Oscar

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

He was okay today. Not as good as Costa, Hazard, Schurrle or Fabregas were but we didn't need him to be. It's too early to say but I like what Jose is doing with him and Cesc. Both against Burnley were able to interchange positions. It's not the obvious "you're a central midfielder, you're an attacking midfielder" stuff in a static 4-2-3-1 like it was in the 2nd half of last season. Today, because of the fluidity of the system, it was more of a 4-3-3 when we didn't have possession/in build up play and that's good for both Oscar and Fab as none offer great protection/defensive cover, as it would be in a 4-2-3-1. The fluid 4-3-3 covers for the weaknesses of Fab and Oscar and amplifies their strengths.

That's our midfield trio. Matic-Cesc-Oscar. We will control the tempo of most away games we play this season (something we were unable to do last season) and create far more chances. Mourinho player or no Mourinho player, I just don't see Ramires breaking that trio, except in the really big games when we need Rami's energy.

[blu35_army 551]

I have come across several rival fans forum, and most of them rated Oscar very high. Only in here, he get this kind of treatment sadly.

because we expect a big impact for playmaker role from him....

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

because we expect a big impact for playmaker role from him....

Yes, but it seems everybody will not be satisfied and expect him to score or at least give one assist in every match he played in. Otherwise, Oscar is s***.

[pgleo 90]

this is the Oscar thread ,, are you referring to him ???

Judging by the comments in match thread, he will be held responsible for EBOLA soon. I actually thought he played his role well.

[jmarlow 458]

I thought Oscar was excellent! Linked play very well, dropped deep to start attacks, the criticism he gets on here is bizarre! People need to realise he isn't a direct player like most number 10's who always look to go forward and try to play through balls! Oscar is different he keeps the ball moving and links play very well, and does a lot of work defensively.

[Ze Mario 638]

is there someone who can post his heat map against Burnley? Idk if it was Mou tactic or not, but he rarely went forward on that match. He went forward a lot in Brazilian NT on WC 14. And maybe Costa heat map as well? Costa is like, everywhere in final third. If that was mou tactic, then Im satisfied enough with what oscar did against Burnley. He covers empty area that Fabregas left, and often in good position to receive a pass as well, especially when his teammate is surrounded by opponent marking But still, his passing and vision are worrying though I mean in term of creativity

[Daniel1980 1,425]

is there someone who can post his heat map against Burnley? Idk if it was Mou tactic or not, but he rarely went forward on that match. He went forward a lot in Brazilian NT on WC 14.

And maybe Costa heat map as well? Costa is like, everywhere in final third. If that was mou tactic, then Im satisfied enough with what oscar did against Burnley. He covers empty area that Fabregas left, and often in good position to receive a pass as well, especially when his teammate is surrounded by opponent marking

But still, his passing and vision are worrying though I mean in term of creativity

This is Oscar:

This is Cesc:

Yeah, Oscar at times played in central midfield, interchanging positions with Cesc.

Costa:

[The only place to be 11,313]

I thought Oscar was excellent! Linked play very well, dropped deep to start attacks, the criticism he gets on here is bizarre! People need to realise he isn't a direct player like most number 10's who always look to go forward and try to play through balls! Oscar is different he keeps the ball moving and links play very well, and does a lot of work defensively.

It's a fair point. Last season he was playing a number 10 role and I think the expectations on him were just too great because whilst he doesn't do that purely creative/second striker role he actually brings a lot more defensively.

Last night he actually reminded me more of Modric, dropping deep, linking play and popping up around the box. I don't think he was excellent and I think at times he was far too close to the player in possession which meant we lacked width but it was an interesting step in his development.

He and Fabregas can interchange and that means we have far more options in an attacking sense. Fabregas simply has the vision to pick out a pass that Oscar will probably never have.

[Sheva. 5,373]

He played his role well. He's no longer our main source of creativity in the middle which is good for him and us.

He can drop deep and cover Cesc and is more suited to being a 3rd CM than Willian. If he continues like this, I think his place in the team will be safe.

[stroey 2,525]

He played his role well. He's no longer our main source of creativity in the middle which is good for him and us.

He can drop deep and cover Cesc and is more suited to being a 3rd CM than Willian. If he continues like this, I think his place in the team will be safe.

I'd rather have Ramires as a CM and as a attacking mid, I rather have Willian. So I hope he becomes a bench and rotation player this season.

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

Good role for him now. Doing what he's best at doing, which is being the perfect team player.

Covering for Cesc and Hazard as they go forward. You see for the second goal, where any other number 10 would force himself to be in the box but Oscar held himself back cause Cesc moved forward. He's never going to be as creative as Cesc and whatnot so this number 8 shirt and role is perfect for him.

[Daniel1980 1,425]

I'd rather have Ramires as a CM and as a attacking mid, I rather have Willian. So I hope he becomes a bench and rotation player this season.

The main reason I dislike having Willian on the pitch: he'll take corner kicks--for some inexplicable reason.

[bababoom 4,478]

I loved how Matic, Cesc and Oscar all interchanged, at times Oscar was the furthest back. We played in little triangles which was fantastic to watch.

Also I thought he was good yesterday, i don't understand why some people are slating him.

[stroey 2,525]

The main reason I dislike having Willian on the pitch: he'll take corner kicks--for some inexplicable reason.

Cesc and Schurrle will do it from now on

[stroey 2,525]

Really hope he improves, how he currently is playing is like a defensive midfielder, but not a perfect one.