Stewart wasn’t a great finisher 1v1 at all. Often needed a few bites at the Cherry. Isidor in that department is a level above. Stewart was very good at what he did. And I do think he could play top half personally. His heading and first time finishing was excellent. If he ever gets back to that level.
The criticism can often come from people who have already slagged a player off in the past. It's a human trait, they cannot now admit they are wrong, or acknowledge any improvement or good play. I love Dan to
That’s a very good point, O’Nien has been the biggest example of that … … despite every manager relying on him.
Regis Le Bris delighted with Sunderland's tactical agility https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/s...-bris-delighted-sunderlands-tactical-agility/ By Dominic Shaw WITH each week and each win, Sunderland are looking more and more like genuine Championship promotion contenders. It might still be relatively early in the campaign but the Black Cats have already emphatically answered several questions - including one from their boss Regis Le Bris. As much as Le Bris was encouraged by the very early weeks of the season, the head coach knew that a whole variety of different challenges would present themselves.... At Luton, he told of a first half tactical tweak that he made and felt helped the Black Cats get a grip of the game. In the home win against Middlesbrough earlier this season, Sunderland dropped off and weren't as aggressive in the press, happy to let 'Boro have the ball and challenging them to pick the defensive lock, which they failed to do. Le Bris knows that his side "are not perfect" and there's still an awful long way to go, but he's delighted with how his young squad have taken a number of different tactical messages on board and executed well-prepared plans. "It's not easy to explain because each game has been a very different experience," said Sunderland's boss. "So far the results have been good, and the consistency is the key. It's the way that we can adjust. "We have a game plan every time, and sometimes it works well, but football is unpredictable. You can have a different scenario (within the game) and you need to adjust some small details to keep the level and control the game. "For me, from probably the last five, six, seven games, I feel that we are more agile to adjust these little details according to how the game is evolving to keep our level. This is satisfying for me. "We are not perfect, but I liked for example when Oxford changed their shape at half time and we had two or three minutes to adjust our pressing. We did it. Maybe in the past when there is a change like this we can struggle for longer and you can lose your shape. "It wasn't the case in that game, they had just one situation. I can feel now that we are more versatile according to how the game is going." Le Bris' next challenge is against a manager who was linked with the Sunderland job in the summer. Marti Cifuentes did a sterling job to lead QPR to Championship safety last term, but it's been a struggle so far this season for the Spaniard, whose side are just a point and a place above the bottom of the table. Cifuentes, though, says that Rangers will take great heart from their battling point with Burnley at the weekend ahead of Saturday's visit of Sunderland. He said: "It’s a massive point for us given our situation. "Perhaps it wasn’t the most amazing display, but the lads did really, really well in terms of how much they worked for each other."
I don't really disagree with any of that as I believe it is a balanced opinion, I guess I become more defensive when I see some of the more moronic posts on other social media platforms which are not balanced and only made by keyboard warriors with nothing better to do. Luckily for me I am now getting used to just scrolling past and ignoring them. I do think he is young for the captaincy but also belive he may have been chosen because of his age and how the other younger members of the squad see and respect him. I don't think the responsibility has helped him in the here and now but it will certainly benefit him as his career progresses. However I have seen him taking charge a lot more on the field these last 2 or 3 games which has coincided with his form improving, and it is obvious to see from Browne and Onien that they are supporting him and the team to achieve there goals and it looks for all the world like Mepham is buying into the also. OAU KTF HWTL
In my opinion,Mepham has been one of the main reasons for our success so far this season. He's such an intelligent anchor and I think the improved performances we see from Hume,O9 and Cirkin,including their obvious willingness to get forward, can be substantially attributed to him.
He didn’t run the Oxford game as an 8 he ran it as a 6. in big physical games yes he may struggle more. But he absolutely can play the 6 he showed it against Oxford, against hull and second half against Luton. Helped slow the game down for us. That’s one of the biggest jobs of a 6
I think a lot miss the “dirty stuff” Neil does personally. Think he breaks up play well but some label his one mis-placed pass as him having a **** game (exaggeration from me but you know what I mean). I watched previous holders of the “scapegoat sword” play 4 or 5 excellent passes to get us forward, then 1 poor one which gave the opposition a chance, and all of the post match focused on that 1 pass and ignored anything good! human nature!
Just joking around, forgot to put the smiley after it I understand your point, but in think it can be at least partially explained by what felltop and Regis said. In my original post, I did say it was still daft what he did. Neil is still learning, and has been put in different the positions/tactical setup. And His role as captain is more than just how good a footballer he is, but his influence on the team on and off the pitch.
I don't. I want him to do more directly stuff and track his runners better. He is decent at everything else. Yes he ran the game well against Oxford as a 6. But as I said, there was literally zero threat. Other games where it has been more a test is when the opposition press and test us. He is a great player, I am a massive fan but I am still to be convinced he can cut the mustard as a 6.
I love Dan Neil, he is a great footballer and at this moment invaluable to the team, he is prone to a brain fart every now and again, but which young footballer isn’t. He is playing in a position that highlights individual mistakes, he doesn't make many but when he does, they are more obvious. I prefer to recall the good parts of his game. @Smug in Boots is right, the penalty at Watford and losing his man for Luton’s goal didn't happen because of the position he is being asked to play, but equally they didn't happen because of his lack of ability. They happened because of a lack of concentration, he will learn from both incidents and that knowledge will improve his all round game.
I think with Dan, that Regis' and others are trying to make him into a CDM. It's not where he has grown up playing, and it takes time to adapt fully, especially to some areas. There will be others who could do this more basic, defensive work better. But I think that Regis sees the huge upside of Neil playing there, as he is such a good player with a great passing range and can run with the ball. A CDM who can do that is gold dust, so it's worth waiting for him to master the other elements. They aren't born really. CDM is a position most grown into IMO.
Absolutely he's been immense. Keeps everything tight as drum at the back and lets other players crack on as you say. I thought Ballard was good (he still is of course) but it shows he's still got a lot to learn.
This relying on O9 gets me wondering why is he still a cb? The answer could be many things, one of which could be the lack of cover we have at cb? Could it have been planned to move O9 to cdm and push Neil further forward? Due to the lack of cb, O9 will probably find himself cb, and Neil as cdm, for the considerable future. Whatever their merits as players, we have probably evolved into a very good team that is a joy to watch. Cannot wait for our next game. Hhhaaa'wwwwaaaaayyyyyy the lads
Who knows mate. Evan’s was a good fit and I think Ekwah was supposed to play there eventually. He has the strength and the height, just not the application. Neil’s problem, playing up top is that he just can’t seem to get a shot on target. His attempt at Luton was woeful. Happily we have RLB who seems to know where he wants people to play … … except Brown who seems to be the current Elastoplast filling in wherever needed.
That's his weakness Smug, and the reason he wouldn't get in ahead of Jobe and Rigg higher up the pitch in my opinion, possibly even behind Browne
O9 is a CB n a CB only now, a quality championship at that He might have to cover fullback occasionally but he's a CB now
The harder the chance the better Neil shooting, but easier shots he seems to snatch at them too much imo Def a goal threat with his movement, but lacks composure to threaten 10 goals a season (which I expect Rigg to hit this yr)
You’d be expecting your most experienced midfield player to take the odd free kick but Rigg is more likely … … I can’t imagine him taking a penalty although I seem to recall seeing that. I can’t be bothered to look but perhaps someone knows.
Aye. He's not the only player who leans back a touch when he shoots, but he does it mostly. They could try the old Shankly trick, ( I think it was him). He used to have players shooting at the goal in a part of training and they had to hit a scaffolding board across the line!
