sir_gary_cahill Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 Just now, gwi1890 said: I was surpised how good he was technically, he just is not match fit And me, the match fitness will come 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AV82 Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 He looked like he hadn’t played a game of football for 6 months. Not surprised. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutByEaster? Posted January 12, 2020 Moderator Share Posted January 12, 2020 I didn't think he looked that bad - he seems to have an idea of what he wants to do and a sensible football head - he's not the most expansive or the most ambitious and he's not going to open teams up or score a lot of goals - but Luiz and Drinkwater behind Grealish could be a decent central three while we wait for the return of McGinn. Our problems are elsewhere. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sulberto21 Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 7 minutes ago, Eastie said: I certainly don’t think he was that good but neither was he as bad as some seem to suggest It’s just his fitness. He was always going blow out of his arse after ten fifteen minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Chindie Posted January 12, 2020 VT Supporter Popular Post Share Posted January 12, 2020 I guess theres some method in the madness of him playing today. He needs time on the pitch, and this game is basically a write off. Playing him now has less risk than playing a game we would bank on having a chance in. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fun Factory Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 I don't think you can judge on on today's performance. Throwing in from the start versus City was a baffling call by Smith. Should have been no more than 15-20 minutes today. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keener window-cleaner Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 If he looked sharp in training I fear for how our other midfielders have looked in training. I still think he can come good though, the first 10-15 mins I thought he looked composed, pointing and taking up some good positions, he looked quick in his little bursts when he pressed at times, but on longer distances he seemed terribly slow. Really hope his legs haven't gone. Everyone knew he was lacking match fitness and that it will take some time for him, I guess the thinking was doing it the hard way, that it's nothing to wait for just thrust him in and let him get his match sharpness up as soon as possible. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwivillan Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 1 hour ago, Chindie said: I guess theres some method in the madness of him playing today. He needs time on the pitch, and this game is basically a write off. Playing him now has less risk than playing a game we would bank on having a chance in. Did people want him to come in against Brighton? At least we know where he's at in a write off match. So many people using him starting as another stick to beat Smith with in hindsight when I'll bet they wanted him starting before KO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest av1 Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 41 minutes ago, The Fun Factory said: I don't think you can judge on on today's performance. Throwing in from the start versus City was a baffling call by Smith. Should have been no more than 15-20 minutes today. I disagree mate. He needs match fitness and whatever anyone says about selection or tactics we were always going to lose today, so I actually think it was quite shrewd to put him straight in today rather than trying to get him "match fit" during a game we need to win, is the next 2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulC Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 Why the heck did Smith start with him against Man City of all teams when he has only played one game all season. Not match fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Kiwivillan Posted January 12, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 12, 2020 8 minutes ago, PaulC said: Why the heck did Smith start with him against Man City of all teams when he has only played one game all season. Not match fit. Because every man and his dog online was saying drop Nakamba and start Drinkwater until they become Captain Hindsight after the game. I'm glad we see the level he's at before Brighton. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVTuco Posted January 12, 2020 VT Supporter Share Posted January 12, 2020 I think he'll be a decent addition. Better than Nakamba or Luiz at least. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KentVillan Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 I don't think starting Drinkwater was a bad shout. He needs game time, and better to do it in a game like this, where we were on a hiding to nothing to begin with. Starting Hourihane was a bigger mistake. He again proved why he belongs in easy games, and not this type of match. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCJonah Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 53 minutes ago, PaulC said: Why the heck did Smith start with him against Man City of all teams when he has only played one game all season. Not match fit. Because we need him to be match fit quickly. And the only way you get match fit, is by playing matches. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Risso Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 That was the worst debut I've seen in years. To be directly involved in giving away four goals takes some doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sne Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 Just like our other 10 players he got to watch a stupendously talented team from an extremely close distance while also getting some exerciser. Hopefully they all learned something. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sne Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 2 minutes ago, Risso said: That was the worst debut I've seen in years. To be directly involved in giving away four goals takes some doing. Up there with Hause's debut from last season. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danishlad Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 I think Smith took a gamble. Hoping he could give experience and that long pass to ElGhazi. Just like he uset to with Vardy. Unfortunately they were too good. And we should have played nakamba. ( who also gives goals away) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post VillaChris Posted January 13, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 13, 2020 4 hours ago, sir_gary_cahill said: I think I am in the vast minority on here but I thought he was very good today, particularly in the first half. I hadn’t realised how good he was technically, there was a reason that Chelsea paid £30m for him. He dictated the play in the first half, he was spraying it around beautifully, he keeps his place for the next game for me. I can’t understand some of the comments in this thread De Bruyne thread is in other football I think. 5 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sir_gary_cahill Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 1 hour ago, VillaChris said: De Bruyne thread is in other football I think. So is Ethan Moore Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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