I think that level of quality up top and we’d be talking differently about people like Dack, Jobe, Aouchiche.
Rusyn was one of the best “strikers” in Ukraine last season bettered only by Dovbyk who City’s owners snapped up for a Girona. Rusyn had 20GA in 30 games, which means he played in a part in 1/3rd of all the goals they scored on the way to europa league qualification. Go and have a look at the other 23 clubs in the championship’ most frequently played striker and tell me how proven, ready, previous experience at a decent level whatever you want to call it most of them are.
imo, rusyn has shown he can 'mix it' and can be the forward player we have missed, hemir needs to be introduced in games we are comfortably in front and given some chances with no pressure, mayenda looks like he will be a handful and could use the same chances as hemir...unfortunately, burstow should go back as i see rusyn as the most likely to claim the jersey at present.
Pritchard has a positive effect every time he comes on. Why? Steel yourselves for dirty word coming up: Experience.Young, talented, enthusiastic players have their place in any team. But experience to direct that enthusiasm into a positive product is not given to players just because they have been around for a while. Pritchard has that ability. Which is why, in my opinion, until we can find a like-for-like replacement, we should be careful in how we use him.
Barstow has never impressed me and I think his presence is just holding back our own forwards who should be getting experience.
I agree with this. If he were at his absolute best he would be in double figures in my opinion. The lad had such a presence up front he was impossible not to play into. He had pace to go in the channels, he could come short and hold up, he was class in the air and shielded the ball. When I look at Hemir I think physically he should be a lot of that, but when I watch him he is light years away. I dont think the wingers do any of our forwards much good if I am honest, but I do wonder whether they trust any of them like they would Stewart. He was elite level pre injury and senior, would be demanding Clarke finds him because he was the big fish. Different story with rhese new lads. Rusyn has every chance of stepping up in my opinion this season and he wouldnt surprise me if he gets 10 goals. The others seem a little unready for the level, in my opinion anyway.
Clarke is like a man eating tiger, now he's had the taste of blood it's difficult to tame him ... ... he likes the fact that he's top scorer and clearly doesn't want to go back to assists.
I disagree that Stewart would’ve scored loads of goals already mind and for what it’s worth I think he’s probably the best striker in the league when he’s fit. We played a totally different brand of football when Stewart was fit, mostly under AN, and we were at our best on the counter playing fluid football.
My opinio is Mowbray would be playing to him too. Impossible not to to be honest. Look how coventry have gone this season. Coaches arent daft mate, Stewart would be the main man in this team, and at the very least on pens.
Coventry are still creating a lot of chances for Wright though, he just seems to not be the greatest finisher
Oh I know that mate but can you see Stewart fitting into how we play now or do you think TM would adjust? If he’d adjust then why can’t he for Rusyn? Agree with the penalties, I said before if we had him in from the start and he was on penalties he’d have a minimum of 5 (granted he scored them) goals and after 15+ games you’d expect him to have a few more. We wouldn’t even be having this discussion if that was the case he’d be up there with the top scoring strikers. Obviously all hypothetical like just what I think he looks a good player but you can’t expect miracles just leave him on the pitch even when things aren’t falling his way because chances will come eventually and the lads will learn how to play with him. Taking him off and tactically changing every half an hour can only be confusing
I agree. Couldn’t call Rusyn at this point but I think a more physical handful is a miss and that you’re less likely to get from a 19 year old. I was an ok amateur striker and if I ran and didn’t get it I’d be screaming at people so much they’d look next time. I just don’t think we’re getting that (with a much higher quality of course) from the current bunch. It comes with the confidence ability brings, credibility. It’s 6 and 2 3’s though cos a couple of goals and it follows so supply has to improve. I’m also not convinced around any 10/CAM we have supply wise. Pritch makes play and has quality but is no longer as good with the final ball and his impact is deeper, Aouchiche fart and no ****, at this point, Dack has quality but looks like a barman, Jobe presses well but little product or clever ball at this point. I’d probably go either Dack which feels wrong based on experience / history really or go for Rusyn 10, Mayenda 9.
Rusyn very different to Roscoe I think. He will be a serious threat in time, in my opinion anyway. I hate the word transition but that is where we are. Him and us are having to change our style to get the best out of both. Might take a while yet, but hopefully rhe rewards will be worthwhile.
Totally different obviously because of the gulf in class but if you’re watching Barca against Atleti look at how Barca are set up against a team essentially parking the bus and similar to what we’re up against. You have both full backs in the final third wide of the wingers who cut inside essentially adding 2 more bodies centrally and making a midfield 5 of De Jong, Raphinha and Felix with Gundogan and Pedri all operating behind Lewandowski. All looking for that run in behind, all looking for that through ball into Lewa and he’s had 2 massive chances already. They’ve got 7 outfield players camped around Atelti’s box trying to find an opening whereas it seems we have one player in the box and a few around it trying to play cute passes amongst far too many bodies.
The main reason he didn't sign the new contract, the original offer was on the table but with clauses to do with his fitness, the right decision was made by both parties, Stewart was looking after his future with a better deal for himself as he wasn't sure exactly how he would return from his injury, the club also recieved a good fee for a player who could possibly miss large chunks of each season.
5 if you include Rigg Pritch has always been better off the bench, when there is space in the game. Looks the same for Aouchiche too But also Pritch is much more suited to being a number 10 like we played last season, as opposed to being a number 8 that we play this season. Probably why they bought Dack who is probably more suited to being a number 8. Problem is Jobe has to play as he is the only one who gives us a threat physically in forward areas based upon the the forwards we have. Its really hard to play through the middle when the forwards aren't really trusted to receive the ball. All of our best performances have had a midfield 3 of Ekwah Neil Bellingham
Yes exactly, Ukraine. Even if it turns out he’s good enough for the championship, he will take some time to adjust to English football, and that could be as long as 12 months.
I think they thought Burstow would be the one ready to go - he’s highly rated and has played English men’s football - but he’s disappointed.He was given a decent run of games but hasn’t threatened. I think it’s fair to say though he would be better if we played forward as well as wide.
That pretty much hits the nail on the head for me. Don't panic and no knee jerk reactions tweak the team and the tactics and get back on the horse. We were always going to have a bit of a ropey spell and TBH its consistency which was the worry from the start of the season but this team has the talent and are as likely to go on an impressive a run of victories as they are to go on a run of defeats. I have said it before and will say it again patience is going to be the key to our success.
