Some thoughts after the Marseille game on individual players. Be interested to see if people agree or disagree.
1) Rashica. For me, he was largely disappointing last season, and the only reason he didn't get fans on his back was the fact that a lot of other players were much more disappointing. The more I see him play, the more I see him as a classical winger: someone who can trick past his man and then put in a cross. I don't see him as suited to the wing play needed in possession football because I don't get the impression that he can see the bigger picture. He's better with a clear target man.
2) Which brings me to Hugill. If Rashica + a target man is to become Plan B (or even sometimes Plan A) this season, I'd argue that Hugill is much better suited to it than Sargent. From what we've seen so far pre-season, I think we should keep Hugill if Plan B is going to be used regularly.
3) I'm not sure what I think about Cantwell. He looked very good yesterday, but after the last two seasons I am very worried about trusting that this new-found commitment will last. Was he working his socks off yesterday just to put himself in the shop window and then he'll become disruptive again as soon as the transfer window closes? Perhaps if he extends his contract, that would be enough proof of his good intentions?
4) Sorensen. Never lets us down, but will he just go back to being a bit player only called upon when there's an injury? If so, I think he should leave for his own sake.
5) Tzolis. Probably leaving, but I'd personally like him to stay, especially if Cantwell goes wobbly again. I don't see him as a classical winger at all, and I don't imagine he'd be used in Plan B. But from the little I have seen of him, I think he has a good vision of the overall attacking position, works well with other players, and he could be used when we are focusing on possession football against weaker teams.
1) Rashica. For me, he was largely disappointing last season, and the only reason he didn't get fans on his back was the fact that a lot of other players were much more disappointing. The more I see him play, the more I see him as a classical winger: someone who can trick past his man and then put in a cross. I don't see him as suited to the wing play needed in possession football because I don't get the impression that he can see the bigger picture. He's better with a clear target man.
2) Which brings me to Hugill. If Rashica + a target man is to become Plan B (or even sometimes Plan A) this season, I'd argue that Hugill is much better suited to it than Sargent. From what we've seen so far pre-season, I think we should keep Hugill if Plan B is going to be used regularly.
3) I'm not sure what I think about Cantwell. He looked very good yesterday, but after the last two seasons I am very worried about trusting that this new-found commitment will last. Was he working his socks off yesterday just to put himself in the shop window and then he'll become disruptive again as soon as the transfer window closes? Perhaps if he extends his contract, that would be enough proof of his good intentions?
4) Sorensen. Never lets us down, but will he just go back to being a bit player only called upon when there's an injury? If so, I think he should leave for his own sake.
5) Tzolis. Probably leaving, but I'd personally like him to stay, especially if Cantwell goes wobbly again. I don't see him as a classical winger at all, and I don't imagine he'd be used in Plan B. But from the little I have seen of him, I think he has a good vision of the overall attacking position, works well with other players, and he could be used when we are focusing on possession football against weaker teams.
