He got the runarounds against Liverpool, but we couldn't pass the ball to save our lives against Chelsea until he came on. Our passing at Stoke in the cup was also pretty awful until he came on. I feel like he has to be in the team, but will playing at Bournemouth suit him?
I wish we'd got someone as competition for him, if neither Henrikson or Mason are. He can only take us so far, and it's very touch and go as to whether he can keep us up. You expect teams that are struggling to be pressing near the end of the season and he isn't comfortable in that environment.
The further forward he plays the better he is, Burnley was a game he looked good in, but he has to track back & that is why we never see the best of him, IMO. Although in the early games this season when he did track back, he made some good tackles! If we could get him in a position where he's not tracking back I think he'd be a real match winner.
He's in my top 3 this year so far. When he's been on his passing is excellent, add cool and calm on the ball as well and we've looked composed on the ball as a team. When he hasn't played we've missed him. Problem is he needs to be further forward to be more effective but I think when you're in a relegation scrap he's not going to be the best to get you out of a scrap as that's not his game, his tackles are wreckless just outside the box. That said, not as much as a luxury player as Diame. Has to play for me.
Against high pressing teams he needs too much time on the ball. Teams like Man City and Liverpool he shouldn't play. Against teams like Chelsea he is good as he can slow the game down and keeps the ball.
He's one of a few players who can effectively pass the ball in our team. When ball retention is imperative, he has to be in the starting eleven - as does Clucas.
He passes but not so much to create chances, I'm hoping Mason and Henrikson might help more there (early days still). Clucas definitely helps create more upfront but he's playing further back right now. And I don't want Huddlestone anywhere near our penalty area, it normally spells trouble.
