Was saying before the match "Why is he on the bench, time to move on?". I Had been patient beyond belief but had given up. And whaddayouknow? So are we still thinking "send him off" or do we want to give him more time?
Only good thing about today's goal is that it might attract a couple more buyers next week. He's on his way.
Depends, if he can play like he did today consistently then he would be a starter. I would be kind of sad to see him go in January as he has so much potential and he will probably end up scoring the winner in a Champions League final against us in future.
It wasn't just the goal today. It was his all round play. Tracked back well and best I have seen him defensively. And as for that goal... We would be insane to sell him unless he really wants to go.
Nah, for me he's one of the players that you either build the side around him and play in Lallana's role... or you get shot of. He's not better than Lallana. When played in other positions from the start, he just does nothing and can be a liability. Today's "hit & hope" goal doesn't change anything. If we pick our strongest team, he's not in it.
He may well be on his way, he may well be in the 'shop window' but if he comes on next match and plays like that? I say give him a little more time and start him against burnley?
Thought he did alright (At the least by his previous standards) against Spurs, and even ignoring his goal today was the brightest player we had after he came on. A glimmer of hope for him perhaps, I imagine he'll probably get a short outing against Chelsea and then a start in the FA Cup. I think he's still got a lot to do to force himself into Poche's plans though.
Start him against Burnley, certainly. Doubt he'll be out the door until at least mid-month, if at all. Part of the issue is that, even when playing well, it seems that he's a better fit in Poch's style as an impact sub than a starter...just doesn't seem to have the stamina to play even 70 minutes at our pace. But with his wages/what we could likely recoup in a transfer, that money is probably better spent on someone able to take up residence in the starting XI.
I think he would have benefitted from the recent break and a solid amount of injury free weeks with the squad without having to dash off to South America. That's two positive cameos off the bench now and I think we should keep him unless we have a replacement lined up
It will be our 5th game in 13 days with our squad already decimated by injuries and fatigue seeming to set in around the squad, so please God no.
May as well forfeit then, because all a slapped together team of strangers will do against Burnley is lose.
I cut Ramirez some slack on the whole "gasses easily" thing. I think he's struggled with injuries a bit, and then those spells on the sidelines keep him from getting truly match fit. Moreover, it seems to be no one can play 90 minutes in that position under MP's system. Lallana regularly gets subbed out. When Rodriguez was deployed more in that role he was always gassed the end of the game. Lambert struggles badly. The way I see it, Saints have a forward combination where the two players in the center can switch off between being the advanced guy and the false nine-ish guy so they share the burden. Then you have JWP/Davis who play more of a support role. They'll sneak into the box every now and again but mostly they are playmakers who spread the ball to players further up. The other attacking midfield/winger position is the tough one. Because it's an attacking role where you are supposed to get into the box and get behind defenders and run into open spaces, but you still have to play the press and get back on defense. When you run into the box or into open space away from defenders, that's just that much farther you have to run back to cover when the ball is lost. So they all run themselves into the ground. I would say that Ramirez has earned himself a longer look, but I always felt like he should have been seeing more time anyway. Nothing has really changed for me. Ramirez is a good player, sometimes brilliant. He's always been capable of play like today (and let's face it, that goal was a bit lucky). But with Lallana playing well it will be tough for him to get into the side. And it seems as though Lallana fits MP's style much better. Ramirez could play a role as a second half impact player like he did today, but we're paying a lot of money for him in that role. And we might be able to make a lot of money if we sell him. I still think we need another attacker but if we get one it should be someone better than anyone we currently have. And that might drop Lallana into the role of impact sub. I am open to the idea of selling Lallana but apparently that is blasphemy. And it must be said that Lallana is playing better and has more invested in the squad and Ramirez seems to be unhappy. I don't think we should just get rid of Ramirez at any price, but if someone will stump up say, 9-10 million for him we'd have to strongly consider selling.
I think the FA Cup match is important...any win will do when you are struggling to get wins in the League.
Sadly for the FA Cup Burnley won't be playing a 1st choice team either and with our recent injury crisis we won't be exactly fielding strangers Burnley are a solid team but they won't have anyone near Ramirez's class on the pitch
Unless Gaston scores a hattrick against Burnley, with one of the goals coming via a header in his own half... I say sell him.
I think we have real chance of doing well in the cup but we have to give youngssters like Reed anf Gallager proper match time not 5 minute cameos. SH is right Butrnley have a small squad so cant take chances. They will have to play reserves.
