No, but he kept us from being out of the game in the first half. There's nothing to suggest that De Jong had a important effect on our victories. It was more to do with our approach to the games, IMO.
I think that's where we will have to disagree. I think De Jong played an important role linking play together without doing anything stand out'ish. Noticeable in early part of Everton game how far apart our attack was in comparison to our defence. Perez whilst a very good and promising player hasn't quite got that to his game as he is a more attacking type of player.
I think we need him in there. His experience is crucial to our ability to manage a game which is something we are basically absolutely shocking at and he brings a bit more balance to the team. I agree ideally he would be able to put himself about more but I still think he is worth a place in our current squad. We could REALLY do with getting someone in with some ripping pace though to help stretch games a bit more. We are slow at the moment.
Hahahahaha De Jong is not the key to anything. What needs to happen is Gini needs to play AM behind Perez, with Thauvin LW, Sissoko CM, Janmaat RWB. ----------------------------Elliot------------ ---------------Willo-Mbemba-Colo---Dummett --Janmaat ------------------------------Tiote--------------------------- ---------------------Sissoko--------------------Thauvin ---------------------------------Gini--------------------------- ---------------------------------Perez------------------------ Why? A) Janmaat is a **** RB, but has energy to get up and down and can put in a great cross. Having 3 CB means we don't be left short if he attacks. B) Having 2 DMs as a counterattacking team prevents options in the final third. We need more box to box players. This way we have Sissoko, Gini and Perez in the box. C) we lack height in the middle when Sissoko plays wide. Note today, we struggled to get the ball back because their mids dominated in the air. Sissoko ain't perfect but he is imposing. D) Gini is actually good. His passing is much better than the rest, but we stick him on the left. He needs to play central. E) As you lot have finally noticed, Mitrovic is a horrendous striker, and a bit **** as a target man, hence Perez so we can play like Villa about 5 seasons ago. F) Thauvin plays as we have no ****ing wingers at the club. He has to play.
To give it a FM2015 name, Attacking 5-4-1. I'd be tempted with Mbabu as the right-sided CB, looks capable. But, in theory, a nice flexible formation with - and Steve needs to sit down before reading further - best players in their best positions. Shocking, but true. You could just say it's 4 across the back, with Janmaat right mid, Thauvin left and three complimentary players in the middle. Most importantly, no Colback.
We seem to have a bunch of players thrown together and left to there own devices, completely devoid of communication, leadership on and off the the pitch With SDJ on the pitch, it was like having a Captain again - priceless, no matter what his contribution was.
De Jong is a god among mere mortals at st James. Shocking state of affairs. Only a moron would be blind to his greatness. If pards the great was still here we'd be sat in mid table with siem as the kingpin. Disgraceful. Anyone blind to his greatness is a stupid smelly hobo
I thought he looked like he could be our best player two seasons ago until he got injured. If he can stay fit then there is real potential for him to show his quality this season.
Hank - just let me know if you want Chippy banned for resurrecting a thread showing how truly crap some of your predictions and utterances are.
I think he probably has the best footballing brain of anyone in our squad. Shame he's such a sicknote.
