Have you forgotten his goals against Sunderland and West Brom? He is more than capable of good finishing. Just doesn't do it enough.
I'm really excited to have him back. And what's better, Ralph has had a glimpse of what he can do. This bodes very well.
I'd still be surprised if Boufal stayed personally... He is a plausible player we could sell and will give us those funds to strengthen at CB/DM.
Not forgetting that rocket goal that swerved in the last few metres [it may have been deflected but I prefer a massive swerve]. Found it in this compilation. It appears first in greyscale around 2:20. I think the thing I like most about Boufal is that he scares the living **** out of defenders because they don't know what he is going to do. And he has an arrogance about him that only players of supreme skill possess, because he can make opposition players look like plodders. Which was just what MLT used to do all the time. More of that on a regular basis will do just fine.
Romeu & Stephens missed out injured. Thatll please some (like Nick from TUI who ran 3 different articles on Stephens being left out the squad)
I agree with this, and wouldn't be heartbroken if it happened. Yes, he's got skills. But he doesn't look up, so imo may never be a team player.
As it is officially Boufal day here is the standard Youtube video of his time in Spain. *Spoiler* includes lots of him making other players look like mugs
Can’t disagree with this. There was one moment when he received the ball and with one touch he spun round the player behind him and ran through the centre, similar to THE West Brom goal, with Feyenoord players back pedalling. As you say, scared the living **** out of them.
That video just emphasises the immense skill he has, and also highlights the need for his teammates to be on the same wavelength, especially with the way he can find a pass almost out of nowhere. The number of clips with him using his heels to pass the ball, or making a pass when off balance, just shows that his teammates need to be expecting the unexpected and not get caught out, because we all know that there are some who will criticise the pass rather than the lack of anticipation by the player the pass was intended for.
Yeah, this for me is the concern. I don't think it's necessarily his team mates who are the problem, when he's the only one on his wavelength. I don't think he's a player who is particularly aware of what is going on around him (the exact opposite of Dusan Tadic, in that respect).. He's a bit up his own arse, in other words. I'm happy to be proved wrong though.
Sorry Archer, but I must take issue with you on how you casually dismiss Boufal in 4 words. Yes he's got skills? As for never looking up, he looks up often enough. Which is why you can see in the video compilations the passes off, and assists he has. Plus he draws two or three players onto him every time he gets the ball - that frees up others. How many other players do you know that draw oppostion players in like that? Sure, we could sell him and get someone else in. But players with his level of control are few and far between, and they are expensive. If he's happy, he'll play better, and will be more disciplined if Ralph uses his strengths. If Saints can't win a title or cup, I'd still rather we had a true entertainer in the side. One that can make an opposition defender with a great reputation look like a twerp. Even if only once. Football stories are made of such things.
According to a comment on that Youtube vid he had more succesful dribbles than Messi last season #stat I'm assuming what counts as a successful dribble is not beating someone but carrying the ball and finding a team mate afterwards/getting a free kick/corner/throw in/scoring a goal. Which would suggest to me that maybe he isn't all run into dead alleys not having a clue whats going on around him as you suggest. But anyway I have been banging on about Boufal since we signed him as I watched him a handful of times in Ligue 1. I didn't think we'd be able to get him as he was being linked to lots of big teams at the time. He is also my sort of player with all the flair and the enigma type attitude. Hopefully he comes good here, if Hassenhuttl can make Redmond look half decent then imagine what he can do with someone with Boufal's ability
Disagree with your comment about it not being his teammates being the problem. For me it indicates that they are more limited in their thought processes and is a major difference between them being good or very good. I too would be happy for you to be proved wrong.
Her's not Messi, guys. And I still maintain that for him to realise his undoubted potential, it's not his team mates who need to change; it's him.
