Ah, I see. Been on nights this week so anything over the most simple of statements are well above me at the minute!
What I would really like to see on Saturday - more than anything - is when we burst forward on a counter, we don't have everyone screaming forward only for Bertie to suddenly put his foot on the ball, stop, look around, and then pass back to one of the CBs. He really is an enigma. He is infuriating to watch sometimes but oh how we miss him when he isn't there...
I think the defensive side of his game is still pretty good and also reliable. However I think at 31 his legs may be going and he is no longer able to offer much going forward. Compare Bertrand to what KWP does on the other flank and he is very limited.
Yeah I agree. I've been a big fan of Bertrand recently but he is showing signs of a bit of decline. That's why signing a backup left back might spur him on again. Trouble is given our finances, do we extend his contract and have an okay LB for the next two or three years at little cost, or take from our already limited transfer budget to buy two LBs this summer? I would stick with him for now.
Referee: Paul Tierney. Assistants: Ian Hussin, Sian Massey-Ellis. Fourth official: Andy Madley. VAR: David Coote. Assistant VAR: Timothy Wood.
Would people be happy with a draw? Not sure I would. Still leave us in limbo. Think we'll win after a long awaited bit of luck. Ball ricochets in off Che Adams ass or something
Can't see how he possibly would have a future sadly. He's 27 this week! Can't believe that. He would need a serious amount of football to be even up to the level he was at which probably wouldn't be good enough for us long term. If he has some sort of professional career into his 30s now around L1 or 2 would be most realistic for Sam I'd imagine. Horrible to see talented football careers ruined by injury before they really get going
I think that would be the sensible option, if Ralph is convinced that Bertrand is fully committed to the club and wears the shirt with pride, then that settles it for me. Ok so it is frustrating at times but I wondered last night if he was in some way trying to protect less experienced players from possession in certain areas of the pitch, sounds weird but he has got a decent lot of experience. Sheffield game is no different in terms of outcome for us, we need the points, and on paper we ought to get something out of this, but crucially now, is making sure only fully fit players are in the starting line up. Yes, great news if returnees are as mentioned in other posts, but we simply have to eke out results with the least physical damage to the squad and Sheffield are not going to be playing tap football on Saturday! A point , no injuries no red cards would be just about ok for me, it's a start.
Bertrand kept Traore quiet when he played on the right, look what happened when Traore moved inside. Bertrand doubled up on Calvert-Lewin as Salisu was struggling. He also got forward on a number of occasions and at one point was trying to keep the ball in at Everton's right corner flag. I think he turns back often because it is part of our trigger system. If we can't play through quickly recycle and try elsewhere.
I don't even want to contemplate Bertrand leaving for free. Things are tough enough as it is. Without us needing to go out a find two new LBs. It's bad enough that we already need one. If KWP, Minamino and Diallo are all back on Saturday, we win. Even though we'd almost certainly still be having to start with one of Che and Redmond.
Che. Definitely Che. I know he's having a rough time of it but he's still capable of holding it up and getting others involved. Redmond, on the other hand, has been useless and he was abysmal last night.
I’m with Pep on the Redmond issue - so talented but decision making is atrocious. Shoots when he should pass. Passes when he should run at defence. If fit I’d have Djenepo and Minamino as the 10’s till Redders sorts his head out. Good player to come off bench to replace tired legs.
Good point but not sure it’s worth risking Diallo on this one. If he does I’d still go for Djenepo with Armstrong instead of Minamino. Very close call though!
Wouldn't you try Jankewitz and have both Minamino and Armstrong? And someone else at RB, and revert to Bednarek at CB, give Salisu a rest?
Diallo was back in training on Saturday (well that’s when Saints posted a training photo of him anyway), so I’d imagine he’ll be fine for this game. Not seen anything of KWP yet though.