Seriously? You'd pick Wanyama over Schneiderlin? That's a massive statement. Do you really remember Wanyama as being THAT good? Am I the only person who still recalls that he is actually a bit of a dodgy liability half the time? Remember, we did have a very soft run of fixtures while he was playing compared to since he has been out injured. Don't get me wrong I'm glad we have him in the squad. And I'm sure he will improve over time. But he is not half the player that Schneiderlin is, or Jack Cork. The two of them, along with Davis, have been getting better and better as a unit, and will continue to do so. Insert a player like Wanyama in there now and all the chemistry we currently have in the middle of the park will be shot. And please, I don't want to hear anyone referring to Wanyama's "stats" regarding pass completion or any other bollocks like that. He can generally only pick out relatively simple passes, and when he tries something more complex, it often goes completely wrong. To compare him to Morgan, who last night was hitting 40-50 yard cross field passes time after time for the sheer fun of it, is madness. And in comparison to Cork, well, if they were dogs, Cork would be a whippet, while big Vic would be more like a St.Bernard. Cute, granted, but I know who I'd rather have chasing a ball for me.
Wanyama/Cork is really more picking Cork over Schneiderlin as opposed to Wanyama over Schneiderlin. Wanyama plays a different game than the other two. I'm at the point where it really doesn't matter to me. I have full confidence in all three players (and Davis if you want to include him though I like him played a bit further forward). I could easily see a situation where you'd play any two of the four depending on tactics or who might need a rest. They are all just good players, I don't think chemistry matters much. I think it might have been a problem for Cork at the start as he was hardly playing, and it could be a minor problem still as he hasn't played with Wanyama much but mostly I think he's up-to-speed and can be played with whoever, just like the others. Cork is faster, technically better, and a better passer so if you need to get the ball from your third past midfield then he's your man. If your interest lies in not having to get the ball get that deep into your end in the first place then I prefer Wanyama. Schneiderlin is the best all-around. Davis is the best attacking player.
Weird that we won so many games and were so tight at the back with Wanyama, Black. I hadn't realised he was the footballing equivalent of the Andrex puppy...
He's definitely just a big softie at heart. Seriously though, I think if you equate our early season form simply to the fact that Wanyama was playing, that's a dangerous game. All six home league games he played in were against teams now fighting down the bottom. The games he really seemed to excel in, were the away games against the top teams; Liverpool, Utd and Arsenal. He slows these games down, breaks them up. Perhaps these are the games best suited to him. But when we need to be the attacking side, I think Cork and the tempo he helps to instill is much better.
I think Vic is already a massive player for us and was very eager for him to be back but I'd actually agree with that off of Cork's recent performances. Vic will be vital to really give us that steel and physical dominance in tough away games or against teams like West Ham, but I think in games where we are going to dominate possession and especially in home games against teams like Arsenal with minimal physical presence in midfield, Vic just doesn't have a well-rounded enough game (yet) to make the same impact Cork does.
And to think there was talk of us selling him a couple of months back!!! Back then it gave me a very uncomfortable feeling in my stomach, now it downright makes me want to vomit into the face of a random stranger.
Was sorry that Cork couldn't get much pitch time at the start of the season, but doubt we would have sold him. He would always be needed at some time during the season....footballers know how this works. Wait your moment and the claim your place....make the manager's job difficult.
Cork is a very good player with many attributes, but he lacks one key quality for a DM and that is strength. We lost quite a lot of points last season due to being bullied in the middle (QPR, Newcastle, West Ham) which is why we bought Wanyama. We need all three of them and we were never going to sell Cork. Having had a good chance to look at Victor I think I would probably start him and Morgan 9/10 if all are fit, but I am chuffed to bits we also have a player of Jack's quality who I supsect is very professional, training hard so he is ready when called upon. I think that DM/CM is one of the only positions where we don't need to strengthen for the forseeable.
Boruc 8 - Just for that point blank save in second half. Chambers 8/9 - Looking a real threat down that right side. Clyne has competition. Fonte 8 - Solid, great header for goal. Yoshida 7/8 - Played well, put in some important tackles. Couple of little mistakes that could have been costly. Shaw 8 - Some lovely forward play, decent balls into box. Morgan - 8 Solid, showed Flamini how to play. Cork - 9 Fantastic game, solid, won almost everything. Lovely link up play. Wanyama is going to find it tough to get back into starting 11. MOTM in my opinion. Davis - 7/8 Good play, nice link up between midfield and forwards. Sometimes takes a bit to long to make that pass. Lallana - 9 Something special. The creativity, making the space, creating the movement. Rodriguez - 7/8 Lovely runs and link up with Lallana and Gallagher. Unlucky not to get a goal. Gallagher - 7/8 Could see his determination to mark his spot. Chased down the arsenal defence well. Unlucky not to get a goal. Will become something special. JWP - 7 Did what he needed to go in middle of park. Guly - Not enough game time to rate.
The stats I read for Schneiderlin were unbelievable: Passes completed: 63/68 Ball recoveries: 7 Tackles: 6 Interceptions: 3 Clearances: 1 He was back to his very best last night, I think I read a few people on here and elsewhere saying his form had dipped slightly of late. He does the things you don't notice, the more subtle leg work and there aren't many better in world football. I was really impressed with Chambers too, some big tackles and looked very solid at the back as well as offering some support further up the pitch. We're so lucky to have youngsters in almost every position that can hold their own in the league. All English too and all products of our own academy. It's the envy of most if not all other teams. Great result and performance, a bit thin in attack but we gave ourselves a chance to win the game and on another day with a more experienced striker we would have dismantled Arsenal. I just hope we carry it into the weekend's game.
Chambers is astonishing. Clyne was being tipped for England and now he can't get in the team because of this kid.
On Sky, they mentioned the fact that Chambers was being played before the excellent Clyne. They then added that no wonder youngsters want to play for Saints as they get game time. Also a lot of praise for Luke (who was back to form last night).
You couldn't possibly drop Cork in the form he's in, and I thought Schneiderlin had his best game for some time last night. Wanyama may have to be patient and take his chance when it comes, like Jack did. Competition for places is what makes a squad.
Agree with Mikey. If Wanyama had played last night, I reckon we would have conceded no more than once. Cork is an efficient and quick passer, though. Schneiderlin was back to his best to impress his bidders!
It's really hard to say. Do you go with your strength or their weakness? It's tempting to say that Wanyama is better against physical guys. But I feel like if you match up Wanyama against a big man, that's just going to be a battle all game and possibly neutralizing both players. OTOH, I think one decent thumping tackle from Wanyama against say, Theo Walcott early on and Walcott's not going to run much the rest of the game. And for the big lumbering oafs, maybe it's better to just let them win the ball and Cork with his speed will just take it from them and then be able to start a counter the other way. As opposed to Wanyama having to play deeper against a targetman striker. I mean, yeah he might win that header where Cork would not, but then he's going to have to bring the ball up the pitch and you'd much rather have Cork do that.
We can't talk about Wanyama without posting this little beauty form the Emirates game: http://gifboom.com/x/635726da It makes me laugh every time I see it. Vin
