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Yes all those things have made the season a little more difficult than it could’ve been and Xhaka more than anything. Also, losing Traore has had a big effect in my opinion, he defends as well as he attacks and opens up defences …

… Angulo, Brobbey and Traore would be quite something.

I noticed Angulo winning quite a few defensive headers on his debut, bodes well.
 
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ab65 said:
Amen to that.
His quality and leadership are being sorely missed.
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If it wasn’t for the reaction from people I’d say O’Nien would’ve improved our shape and style since Xhaka has been out …

… we’ve lacked a ‘captain’ in my opinion and been a bit ragged at times.

Anyway, like I said, I won’t mention it …
 
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Bucky1989 said:
as much I love Hume,

hes not captain,

Ballard should have the armband
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Yeah I'm the same. Love Hume and he's done great for us and stepped up to the PL really well.

But their were times last night when as captain he needed to be in the refs ear for some of the rubbish calls etc. Particularly the one where one of ours was blatantly fouled but the ref carried on and then gave a soft foul for them straight after when our players got frustrated. Think one of them was when Reinildo got his stupid yellow just after as well.

We've got a team of nice players who need to be a bit more street wise like a lot of the other teams in that respect.

Unfortunately for Hume, he's also not a midfielder and as others have said, he's a very good RB and better with the game ahead of him.

Ultimately though I'm proud of the journey he's been on with us and stepped up every time and never let us down.
 
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Smug in Boots said:
If it wasn’t for the reaction from people I’d say O’Nien would’ve improved our shape and style since Xhaka has been out …

… we’ve lacked a ‘captain’ in my opinion and been a bit ragged at times.

Anyway, like I said, I won’t mention it …
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I’d agree with that to up to a point to be honest.

Nothing against Hume, he’s a solid RB, and recognising that he has recently been captain for his country but I don’t see him as an effective PL captain.

09 definitely is a captain, whether or not effective at PL level remains to be seen.

He would have been more effective in a defensive midfield role than Hume has been in this role that RLB has been trying to get Hume to play.

My eldest lad is a fan of Hume’s and talking to him both at HT and FT his take was that this role is causing Hume to second guess his entire game to try and make it work.

Not sure that I entirely agree but his form has definitely been affected since he started playing this position.

Hopefully we get a more positive update on Xhaka ahead of the Fulham game, could do with Xhaka back in and all guns blazing sooner rather than later.
 
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Bucky1989 said:
as much I love Hume,

hes not captain,

Ballard should have the armband
Click to expand...
Maybe. But they see every training session, every match and all the rest. I'd like to see more of Gertruida, but they think not and they've been far more right than wrong really.

Obviously we miss Granit. But we have also just played the current champions and the likely champions, always a very severe test.

Actually the game I thought we missed him most in was West Ham, especially in the first half.

But it happens to others. We are more than fine IMO. Good for the others to find their feet without him on the pitch. The other encouraging thing about this is that he's not "needing a rest", he's just got an injury.

But it will give him a rest, and when he's back he'll be the fresher for it.
 
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Bucky1989 said:
as much I love Hume,

hes not captain,

Ballard should have the armband
Click to expand...

I think in Reggie's team the person who wears the armband is just the figurehead, others are expected to show leadership skills on the pitch. When it's Xhaka wearing it though, it's a totally different ball game because of what he's done and his standing in the game as a whole but I think Reggie would expect others to step up to his level
 
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Essayyeffcee said:
I think in Reggie's team the person who wears the armband is just the figurehead, others are expected to show leadership skills on the pitch. When it's Xhaka wearing it though, it's a totally different ball game because of what he's done and his standing in the game as a whole but I think Reggie would expect others to step up to his level
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Reggie has openly admitted he’s also learning about the PL.

It’s easy to say a player doesn’t ‘fit’ after one or two games …

… but quite a few wrote off Traore on that basis tbf.
 
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Smug in Boots said:
Reggie has openly admitted he’s also learning about the PL.

It’s easy to say a player doesn’t ‘fit’ after one or two games …

… but quite a few wrote off Traore on that basis tbf.
Click to expand...

IMO Reggie had a thought of how to play at the start of the season, we know the team he started with but then got an injury to Diarra which threw that into the ditch. Enzo has come into the side and has made himself undroppable, he just works his arse off every game. I think Traore was one of those players that was brought into the team without his total say so - it was one of those players he's had a look at videos and said he'll give him a go IMO and it hasn't gone too bad. Traore has looked threatening at times going forward and worked back defensively that RLB demands which is probably why Adingra was allowed to leave.

Xhaka gave us that nous and talked the others through games, where to go, who to watch but led the team by example and raised the bar that the other players had to play

Asi said in the match thread both Xhaka and Traore have been sorely missed due to their premier league experience as well as how they help the team in general. I can't wait for them to come back into the team but who makes way for them? I'll leave that to Reggie to decide!

Edit - just thought of something else. Reggie said that he has had to find another way off playing with Xhaka out and I think that's where Hume comes in. It's been said veggie on here but Hume isn't Xhaka's exact replacement. He's there to allow Mukiele to act as a wingback on the right hand side. It's a big ask for Mukiele going back and forth all game and I think he struggled at times last night to get back
 
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we've lost the physical presence in the middle of the park at the moment thought it showed last night.
Sadiki played well but can't impose on a game yet, Le Fee was very impressive but we need another option if Gerti isn't the answer when the Captain isn't available.
 
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Smug in Boots said:
If it wasn’t for the reaction from people I’d say O’Nien would’ve improved our shape and style since Xhaka has been out …

… we’ve lacked a ‘captain’ in my opinion and been a bit ragged at times.

Anyway, like I said, I won’t mention it …
Click to expand...
But, but, but he is not premiership quality! Could have done a job sitting in front of the defence and feeding the attacking players, however Regis does not think he is good enough
 
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