To be fair the criticism of Sterling was a bit harsh given he's only just 19 and was having trouble in is personal life Must be tricky for him but good to see he's finally got that spark back now. He's actually getting to players 1v1 and beating them like he used to when he first came into the team. Looks so much more confident and able to run in behind. Just needs to keep working on his finishing and could be a very good player for us.
True but then, isn't BR suppose to be the one managing that? If Raheem wasn't in the right frame of mind or ready then he shouldn't have been playing.
True, maybe it was lack of options? Or maybe BR just made a mistake? Either way, he looks like he's playing the best football he's played since he joined us so long may it continue.
I think it was a lack of options. Assaidi wasn't exactly lighting things up, Borini was injured, Suso was struggling to establish himself in the first team and Ibe was even younger. Good to see Raheem is performing more like the start of last season, I'm happy to see it. But I'm still not convinced he will be anything more than another Aaron Lennon, SWP or Theo Walcott (I know some rate him higher than I do)
Of the 3, Walcott offers most by adding goals to his game. The other 2 are just typical wingers who can run fast get to the byline and cross. If Sterling turns out like Walcott then yes he won't be top class, but he'll be a good option that can offer 10 goals a season as well as plenty of assists. Good to have in games where teams like high lines and stretching teams late on.
I think Walcott is the best comparison myself but, as I said, others rate higher than me. They are both fast runners and are able to beat a man using pure pace, they both know where the goal is too. The big difference is Sterling as a trick in his locker whereas Walcott doesn't. I think they are both better playing on instinct rather than having time to think too. I've never said Sterling won't be a good squad option. I merely don't agree with the hype he was previously getting, this was on a 'potential world class player' footing IMO.
Quick, small wingers rarely turn out to be world class. To my mind I can't think of one in the current game.
Agree about the instinct. You could see today when Sterling went through 1v1 with the keeper after taking 3 or 4 touches he ended up fluffing it by trying to go round where as against Spurs when he was played in he had 1 touch and found the net. He's only 19 though, won't get anywhere near his peak for another 6 or 7 years so if he carries on this kind of form for the next few years I'll be very happy
Who you thinking of? I suspect you mean Ronaldo but he's not a traditional winger and plays a lot of games upfront too. Best winger of modern times is Robben IMO. What annoys me with wingers is their one footedness. If you need to be able to use both feet in any position then its the wings. If you are one footed, it doesn't matter whether you play on the right or wrong side, the defenders knows where you want to go. If you are good with both feet such as Robben (although its obvious he prefer his left) or even Nani (as **** as he is, he uses both feet equally), the defender doesn't know which way they are going or which way to push them to go.
It's not just wingers, how any professional footballer can be so one footed is beyond me! You see guys playing Sunday league that are comfortable with either feet compared to some players. I think of someone like Ashley Cole who I've never seen use his right foot!
I agree but think some positions aren't as important as others. FB is one where I don't think its overly important. What is important is they get in the right positions, they knew their opponent and are able to tackle with their wrong foot if needed. If they get forward they usually provide width and crosses anyway, you don't want them cutting inside so having that option wouldn't make a lot of difference. CB is similar although a benefit if being pressured whilst in possession.
Pedro and Sanchez are also great players. But they play for Barca so their talent is often overlooked.
