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

[Smal]

9 minutes ago, Kid Icarus said:

 

It's not great, but the examples I've given I think demonstrate that the devil's in the details and it isn't necessarily just on him to answer. His xAG is high I think there's as much onus on the rest of the team (particularly Wilson at the moment) to step up.

 

 

 

You’re right that there’s more to it ofc. I don’t think our press or counter-press has been anywhere near as good recently which is a big reason for it imo because we have been so good on transitions this season. Joelinton needs to come back into midfield. 

[James]

ASM was in my opinion player most at fault for the Pope save, a really heavy pass back to Botman under pressure.

 

His football IQ is just too low which is why he won’t be around much longer.

[cubaricho]

I think the way we’re playing (and the way teams are playing that low block against us) isn’t particularly conducive to letting ASM really shine. We’re too pushed up and compact. He needs the space to run with the ball but the positions he’s getting the ball in now are way up towards the oppositions’ 18-yard box so there isn’t a lot of grass ahead of him to take on players and do what he does best. 

 

 

Edited January 21, 2023 by cubaricho

[The College Dropout]

He needs to start.

[Geordie Ahmed]

43 minutes ago, James said:

ASM was in my opinion player most at fault for the Pope save, a really heavy pass back to Botman under pressure.

 

His football IQ is just too low which is why he won’t be around much longer.

I mean, I might need to watch it again but from my recollection of it this is a bit of a nonsensical take

 

Botman had time to decide what to do and he played a dangerous pass, blaming ASM for it is a stretch

[NWMag]

Good again when he came on today, played some really good passes, definitely becoming a team player

[gbandit]

For me, I don’t think he needs to completely buy into the same system as all the other players, yes, he should press but I don’t think he needs to track back like others do as we can play a counter attack style by leaving him up the pitch. The main thing that needs to change is his decision making and linking up with teammates effectively like you say. He played a lovely through ball today which is the type of ball you never see him play and instead of trying to beat two players he made the decision to pass. I’m happy for him still to go for a few mazy dribbles every game, doesn’t matter if they don’t come off as they can be very dangerous and pull defenders out of position but it’s just about him weighing up things more and choosing a good option to go to a teammate when they’re making a run or are free and in a better position than him 

[madras]

It's his press thats a bit of the problem. It's like Miggys used to be, badly timed and angled and is  usually just a sprint towards the ball, not trying to press play into any area. Miggys press is a different beast altogether since Eddie came and the team press has to be with everyone on the same page, pressing at the same time with the idea of pressing to the places you want.

 

 

Edited January 22, 2023 by madras

[Lotus]

Would try ASM and Isak for Willock and Wilson. 
 

Problem with Isak is he drops out of the 9 position to receive the ball. He’s good at it too. A midfield runner when that happens is a must though. You’d normally think Willock would be the one for that. 
Maybe Miggy off his wing? Or JL7 coming from deep? 
Something to pull the team out of shape.

[madras]

2 minutes ago, Lotus said:

Would try ASM and Isak for Willock and Wilson. 
 

Problem with Isak is he drops out of the 9 position to receive the ball. He’s good at it too. A midfield runner when that happens is a must though. You’d normally think Willock would be the one for that. 
Maybe Miggy off his wing? Or JL7 coming from deep? 
Something to pull the team out of shape.

I defo think Saint Max and Isak will start on Tues and that was the plan before Palace regardless of the result but I think the dropping in is only an issue while he gets game time and gets in the rhythm of his team.

[Geordie Ahmed]

4 hours ago, James said:

ASM was in my opinion player most at fault for the Pope save, a really heavy pass back to Botman under pressure.

 

His football IQ is just too low which is why he won’t be around much longer.

Just watched it back and I was right to think this was a nonsensical take

 

His pass was perfectly fine to Botman, wasn't heavy at all and Botman actually controlled it, he then decided to play a risky pass into Joelinton even though he was crowded and that's what caused the chance for the Pope save 

[IzzyIsak]

1 hour ago, Geordie Ahmed said:

Just watched it back and I was right to think this was a nonsensical take

 

His pass was perfectly fine to Botman, wasn't heavy at all and Botman actually controlled it, he then decided to play a risky pass into Joelinton even though he was crowded and that's what caused the chance for the Pope save 

Just watched it back

 

ASM's pass to Botman is fine, Botman makes the mistake as he does a first time no look pass into midfield.

 

You are right apart from saying Botman controlled it, he passes first time.

 

 

Edited January 22, 2023 by IzzyIsak

[Kid Icarus]

Absolutely no chance I'd be dropping Willock. He was one of our better players yesterday and was probably MOTM at Southampton away.

[Lush Vlad]

Willock always seems to get sacrificed when ASM is subbed on. I kind of understand it. As Big Joe needs to stay on as he’s class and is also ASM’s sweeper. Last night, Longstaff was being used constantly to help Trippier with Zaha. So I get it. 
 

But I’d like to see them both stay on together. Two dynamic players who can carry the ball 30-40 yards with ease and have pace to burn. Willock could move over to the RCM role. Longstaff gets joy popping up in that half space between the CB and full back. I’m sure Willock would, too. 

[buzza]

I liked ASM yesterday, he played passes at the right time and whenever he was in our half he didnt take too many risks.

Yesterday was a game where he should have started, Longstaff off and big joe dropping into inside left midfield.

I like Big Jow on the left but think that maxi with his edge can make a difference in this type of game

[Lush Vlad]

I don’t like Joelinton wide left. Willock plays more advanced and often ends up wider than him when Joelonton starts the game there. They always seem to rotate, anyway. 

 

Big Joe in CM with ASM wide left against Southampton would be good. But I think Howe has his tried and tested  XI who he trusts. It’s solid, we don’t concede and tend to dominate. It hasn’t really let him down so far. 

Just feels like we could do with another attacking option like ASM and/or Isak from the start. 

 

[McCormick]

For a two-legged affair, I think it’s safer to just put on the first xi that doesn’t concede much. So long as we keep a clean sheet, it should set us up nicely to see it through for the home tie.

[madras]

1 minute ago, Lush Vlad said:

I don’t like Joelinton wide left. Willock plays more advanced and often ends up wider than him when Joelonton starts the game there. They always seem to rotate, anyway. 

 

Big Joe in CM with ASM wide left against Southampton would be good. But I think Howe has his tried and tested  XI who he trusts. It’s solid, we don’t concede and tend to dominate. It hasn’t really let him down so far. 

Just feels like we could do with another attacking option like ASM and/or Isak from the start. 

 

He doesn't play wide left when paired with Willock. They switch, they are the central/ left/midfield/attacking duo. Great in theory but neither carries much goal threat or creativity against a low block.

[Lush Vlad]

2 minutes ago, madras said:

He doesn't play wide left when paired with Willock. They switch, they are the central/ left/midfield/attacking duo. Great in theory but neither carries much goal threat or creativity against a low block.

 

Eh? Is that not what I have just pretty much said? 

 

Joelinton always seems to start 5-10 in the 3. Then ends up dove tailing with Willock. Who is often wider and/or more advanced than Big Joe.  

 

 

Edited January 22, 2023 by Lush Vlad

[Lotus]

We have to find a way to exploit the space when teams double up on ASM. Whether that means Trippier moves more to a DM position to allow Bruno to push to the 10 or whatever. It’s a prime advantage of having someone who can win one to one’s. If he hasn’t isolated the defender there has to be space elsewhere.

[Lush Vlad]

33 minutes ago, McCormick said:

For a two-legged affair, I think it’s safer to just put on the first xi that doesn’t concede much. So long as we keep a clean sheet, it should set us up nicely to see it through for the home tie.

Yeah, that’s true, TBF. I just think the team could do with a bit of freshening up, we need to start scoring and the only genuine options we have to come into the team are attack minded players. 
 

If they’re all fit, then an unchanged XI is fine with me. Although I’m not sure Wilson will start two games so close together. Especially when he looks short of his best. 

[Abacus]

ASM didn't do much wrong yesterday, but I also think that's part of the problem, because he wasn't in many positions to make mistakes and/or by the same token change the game.

 

He was clearly doing what he's supposed to do, and passing, being part of the team etc.

 

But in doing that he was nowhere near the dynamic game changing dribbler that he has been. For all that having a defined and definite way of playing has improved the majority in the squad, I think it's taken away from a natural risk-taker and maverick like him.

[Lotus]

The ball moves faster than anyone. So if ASM gains a reputation as an astute and incisive passer of the ball he will be magnificent. He’d have the space to do it too as defenders don’t like to dive in when squared up by someone who can dribble. It would give him half a yard extra to get his head up. 

[Coffee_Johnny]

3 minutes ago, Lotus said:

The ball moves faster than anyone. So if ASM gains a reputation as an astute and incisive passer of the ball he will be magnificent. He’d have the space to do it too as defenders don’t like to dive in when squared up by someone who can dribble. It would give him half a yard extra to get his head up. 

He would be almost unplayable. Most good players tend to only be exceptional at dribbling or passing though. Tough ask hoping for a Ben Arfa-Nobby Solano (or Bruno Guimaraes) hybrid. Latter two are, I think, players I have most enjoyed watching pick out, and execute, awesome long and short passes. 

[The College Dropout]

Need to start this man.