Ricky was back last night getting 23 minutes, came on against a team dominating us and looked very tidy as he has when he's come on. I'm desperate for the lad to stay fit and get a run in the team as the lad looks like he oozes class. Ricky has now played 113 minutes for Sunderland, not a lot of time, it's less than a cup tie that's gone to extra time. But despite these bit part appearances in a strange league he's managed a very impressive 96% pass success rate playing a total of 46 passes which works out as just 2 passes going astray. To put this in perspective, Buckley played a full 90 minutes last night playing a total 22 passes and only achieving 68% pass accuracy. Or look to an easier fixture: Connor Wickham's 90 minute performance against Palace in the 3-1 away win he achieved 73% passing accuracy from 22 passes. He already seems upto speed with the league, after feeling a bit rushed in his first appearances, he's looked cool and assured on the ball. Creativity is yet to come but that will come as he develops an understanding with his team mates and they actually start making runs for Ricky to pick up. This is nowt conclusive, but from what I've seen already he's a class above most of our squad. If we can keep him and Giacc fit I'm not worried about relegation in the slightest. Very impressed with what I've seen so far and certainly is better than the two inside forwards that started last nights game. Stats aside he just looks like an incredibility classy player.
Well.... I can;t argue with a single word!! I really like the look of him. He is so assured on the ball - only worry would be if he plays out on the wing as I don;t what his disciupline is like for coming back when we havn't got the ball.
Well I'd like him playing CM like he did for Inter but Gus has used him in the wide slots every time he's used him so I'm guessing that's where he sees him. Personally I think he's too slow to play the inside forward positions.
I'd like to see him in a "free role" between the midfield and attack. He seemed to be drifting everywhere last night (and against Everton) and looked good for it TBH. He's certainly an exciting player to watch
Well at inter he moved between center mid and support striker so I think you've nailed his actual position there fella. I'd like to see him there, but it would really rely on Rodwell or Larsson becoming an extremely efficient box to box player. Either that or change the system to having two DMs which face it, won't happen as Gus is installing his present system on every level.
Apart from being one footed (left) the lad oozes quality, lacks a little bit of pace but his passing will make up for that. I've been saying it for ages, we lack a creative midfielder and Ricky could prove to be that missing link. Plus we still have Giacci to co0me back into the team, who knows? could be the start of a fruitful partnership. Give Ricky a run in the team and give him a chance to show us what he can do, I reckon we won't be disappointed.
If Larsson can commit to putting himself forward a bit more like Rodwell does then I'd put Ricky in the middle with Seb. Giacc inside left and AJ inside right(switching freely). I think Ricky would work great with Rodwell, I think he'd love Rodwell's darting runs beyond him, nobody else makes those sort of runs(PVA and Jones aside) and that's what creative players want, but Seb simply couldn't be dropped at the moment. Ricky will probably switch between the two inside forward positions though.
Its what should happen tho' what good is a system that does not make best use of the players available, Bri I'm pleased you have no worries about relegation, I am getting there, but you never know what is around the corner in this league.
I only base that on keeping Giacc and Alvarez fit. The lack of creativity is frightening, without our creative players I think we'll struggle.
These two and AJ and Fletch need a good run of form and we will be safe with a few weeks to spare, now wont that be nice.
I know I'm in the minority and I know it is extremely early days, but I've seen nothing in him He stands out wide, cuts straight infield, then passes the ball square I agree that he needs to be brought in field to influence the play more, because he doesn't have the pace to cut in from the wing to join the striker
