I thought Soldado had a pretty good game save the 'Sandra' moment. Decent movement and a couple of sublime passes that opened up their defense. If Chadli had been on form people would be saying 'what brilliant assists'. We complain that the likes of Defoe offer nothing except scoring, yet Soldado looked the only player capable of making anything happen until Erikson came on. I think people are being unfair on him. At least he got into that position on the far post. If he keeps doing that he will come good.
Townsend continues to do my head in, RWAEB. He's so overrated and it all comes from the England performances a few months back. His selfishness wastes attacking opportunities time and time again. I remember saying before this season, how playing for a club challenging for the top 4 was a huge step up from QPR. He's been distinctly average and as someone else has said, his decision making is woeful.
He had a poor match but he is still a kid. It is a big step up and he has a lot to learn. The coaches need to take him aside and analyse his game and show Him the options. Perhaps his loan moves were not as helpful as previously thought, he could run rings around people at the lower level.
he's not that young though, Deedub. He's 22. You've only got to look at Bentaleb who's 19. Yes he's naive, yes he makes mistakes, but he looks like he is a real prospect. - and the "he's still a kid" excuse can still be used. Townsend just isn't that good. Raheem Sterling has 3 years on him and already looks the better player!
That's not quite fair, it was a poor pitch and did seem to bounce up a bit. I still blame him for missing, he should have still buried it, but some some mitigation should be allowed.
Townsend believes he is the next Bale, when he is clearly far from that. The thing is, he can play a disciplined "for the team" game. Before he went to Tbilisi and played as he did, he put in a similar selfless performance in an U21 game earlier that same week. Against a bunch of kids he could have run riot and try to make it a one man show. But he didn't. So again this is down to management. If he is going to play selfishly without scoring (which Bale at least did) , and show poor decision-making, then he has to be told he won't be playing.
I've been saying Townsend isn't that good ALL season. I have never thought he justified his place in the team even when he had his 1-cross-goal purple patch early in the season.
I don't think he's overrated at all, he just needs the selfishness slapped out of him. Infact he could do with understanding the whole game a lot better as his decision making was **** last night. Very talented though and if someone can teach him about the finer points of the game and to enjoy playing in others as much as he enjoys shooting then he'll be a great player.
Townsend isn't that young and was clearly overrated during the friendlies a few months back, the media love a pacy English player so got all excited. Oxo and Sterling have 2 and 3 years on him respectively and both much better players
They were not friendlies they were WC qualification matches and Townsend was the best player on the pitch in both of them. Not sure how that makes him 'over-rated'. It might just be that international football suits his style of play though.
First start for Townsend after injury lay-off as well wasn't it? Not going to be at his sharpest or fittest if that is the case is he. He was poor but he'll improve, there's a decent enough player in there.
He didn't look at all happy when he was subbed shortly after wasting a promising attacking move with a ridiculous shot from 40-odd yards. I hope he learns, but as others have pointed out he's not a kid any more and he needs to do it fast.
Never heard them,Human,ut its still bad beating women with weapons.....but then,I always wanted to beat up on the Rolling Stones!
sorry, perhaps "overrated" was wrong. "Over hyped" is more suited. I just don't see the talent to be honest. Good at running with the ball, that's about it, for me.
If Townsend can learn to play as an intelligent and disciplined member of the team, he can still be a good player for us. But I'm frustrated because there's no pattern of improvement this year. You'd think it would be as easy as saying, "Watch Lennon. He's a bit of a right-footed you in some ways. He may not be more talented. But he works as hard as he can to help the team as intelligently as he can, which makes him very valuable." So I'm guessing Townsend has been told that, but hasn't thought it advice worth listening to. The other thing Townsend needs to do is do his level best never to send a shot straight at the keeper again.
Townsend needs to stop playing like his life depends upon every touch he has. He's so desperate to cement his place by doing the spectacular that it massively damages his game, reducing him to stupid long shots and attempts to beat everyone.
