ExiledGeordie Posted January 1, 2023 Share Posted January 1, 2023 1 minute ago, Rich said: Don’t even think this is the case, sadly. He averages one tackle a game and less than one interception away. That’s about a third of Joelinton’s defensive output and about half of Bruno’s. He’s even trailing Willock comfortably overall, who typically offers a bit more otherwise as well. Yesterday was the first time he’s really been exposed, though. The two misses and then how it impacted his ability to take the third shot when it came show why he’s the first player we need to be upgrading. He’s a grand fifth or sixth choice CM, but shouldn’t be starting every game. We’ll upgrade the midfield this window and next summer id imagine anyway but he’ll still be a useful squad member. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stifler Posted January 1, 2023 Share Posted January 1, 2023 1 hour ago, AJ9 said: I think he’s been great recently, but he had a poor game yesterday. He’s been a huge part of our success and let’s not forget, him and Willock are very much still developing. Yeah I also think his ceiling is the Championship or lower Premier League level at best. We have a squad full of players like him which it will take time to go from pushing them off the bench and out of the club. Just think a year ago he would have been a regular starter. 4-5 months ago we were saying the same about Almirón, a year ago Joelinton. Some players will be able to step up with the right coach, some will have hit their level no matter what. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Posted January 1, 2023 Share Posted January 1, 2023 4 hours ago, Rich said: Don’t even think this is the case, sadly. He averages one tackle a game and less than one interception away. That’s about a third of Joelinton’s defensive output and about half of Bruno’s. He’s even trailing Willock comfortably overall, who typically offers a bit more otherwise as well. Yesterday was the first time he’s really been exposed, though. The two misses and then how it impacted his ability to take the third shot when it came show why he’s the first player we need to be upgrading. He’s a grand fifth or sixth choice CM, but shouldn’t be starting every game. But it's not just about how many tackles you make. It's about being in the right place, putting opposition under pressure that force them in to your team mates. It's clear from the games I've been to that our midfield are channeling opposition in to team mates (manily Bruno) who then win the ball. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponsaelius Posted January 1, 2023 Share Posted January 1, 2023 To suggest his ceiling is the Championship is just nonsense. He's been performing well in a side that is in the CL places. He's easily a solid PL player even at his current level. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbandit Posted January 1, 2023 Share Posted January 1, 2023 He’s never going to be top class but he’s proved he can play a role, he works tirelessly and does a lot of good work tracking back and pressing. However, if he wants to remain in the squad long-term he has two major weaknesses to work on. 1) Getting a pass off earlier or at the very least shielding the ball better so that he doesn’t dawdle and get it nicked off him so much 2) Improving his striking from 15 yards+ I think both of those areas can improve with coaching. His movement is generally good and he’s still young so he can get better but I can’t see a place for him in the squad in two-three years if he doesn’t improve those areas Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponsaelius Posted January 1, 2023 Share Posted January 1, 2023 (edited) The biggest issue is that he's just not really the right kind of player for home games against teams who are looking to defend. Especially when we also play Joelinton on the wing. What works in away games and against big sides isn't right against the weaker sides at home. The biggest missing piece in the squad for me is a creative and versatile midfield player for these kind of games. I personally don't have much interest in signing a 'no6' or any of the physical box-to-box players with terrible goal records we seem to keep being linked to. Certainly don't think it would make an immediate difference to our short term results. Edited January 1, 2023 by ponsaelius Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted January 1, 2023 Share Posted January 1, 2023 1 hour ago, Adam said: But it's not just about how many tackles you make. It's about being in the right place, putting opposition under pressure that force them in to your team mates. It's clear from the games I've been to that our midfield are channeling opposition in to team mates (manily Bruno) who then win the ball. Understand that, aye, but as much ground as he covers he’s consistently a yard or two off it when it comes to the press, which does bear out in the numbers. His positioning, speed of thought, and anticipation are far from strengths of his, for me. He’s making fewer tackles than Miggy does, which can’t be right given the respective roles they play. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cronky Posted January 2, 2023 Share Posted January 2, 2023 21 hours ago, ponsaelius said: The biggest issue is that he's just not really the right kind of player for home games against teams who are looking to defend. Especially when we also play Joelinton on the wing. What works in away games and against big sides isn't right against the weaker sides at home. The biggest missing piece in the squad for me is a creative and versatile midfield player for these kind of games. I personally don't have much interest in signing a 'no6' or any of the physical box-to-box players with terrible goal records we seem to keep being linked to. Certainly don't think it would make an immediate difference to our short term results. You may have a point there. I tend to think that Longstaff gets scapegoated after disappointing results, and for me, it's Willock whose place looks most vulnerable. However, I agree that we need a midfield player who can unlock a deep defence, and the obvious choice for me would be Maddison. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiotes Witch Doctor Posted January 2, 2023 Share Posted January 2, 2023 He's developed into a decent premier League player, but that isn't enough for where our aspirations lie. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coffee_Johnny Posted January 2, 2023 Share Posted January 2, 2023 On 31/12/2022 at 17:56, gbandit said: Always baffles me how players at this level who have trained their entire lives to play football can’t strike a ball with good technique when it’s one of the easiest things you can work on in training He most likely does strike the ball beautifully, more often than not, in training. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonBez comesock Posted January 2, 2023 Share Posted January 2, 2023 Decent premier league player Not good enough for where want to be (champions league) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
80 Posted January 2, 2023 Share Posted January 2, 2023 I think he can be a solid squad member for years to come. Just very much someone who knows the ethos of the club and just rotates in when the main players need a rest, rather than being a lynchpin as he has this season. We're not going to be in a position where we can have 30 galacticos in the squad, many happily warming the bench, for a little while yet... Fact is, we've proven we can win difficult games with him in the team repeatedly this season, and that's with other less than stellar players like Wood alongside him, too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M1tche Posted January 2, 2023 Share Posted January 2, 2023 If we could give him Matty's shooting technique he'd be another level up already. He's played his role brilliantly for me so far this season ad now and again pulls off some lovely creative passes (the one to Isak vs Liverpool being the 1 that springs to mind) He definitely needs to scan more and half decide what he wants to do before he controla the ball so he gets caught on it less. These 2 pretty simple improvments will keep him in the squad for a good few years yet. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiLvOR Posted January 3, 2023 Share Posted January 3, 2023 Not to gun one of our players immediately after a well fought draw, BUT, Longstaff was anonymous today. His position has to be under threat. Would hope we upgrade this window. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted January 3, 2023 Share Posted January 3, 2023 He's always a yard late in the press, it drives me fucking nuts. Still ran himself into the ground and was a solid part of a massive team performance. Can't dislike the lad. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilko Posted January 3, 2023 Share Posted January 3, 2023 Different sort of game than Leeds but a much improved showing. He'd still be out there running come midnight if we needed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAK Posted January 3, 2023 Share Posted January 3, 2023 (edited) 2 minutes ago, Rich said: He's always a yard late in the press, it drives me fucking nuts. Still ran himself into the ground and was a solid part of a massive team performance. Can't dislike the lad. He gives his all but that’s not enough for where we want to be. He’s too slow, can’t pass under pressure, and is indecisive. We need better. Edited January 3, 2023 by SAK Spelling Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The College Dropout Posted January 4, 2023 Share Posted January 4, 2023 I thought he was poor. His pressing was barely effective. Like 0.2 seconds too slow to force the player into a mistake or a subpar pass. Gave away the ball lots. Would love a quality player to come in and take his place honestly. He's short of quality. A goo player to have the bench ideally. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanj Posted January 4, 2023 Share Posted January 4, 2023 Felt his usual effective pressing was really off yesterday. They broke thru multiple times because he wasn’t close enough to Xhaka Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronaldo Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 He’s got away with it by the looks but was terrible tonight. If January’s transfer aim is upgrading the weak link of the regular starters he’ll be back on the bench soon. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
La Parka Posted January 8, 2023 Share Posted January 8, 2023 He's too slow. Works hard and does ugly work but if he wasn't so slow he'd have less ugly work to do. Needs upgrading if we have any intent of top 7 aspirations. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
timeEd32 Posted January 10, 2023 Share Posted January 10, 2023 Needs to be a squad player. Should have given us all 3 points against Leeds and even more so should have us 1-0 up from the start tonight. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skeletor Posted January 10, 2023 Share Posted January 10, 2023 Almost impossible to miss, and yet... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
54 Posted January 10, 2023 Share Posted January 10, 2023 Shooting practice tomorrow please. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronaldo Posted January 10, 2023 Share Posted January 10, 2023 Rather we just replaced him. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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