I don't usually like singling out players like this but i was really disappointed in Chico's performance today. Woefully at fault for the second goal and got himself sent off for a ridiculous challenge on Saha. The fact he made the most of it is irrelevant really. A reckless two footed challenge earlier could have made him see red beforehand but he got lucky. This is his fourth career straight red and has had 26 yellows so he may have a problem. On the other hand he's brought some much needed steel to the defence and his no-nonsense approach is to be applauded. He just needs better control, maybe. We're not a physical side and sometimes we've been bullied out of games. I can't see that happening with him can you? So Chico - saint or sinner?
Stop & think how the team has been physically abused season after season while trying to play the game " The Right Way " . Keepers ran into , players kicked , pushed , muscled off the ball & generally fearing for the lives at times with some teams . Now I'm not condoning " Reckless & dangerous play " but we need a bit of intimidation ( which is what Chico showed today IMO ) as a deterrent to ease the bully factor coming our way . We got a lot of that intimidation factor with some of our signings this summer , none more than Saint Chico !!
I agree KJ - he worries me. Had a very disappointing performance. I thought he should have done better on Sunderlands second goal and also lucky not to pick up a yellow with that tackle that became close to looking two footed. Last week he did the "argh I've been shot" rolling aound in agony antics which was embarrasing - I'm not convinced by him yet but am willing to give him time to adjust to this league.
I think we need to take the good with the bad with chico, well worth it though imo. The season will tell i guess.
I like him as well, he's mad as ****, nobody will screw us over with him on the field. By the way the fair play thing that I think we won last season, you can forget it for this one with Chico time playing for us
I liked it today when their midfield were kicking lumps out of Leon things got heated and some big bugger had a go at him, in stepped Michu to look after his mate. Sometimes we will have to stand up and be counted and not take any nonsense from the bully boys. What a moaning, underhanded bunch of knobs Sunderland were
i think chico will be as much a blessing as a curse, saying that though you can't help but like him ><
i do like the steel and attitude he brings to the team, however he'll need to control some of his more rash urges for the good of the team - definitely cost us two points imho. Maybe Bartley can step up to the challenge and bring real competition to Williams and Chico during Chico's enforced absence. If so and Chico has to fight to regain his place, yesterdays aberrations may not be too common.
Won every header against Fletcher for the first half. Vorm was far more at fault for goal #2. Should never have been sent off either.
Chico's sending off to one side .... How did he manage to get his foot that high (blows my mind) ... Yellow card, yes, red no. There are challenges every week in the Prem that I just cringe at that are not even reacted to with a yellow. Chico's tackles on the grass yesterday were beautifully timed and clinical. He played the ball every time. He is going to be a great asset. As he learns the opposition, he's going to be terrific for us. He can also play a sharp pass out. I have plenty of time for Chico.
I'm not too sure why they're making a fuss over the tackle on the ground. I know the argument about control but his studs weren't high and he got the ball - if the ref had have given a free kick then everyone would be complaining about the game going soft and how he did actually get the ball. That would have been a travesty if he got sent off for it. The actual sending off was deserved and, likewise, it will be deserved when he gets his fine. It was a stupid challenge, nowhere near the ball. If it had been one of our players were would have been screaming for the red card. He needs a little more sense with some of his choices - fingers crossed that it's just down to adjusting to the new league as he does have a lot of qualities.
I agree about the first tackle he made, he clearly went for the ball and the oppo player got in the way and he went through him. It was a hard tackle but a fair one in my opinion. The second was justified I think, but some refs would have given a yellow for it.
