He's rated a similar level to Stephens, but is the more consistent player. And of course they both have very different strengths and weaknesses. Going on technical ability Jackson, Gower and Stephens might look much better players in the game. "Best" in FM covers all areas, work rate, stamina etc all make up a players ability.
Hopefully The Pig will get a boost rather than being loan fodder for my Dartford side same with Smith
Harriott, Cousins and Pigott all improved as they are in and around the first team. Other youngsters tweaked. Smith was rated by the Colchester researcher, can't remember if he's changed that much.
Is there any feedback on what Diego Poyet is like personality wise. I.e. is he the type to dump on us and disappear as soon as a better offer comes in? There were rumours last season that he was unsettled with us through lack of first team opportunities. I always felt his Dad as a player was the stereotypical South American sly cheat, right up there with Maradona and Diego Simone etc.
Oddly enough Diego is looking more a British type of player than his dad. Very competitive, strong and aggressive in the tackle. One rumour which I heard was that Arsenal were interested but his dad told him to stick with us. Rumours aside I can only give you my opinion which is that he shouldn't have to wait too long for first-team opportunities. V-a-V: Wouldn't any player move on for a better offer? He's on a pro contract so he couldn't do it for nothing. What we've got to do is get Gomez and Edwardes on pro contracts as soon as they're 17.
What modern day player does Diego Poyet resemble in your opinion...is he a Lee Bowyer type midfielder ?
No, not a Lee Bowyer type or a JJ Shelvey type ...... he is more like Stevie G than JJ ever was and if Liverpool had waited a few years they would have got a slot in replacement for the England captain. Diego sits in front of the back four and breaks up opposition play then (when the ball is won) he acts as a quarterback to feed balls to the forwards. He does take freekicks but Muldoon normally takes most of the freekicks however Diego is more than capable, rarely makes runs into the box (not his job) but has a decent long shot from edge of box.
Dunno really. His style has become more physical over the last year. He's not going to score many, maybe more a de Jong type in the making.
Against Chelsea in the FA Youth Cup I thought Poyet was very Dale Stephens like in style, and his strengths and weaknesses. Mainly sat back and looked for a pass, not likely to run with the ball or get into the box. Similar height to Dale as well. Also saw him for England u16s on TV a few years ago. Again he played more of a holding role.
Nigel Pearson has been charged with improper conduct after his outburst. That's what pressure can do to a man. I hope it doesn't mean he's losing the place altogether, otherwise he will soon find himself swelling the ranks of the unemployed. Are you with me?
I thought the ref was poor last Saturday, to be honest. He should have used some common sense and discretion on their red card. Sending a player off for dissent should be a very last resort. There was also a foul in the build up to our second goal.
I saw the Maidstone United friendly and he reminded me a lot of Xabi Alonso. A classy player with a fantastic range of passing who always looked like he had more time on the ball than he actually had. Could also put his foot in as well. I cannot see him making too many late runs into the box or scoring too many goals but from early indications Cousins seems to enjoy doing that anyway. These two could form a formidable partnership.