Anderson Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 Absolute Journeyman. I don't know why he wanted to leave after only one season, he really looked like he can turn into a great midfielder. He couldn't dislodge Diame or Shelvey from the side and Rafa never saw him as a 10, which some have noted is the position he plays in for the Spain U21's. So he had a drama queen moment as he was out of the team, off he went when just a bit of patience at 21 would have seen him play a fuck load for us this season, meh. There is a lot of revisionism about this useless slow shit heap of a player, much rather have Longstaff playing, at least he wants to. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hughesy Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 Such a good player - real shame he left. Our midfield looked immeasurably better with him in it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkie Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 Well it looked significantly better when Megadiame and Shelvey were pulling the strings, but the potential was obviously there with Merino. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Jinx Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 He started well but got injured and wasn’t quite the same for us after for whatever reason. Rafa didn’t seem that keen on giving him game time, yes he had a release clause but he could have said no, which he might have if his situation had of been different here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cronky Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 Good player. We always seemed to play better the minute he came on. I don't know why Rafa didn't rate him. Maybe a workrate / defending issue. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
triggs Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 Diame becoming an absolute beast the second half of that season kind of ruined his chances Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paully Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 Good player. We always seemed to play better the minute he came on. I don't know why Rafa didn't rate him. Maybe a workrate / defending issue. He got an injury and Diame and Shelvey turned undroppable! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest neesy111 Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 He also got homesick as well which is understandable. I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 Midfield three of Hamann, Cabaye and Merino would be droolworthy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HawK Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 Midfield three of Hamann, Cabaye and Merino would be droolworthy. Tbf most established PL teams grabbing players from their whole PL history could make an amazing first XI. Personally I'd have Lee or Batty in for Cabaye, though. Always liked Merino, don't think he did enough for long enough to be one of our best 3 though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 I think Batty & Lee are ahead of all three but that three would be easy on the eye. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjohnson Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 I think Batty & Lee are ahead of all three but that three would be easy on the eye. I wanna play a game. Batty vs Tiote...who wins? You decide, make your choice Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Infinitely Content Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 He also got homesick as well which is understandable. I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often. Yeah, genuinely seemed like the primary reason he left so early. Iirc he came alone as a 20/21 year old on loan for 6 months before we signed him. Not always easy to settle/transition seamlessly I imagine, couple that with a pretty bad injury and it's no surprise he was longing for Spain/home comforts, particularly being from Pamplona with an opportunity to play for Sociedad. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manxst Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 I think Batty & Lee are ahead of all three but that three would be easy on the eye. I wanna play a game. Batty vs Tiote...who wins? You decide, make your choice Tiote in the one in 20 games when he had a stormer. Batty in the other 19 to do the consistent stuff. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Infinitely Content Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 I think Batty & Lee are ahead of all three but that three would be easy on the eye. I wanna play a game. Batty vs Tiote...who wins? You decide, make your choice On their day, the pairing of Cabaye and Tiote could be competitive with just about anyone. They were excellent together. Used to start games expecting to win the midfield battle (unless Yaya Toure was involved). Imagine that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Infinitely Content Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 Rooney was having an incredible season and Tiote bullied him out of the game to the point where Fergie just took him off. Was fucking scenes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Infinitely Content Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 Same, I used to show it and wax lyrical about how supreme this performance was to people who had literally 0 interest... and I wonder why I don't have a big friendship circle Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cronky Posted February 20, 2021 Share Posted February 20, 2021 I'd opt for Batty, but with some reluctance. I don't think he made best use of his all-round talent. I actually saw him play for Leeds when he was about 20, and he displayed a lot of skill and creativity on the ball. At some stage of his career, he seemed to opt for a more conservative, defensive role, and to take on the persona of a hard man. He was a better player than he looked, if you get what I mean. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sima Posted February 20, 2021 Share Posted February 20, 2021 Batty and it’s not even close. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRon Posted February 20, 2021 Share Posted February 20, 2021 Midfield three of Hamann, Cabaye and Merino would be droolworthy. Hamman was the standout signing of Dalglish's time here, although his time here was wasted by Kenny's ultra-defensive line ups. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest neesy111 Posted February 20, 2021 Share Posted February 20, 2021 Midfield three of Hamann, Cabaye and Merino would be droolworthy. Hamman was the standout signing of Dalglish's time here, although his time here was wasted by Kenny's ultra-defensive line ups. He played 2 games under Dalglish. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRon Posted February 20, 2021 Share Posted February 20, 2021 Midfield three of Hamann, Cabaye and Merino would be droolworthy. Hamman was the standout signing of Dalglish's time here, although his time here was wasted by Kenny's ultra-defensive line ups. He played 2 games under Dalglish. Didn't realise he was out for so many games, but he was a good player. He would still have been wasted in a side with was usually filled with central midfielders and no width. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 21, 2021 Share Posted February 21, 2021 Hamann and Speed were a great pairing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
papo Posted March 15, 2022 Share Posted March 15, 2022 https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/newcastle-mikel-merino-returning-goosebumps-23391657 Bring him home. Merino-Bruno-Joelinton TOP 4 easily Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dokko Posted March 15, 2022 Share Posted March 15, 2022 2 minutes ago, papo said: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/newcastle-mikel-merino-returning-goosebumps-23391657 Bring him home. Merino-Bruno-Joelinton TOP 4 easily The one that got away. Stupid release clause. Worse than demba's Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now