What's the score here? I am a little surprised he hasn't featured more in the 6 games we have had. I don't know a lot about him and it is hard to judge what a player can do on ten minute substitute appearances, although he looks to have a neat touch from the little I have seen of him. Do we think Ron doesn't fancy him? Are we nurturing him before springing him on the world? There seemed to be some positive media coverage when he signed, but to date he hasn't really had a sniff. Any thoughts or ITK insights?
I was thinking this the other day after the Midgetland 1st leg, a lot of people in the media seemed to think we had a got a good deal when we bought him, and I was expecting to see him a bit more than what we have so far. I'm still unaware of what his best position is meant to be, is it a number 10? Second striker? A deep lying playmaker? I agree that from what I've seen he does seem to have a good touch and he showed great composure for Longs goal against Vitesse but I was under the impression he was brought in as a starter rather than filling the squad out and he hasn't been given a single start yet. I wouldn't say tomorrow as it's too important but I'd like to see him start on Sunday so we can actually see what he's all about (considering he's probably considered one of our major signings this year no?)
He showed some good qualities, but also some things not that good. First of all, he's so slight of build and, although he has very good technique and can easily trick his marker, I'm yet to see him to dribble past a player and remain on his feet. Secondly, there doesn't seem to be a place for him in our system of play. He's a striker who can play in a deep role, but he's not a midfielder and thus the likes of Davis and JWP are preferred to him, and in the striker's position Pelle has a season ticket, and if we employ more strikers, Mane, Long and Jay are all ahead of Juanmi
He'll be in the gym every day after training, working on his strength. When he's ready he'll be unleashed, and he'll make Wayne Rooney look a bit 2nd rate. That's what I choose to believe anyway.
That would explain why he seems to be being eased in slowly, sometimes I feel when someone needs fitness though it's better to give them an hour and then withdraw them than 5/6 bouts of 10minutes.
Yeah but he's not coming back from injury is he? just a bit below our standards? Either way I would like to see him start against Norwich, it's a game where we will expect to dominate possession and it gives him a chance to see what he's really about.
I would rather leave it to the club to decide. Plenty of players have joined us, who we decided to put on their own training regime. You only have to look at Wanyama when he first joined and how he is now.
He didn't exactly boss the u21 game the other day. Reed looked far more impressive. He needs to bulk up and also build more of an on-field presence. A player with a Spain cap should be demanding the ball. P.S. If anyone remembers the days before we started having our squad sold every summer, we used to always bring in new players slowly. Perhaps there is a bit of that in this.
[QUOwatched pacedsaint, post: 8298514, member: 1020831"]He didn't exactly boss the u21 game the other day. Reed looked far more impressive. He needs to bulk up and also build more of an on-field presence. A player with a Spain cap should be demanding the ball. P.S. If anyone remembers the days before we started having our squad sold every summer, we used to always bring in new players slowly. Perhaps there is a bit of that in this.[/QUOTE] Yep watched most of the game and a couple of nice passes but didn't look a threat
I feel likely fitness. If mane is out he may get a few starts. Does anyone know when classie is back?
That's interesting. Hope he can come in when at the required fitness level and give us some sparks. I wonder how he feels about his fitness?
Second striker whose expected future role is as a primary striker, in the modern way of smaller guys who pop up all over the pitch rather than simply leading the line. He has good touch, but he's not a player who has been relied upon to unlock defenses with his passing.
Even if mane is out he won't start. Long is ahead of him in the pecking order. Personally I'd rather give the kid a chance ahead of long. May be able to contribute more to the creative side of things.