Nobody thinks he's the Patrick viera, but we need a squad.. He's reliable, so when we sign better we've got him to back up..
That's what I think too.. Tbh we need back up for Jonjo too.. He's only useful for 70 mins max... Longstaff is turd..
He did ok again last night. He always does ok. But that's all he is, ok. Unfortunately we need someone better with the ball to progress in that role. Fine with him sticking around. I wish it was as back up, but while we await some real quality in there I think he is a good foil for Longstaffs or Shelvey. I'd like to see Longstaff brought in for Shelvey personally or Hendricks moved inside. 6 years is bizarre but contracts are pretty meaningless. They only matter in terms of free transfer so perhaps thats why ours are so long, we at least get a fee.
He needs to be given a chance for me, he earnt that much in his first 14 games. Writing him off is complete madness, and to be honest would be incredibly poor management. It would also make zero commercial sense. In just about every regard, writing him off is stupid. He is far more suited to way we are moving than Shelvey. He has a better engine and can cover a lot of ground. He needs to actually show it on the pitch and there he was poor last year. We got maybe two good games out of him last season, that just isn't good enough for someone of his ability. He hasn't become a **** player overnight, he is still very young in central midfield terms. The other problem is can he develop under the current tutelage?
I think that told a story. He is steady and away, I think he plays above himself ability wise, he puts in a lot of effort. However you can't get away from him just not being anywhere near good enough with the ball to be a PL centre mid. I still think he is a centre half masquerading in midfield personally.
How many chances do non local lads get? If we get someone better he can go imo.. Until then I'll agree with you.. Unfortunately he'll get chances because we've got nobody else to compete with shelvey
I still think his brother has a lot of potential too. Better with the ball than his brother which counts for a lot in the PL.They both need to be given runs of games at various stages, we need to find out. I think Shelvey will become a hindrance as the season rolls on. He just sits all the time. He is tailor made for Rafa's defensive counter. Such a shame we didn't give Merino more of a chance and play a modern game with him. If he was in our central midfield I think he'd suit it now. Hendricks-Merino Fraser-Almiron-ASM Wilson I think that would have some mileage in it. Loads of energy and legs, be a bit of a nightmare. Like back to Bobby's way. Merino had a bit of the Speedo about him, similar Rolls Royce of a midfielder.
Yes matty over Sean ... I'd like to see him a few more times in a stronger side not just with turd around him
It was weird that Rafa waxed lyrical about him, then never played him and regardless of Diame playing well (I accept he had a purple patch), it was very short sighted.
