If you don't like Ndidi and Silva then you won't like it - when James was at his peak before his injury, all he really did was win the ball back and pass to Cambiasso.
When was it decided that Silva was ****? I think hes playing the game Puel wants him to play, he keeps things ticking over in midfield, distributing to attacking players or players looking to get forward. We need someone like him to give the likes of Gray and Maddison more freedom to express themselves knowing theres a buffer with Silva behind them.
James has played alot with Ndidi last year Zero creativity between the pair and James just slowed the play down everytime
Yup - Ndidi is nowhere near Cambiasso's level of creativity so James passing the ball to him results in bugger all. Exactly, but he doesn't attempt long range passes to nowhere or run with the ball to lose it out of position like Ndidi does so everything is his fault. Hopefully he will learn less is more and become the Kante like DM we would love him to be - has pretty much all of the other attributes but for the time being, I would definitely consider dropping him to bring more balance to the side.
With Maddison playing as a proper number 10 in the hole behind the main striker it should make it possible for Ndidi to concentrate more on his defensive duties and not get drawn out of position. That's one for the coaching staff to sort out with him. But to take him out of the team altogether would rob us of our only midfield ball winner. Iborra might look nice and composed but he's not going to win the ball back for us. Silva is no ball winner and not a combative type of player. Matty James was a good championship player but that is his limit. Mendy is a big question mark and just a human sick note. We need a Matic type player in the side and at the moment Ndidi is our closest option.
Ndidi is head and shoulders above any other midfield player we currently have. I can't believe he's suddenly got a question mark against his name. He made the most tackles in the Premier League last season and for me, is the first name on the team sheet.
I'm just thinking about team balance - he is still a kid and has to many rush of blood to the head moments so could be better to have someone more disciplined next to him if we are still persisting on playing 442. In a 532 or 352 formation, I reckon he will excell as there will be more bodies in the middle to cover for him.
He isn't a **** player, he has just been **** so far for us. lol. granted he wasn't fit and up to speed last season, however given the fact he has now had a full pre season behind him, it is time for him to step up and start producing. He didnt do that at Man Utd. I expect to see the same team on Saturday and him be given another opportunity, but we need to see something from him sooner rather than later.
Only if we go to 5 at the back - I wasn't too impressed with Pereria's defending in the short time he did play there. Wouldn't mind Albrighton at RB actually - was decent the few times he played there.
it isn't that Silva is '****'. He's quite good at what he does. It's just that he doesn't do what we need.
Ndidi made more tackles / interceptions in the PL last season than any other player, including Ngolo Kante ... that's his real worth ... he also seemed to hit the opposition crossbar with headers more than any other player ... if he can maintain the former and direct his headers six inches lower this time around, he will have had some Fookin season