TRon Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Don't think any of the top teams have a Vurnon Anita equivalent. How big are Barcelona's centre midfielders? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimburst Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Joe Allen's done okay for himself in the role Vurnon plays. Probably less athletic than Anita, too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The College Dropout Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Rakitic & Busquets are no midgets like. Fair to say if you are diminutive you have to excel in other areas. Anita doesn't excel in any areas. So mentioning Barcelona players is hilarious. Anita is to Xavi what Colback is to Scholes. Every great Newcastle United side had athletic, strong central midfielders or at the very least - real ballers (Cabaye). Anita is neither. It's not in our clubs DNA to play "possession" football. We might've dominated possession under SBR or Keegan but that wasn't to win the possession like a Martinez or Rodgers side. You have to play fast, dynamic football to keep the SJP crowd off your back. Forward passes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyeDubbleYoo Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Ironically Anita is one of our most dynamic players. Also, I wonder how long a debate can last with everybody making the same arguments? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeyt Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Glad TCD is here to point out that Anita isn't Xavi Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRon Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Rakitic & Busquets are no midgets like. Fair to say if you are diminutive you have to excel in other areas. Anita doesn't excel in any areas. So mentioning Barcelona players is hilarious. Anita is to Xavi what Colback is to Scholes. Every great Newcastle United side had athletic, strong central midfielders or at the very least - real ballers (Cabaye). Anita is neither. It's not in our clubs DNA to play "possession" football. We might've dominated possession under SBR or Keegan but that wasn't to win the possession like a Martinez or Rodgers side. You have to play fast, dynamic football to keep the SJP crowd off your back. Forward passes. I did have my doubts about Anita's physical stature for the premier league, but I think the fact he's very quick across the ground helps cover for that. He makes less rash challenges than either Colback or Cabaye did as a result. He might not be the long term answer, but that's not necessarily because he's not big enough. I mean Ryan Taylor's bigger and taller but he's not much of a footballer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mole_Toonfan Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Ironically Anita is one of our most dynamic players. Also, I wonder how long a debate can last with everybody making the same arguments? TCD does a decent job of it on a daily basis tbf. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ_NUFC Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Big Vern has always had fans on this forum, and certainly some bit of revisionism has gone on about how bad or ineffective he's been for us. The same posters are easily willing to blame the manager(s) and club apathy for other players' poor performances. Our most technically gifted midfielder and would absolutely shine under the right manager with the right vision. Since we have never had that, he's struggled sometimes but more often than not has played well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andymc1 Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 I stuck up for him for long periods but against Leicester in the FA Cup he didn't resemble a footballer at all. That was the day I eventually gave up on him. He'll never make it in the Premier League - I don't see what attribute he has that ever suggested he could make it here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ_NUFC Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 I stuck up for him for long periods but against Leicester in the FA Cup he didn't resemble a footballer at all. That was the day I eventually gave up on him. He'll never make it in the Premier League - I don't see what attribute he has that ever suggested he could make it here. Did you write off the rest of the team then? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andymc1 Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 I stuck up for him for long periods but against Leicester in the FA Cup he didn't resemble a footballer at all. That was the day I eventually gave up on him. He'll never make it in the Premier League - I don't see what attribute he has that ever suggested he could make it here. Did you write off the rest of the team then? Nope. I've gave Riviere a few more chances since that day but he appears to be another that will never make it here. Anita has made 78 appearances for NUFC (according to Wiki) - at a guess I reckon you can count on one hand how many decent performances he's put in. I feel a bit sorry for him - having Alan Pardew in charge basically ruled out the chance of him affecting games. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The College Dropout Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 How is he "technically gifted"? Decent first touch and he can move the ball faster than Colback. I've seen more technical ability on the ball from Jermaine Jenas - and he mostly passed it sideways too. "Technique" is such an empty word. Let's be specific. Beckham had great technique as did Xavi but in different ways. Having quick feet is technical as you have to manipulate the accurately at speed. A number of ways of striking a ball is technique. A number of ways of manipulating a ball in a pass/shot. Range of passing. Accurate passes under pressure. There's so much to it. Can't just go around throwing "technically gifted" at any player with a half decent first touch and can pass it decently 10 yards. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ_NUFC Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 I'm not. I'm simply comparing attributes such as his first touch, balance, quickness of feet and passing, ability to accelerate from a stagnant position, winning the ball cleanly, willingness and ability to take players on and actually beat them from time to time, and his dynamism, in comparison to the other wankers we constantly play in his place. In fact, I'm sticking my neck on the line to say he's far more technically gifted than Ryan Taylor, Jonas, Colback or Gouffran, our midfield stalwarts. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRon Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 How is he "technically gifted"? Decent first touch and he can move the ball faster than Colback. I've seen more technical ability on the ball from Jermaine Jenas - and he mostly passed it sideways too. "Technique" is such an empty word. Let's be specific. Beckham had great technique as did Xavi but in different ways. Having quick feet is technical as you have to manipulate the accurately at speed. A number of ways of striking a ball is technique. A number of ways of manipulating a ball in a pass/shot. Range of passing. Accurate passes under pressure. There's so much to it. Can't just go around throwing "technically gifted" at any player with a half decent first touch and can pass it decently 10 yards. How technically gifted do you have to be as a defensive midfielder? His main role would be to win the ball and move it quickly which he did very well on Sunday. That might also have been helped by us getting forward in numbers for the first time in ages in the second half. It makes pressing the ball a lot easier. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ_NUFC Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 How is he "technically gifted"? Decent first touch and he can move the ball faster than Colback. I've seen more technical ability on the ball from Jermaine Jenas - and he mostly passed it sideways too. "Technique" is such an empty word. Let's be specific. Beckham had great technique as did Xavi but in different ways. Having quick feet is technical as you have to manipulate the accurately at speed. A number of ways of striking a ball is technique. A number of ways of manipulating a ball in a pass/shot. Range of passing. Accurate passes under pressure. There's so much to it. Can't just go around throwing "technically gifted" at any player with a half decent first touch and can pass it decently 10 yards. How technically gifted do you have to be as a defensive midfielder? His main role would be to win the ball and move it quickly which he did very well on Sunday. That might also have been helped by us getting forward in numbers for the first time in ages in the second half. It makes pressing the ball a lot easier. Pressing. Another attribute I forgot to mention, which the likes of Raylor still haven't grasped the concept of. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbo_11 Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 I like Anita, so that may render any opinion on his ability slightly biased. He isn't a star player and he is far from a waste of a shirt. On Sunday he had a great game, up there for man of the match. He broke up play with a number of good tackles, successful interceptions and pressed the West Ham players which turned possession over to us, enabling us to attack. Basically he fulfilled the purpose of his role in midfield. His passing was good (bar the moment with a loose pass on the 4 v 1) I was impressed that he looked to switch the ball from left to right. He offers a bit of versatility to squad, although some of his performances at full back were below par. The game away to Manchester City was a poor performance highlighted by the lazy challenge. As a team we aren't blessed with top quality or quantity, but I'd much rather keep Anita than Ryan Taylor, Sammy Ameobi or Gouffran. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The College Dropout Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 How is he "technically gifted"? Decent first touch and he can move the ball faster than Colback. I've seen more technical ability on the ball from Jermaine Jenas - and he mostly passed it sideways too. "Technique" is such an empty word. Let's be specific. Beckham had great technique as did Xavi but in different ways. Having quick feet is technical as you have to manipulate the accurately at speed. A number of ways of striking a ball is technique. A number of ways of manipulating a ball in a pass/shot. Range of passing. Accurate passes under pressure. There's so much to it. Can't just go around throwing "technically gifted" at any player with a half decent first touch and can pass it decently 10 yards. How technically gifted do you have to be as a defensive midfielder? His main role would be to win the ball and move it quickly which he did very well on Sunday. That might also have been helped by us getting forward in numbers for the first time in ages in the second half. It makes pressing the ball a lot easier. In this thread many talk about his suppsoed great technique - one saying he was the "most technically gifted" midfielder we have. I haven't seen it. He imposed himself excellently on Sunday no doubt. Won the ball for us numerous times. Interceptions, tackles, closing down. But let's not act like this has been synonymous of him. I'm not. I'm simply comparing attributes such as his first touch, balance, quickness of feet and passing, ability to accelerate from a stagnant position, winning the ball cleanly, willingness and ability to take players on and actually beat them from time to time, and his dynamism, in comparison to the other w*****s we constantly play in his place. In fact, I'm sticking my neck on the line to say he's far more technically gifted than Ryan Taylor, Jonas, Colback or Gouffran, our midfield stalwarts. Decent first touch. Doesn't do anything where his balance is tested or quickness of feet to a large degree. Passing? what's great about it? Aye he can run fast but does he often impose himself on games? Beating players? Anita? I'd rather N'Zonzi. He sounds more like the player you've described. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The College Dropout Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 For sure he's better than Raylor & Jonas at CM. But there's not been much between Colback, Tiote, Abeid & Anita. I'd love us to sign a proper CM in the summer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Figures 1-0 Football Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 For sure he's better than Raylor & Jonas at CM. But there's not been much between Colback, Tiote, Abeid & Anita. I'd love us to sign a proper CM in the summer. Agree with that. Tiote needs to leave, then one of the other three should play alongside a decent CM. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Segun Oluwaniyi Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 I just recently watched Sunday's match for the first time, and Anita was fantastic throughout (outside of his ridiculous waste on the 4 v. keeper break). Colback was good too, I thought, and quite progressive with his passing (more so than usual), but Vurnon was MOTM by far. The best performance he has had in three seasons. Admittedly, this came in a desperation match against a listless West Ham, but hopefully it is a good platform to improve what has thus far been a lacklustre career at the club. Abied is the most likely to leave out of NUFC's dedicated midfielders, imo. Seems unhappy here, proven elsewhere, and is probably the easiest to sell. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ_NUFC Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Lacklustre career Amazing how our management is blamed for some players' performance, whereas others are being held solely responsible for similar failings. He's hardly had much of a career here, with dimwit cloggers starting ahead of him. But in any case, at least you seem to have come around after that one performance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Segun Oluwaniyi Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Lacklustre career Amazing how our management is blamed for some players' performance, whereas others are being held solely responsible for similar failings. He's hardly had much of a career here, with dimwit cloggers starting ahead of him. But in any case, at least you seem to have come around after that one performance. He has made about 80 appearances for the club and has been fairly nondescript for any number of reasons. His career here has not gone well, do you disagree with this statement? I haven't "come around", either, the guy was just very impressive on Sunday. An authoritative presence, in fact, but anyone can have one good match especially given the varying incentives for the two teams. As I said, hopefully it is a spring board for him to improve and establish himself at the club. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
magorific Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 How is he "technically gifted"? Decent first touch and he can move the ball faster than Colback. I've seen more technical ability on the ball from Jermaine Jenas - and he mostly passed it sideways too. "Technique" is such an empty word. Let's be specific. Beckham had great technique as did Xavi but in different ways. Having quick feet is technical as you have to manipulate the accurately at speed. A number of ways of striking a ball is technique. A number of ways of manipulating a ball in a pass/shot. Range of passing. Accurate passes under pressure. There's so much to it. Can't just go around throwing "technically gifted" at any player with a half decent first touch and can pass it decently 10 yards. Anyone who saw the truly sensational dribble he produced against Southampton at home last season - sadly not shown on any highlights - knows that Anita has serious ability on the ball. Doesn't disguise his general struggle with the physicality of the Premier League, however. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twinport53 Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Av always thought Anita was at a disadvantage using a size 5 caser like. Should be using a 7-a-side size 3 ball. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest chopey Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 If carver gets the job Anita and abeid will be the first out of the door, probably replaced by Karl Henry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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