T Would juggle the groups around but totally agree about Max. Max is never going to be a 8 out of 10 player every match but he has so much natural talent that it is clear there is a footballer in there and Howe is a coach able to get a better more all round performance from him but to still have a touch of unpredictability about his play. Give both of them a chance and we honestly could develop a world class player or, at least, a good PL player who will have the difference to make a difference in tight games.
There's been some improvement in his defensive work rate but not that much, he cannot defend to save his life. The build to Wolves edge of the box free kick came when ASM was just standing there ball watching, completely oblivious. And that's especially bad considering we essentially have a CB playing LB who has no pace and needs cover.
Anyone else remember from 606 ow much of a pain the Forrest fans were in the 2009/10 season when they thought they would catch Hughton’s Heroes.
How many starts though? 8! In those extra 9 appearances, if he got say an average of 30 mins in those he's got an extra 3 games worth of time so 3 full games, lets be fair and say 4 Goal involvements in "11" Apps. Goal and an assist tomorrow and he'd be on 6 in 12 (or 18 which would still be a good return for a winger who's been injured for 3-4 months of the season). EDIT Just looked up his playing time this season - 819 minutes. That's 9.1 games across the season so far and a goal contribution every 2.2 90's
The thing I've noticed is that max isn't knackered after 20 minutes... he's getting fitter and he's learning to pass. I think he's on his way through a learning curve and on the way up.
Having Isak alongside him who can keep up with his runs and make smart runs off the defenders will help him shine!
ASM isn't good enough for this league. He's basically just the new HBA. He plays like Messi 1 game in 6 and wins you a game, but goes missing for many games and doesn't contribute to the defence. His attacking numbers don't justify his pure lack of defensive capabilities. He's not made for this league, he should follow Ben Arfa and go back to the French league where he'll have more success.
I don't agree I think hes good enough by a margin. He's got all the ability and more but he's not been a team player until recently. There's being not good enough and there's not good enough for a top 4 team . On his day he's good enough for any team and on his worst day he's still better than anything Everton have got.
I am quite surprised a everyone rushing to his defence tbh. He's had a few good games under Howe, but generally he hasn't fitted in at all, because he doesn't do the defence work to fit into a high press system. Under Bruce the team would be dross, and he'd stand out with his runs, cos he was the only skill in a very bad team....now he doesn't fit it, gives the ball away too much, and lacks end product. He does look like a player who would be much more at home in Lige 1, La Liga or the Dutch league.
No, on his worst day he's a waste of space, simple as that. At his worse, he's losing the ball on his runs, losing possession and allowing the opposition chances and breaks. And not helping us when he causes those breaks to happen cos he does run back to defend.
He's shown some improvement, but he's a defensive liability still. I'd still use him this year and I have no doubt he'll pop up with a couple of goals, but he doesn't fit into howe's philosophy of everyone being able to press and defend. He doesn't do enough of it.
We've lost 3 premier league games defending isn't this teams issue. Eddie howes picking him and using him. How many of this squad pop up with a few goals?
Have you watched the teams in the relegation battle? They'd suck plumbs for Saint Maximin . He's a decent player.
I'd say: T T Not so much a T... I'd happily have him here as long as he's happy playing a bit part role as he's not going to be a regular starter moving forward for the exact reasons highlighted in T1 and T2.
