Having watched Tucudean closely in the last 2 games I think itâs a little premature to write him off at this stage. He certainly hasnât set the world alight so far, but claims that heâs a passenger and isnât trying I find someway short of the mark. I will bring forward a few items of evidence: #1: the penalty against Colchester. Tucudean heavily involved on the right and laid it on a plate for the centre forward which directly led to our penalty. #2: direct balls played to his feet on Saturday. He actually held the ball up far better than Vetokele, especially in the first half. He tried a series of passes, the majority of which didnât come off, but were the kind that once a partnership has developed itâd be far easier to for his partner to read and will come off sometimes, and open up the defence. The backheel to Vetokele was a good example. Similarly when he rounded the keeper and slightly over-did it. When you are the holding centre forward the only way youâll guarantee keeping possession is to pass it backwards, which kills momentum. I would suggest heâs had instruction to try and be a bit more creative with his passing. #3: Closing down. He was the first to pressure the opposition line when they had the ball on a lot of occasions and covered a fair bit of ground. Find it odd that this is a criticism laid against him. This isnât an empassioned plea to say what a great player he is, he seems very weak in the air for a start, and we certainly need a second striker, but Iâd certainly be keen to give him a couple more games before starting to level the sort of criticism heâs been receiving, as from what Iâve seen he can add value for us, especially away from home. Of course, I may live to regret this postâ¦
I haven't personally written him off, though only watched him at Brentford. What I will say is that he didn't seem to have any ''outstanding'' qualities, that say Vetokele has with pace and jumping. He has a decent touch, but his awareness is poor as a few times against Brentford he seemed to start backing in as if a player were behind him when they weren't. It was odd. I didn't think he would be our second striker for the season when he was signed, and the pursuit of Delort shows the management agree. But in the same way I'm not going to go OTT in praise for the new guys yet, it's unfair in the same light to write Tuducen off.
Certainly too early to write Tucadean off, but never too early to criticise a player. I am not sure what type of player G.T actually is ? He is not big or strong enough to be a target man, or lithe or quick enough to be a 'fox in the box'. At the moment he looks like a Romanian Simon Church.
I watched him a lot on Saturday, and whereas Vetekole was hungry for the ball, moving and weaving to get in position, Tucudean was statuesque a lot of the time, or walking around. If his shorts had pockets his hands would have been in them. And when the ball came near him he had no idea how to get away from his marker. I can't think of a single contribution he made in the game. I was actually hoping Church would replace him. That's just one game though.
Surprised by this as there were a few times I saw Igor guilty of just giving up and not tracking back, whereas saw G.T. pushing the full backs. BUT... hoping Simon Church would come on to replace him is a really low blow... I wouldn't hope Simon Church would come on to replace anyone... except perhaps Andy D'Urso. But seriously, Church has a season of incompetence behind him, Tucudean barely a couple of games... give the lad a chance.
The question is will Bob give him a chance on Tuesday? I suspect dropping him for Moussa will be Bob's only change to the starting 11 (unless Henderson is out).
I quite liked Tucudean and felt he was a bit unlucky on Saturday... Closed down the opposition well (especially after the Wigan corners when he was the only one up top) and at the same time when he got the ball he had the physicality to hold off the Defender and start a few counter-attacks by laying off the ball shortly afterwards (I've heard it mentioned before but he's a bit of a Paul Hayes type player... certainly dont expect him to score many). As well when he was eventually substituted I felt that the ball was coming back towards us a bit more often and that until Wigan got tired we werent creating that much
Based on the opening games, Tucadean looks like a Network journeyman a la creme de la creme Petrucci/ Koc / Reza etc Time will tell, but there certainly appears to be no X Factor about the boy. More like Max Factor. I also have my doubts about little Igor. He reminded me pre season of Bradley Wright Phillips with a mohican. Wigan's Ivan Ramis had him on toast on Saturday.
Didn't like him, he seemed unfit and first touch of a sex offender at time, but as long as the alternative is Simon Church he will be in the first team. First impressions are everything, and he didn't impress me one bit.
Igor was quality against Brentford, and though not there for Wigan, that run at the end another positive. That was a top, top save by Carson as his arm was at full stretch.
Agreed. I give Carson credit rather than blame Igor. Mind you, the Sordell of the last few weeks would have tucked it away, although the Sordell of the rest of the season would not have made the run.
Fair point FHB!! Will be keeping an eye out for him tonight in the Irish pub to see if he puts a shift in.
I ate my words tonight, and hopefully will continue doing so. Was class tonight, lets just hope it's not like when Pavel Abbott was brilliant in a 2nd half once But top effort today Tucudean, more of the same
