Ba has just scored and had the other two assists on the weekend. This shouldn’t even be up for discussion, atm. He stays in. For the people who take every word literally, I don’t actually believe this shouldn’t be discussed.
Early in the season Roberts got injured Ba stepped in and did ok sure he scored a couple then was promptly bench when Roberts was available again which I thought was a bit harsh so I think Ba starts then Roberts follows on
This is an obvious discussion to have, Comfy . . . . and a particularly good discussion point bearing in mind what both players have to offer. It's certainly better than some of the discussions that we've had recently
Roberts is great to watch on the ball. And always occupying defenders as they worry about him, but Ba is currently playing very well. Makes him first choice and no way should he be dropped. It’s also “his position”. Not number 10, not centre forward. Played all of his best games for us there
Both good players mate and personally think both would be a shoehorn in for teams that are in the running for play offs, we’re in the fortunate positions to have both on our books which must be a problem for teams against us. What would your preference be though, think posters forget the skill that the players we have signed over the last 3 years possess.
Ba has so much upside, if he commits to being a winger i think he has what it takes to play there in the PL. Ba's issue when coming through the ranks has been where is his best position, thats why for french age groups hes played several positions. He has the skill pace n work rate to play at a high level on the wing. He needs to improve his decision making n he can be careless at protecting the ball but 1 area of his game that I love is his willingness to get into the box. Pretty much every game he has played he will have a couple good chances to score n this is an area he is a lot better than roberts at Roberts is a wonderful player to watch when hes on it but his decision making has been poor this yr. He def looks after the ball better than ba n hes arguably the best dribbler in the league but needs an end protect. Roberts also doesnt attack thr back post or get himself into the box enough which is why he hasnt scored much I really like both players and both will play a big part between now n the end of the season - competition should make both better
I'd definitely have Roberts starting, with Ba ready for an entrance after 60-70 minutes . . . . a kind of 'job share' arrangement I do see the merit in Ba 'keeping the shirt' though.
I just can’t see how dropping a player as yes just found his form again, after a big struggle and a lot of stick, can be anything but detrimental to that player. Roberts is a good player. Mo doubt. But Ba is currently doing a great job.
Love your input scout, you have a special talent that most of us don’t and you influx on things I find fascinating. Wished I could read a footballers talent the way people with your hindsight see things
The little cameo we recently saw with Ba and Pembele playing together on the right was very promising. Roberts is still currently the better player, but I wouldn’t automatically drop Ba. Either of them with Amad is a treat….
Yep something to look forward to... Options Decisions, decisions It must be great giving the head coach headaches In a good way
In the event Amad doesn’t return is it worth an experiment of Ba wide with Roberts as a 10? I think it’s worth a look.
On the form Roberts has shown over the last year, I doubt he would get into any top half team in this league, I was surprised we offered him a contract tbh., No way should he be brought strait back back into the starting eleven , prince of the return to sender ball and the sideways pass his only contribution is eating up time. Roberts as a front runner in a two maybe when we are running the game down, his quick control of the ball and winning free kicks being his only real asset, the rest of his game needs to rapidly improve and I,m not holding my breath. .
It was clear, imo, that Clarke has been asked to get passes and crosses into players ahead of him ... ... against Stoke he even took it too far and passed when he shudda shot. If Roberts was doing the same it would improve him as a player imo.
Not for me as Roberts is similar to Ba when in the middle, it just never seems to work. Both are much better playing wide and running against a full back into the box. They both have the ability to cause panic. Being in the middle it’s too congested for them and they seem to get caught in possession or in two minds when it comes to decisions. Should be one or the other as we would end up in a reverse of when Pritchard was playing on the right. He drifted inside way too much causing massive issues with the team balance. Roberts or Ba would likely drift wide leaving a hole in the number 10 area. Just my thoughts like!
