Allan Saint-Maximin (now playing for Fenerbahce, on loan from Al-Ahli)

[Raconteur]

He should only play on the left, Fraser on the right and Almiron in the middle if all are playing at the same time.

 

 

 

Seems this idea is obvious to everyone but Brewcie.

[Guest Howaythetoon]

All style no substance, not a top level player, too good for us, but not much more.

[Absolute Elsewhere]

Looks like he is carrying a injury

[KaKa]

All style no substance, not a top level player, too good for us, but not much more.

 

Ooh la la!

[KaKa]

Looks like he is carrying a injury

 

This is said every single time he doesn't have the best game

[Absolute Elsewhere]

I know but knowing Bruce it’s probably true.

[GWN]

Being Brewced , sad

[Consortium of one]

ASM affectionately refers to Brewcie as tête de chou

[Strawberry]

He was poor yesterday. He should have subbed off much earlier.

[Tsunami]

Needs to play wide, clearly not suited further inside where it is far too crowded and he risks losing the ball in very dangerous places for counter attacking.

[Rafalove]

Had a bad game. Personally wouldn’t rule him out playing centrally further in his career, but not in that formation under this manager.

[toontownman]

Aye. Despite him playing well regardless, Miggy should have been there. Similar to Joelinton the game before. Oh he has been playing much better in this position, excellent, lets put him somewhere else.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

It’s all about defending though, Miggy plays wide because Bruce wants another auxiliary fullback.

[HaydnNUFC]

(He was replying to a mackem saying we haven't beat them since the 5-1)

 

[Doctor Zaius]

He's our best player but he's not a No10. He's at his best on the left/right of a front 3 behind a lone striker.

 

If we play 532 there's no real position for him as the wingbacks get forward a lot more, yet he's too good to leave out.

[relámpago blanco]

There is room on the left as Murphy isn't good enough yet.  I think Murphy will come good in a year or so.

[Lenny]

I don't personally want ASM playing with that much defensive responsibility, however he is at his best picking the ball up in a relatively deep position, driving a counter attack.

 

He's first name on the team sheet and equally not suited to a 5 at the back formation. Bit of a conundrum since we appear better with a 5 man defence.

[Cronky]

Ultimately, it's about getting the most out of a combination of 11 players, so not everybody is going to get their ideal role. I don't think we should put him on the wing and then fit everyone else around that. That acceleration and change of direction that he's got can be a very useful asset in a number 10 role anyway.

[Yorkie]

That Longstaff chance straight after the first goal; ASM's control of the long ball, second touch, dribble and pass was absolutely to die for. Sensational bit of play. Pace and directness around the box is obviously an asset to any attacking player, and is enough to put fear into defenders - but stuff like that really sets you apart. The defender might not as well have been there.

[Cronky]

The problem I saw last night with ASM in that free role is that he doesn't read the situation in front of him. He runs up blind alleys and doesn't seem to be able to release the ball without trying something himself first. A player in that position needs to show more flexibility and footballing intelligence. I'd like to see Fraser given a try in that role.

[KaKa]

He's a wide man. Every time he gets the ball he wants to run at people. He's best placed to do that out wide.

 

At this stage of his career he doesn't have the discipline or subtlety to play the role being asked of him. He's dropping way too deep, and trying to do way too much in very crowded areas of the pitch.

 

It's extraordinary that at this level we would use a player this way. It's what you see at school boy level when a kid is just better than everyone else and he just gets the ball all the time wherever he wants, to run past everyone and try to score.

 

Cringe worthy stuff.

[Thorpinho]

The tactical use of him makes my eyes bleed. Oppo managers have clearly said right he gets the ball so deep that we can just foul him. Him trying to maradona 86 everyone everytime does not work. Put him high and wide where defenders are less likely to want to give away free kicks.

[Scotty66]

Also CB's are much better at stopping him than full backs.

 

CB's are stronger and taller and he doesn't stand a chance against them at the number 10 position.

 

Full backs are generally pacey players with high stamina who like to push high and leave space behind them. This is exactly what Saint maximin needs. Even if they double up on him out wide it means there is a space somewhere in the middle to exploit (if the players were coached well enough to spot it)

 

It's just piss poor management. I mean, really really bad.

 

Don't even get me started on the long high ball from deep to Wilson "because he can run fast"

[toon25]

The tactical use of him makes my eyes bleed. Oppo managers have clearly said right he gets the ball so deep that we can just foul him. Him trying to maradona 86 everyone everytime does not work. Put him high and wide where defenders are less likely to want to give away free kicks.

 

This.

 

If anyone is more suited to a no.10 role it’s Almiron.

 

 

[alexf]

I'm pretty sure this only came about because ASM scored that wonder goal running through the middle vs Burnley.

 

What Bruce failed to realise is ASM was still playing from the left that game and just went and found the space at the time. Just like he did coming from the right for his assist in the same game.

 

No point overthinking things though. Bruce doesn't do "Tactics" as he stated himself.