So I've been lucky enough to be at every game so far this season and thought I'd share my thoughts on our new 3 players...I'd be very interested to see what other's have made, particularly those who have seen the games in person because I think the TV can give a pretty limited view of an individual player's performance.
Lovren - The highest praise I can give him is that he's the most accomplished central defender I've seen since Killer with the potential to far exceed him. I know it's early days and I know about his slightly up-and-down time at Lyon but he has all the natural attributes. He's strong, quick, balanced and composed both in and out of posession and the number of times he's gone to ground and come out with the ball is staggering. We haven't looked this solid at the back since the days of Claus and Killer but what we have now, are more rounded defenders who can also spot (and execute) a pass. However, it's early days so he could, of course, lose confidence but I'm loving having him here.
Wanyama - At the expense of incurring wrath on here, I have to say I haven't been overly impressed with Vic. What has impressed me is hit fitness and work rate, particularly his ability and willingess to get back quickly when necessary. When he's played well, his range of passing has looked good, with an ability to switch the play which we sometimes lack and he suits our pressing game very well. My worry is that he sometimes looks a bit sloppy on the ball and ends up giving it away tamely which, in our system, is a real shame. But I think he's shown enough to suggest that he will come good.
Osvaldo - Against Norwich I thought he was absolutely dreadful...no threat, no willingness...nothing. But his cameo against Sunderland was encouraging and I was impressed by him at Anfield where he didn't give the defenders a moments rest and looked generally dangerous and up for it. A big improvement from the previous week against West Ham and I really can see him doing great things at this club. His ability to play the flair pass sometimes catches his own team mates out (happened against West Ham and Norwich) but there is something there that we've been missing for a while - a sense of unpredictability - which can take you far when you have a hardworking, well-drilled team playing behing you!
Would love to hear the views of others as to how they feel the 3 new lads have performed, where they might improve and how they've chanegd the complexion of our team!
Lovren - The highest praise I can give him is that he's the most accomplished central defender I've seen since Killer with the potential to far exceed him. I know it's early days and I know about his slightly up-and-down time at Lyon but he has all the natural attributes. He's strong, quick, balanced and composed both in and out of posession and the number of times he's gone to ground and come out with the ball is staggering. We haven't looked this solid at the back since the days of Claus and Killer but what we have now, are more rounded defenders who can also spot (and execute) a pass. However, it's early days so he could, of course, lose confidence but I'm loving having him here.
Wanyama - At the expense of incurring wrath on here, I have to say I haven't been overly impressed with Vic. What has impressed me is hit fitness and work rate, particularly his ability and willingess to get back quickly when necessary. When he's played well, his range of passing has looked good, with an ability to switch the play which we sometimes lack and he suits our pressing game very well. My worry is that he sometimes looks a bit sloppy on the ball and ends up giving it away tamely which, in our system, is a real shame. But I think he's shown enough to suggest that he will come good.
Osvaldo - Against Norwich I thought he was absolutely dreadful...no threat, no willingness...nothing. But his cameo against Sunderland was encouraging and I was impressed by him at Anfield where he didn't give the defenders a moments rest and looked generally dangerous and up for it. A big improvement from the previous week against West Ham and I really can see him doing great things at this club. His ability to play the flair pass sometimes catches his own team mates out (happened against West Ham and Norwich) but there is something there that we've been missing for a while - a sense of unpredictability - which can take you far when you have a hardworking, well-drilled team playing behing you!
Would love to hear the views of others as to how they feel the 3 new lads have performed, where they might improve and how they've chanegd the complexion of our team!
