villaglint

Can confirm Samir is defo CM these days and Con is right that he's developed a lot since McLeish days much more physicality in his game rather than just being box tricks. Others are right though that he wouldn't be competing with Westwood, he'd be challenging Sylla, KEA and possibly Gardner for box to box role in a middle three

It's a fact that he has been a decent prospect (although never been a particularly creative one). It's a myth that he is anywhere near being our midfield saviour today. It's a fact that he is a young player with a lot of talent who has missed the most important years of his development. It is an open question about where his career now goes, he may get there in time like Delph or may build himself a tidy career in lower leagues.

Had a dream he signed for us last night, came on as sub and hit the bar. VT was in mega meltdown

Not been his best year so far but he was decent against Cardiff. They both look different players alongside Vlaar

His finishing is so much better when he doesnt have time to think. Instinctively his finishing is very good, when he has time to line up a shot he generally gets the Tonevs

Pretty sure Vlaar has played on left of CB pairing for most of his caps with Netherlands.

Gabby has never been consistent - top class when he;s on it and pretty ineffectual when he's not. Should obviously have buried the one glaring chance but a few minutes before that Weimann put him in a great position to shoot and again his first touch let him down. i'll be generous and say hes not fit/playing through pain.

Yep he was poor but no surprise after being out so long. It was a worthwhile experiement to give us more balance. Only criticism would be that he didnt change it sooner it was pretty obvious after about 20mins that he was having zero impact on the game and in second half we were effectively playing with 10 men. Could have brought Weimann on much sooner.

He isn't going to leave Weimann out. He was brilliant against Liverpool and West Brom! I think you are probably right but that is what I would do. Weimann was not brilliant against Liverpool he had some great movement for the goal but his general play was mixed at best. I really dont see him as a decent no 10 He was much much better against West Brom - the Andi of old for sure - however he was playing upfront in that one and I've gone for the trusty 4-3-3 in this one.

---------------Guzan------------------ Bacuna -- Vlaar -- Clark -- Betrand --------------Westwood-------------- --------KEA --------------Delph------ Abrighton---------------------Gabby ---------------Benteke--------------- I'd go with KEA because he was been great for us away, would task him with getting right Medels face to stop them playing. Gone for Albrighton over Weimann based purely on form. Obviously he doesnt usually play in a forward role but he is looking really lively and confident and i can see him causing problems. Bacuna at right back for athletic reasons, Zaha against Lowton would worry me. At least Bacuna will hold his own for pace and strength which is mostly what Zaha has.

I see Jordan Graham has returned to club from Bradford. Sounds like he didn't get much of a look in, 1 sub appearance in four games. Shame

That's a possibility it's very obvious he's playing for his career at the moment and he needs to keep that up as the fractions make all the difference in this league.

As long as our away form holds up and we are safe I'll be broadly supportive in the hope he can buy better players in summer which will improve our home form. I do think he has a number of positives as a manager but also a lot of weaknesses. Very similar to a lot of our "promising" youngsters in a way. Thought he got his tactics all wrong on Sat. Gabby who is one of our biggest attacking threats was never in game. The only tactic to get him on ball was a flick on from Benteke, painful stuff with no plan B. edit Just realised I "liked" a team in match thread that was very similar to what we ended up playing. So I got my tactics all wrong too Add me to the pile of reprobates on this site that knows nothing about football !!

He really was fantastic when he came on. Not fantastic because the rest were crap just good in his own right. He looked like creating a chance every single time he got the ball, that is good in anyone's book. Definitely needs to start the next game. Gives us a quandary as we don't really have anyone to play on left. Weimann is definitely not a winger let alone a no/10. Personally I'd play Gabby on left. He was so isolated on Sat it meant one of our best players wasn't in game.

MOTM by a country mile.

We've lost to so many crap crap sides at home. Another one on pile

Pretty sure we beat Norwich and Man City on the bounce? Edit: Yep, we beat Norwich and Man City on the bounce. Hope your right but seeing as they held Chelsea to a 0-0 surely won't be that baffling if we face similar problems.

Mmmm sounds like Vlaar is out... Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Think they will park the bus so it'll be a very tough game for us to win. If Gabby/Benteke and Weimann are on it we have a chance. If not then it'll be very tough. Tight game on going for faith in Tekkers to put us one up on the hour mark then a late winner to make it 2-0.

I think they have some similarities but also think they will become quite different players. Similarities They are both adaptable I get that and able to play in a few positions. Both strong, fit and able to belt the ball towards goal on occasion. Both capable of a great cross but not hugely consistent with it. Differences Jimmy is actually quite skilful and has very tidy ball control. I've yet to see anything similar from Bacuna. I actually think Bacuna has a good late run into the box in him and seems to time this quite well. Not something Jimmy was especially known for. Bacuna much quicker than Jim. Jimmy obviously a much better user and protector of the ball. This is something Bacuna may develop with experience or he may not, a lot of it down to football intelligence. I'd be surprised if Bacuna ever has the run through a wall/will to win, maximise ever last possible inch of ability mentality that has taken Jimmy so far. Again maybe he'll get that but it is actually quite a unique trait in modern day players.

Has a more damaging tour ever happened before? Ok we lost but the team has now been irrevocably destroyed at pretty much very level. Just need Cook to retire citing acute embarrassment then the Aussies can wake up because all if their dreams will have been fulfilled

Not a case of opportunity it's injuries and bad ones at that

Sure someone else has said this but cant be bothered to go back through thread to check. Isn't it odd that mid season is no time to be discussing new contracts with likes of Delph, Gardner and Albrighton but it does seem to be the right time to discuss it with manager?

Surprised nobody has mentioned Lamberts comments on Gardner's contract situation. For what its worth I think it would be a mistake to let him go this summer. He may well never make it but given his early career promise we need to at least give him 1 more year to see if he can stay fit and find form, probably on loan. If he does then great we've got a player. If not then his wages wont exactly be breaking the bank.

If only we could splice the two of them together then we would have a player

Only trouble is neither KEA OR Westwood are really defensive midfielders. No where near strong enough or good enough at tackling. And before you trot the stats out Con artist I know KEA is a good forward press and gets his foot in but he isn't a big brute in the mode of Luis, Matic etc. Also lots of clubs have been using this system so Mourinho wasn't breaking the mould last night. Everton been using it all season, Spurs have used it as have Arsenal.