He's regressed so badly his last game for us was probably his best game for us. That's not regression and was also at the highest level and highest pressure occasion he will have experienced up to now.
I'm a fan of Dan Neil, yes last season he was a little up and down, but, for me, when the lad is on his game he is a joy to watch. I think the PL will suit him, I see him as one of those that RLB will nurture and develop Neil into a reliable steady member of the squad
I think a lot are just judging him on his last game rather than last season as a whole Last season was the worst he's had with us, that's on both the eye test and from a data point of view Do I worry about Patterson starting the 1st game of the season, no I don't but I would worry about him over a full season - unless he has someone challenging him and he earns the jersey over them
Seen it mate. It’s a good job these journalists don’t do anything like save lives or something that actually requires a bit of concentration.
This is the biggest case of recency bias was he great in the final yes bur was last season as a whole his worst season yes therefore he has regressed just because his last game was great doesn’t make the rest of the season not exist
To be fair, he can only play against the players in his league. It is the way he plays that for me means he is a premier league player. He always has a 360 degree picture in his head. He is brilliant at setting a tempo from deep and knows exactly when to speed the game up. A case in point is his play in the build up to Isidors goal in the semi. Defensively he has become really really good. The positioning is elite level and causes teams to play the pass they dont want to. Last year in particular he started using his body well to draw the fould when under pressure. He will be more than good enough as our deeper lying playmaker in the prem. Him signing a contract probably saves us a £20m replacement, and adds who knows how much value in terms of future academy players.
Can’t take captain off him that would be a shocking move. Most clubs have multiple captains at various levels nowadays. If he doesn’t play stick it on Trai but officially he needs te retain the band.
2 things on that article. Sounds like Dan Neil is signing he deal hopefully. But also reads like the club think we have enough centre mids. Which I don’t think can be true. There definitely was room for Hendo in the squad. I didn’t want him but I do want another
I think he had a bad spell around the Leeds away game of about 5 or 6 games which people have jumped on and said he had a bad season. He had an ok/decent season overall imo with an outstanding end to it. Not saying we shouldn't sign a top notch gk if possible to push Patterson and Safc on, just to clarify.
I don’t think Patto has regressed. I just don’t think he’s developed and the team around him has. He had a period of bad form as well which makes it look like regression. As @FellTop has said, with some quality coaching he could develop significantly. And we now have a quality goalkeeper coach. Still young for a keeper. In an ideal world he stays as number 2 and fights for his place.
100%. It would send all sorts of terrible messages throughout the club. I have no doubt Regis had a big part in him getting the armband from Luke. It is quite common for clubs to want their captain to be a local lad if they can. It reminded me of when Houllier took it off Hyppia and gave it to Gerrard. It sent all sorts of great messages down to the age groups, and Gerrard grew at a rate of knots. I believe the same with Neil will happen. He has had a year of the role, and will be all the better for it. You couls see the respect he had of all the coaches and players last year. Regis will keep him in that role if he does indeed stay on.
We are well stocked though. There’s always a surprise player. As discussed above Dan, good game Dan, could be superb ithe PL you then have to safely assume Diarra and Enzo are gonna be starters. There’s a bit of weight of players behind them. Actually watching the club videos Browne looks very involved and engaged and not out of his depth, which surprised me but I’m happy to see, Sadiki is there. There’s a logical school of thought to playing a few games, even going to January and seeing where we are in that dept. Defence and a left sided wide players behind should be the e main focus. I’m convinced Mayenda and Wilson score goals, and we see how Abdullahi has developed as the club seem to love him, and I trust the club.
only reason I’m sure we need one more midfielder is AFCON. We’ll be down to just ELF, Rigg and Neil. Now if Browne stays he COULD be that extra midfielder but I don’t think anybody is too keen to see him in the premier
I think more a case that Henderson wouldn’t just be backup and take games away from Rigg/Neil. Better bring in someone who is prepared wait for an opportunity which will come in cup games and AFCON.
The weekend is usually quiet from a transfer perspective. Strange that we haven’t made any defensive signings given how light we are there. I was hoping for x2 centre backs anyway. Given the injury news, that might not be 3 defenders with some versatility in there. Even when they are back, AA DC L09 LH are going to have to build up to match fitness. Not against some academy lads being given minutes if that is appropriate, trust RLB to know best. Bainbridge and Johnson perhaps.
The sixth spot is always going to be tricky. It’s possible that the thinking is that Browne can fill that spot or that Jones can. A bit risky but there may have to be some compromises.
Absolutely agree. Dan is only 23, easy to forget as he’s played so many games for us. He has a lot of development still in him. He grew into role as captain very well, his media is immaculate now. He’s a lot more spiky on the park when called for. He’s one of ours. I’d love nothing more than 10 weeks time us to be saying ‘**** me Dan stepped up’. I’d say 75/25 in favour that he does.
Sums up the Patto situation for me. When you can make a save like he did against Moore then a top keeper coach will be able to build out from that. Lets see. Cutler may well already have started to get the measure of what is possible and will be guiding the recruitmen team accordingly.
The fleeting Rongier link made a lot of sense. That kind of profile is what’s needed if we did it. Older than the core but not at end of career.
Depends on definition of light. We have Hume, Huggins, O’Nien, Ballard, Hjelde, Seelt, Alese, Reinildo and Cirkin. 9 players for 4 spots. I think the issue is that Huggins, Alese, Hjelde and Seelt are really highly thought of by the club so they want them to have maximum opportunity to prove themselves. Fully fit I wouldn’t be that surprised to see three of those start regularly.