gbandit Posted April 3, 2023 Share Posted April 3, 2023 He’s massively improved this season, he’s not holding into the ball for too long. His chasing, pressing and defensive work is outstanding. His reading of the game and movement is excellent. If he could improve his striking he’d be a fairly complete player (accounting for the fact he’ll never be a technically gifted dribbler) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEFAFWISP Posted April 5, 2023 Share Posted April 5, 2023 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbandit Posted April 5, 2023 Share Posted April 5, 2023 He was class Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ9 Posted April 5, 2023 Share Posted April 5, 2023 That ping for the murphy chance was unreal. He's playing exceptionally well atm. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mazzy Posted April 5, 2023 Share Posted April 5, 2023 Really good again. Difficult to remember the last proper mistake he made, he's using the ball alot better these last few weeks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DubblyDubblyDubbly Posted April 6, 2023 Share Posted April 6, 2023 (edited) He has the lowest rating on BBC, I have no idea what people have against him but he's clearly not rated by many. I think he's immense and vital to the team. Edited April 6, 2023 by DubblyDubblyDubbly Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rafalove Posted April 6, 2023 Share Posted April 6, 2023 (edited) I think a lot of the stuff he does goes unnoticed. He does a fair amount of decoy runs especially when playing further forward. Not everyone will notice that Edited April 7, 2023 by Rafalove Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NEEJ Posted April 6, 2023 Share Posted April 6, 2023 He was absolutely everywhere and looks so confident at the moment. Long may it continue. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
80 Posted April 6, 2023 Share Posted April 6, 2023 He does deserve more credit sometimes, it's true. Very dependable. Ultimately a weak spot in the team, but we wouldn't be where we are with a less fit, committed and tactically dutiful player. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
McCormick Posted April 6, 2023 Share Posted April 6, 2023 He was so shit before it made me dislike him as a person. With him playing so well I can actually see what a little sweetheart he is. Such a canny lad and really does give everything for the cause. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colos Short and Curlies Posted April 6, 2023 Share Posted April 6, 2023 He’s pretty much been the constant in the midfield. it would take a couple of games of him not playing for the appreciation due to come forward. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paullow Posted April 7, 2023 Share Posted April 7, 2023 He does seem like one of the most obvious players in the XI that could be upgraded, and you often hear people talking about Rice, Neves, that lad from Ajax etc. who would almost certainly take his starting position should they sign, but just hypothetically, say we brought him in the summer for circa £40m from either home or abroad, and he put in the exactly the same performances as he has all season would there be as much clamour for him to be upgraded? Does the fact he came through the academy and lost his way a bit under Bruce, and maybe that he is 26 later this year (so not particularly young / exciting) and has only really had a combined 2 years max of being decent affect judgment? I'm not saying that's the case, but just wondering what people thought. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyc35i Posted April 7, 2023 Share Posted April 7, 2023 1 minute ago, Paullow said: He does seem like one of the most obvious players in the XI that could be upgraded, and you often hear people talking about Rice, Neves, that lad from Ajax etc. who would almost certainly take his starting position should they sign, but just hypothetically, say we brought him in the summer for circa £40m from either home or abroad, and he put in the exactly the same performances as he has all season would there be as much clamour for him to be upgraded? Does the fact he came through the academy and lost his way a bit under Bruce, and maybe that he is 26 later this year (so not particularly young / exciting) and has only really had a combined 2 years max of being decent affect judgment? I'm not saying that's the case, but just wondering what people thought. I appreciate what Sean gives to the team, but I think he needs to be replaced with a similar type of player (high energy and box-to-box) that offers more technical ability. Maybe that’s the side Bruno moves to (on paper) and then we actually target a more defensively minded player (like an Urgarte) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
toon25 Posted April 7, 2023 Share Posted April 7, 2023 Another miracle turnaround. Think of where he was under the previous fat cunt, man. Now look at him. He's absolutely integral to us at the moment. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrRaspberryJam Posted April 7, 2023 Share Posted April 7, 2023 Just now, toon25 said: Another miracle turnaround. Think of where he was under the previous fat cunt, man. Now look at him. He's absolutely integral to us at the moment. I thought he was decent under Benitez? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lazarus Posted April 7, 2023 Share Posted April 7, 2023 Hes the Deschamps to Bruno's Zidane. Or something.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRon Posted April 7, 2023 Share Posted April 7, 2023 29 minutes ago, Paullow said: He does seem like one of the most obvious players in the XI that could be upgraded, and you often hear people talking about Rice, Neves, that lad from Ajax etc. who would almost certainly take his starting position should they sign, but just hypothetically, say we brought him in the summer for circa £40m from either home or abroad, and he put in the exactly the same performances as he has all season would there be as much clamour for him to be upgraded? Does the fact he came through the academy and lost his way a bit under Bruce, and maybe that he is 26 later this year (so not particularly young / exciting) and has only really had a combined 2 years max of being decent affect judgment? I'm not saying that's the case, but just wondering what people thought. I think you answered your own question in that post. Who do you think looked better yesterday, Longstaff or Rice? Sean's doing a great job this season but when you see genuine quality in that position, then you know the upgrade is going to have to come at some point. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Displayname Posted April 7, 2023 Share Posted April 7, 2023 Even if we bring in someone to compete in his position he is going to get a lot games next year. Europe is pretty much a certainty at this point. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Dancer Posted April 7, 2023 Share Posted April 7, 2023 Our midfield really remind me of Liverpool’s at certain stages of the last 5 years or so. Not much in the way of goals but absolutely vital to the way we play. He’s a bit like Henderson was back then - never ending engine and good protection for the right side of the defence when Trippier attacks. He must be one of the fittest players at the club (not in the way Schar is fit…) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skeletor Posted April 7, 2023 Share Posted April 7, 2023 I'd keep him in the squad for years to come personally. Ticks both home grown boxes, likeable lad, finally developing to a level close to his potential from years ago and generally a good egg. If Howe can sort out his finishing he'd actually be a top quality midfielder as well. Just wish Porkchops had never got his greasy fat hands on him during the crucial years of his development. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanji Posted April 7, 2023 Share Posted April 7, 2023 I imagine it's actually going to be quite difficult and expensive to sign someone who has the same engine and versatility + better finishing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace Posted April 7, 2023 Share Posted April 7, 2023 6 hours ago, TRon said: I think you answered your own question in that post. Who do you think looked better yesterday, Longstaff or Rice? Sean's doing a great job this season but when you see genuine quality in that position, then you know the upgrade is going to have to come at some point. Rice, it would have been 10 without him Longstaff played well as well. Does a great job had technical limitations probably can be improved upon but no new player is just walking into our team with the way Longstaff is playing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smal Posted April 7, 2023 Share Posted April 7, 2023 Rice is absolutely made for the 6/8 hybrid role threat Longstaff plays and rotates with Bruno, mind. Would be dream stuff. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weezertron Posted April 7, 2023 Share Posted April 7, 2023 Market value is surely back to where it was when Man Utd were rumoured to be interested. 40M? Not that I'm looking to sell. I wouldn't like to be the new midfielder we buy in the summer, he'd have as much luck displacing Willock/Joe. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyn davies Posted April 7, 2023 Share Posted April 7, 2023 32 minutes ago, Weezertron said: Market value is surely back to where it was when Man Utd were rumoured to be interested. 40M? Not that I'm looking to sell. I wouldn't like to be the new midfielder we buy in the summer, he'd have as much luck displacing Willock/Joe. I'd sell him, history repeats and I can see him going back to as he was if something such as not featuring as often as he is whether as regular or sub, can affect a player mentally . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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