If he's got something that keeps cropping up and making him sick then I wish him all the best to find it and fix it and get healthy. On a purely footballing point him being out means we have to have someone else alongside Charles which on present form can't be worse
Interesting listening to Still’s press conference. He clearly wasn’t happy with the way we played last week. Very clear that the game plan is not to play long balls to a little guy.
He said they had worked on the game plan, which was to pressure the Pompey high block with through balls early, then step into the space that created as we pushed on in the half. But we just booted it and failed to actually use any space we made. He also pointed out that Downes didn’t make a single pass to Azaz. That is criminal.
I think he was saying that they’ve never played together - never passed the ball to each other - rather than in that one particular game.
I would be happy with that He is good at this level and being our highest earner, he might as well earn his money.
He ought to be a decent sub at this level, maybe Will can get him back to his best and he can contribute We’ll never be able to sell him at his salary, wonder when his contract ends?
He was okay at this level, even under Martin-ball. Honestly the link between defence and attack at the moment is so non-existent in the middle of the pitch, I'd be happy to give Aribo a go alongside Charles/Downes, because at least he will be more progressive.
And we’ve got zero chance of recovering a significant % of the £20M we paid for him. Think we’re stuck with him.
It wasn't what I was implying, my bad. But at the same time, I think we might be surprised by the end of the season with regards to some of the players we had written off, and also a little underwhelmed by some who were supposed to have come in and improved the team.
No worries. I think the main issue with Aribo is that his wages compared to his impact don't gel and influence opinions and that is not his fault at all. The best paid players on the team ought to be the ones that everyone know will make the difference in most games and he's never going to be that player. Coupled with the failed attempts to move him on it just all feels a bit off. who knows under WS and with the right coaching he could flourish
I hope he doesn't lose the fact he's straightforward and honest about what's not right and is also willing to pick up on specific things / people. The bit where he stopped the session to ask where the space was and then why they didn't pass into it was telling -> "Am I allowed to pass there?"
