Anthony Elanga

[Conjo]

Just now, Kanj said:

hes right footed tho 

 

 

 

He's got some work to do then

[KaKa]

9 hours ago, LFEE said:

Murphy has had the more impressive pre-season. Means little of course. Our two options LW and RW are very diverse. If only you could combine them you’d have two amazing wingers 

 

Murphy has been terrible in possession throughout pre season and has given the ball away constantly. I think his performances have been poor.

 

This despite having had the luxury of being in the lineups that have had Bruno and Trippier down that right side with him.

 

Once the season gets going and Elanga is in the strongest team we'll see the best of him. Think his general play and ball carrying is several levels above Murphy and that alone will improve the team significantly. We've already seen his delivery assist Wood numerous times at Forest, and so that will come along just fine too.

[KingArthur]

9 hours ago, Jimburst said:

Crossing poor, beating a man was exceptional. The lad in the first half was absolute toast. 

 

No one to aim for in the middle so going he just needs to gel with a striker to start putting good balls in. 

This will come with practice. Strikers now what runs to make and when and he knows where to cross without looking. 

[midds]

Wonder if he could play through the middle if we didn't have a CF? We've tried Gordon there a few times in emergencies and it's generally failed miserably. I know he's a winger but I like the idea of him dropping into spaces centrally and a little deeper and running onto through balls behind the back 4 and finishing past the keeper. A proper CF is obviously ideal but I think he'd be a better bet than Gordon has been maybe? Just an idea

[Alberto2005]

19 minutes ago, midds said:

Wonder if he could play through the middle if we didn't have a CF? We've tried Gordon there a few times in emergencies and it's generally failed miserably. I know he's a winger but I like the idea of him dropping into spaces centrally and a little deeper and running onto through balls behind the back 4 and finishing past the keeper. A proper CF is obviously ideal but I think he'd be a better bet than Gordon has been maybe? Just an idea

Possibly, but then you'd have to play Gordon or Barnes RW.

Currently we've got 2/3 in their preferred positions (Elanga & Barnes). If you move Elanga upfront with Gordon/Barnes RW you've only got 1 in their preferred position.

[midds]

13 minutes ago, Alberto2005 said:

Possibly, but then you'd have to play Gordon or Barnes RW.

Currently we've got 2/3 in their preferred positions (Elanga & Barnes). If you move Elanga upfront with Gordon/Barnes RW you've only got 1 in their preferred position.

Or stick with Murphy? I know it's not ideal and would be emergencies only but Gordon doesn't seem to offer anything at all when he's been used there in the past. I think Elanga could possibly work better there if needed

[Benwell Lad]

With what we may have available for Villa Murphy may actually be a better option for CF than the others. He knows where the goal is.

BTW this is not a Murphy for No.9 post, just needs must 

[Dr.Spaceman]

I'm not concerned with Elanga's crossing given that he's going to be most effective on fast breaks anyway. Most of his good work will be cutting in or just pegging it forward from his own half.

[LFEE]

2 hours ago, KaKa said:

 

Murphy has been terrible in possession throughout pre season and has given the ball away constantly. I think his performances have been poor.

 

This despite having had the luxury of being in the lineups that have had Bruno and Trippier down that right side with him.

 

Once the season gets going and Elanga is in the strongest team we'll see the best of him. Think his general play and ball carrying is several levels above Murphy and that alone will improve the team significantly. We've already seen his delivery assist Wood numerous times at Forest, and so that will come along just fine too.

Weird as I thought the opposite and was actually discussing with a friend how he seems to of improved his weakness of being muscled off the ball in tight areas.

[r0cafella]

2 minutes ago, Dr.Spaceman said:

I'm not concerned with Elanga's crossing given that he's going to be most effective on fast breaks anyway. Most of his good work will be cutting in or just pegging it forward from his own half.

No need to be concerned after some friendlies, he will need time to adapt. That being said IF his cross is shit then it's obviously a problem given fast breaks won't always be possible. 

[Drewboy74]

2 hours ago, midds said:

Wonder if he could play through the middle if we didn't have a CF? We've tried Gordon there a few times in emergencies and it's generally failed miserably. I know he's a winger but I like the idea of him dropping into spaces centrally and a little deeper and running onto through balls behind the back 4 and finishing past the keeper. A proper CF is obviously ideal but I think he'd be a better bet than Gordon has been maybe? Just an idea

I've always thought Barnes would be a better option through the middle. Gordon should never play there. 

[TRon]

1 hour ago, Dr.Spaceman said:

I'm not concerned with Elanga's crossing given that he's going to be most effective on fast breaks anyway. Most of his good work will be cutting in or just pegging it forward from his own half.

 

 

Plus it was hard to judge his crossing tbh, without a proper striker to aim for it was like finding a needle in a haystack. 

[M1tche]

Im also not concerned about his crossing, he took set pieces for Forest. So, I expect that his delivery will be decent once fully up to speed. 

[Mattoon]

2 hours ago, Drewboy74 said:

I've always thought Barnes would be a better option through the middle. Gordon should never play there. 

 

It might not translate very well but Barnes is one of the top finishers in our team, it's got to be worth a shout against Villa if we don't have anyone in by then.

[SEMTEX]

But Barnes' trick is cutting in from the left and blasting it. I'd be fine with trying him upfront if needs must, but it should probably be something more dynamic where he and gordon swap around excessively.

[joeyt]

5 hours ago, midds said:

Wonder if he could play through the middle if we didn't have a CF? We've tried Gordon there a few times in emergencies and it's generally failed miserably. I know he's a winger but I like the idea of him dropping into spaces centrally and a little deeper and running onto through balls behind the back 4 and finishing past the keeper. A proper CF is obviously ideal but I think he'd be a better bet than Gordon has been maybe? Just an idea

 

Pretty sure Forest stuck him up front on a few occasions

 

I thought Elanga was pretty rubbish second half yesterday

[Holloway]

I'd say all four would have similar effectiveness in the striker position, ie not very

[LFEE]

3 hours ago, Drewboy74 said:

I've always thought Barnes would be a better option through the middle. Gordon should never play there. 

Yep. Surprised we’ve not tried it. Especially as he’s wasted on the right.

[r0cafella]

Couple of reasons why we haven't. 

 

Barnes isn't amazing technically he's solid don't get me wrong not good enough to play a false 9 type of role. 

 

He's decently quick but not quick Enough to really play on the shoulder and run behind. 

 

He lacks the physique to hold up the ball as well. 

 

Basically finishing ability aside he wouldn't make a good centre forward. 

 

And to add on, he isn't an amazing presser either. 

 

 

Edited August 10, 2025 by r0cafella

[Yorkie]

Unrelated to the discussion but I remembered Barnes' second against ManU the other day. What a mint goal that was, just powered through and slammed it in. Proper "fuck off" of a goal.

[54]

39 minutes ago, Yorkie said:

Unrelated to the discussion but I remembered Barnes' second against ManU the other day. What a mint goal that was, just powered through and slammed it in. Proper "fuck off" of a goal.

Further aside from this, who do people think is the best natural finisher at the club?

 

Without thinking about it I think you naturally say Isak, but I reckon Barnes runs him close. 

[TRon]

1 hour ago, Holloway said:

I'd say all four would have similar effectiveness in the striker position, ie not very

 

Exactly. None of them have either the movement or the physical presence of a striker. Barnes struggles to get by a full back out wide, how would he find space in a crowded penalty area? I just don't see it. 

[Gallowgate Toon]

24 minutes ago, 54 said:

Further aside from this, who do people think is the best natural finisher at the club?

 

Without thinking about it I think you naturally say Isak, but I reckon Barnes runs him close. 

This sounds bitter but I'd genuinely trust Barnes more than anyone else in our squad in a 1v1 situation.

[madras]

2 hours ago, joeyt said:

 

Pretty sure Forest stuck him up front on a few occasions

 

I thought Elanga was pretty rubbish second half yesterday

They did. Sofascore or FBref or one of those things had his best ratings as through the middle last season. Surprisingly as well transfermkt has him playing 39 times through the middle. (55 LW and 63 RW......... hes scored fewest from RW !!)

 

Barnes.....Elanga.....Gordon ?

 

Until we get a CF.

 

 

Edited August 10, 2025 by madras

[TRon]

6 minutes ago, Gallowgate Toon said:

This sounds bitter but I'd genuinely trust Barnes more than anyone else in our squad in a 1v1 situation.

 

 

He can finish in a 1V1 for sure. Just the defenders in front of the keeper might be more of an issue.