While Paulinho hasn't done himself too many favours since joining (performance wise), the last thing our manager should be doing is constantly talking to the press talking of how a player needs to work hard(er) in training to be given minutes on the pitch. This isn't the first time Sherwood has done this, Capoue was the recipient earlier on and no doubt Paulinho won't be the last to receive a sly dig in the press from his manager. I really hope we get to see the Paulinho of Corinthians and Brazil either in the last few games of this season or a fresh start for the new season, that guy looks a real gem of a player and one we could come to really rely on if he hits the form & level we believe he can.
I was pieased when we signed him,i think he will,come,good,but he needs to be given a run of games imo
Read this article this morning and with Paulinho I can see he has ability, just I can't see a future for both him and Eriksen in the same starting line up, as they both need to play through the middle further forward where they have less defensive duties and they can make an impact nearer the goal. Paulinho especially doesn't have the passing ability to sit deeper, nor does he has the defensive game, premier league football anyway as at international level he has a different role and that is because the pace of the game is different, just in the premier league he gets exposed when deeper, which is why depending on the formation its either Paulinho or Eriksen as the main creative/goal support behind the striker. Unless one is played out of position on the wing but as we have seen that doesn't bring the best out of Eriksen so it will be interesting to see what happens, especially as we also have Lamela (the forgotten man). When we start discussing our summer signings and the flops, it becomes more evident how poorly planned the signings where in relation to how they would be used within the squad but at the start of the year Paulinho (under AVB) looked to be the most promising and was starting to get in great goal scoring positions. Now there is a chance next season he will have another manager, that's three managers in under a year, not exactly the ideal situation to help foreign players settle.
I think Paul can can adapt his game to that of a box-to-box player, allowing Eriksen the number 10 role. Paul has a great engine and as we've seen glimpses of, is able to get into great positions without the opposition picking him up, unfortunately his shooting has just let him down at times. His defensive side has been exploited as he's had to do a lot more than what he's probably used too and more than what he wants too. If he's partnered with Sandro, I can see him flourishing given time. Not only could they build a great understanding being fellow countrymen but Sandro is a beast of a DM, when he's playing, the other CM can have more of a licence to roam forward which is where Paul has been effective. I'm a big fan of Dembele for the record but I think an in-form Paul - partnered with the beast - can be our best CM pairing and a bloody good one at that, possibly one to rival Luka and Parker but with different abilities and skills. I'm praying we eventually see a midfield of: Sandro, Paulinho Lamela, Eriksen, Chadli At some point in time. On paper that's a ridiculously talented midfield; a beast, an engine, two wonderkids and a creative skilful inside forward all supporting what can hopefully be a striker ready to thrive on the support of it all, whether that's a revitalised Soldado, the good Adebayor or a new lad (Lukaku?).
SOS, the only issue I have with that type of line up is it lacks someone who can dictate play such as Modric, although it's nice to see you found a place for Chadli. Our central midfield needs someone we can play the ball to and release it, start moves etc. Paulinho just doesn't have the passing range but does make good runs from deep.
Eriksen has dropped deep enough in games to be able to receive a pass from a CM or defender though. Don't forget both Lamela and Chadli are very creative too when they wanna be so all it needs is a pass to anyone of the supporting trio in order to hopefully get something going, Paul isn't blessed like Modric when it comes to passing but I'm sure once the team is more used to one another, and has a full pre-season to work on tactics, then he'll be able to spot a pass where one of the more creative lads will be waiting (hopefully!).
Wish Sherwood would shut up for once. I can't wait to see Paulinho playing under an experienced manager like Van Gaal next season. Paulinho's a great talent and in away I'm glad that he hasn't shown his full potential as on the back of a patchy season for us, he'd have plenty of clubs looking to buy him. For that reason I'm hoping he has a **** World Cup
My worry with Paulinho, and this has been the case from pretty much when we signed him, is that he is a very good player but isn't really the type we need. His role in the team appears to be to be the goalscoring midfielder and although he has scored some key goals for us (Cardiff away etc.) some of his other shooting, especially early on in the season, has been woeful. Maybe he would work well right now behind Soldado as he seems to bring other players into the game very well but Eriksen might score just as many from that position and offers more in other areas. And as others have stated Paulinho doesn't yet have the attributes to play as a deep-lying playmaker who also gets forward and scores some key goals, I'm thinking in the Gerrard role there. It could just be first-season blues for him and I really hope we see the best of him in the future. But I worry that he doesn't at this moment offer anything significantly different or better from what we get from our other midfielders. I actually have similar reservations about Dembele, who I see as being very good at his 'thing' - taking the ball past opposition players and retaining possession - but far too limited in his passing ability and ambition, and not as effective defensively as he should be for a man with his strength. At least Dembele has been somewhat of a 'big game player' for us during his time here and I do like him for that, even if he can go missing in the 'lesser' games, if you see what I mean. Has a big left foot shot on him as well but doesn't get to use it enough, for whatever reason. The big theme here IMO is that both Paulinho and Dembele (not playing together I add) could benefit from playing with a deep lying playmaker to feed them and an out and out defensive mid alongside them allowing them more freedom to make forward runs into and around the box, but we lack the former and the third midfield spot is more likely to be taken by Eriksen over those two, and rightly so for me at this moment in time. Which leaves those two in a pickle as they're going to have to realistically adapt.
Paulinho has been average for us this season but the fact Rentapleb is picked in front of him is a joke.
Its going to be a very depressing summer for yourself, Roo & HIAG (just to name a few) if Sherwood is left to manage us next season.
And me. He doesn't know what he's doing and he's clearly got some issue with Baldini. Tactically inept and a poor man manager. Crap with the media, too. Other than that, he's great! Might be an idea to use a 4-1-4-1 if we want to include Paulinho and Eriksen. Lloris; Naughton, Kaboul, Dawson, Rose; Sandro; Lennon, Paulinho, Eriksen, Chadli; Adebayor.
I think that's our best line up(apart from defence). Paulinho and Eriksen both have the legs to get up and down the pitch, although their desire is a bit lacking at times so it'd suit them both to have Sandro behind them that can help to slow attacks down. On the wings, Chadli and Lennon both always put in a good shift as well which we'd need.
If you feed that prospective line-up into the tactically competent to Tim Sherwood translator, you'll get... Lloris; Naughton, Kaboul, Dawson, Rose; Sandro; Lennon, Bentaleb, Dembele, Eriksen; Adebayor
Yeah I like the 4-1-4-1 formation as it gives the defence protection and an option to release the ball, but when Bayern used that formation they would have players like Kroos, thats what we're missing. We should have signed Moutinho last year so hopefully we can finally sign a creative CM unless Holtby returns and proves he is good enough.
and me, its become clear he hasn't got a clue imo. If he's still in charge for next season i won't be following much
I totally agree about Moutinho but Bayern come up against sides that will sit back against them so they have to be particularly skilled and clever. Some of the sides we play might have some caution to them but I don't think it benefits any of the teams we're playing to try and close the game out. It's easier to play without skilled passers in open games where you can sweep forward and counter. 4141 is just a formation and not a tactic so just playing in the shape as Bayern doesn't mean we would have to emulate them.
