robsblubot

Let's say that Nkunku remains fit and avail for the entire season, we will now have Europe, so strength in depth becomes far more important. Noni IMO is not starting material at this level, but can be a good option coming off the bench. There will be situations where he will be ineffective like when a physically strong and quick defender is marking him. The difference between a player like Nkunku and Mudryk is just too much for Mudryk to be an option; you just lose too much in all areas (some similarity only around pace). I think we need 2 wingers esp if Palmer will be used more centralized. I agree that Sterling seems like a bust and prob needs to go, unless there was something about his fitness we don't know about--have to wait until the season ends to find out. If he leaves, then I'd definitely go for 2 wingers and hope Mudryk moves on, which I find hard to believe. IMO Mudryk's attacking output is not nearly good enough considering how poor he is in all other areas.

He had a good game, but MotM is pushing it. He's really quick and energetic, but I don't see skill as his main attribute. 🤷‍♂️ Nkunku was impressive from the moment he came on until the very end. He hardly lost the ball without a foul at all. I think Cuccu picked MotM in most places, and rightfully so IMO. There were a lot of good performances in a team that is flying physically -- a bit late to reach a physical peak, but something Poch will have to work his fitness coaches.

Agreed. Play better and then you don't have to worry about refs and var. Had forgotten how good a player Nkunku is! Guy has everything in his toolbox... just...needs...to...stay...fit Lamptey's was a shoulder lunge which caught Mudryk in the face. The move wasn't strictly illegal in football, but James' kick, esp caught in slowmo, looked pretty intentional, hence the red. I have no qualms with either. To be fair to this crazy thread 😆I did initially think "James had scratched a man's" (balls), but the slowmo showed it was a pretty intentional "bitch" kick.

Haven't watched the game yet (recorded for later), but had a bit of a hard time knowing what James actually did when reading this thread. 😅

Agreed, on the other hand the sampling is a bit small esp because we have very few teams actually playing for things in the last rounds. I also have a hard time comparing a match against Brighton, or any of the teams we played lately, vs the away match against Arsenal when everyone pretty much stunk. Still, it's clear that Trevor is better than Disasi in both ball control (skill) as well as pace. Same way that Nkunku is better than Mudryk in, well, everything.

heh good luck with that https://www.transfermarkt.us/wesley-fofana/verletzungen/spieler/475411

Like Sterling, Son is an attacking player who relies on pace above all else, and is now past 30. Yes, Sterling isn't quite 30 yet, but that loss of pace can happen well before that.

Dunno Doku looks a bit stronger than Mudryk to me, but yeah speed wise for sure. Doku is superior at dribbling in tight spaces. most importantly, Mudryk lacks that aggression that Doku abundantly displays. That relentlessness regarding participating and getting to the ball is nowhere to be seen in mudryk, and I’m afraid that’s not something one can learn.

City does not have to play well to win matches, which is the reason they win. They often play well, or well enough to win, but they find a way to win a match even when they are not clicking. Most clubs get to that optimal point once in a while; City's magic, or perhaps Pep's magic, is that crazy consistency. From what I've seen from United lately, it would take a miracle for them to win the FA final. They will prob get some players back until then, but still... so many poor and/or disinterested players in that roster.

Well they knew all along what would take to win the league and they just could not deliver that consistency City is known for. Anything other than City winning the PL would look like a pretty unlikely upset.

Shouldn't they be taking it easy instead? 😅

That's some messed up logic there. 😃 I'd like to see this squad getting anywhere near top 4 playing twice a week with any Europe comps. We very much had a top4 squad before "the project" started. The complaint was that we did not compete in the league. What if we are solid 3rd, and once again nowhere near the top 2, in 2-3 years time? Will the project be considered a success then? why? With the amount of investment we are making top4 should be a given. The tricky part is to compete against the top2, esp against that especial one, for the league.

Noni relies a lot on his physicality and Aina was a bit too much for him.

Enzo’s finishing was extremely disappointing when we tried him as a CAM. caicedo can pass — he’s just not great at it. Think about his toolset passing does not come as his #1 quality as it does for other mids.

It’s a bit easier to score goals with better players on the pitch 😆

That was a clever pass by Caicedo

Yup esp considering the opposition.

I’d keep Jackson but move him to the left replacing mudryk with nkunku who would play center. Mudryk has a lot of pace and is very direct which could work in counters but he’s not contributing a whole lot. noni is t winning the duels today but he’s still working hard for the team. the performance isn’t good. Got little going on aside from occasional Palmers moments of brilliance.

Anyone seen 24yo Porto striker Evanilson play? just saw that he got called up for Brazil.

(thanks! on phone and at a happy hour) Heh makes sense top players used to move to Europe a lot later in the 90s.

fun fact-which I've mentioned before but (rotating audience 🙂 ): I was at Olimpico stadium (before Gremio arena was built), and watched Gremio coached by Scolari beat Parmalat (italian milk co) Palmeiras that has a young Rivaldo and Roberto Carlos in that line up. https://www.besoccer.com/match/gremio-porto-alegre/palmeiras/199512896 Mario Jardel was the star of the show, but honestly anyone watching RIvaldo and Roberto Carlos knew they were WC players or ready-to-be one. They were what 19-20 then?

It's a good club and well run esp after Leila Pereira took over. She's really making things happen. I know a little more about them because my cousins in São Paulo are all Paleiras supporters. I'm not sure how they will make the Brasileiro continue without the clubs from the south. It's not like they are getting ready to return to activities; players are with their families taking care of their properties, or rescuing people, or distributing food and water.

hehe I can't remember the last talent that came from their academy prior to Endrik; I think there have been good players, not any real talent. Which is a common tale for most Brazil club academies. It could be that Palmeiras is now a step ahead tho.

That's true, but "calmness and leadership qualities" usually come from experience. Having experienced in-game situations multiple times allows them to remain unfazed by any in-game situations. Palmer is an exception and also not really, considering he came from City. Consistency is also a key factor from experience. Which is another reason sometimes projecting performances from different leagues and/or smaller clubs often lead to disappointment. Gusto for example is an excellent player who switches off at times. Caicedo -- I'm just going to just say who is a good player -- switched off plenty during the season, with some of the unforced errors leading to conceded goals. That's typical from inexperience.

Yup biggest clubs are all going for these types -- extremely high ceiling and super young: more of a gamble with a much larger payoff. Estevao isn't that much of a wait, at least not until he joins. He's just turned 17, so he will ready to join next year in the summer. I hope we have built something a bit more stable by then.