Jay Rodriguez is looking a much more confident player this season, and that's showing in his finishing. How much has he improved?
A lot but, even last season you could see that there was some real talent shining through. 7 in 10 for him now, good ol' one goal!
Great to see old one-goal scoring so often, we just need to keep making sure he doesn't have time to think about what he's doing.
When he arrived, I thought he had missed the boat...he had been a target for so long that he arrived as we had moved on. However, you could see there was something about him...getting into the right position and having that extra touch of speed we lacked...all he needed then was his scoring boots. Well they've been delivered!
When he first came, I thought his first touch seemed quite heavy, and he often ran into trouble because of it. It's clearly something he's been working on as the ball sticks to him like glue this season. He's also worked on his finishing, if he keeps improving at this rate we have some player on our hands
I think he has improved in all aspects and Pochettino has used him really well. I watched the game with a non saints supporting mate and he noticed how we constantly looked to get down the right hand side of the pitch to allow Rodriguez to get into the box.
[video=youtube;YpOtBX8pViM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpOtBX8pViM[/video] He has always been a good finisher (look at the video), that's why we paid £7m for him. I think that he struggled to settle when he first arrived, playing in the Premier League and moving from his home town. I think that Poch has given him responsibility and confidence by making him an important part of his pressing from the front strategy. I also think that his experience with England has given him a bit of extra motivation and he has something to proove now.
It's all about having the team on song together...know exactly where your team mate will be and put the ball to head or feet. Combine that with a long pass and the opposition have to make choices about who they are going to mark...move towards Lallana/Davis etc and they leave space behind or watch the target player. Confusion produces opportunities.
For me he is this seasons most improved player,and he best bit is that he is going to get even better. A shoe in for being in the starting 11.
Like someone said on here before, he's so unassuming it's hilarious! But he really has come in leaps and bounds under poch and I'm really pleased for him.
Maybe you were joking but I think you are spot on. Instinctively he's OK, when he has time to think about it, not so good. I still have one major concern about him and that is his ability to play with his head up (i.e. his awareness of other people when he is on the ball). Although its great that he is scoring, I would like to see some assists from him.
Like his assist yesterday? Or his assist against Fulham? I kind if get the point, but think Jay's direct runs often cause enough problems.
Everyone wants a pacey winger in January who can score goals and takes on players... so basically another Rodriguez! If he's played out wide, he should try and work on his crossing a bit now that Lambert's got his confidence back, but other than that I can't fault him.
