http://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2013/11/27/5140174/roker-reports-player-of-the-month-ki-sung-yeung. If he's doing that well, will we see him back before the end of the season I wonder ?
The commentators are only saying what we all knew - Ki is a cracking player. He has been criminally misused since arriving here but we do have lots of competition in that area and Laudrup clearly prefers others in that role.
I wouldn't say he was criminally misused KJ, as we all thought he would be better suited as the more AM player, where as we played him as more of a CM/DM player, which is what he is doing well at Sunderland. So is Ki's good work at Sunderland thanks to Laudrup asking him to fulfil that role last season, and this season just experience for him to gain ready for next, a new Leon in the mold maybe, he knew that we have a good midfield, and a player repositioning will not always be first choice, and with the world cup coming up, thought it best for both parties that he got a loan move. And if he is doing well in his deeper lying role, then that suits us if you ask me. A role that we were asking him to do last season. I didn't like the idea of him going on loan, but when you have a midfield of Shelvey, Britton, Canas, JDG then a first team role was always going to be a thing that we couldn't have promised him. I think the loan will be great for him, but, I hope to go d its not as some believe that he is not a Laudrup player, and that Laudrup doesn't want him, and that we don't go selling him, I am more hopeful its purely down to gaining experience in that role.
I can see your logic swans, and I really hope you've hit the nail on the head but sorry I do get the feeling Laudrup is favouring his 'own' players. Simple question: Ki v Canas? Ki is better imo. He picks out better passes and retains possession a lot better but others may well disagree.
Rangel v Tiendalli Ash v Amat Britton v Canas Shelvey (who some believe wasn't a ML signing) Lamah less used than both Dyer and Routs. As you can imagine, i don't buy into the his signings being preferred way of thinking. Else none of those players would be starting. The problem is more to do with 5 players fighting to play the same role. And ML probably thought that the best thing for all parties was to send Ki on loan, as I do think he will go on to replace Leon. But thats my opinion of course
As a player who will chase down players, yes, it was always something that Ki never had in his locker, he wouldn't put his foot in, which is something Canas will do. So is a more seasoned DM than Ki. Which with the Europa league and Premier League, we needed. He hasn't quite settled in yet, but then neither has any of our signings, even our £12m striker. As it does with any new player, they need time to settle, and it hasn't been easy with the swapping and changing due to the extra competitions.
Well Canas does run around a lot I'll give you that. As the article says Ki's "calming simplicity" makes him a different kind of animal to Canas who is much more frenetic. "Ki has been a joy to watch at times, looking to quickly spread the play and keep possession moving into areas with more space with ease". You couldn't say that about Canas - though I accept he has a much better defensive mindset than Ki and will make more tackles. He still gives the ball away too much for me though. My comment about Ki being criminally misused stems from the fact that he's much more of an AM for Korea and was superb in that role for Celtic. But you're right, it looks as if Poyet is using him deeper like we did.
Would like to see a Canas and Ki combination next season. Would be a good balance. Would swap JDG for Ki in a heartbeat.
Same Valley, would prefer Ki over JDG. But as much as I complain about JDG, I trust the manager. Also would love to see Ki back with us next season alongside Canas, and am hoping the loan is nothing more than experience for him, just hope he wants to come back to us next season as much as we want him back
He's doing so well at Sunderland that the fans, and more importantly the Manager want to pay the £6 Million price tag for him in the summer, and Ki wants first team football, so I see Huw cashing in, bit of a shame really, as I like Ki, and have been watching his games at Sunderland!............
Clearly Laudrup has his Favourites, just look at the game time De Guzman gets, playing poor or good!................
With ML likely to leave in the summer the new gaff will probably want to keep him, or at least take a look at him.
Zola Next season, Gianfranco Zola, you heard it here first!........................ please log in to view this image