nicky Butt's a right speed merchant.

[Guest SLK]

I think Geremi should have played in the center of midfield with Emre yesterday...I consider Butt and Geremi similar in their roles that's why I don't like seeing them played together in the center...

[Ally]

Bloody hell you love those commas!

 

He's a good player but its much of a muchness with him and Butt imo.

[Skirge]

Its a strange one this, I do think we did miss him yet I do not think he has showed the form he did in pre-season, pre-season he did really shine.

[TRC]

Lost alot of respect for the guy, wasn't a canny lad when I met him.

[Sparks]

I really don't think we would see much difference with him in the team. The reason he has been on the bench is because he wasn't doing the business on the field for a number of weeks. He comes in and we might get a slightly different approach, but it would still be just as ineffective.

[McCormick]

When hes on the pitch he thinks he's automatically the set piece specialist, despite the fact that he couldn't hit a donkey's arse with a frying pan.

Other than his woeful set piece play i'd say he's solid, and a much better passer of the ball than butt.

[James]

I really don't think we would see much difference with him in the team. The reason he has been on the bench is because he wasn't doing the business on the field for a number of weeks. He comes in and we might get a slightly different approach, but it would still be just as ineffective.

 

I dont know how Geremi can be considered ineffective when he has played a crucial role in many of our goals when he has been on the pitch, as well as being the only short pass option that is consistently available to the defence.

[sparta]

Much missed in my opinion since he hasn't been starting in his preferred central role.

 

Yes, he doesn't get the goals and assists, and he doesn't look as good as he did preseason.

 

But, he is the only midfielder that properly looks to provide a short passing option to the defence, and earlier in the season, the defenders have shown that they will use the short option if available.

 

During the full 90 minutes, his passing isn't perfect, but I dont recall him ever getting dangerously caught in possession, and a few times during the game, I have seen him find space, look up and play a delightful pass to Viduka or one of the wingers. This may not be consistent over 90 minutes, but it is a lot more than I have seen from Smith, Butt, Barton and Emre.

 

Defensively, he isn't as good as Butt, and he doesn't tackle as well as Smith or Barton, but he is still pretty good in this department, reads the game well, and makes many good interceptions, and wins a lot of second balls.

 

Not meaning to sound patronising, but the analysis of goals that we score always seems very limited, ie all the praise goes to the goalscorer and whoever provided the assist.

 

Lets take Milner's goal yesterday for example, all the praise and thanks is heaped onto Milner for the good run and cross.

 

What about the good run into the box by Owen that made the cross dangerous, brought Gordon closer to the near post and stopping him coming out for the ball, making the space in the far corner of the goal? What about thew one-two that allowed Milner to beat his man? Or the pass out wide to Milner in the first place? Or the winning back of possession prior to that move?

 

I still need to rewatch the goal to identify these players, but these are all key contributions, without which we would not have scored.

 

When playing, Geremi has provided more key contributions than any other central midfielder. That is because he is the best player in the side at converting defence into attack.

 

Scott Parker was often criticised for winning the ball back and then failing to do anything good with it. Often, the same can be said for Barton, Smith and Butt, while Emre rarely seems to find himself in a counter-attacking situation.

 

Based on all I have said, Geremi should be one of the first names on the team sheet for most matches, and it should be up to the other players to fight for their place alongside him whether it be a 2 or 3 man central midfield.

 

ive tried to say this all season

 

good post

Midfield should be Geremi/Barton or Geremi/Emre.

[Guest Knightrider]

I think we have too, he has good stamina and is strong in there, he's also a talker and is good at keeping possession. I don't think he's any kind of long term answer though and I think Big Sam see things the same too.

[James]

From the Enrique thread:

 

I've never read so much shit! Thats up there with his uber post about how Geremi is the most important player in the team!

 

So how do you explain the fact that we've stopped winning since Geremi was moved away from his preferred central midfield role?

 

The statistics show that he was the player responsible for:

 

A lot of the goals we scored

The possession football we played.

 

 

How can you explain that we are scoring less, and have been much worse in possession since Geremi has been shoved out of his CM role?

[Guest alex]

From the Enrique thread:

 

I've never read so much shit! Thats up there with his uber post about how Geremi is the most important player in the team!

 

So how do you explain the fact that we've stopped winning since Geremi was moved away from his preferred central midfield role?

 

The statistics show that he was the player responsible for:

 

A lot of the goals we scored

The possession football we played.

 

 

How can you explain that we are scoring less, and have been much worse in possession since Geremi has been shoved out of his CM role?

I don't think we've had a settled enough side to be able to say one way or the other although CM is his best position imo.

[Guest BooBoo]

He's bloody hopeless! Seriously, what are his strengths?

[Kev]

hes crap...simple as that

[nufc4eva]

he could not control a brick

[Ally]

From the Enrique thread:

 

I've never read so much shit! Thats up there with his uber post about how Geremi is the most important player in the team!

 

So how do you explain the fact that we've stopped winning since Geremi was moved away from his preferred central midfield role?

 

The statistics show that he was the player responsible for:

 

A lot of the goals we scored

The possession football we played.

 

 

How can you explain that we are scoring less, and have been much worse in possession since Geremi has been shoved out of his CM role?

I don't think we've had a settled enough side to be able to say one way or the other although CM is his best position imo.

 

What he said.

 

He was dropped because he was playing poorly, not that Emre offers much of a better option though. He is better in CM than down the right though where he's poor, far too slow.

[Chris_R]

From the Enrique thread:

 

I've never read so much s***! Thats up there with his uber post about how Geremi is the most important player in the team!

 

So how do you explain the fact that we've stopped winning since Geremi was moved away from his preferred central midfield role?

 

The statistics show that he was the player responsible for:

 

A lot of the goals we scored

The possession football we played.

 

 

How can you explain that we are scoring less, and have been much worse in possession since Geremi has been shoved out of his CM role?

I don't think we've had a settled enough side to be able to say one way or the other although CM is his best position imo.

 

What he said.

 

He was dropped because he was playing poorly, not that Emre offers much of a better option though. He is better in CM than down the right though where he's poor, far too slow.

 

Agreed, he offers nothing on the right. Was at the match yesterday and he just cannot beat a man. N'Zogbia can beat a man with pace, Milner can beat a man with technique. Geremi can do neither and his only option is to put a cross in from standing still level with the edge of the penalty area with the fullback stood in front of him.

 

The results of such efforts were entirely predictable.

 

I have no problem with Geremi playing CM or even DR, but it's an absolute joke to see him out as a winger.