So I've been lucky enough to be at every game so far this season and thought I'd share my thoughts on our new 3 players...I'd be very interested to see what other's have made, particularly those who have seen the games in person because I think the TV can give a pretty limited view of an individual player's performance. Lovren - The highest praise I can give him is that he's the most accomplished central defender I've seen since Killer with the potential to far exceed him. I know it's early days and I know about his slightly up-and-down time at Lyon but he has all the natural attributes. He's strong, quick, balanced and composed both in and out of posession and the number of times he's gone to ground and come out with the ball is staggering. We haven't looked this solid at the back since the days of Claus and Killer but what we have now, are more rounded defenders who can also spot (and execute) a pass. However, it's early days so he could, of course, lose confidence but I'm loving having him here. Wanyama - At the expense of incurring wrath on here, I have to say I haven't been overly impressed with Vic. What has impressed me is hit fitness and work rate, particularly his ability and willingess to get back quickly when necessary. When he's played well, his range of passing has looked good, with an ability to switch the play which we sometimes lack and he suits our pressing game very well. My worry is that he sometimes looks a bit sloppy on the ball and ends up giving it away tamely which, in our system, is a real shame. But I think he's shown enough to suggest that he will come good. Osvaldo - Against Norwich I thought he was absolutely dreadful...no threat, no willingness...nothing. But his cameo against Sunderland was encouraging and I was impressed by him at Anfield where he didn't give the defenders a moments rest and looked generally dangerous and up for it. A big improvement from the previous week against West Ham and I really can see him doing great things at this club. His ability to play the flair pass sometimes catches his own team mates out (happened against West Ham and Norwich) but there is something there that we've been missing for a while - a sense of unpredictability - which can take you far when you have a hardworking, well-drilled team playing behing you! Would love to hear the views of others as to how they feel the 3 new lads have performed, where they might improve and how they've chanegd the complexion of our team!
There's a similar thread on this, perhaps this can be merged and you can find other people's views on there. In the meantime-- Lovern-- Against Liverpool, he made some big plays and also scored of course. But he also had a few times where I thought he was sloppy and/or overly aggressive on offense and defense. Still, I would say that overall he still had an excellent game and it's hard to argue with the defensive record so far. On the other hand, there were several games where he wasn't challenged much so can't judge him as good or bad. I would not argue that you are over-rating him, but I need to see more before I can form as strong an opinion as you have. Wanyama-- Some of his passing has been bad and that's definitely something you don't want to see in his position. OTOH, I think people overlook the role Wanyama has played on defense. To the extent our defense is improved, people seem to hand all the credit to Lovren but to me Wanyama has been a big part of that as well. For example, I thought he might have been the best player on the pitch the first game and the reason why Lovren hasn't been challenged as much has been in part because of Wanyama's presence. His passing was excellent in the early games as well. I do have concerns over whether his inconsistency is simply due to him gelling with the squad and adjusting to Premier League play and will get ironed out or if in fact teams have found a weakness and will exploit it as the season goes on. He's definitely going to have to improve on the giveaways, but I also think he will come good. Osvaldo-- I think he's been excellent. So far, I'd say I rate him the highest of the three summer transfers. I worry a bit about his volatile nature and if that might not rear its ugly head at some point. But if he plays the way he has so far, he's going to be a huge player for us and well worth the transfer fee.
I think the summary is pretty accurate to my thoughts also! Nicely put. Its refreshing to see someones views that has been to every game as so far ive only seen the home games and others online. Ive seen pleny so far to suggest that we have strengthened and for once in the areas we all believed were key. It now gives us options and versatility. The only downside to this is seeing some of our favourite players being left out. In particular Cork - who i feel deserves more game time because Morgan hasnt been quite up to his normal scratch in my eyes. But others have moved ahead in the pecking order like JWP and Davis which is also refreshing. At least we have plenty to talk about and discuss. This is a social forum and from time to time things are repeated and missed so dont worry that this has been mentioned elsewhere. It seems almost every thread has the first few comments giving the poster a ticking off so it seems. This is clearly putting many people of starting new threads. Bottom line, if someones seen the title before and its really that much of an issue.... dont open and read it Looking forward to seeing the new players again tomorrow as things seem to be clicking alot more and no dis-respect to Palace, but im excited to see what Osvaldo might do against a more average defence following his recent tweets about not scoring etc. COYRs
Not been too impressed with Wanyama so far ... don't think he's much of an improvement on Jack Cork. Osvlado has shown his quality in flashes, a bit nervous about his disciplince problem but so far so good. Lovren has been superb so far though, a really good partnership with Fonte going. Good Stuff.
Three pretty solid signings imo. Lovren has already proved his worth, formed a great partnership with Fonte, and unlike the other two he's scored a goal! Osvaldo looked a real threat waiting to happen when he came on vs Sunderland, and against West Ham (I've only been to the home games) where I saw signs of a growing understanding with Rickie. It's been hardest for Wanyama, not least because he has replaced Jack Cork, one of our most consistent performers from last season. Victor has given the ball away too easily at times and still seems to be struggling to catch up with the speed of the Premier league. Plenty of signs that he'll come good though, he's certainly an athlete, reads the game well and sees the options, he just dawdles on the ball a little. He reminds me of a slightly sleepy Patrick Viera - hopefully he'll wake up soon.
Still settling in yet we've only lost one game and conceded only 2 goals.... .....hmmmm And we're scoring from set pieces which we have struggled with in the past. Good signings but for me it's Boruc, Fonte, JWP and Lallana that have been consistently exciting this season. Saints remind me of a luxury liner -stretching its sea legs. You just know the best is yet to come.
They're 3 top quality players, who have only played 5 competitive games. It's too early to really judge them, but Lovren in particular looks a fantastic player to have.
So depressing getting into this every time. I use this form regularly, dialy in fact, maybe I've missed it for which I apologise. I also think having a central thread in whcih to discuss all 3 (rather than just slagging off Wanyama on random threads and praising Lovren) is quite useful and provides a platform to discuss all 3 individually and as a "package" for what they've brought to the side. Sorry I ruined the Party: "For example, I thought he might have been the best player on the pitch the first game and the reason why Lovren hasn't been challenged as much has been in part because of Wanyama's presence" Good point, I'd actually completely forgotten about his performance at WBA. He tackled well, passed seemlessly and just slotted beautifully into our team. A real shame he hasn't kicked on from that but, as you point out, he's clearly had an impact on our defensive efficacy.
- No harm at all. Some obviously spend too much time on here and dont miss a single thing like others. And even have that much time to comment on the matter. - It is a good thread with well justified points and a place to bring an old thread to light again now that we have had a couple more games and the team are starting to bond/gel properly. COYRs
Too soon to judge. Lovren is probably the least talented of the three, but has had the best start of the three. Clearly he's had the least adapting to do. Wanyama is getting used to the high pressing of the English game, and not being allowed nearly as much time on the ball as he's used to. He'll get there, because he's quite clearly a top holding midfielder and a hard worker. Osvaldo has barely played and has been asked to play a much different role to just sitting in front of Totti. He's probably got the most learning to do.
