Loïc Rémy

[Myself 793]

Looked very strong today, didn't really use his tremendous pace though.

[Daniel1980 1,425]

I thought he was quite good. He earned the crucial 2nd yellow for Delaney, made a few good passes, participated in the buildup for the 2nd goal. His general play was pretty good. Obviously since it was practically his first time playing with our starting midfielders, his chemistry with them wasn't as good as it could have been, but it will come. Tbh, I don't think Costa could have done much better in that game. That kind of game is difficult for strikers that like playing on the counter.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Did well in the second half. Decided to make quick turns around defenders as the ball came to him and it payed off.

[Styles 9,790]

His ability to receieve the ball with his back to the goal was quality and was a key part of the game; it got Delaney sent off, helped in the build-up to the second goal and very nearly led to a third. It makes a massive difference for the team knowing you can pass the ball to your striker and he won't lose it.

[Kieran. 6,317]

Didn't realize his holdup play was that good.

[Special Juan 27,439]

Pleased with his display on Saturday, did well and I would start him tomorrow.

[bababoom 4,478]

He was a bit rusty, his 1-2s never really worked out but i could see some very good signs. Technically he's very good, he can hold up the ball very well but also dribble past his man with ease. His pace is also devastating, i have a good feeling about him.

If Costa is injured for the united game obviously it'll be a massive blow, but i trust Remy and If we get it right we could be devastating on the counter.

[Viper22 2,418]

Only thing that was lacking Saturday was that he wasn't jelling with the other players. So passes were going astray and he wasn't on other player's wavelengths. That will come with game time though, so it's not a problem at all IMO.

[LAB 1,030]

He was a bit rusty, his 1-2s never really worked out but i could see some very good signs. Technically he's very good, he can hold up the ball very well but also dribble past his man with ease. His pace is also devastating, i have a good feeling about him.

If Costa is injured for the united game obviously it'll be a massive blow, but i trust Remy and If we get it right we could be devastating on the counter.

Spot on sum up on Remy vs Palace.

[robsblubot 3,529]

There is no doubt Remy is more technical than Ba, but less imposing (physically). He's prob better than Torres too, esp because he's definitely pacier than both.

My point, and reckon others, have been that a wide gulf separates Costa from Remy in terms of quality. Whenever Costa is out, we will be very close to last year in terms of quality up front. He will be OK in games like CP - even away - because of the overall quality of the squad (and Fabregas), but as soon as we begin facing stronger opposition in the CL, Remy won't cut it.

We were very close from chasing the game on Saturday; a better striker than Campbell (perhaps Remy) would've put that ball in the back of the net (when he beat Cahill).

[Styles 9,790]

There is no doubt Remy is more technical than Ba, but less imposing (physically). He's prob better than Torres too, esp because he's definitely pacier than both.

'Prob better than Torres...'

There's no probably about it; Remy is comfortably better than Torres at virtually every aspect of the game and Saturday was definitive proof of that.

Remy scored 14 goals in 26 Premier League games last season. Torres never even sniffed double digits during his time here, and his all-round play was nowhere near the quality of what we saw from Remy at the weekend.

My point, and reckon others, have been that a wide gulf separates Costa from Remy in terms of quality. Whenever Costa is out, we will be very close to last year in terms of quality up front.

Disagree with that. Remy is a good player and is an upgrade on both Torres and Ba in my opinion.

Costa is one of the absolute best strikers in the world - and without his 32m release clause would have cost at least double that fee - so of course there's going to be a difference in quality between our #1 and #2 striker. I think Remy would have been our first choice striker last season had he been at the club.

He will be OK in games like CP - even away - because of the overall quality of the squad (and Fabregas), but as soon as we begin facing stronger opposition in the CL, Remy won't cut it.

We were very close from chasing the game on Saturday; a better striker than Campbell (perhaps Remy) would've put that ball in the back of the net (when he beat Cahill).

In the corresponding fixture last season (Palace 1 - 0 Chelsea) Torres was an absolute waste of space as per usual so being 'OK' (Remy was more than just OK on Saturday) in games against the likes of Palace is what we want from him.

And until he plays against stronger opposition in the CL we don't know how he'll fare so at least give him the benefit of the doubt.

[robsblubot 3,529]

'Prob better than Torres...'

There's no probably about it; Remy is comfortably better than Torres at virtually every aspect of the game and Saturday was definitive proof of that.

Remy scored 14 goals in 26 Premier League games last season. Torres never even sniffed double digits during his time here, and his all-round play was nowhere near the quality of what we saw from Remy at the weekend.

Disagree with that. Remy is a good player and is an upgrade on both Torres and Ba in my opinion.

Costa is one of the absolute best strikers in the world - and without his 32m release clause would have cost at least double that fee - so of course there's going to be a difference in quality between our #1 and #2 striker. I think Remy would have been our first choice striker last season had he been at the club.

In the corresponding fixture last season (Palace 1 - 0 Chelsea) Torres was an absolute waste of space as per usual so being 'OK' (Remy was more than just OK on Saturday) in games against the likes of Palace is what we want from him.

And until he plays against stronger opposition in the CL we don't know how he'll fare so at least give him the benefit of the doubt.

It's OK to agree to disagree.

However, in the same post you ask me to remember what Remy did in the PL (for a far small outfit in completely different conditions) AND give him the benefit of the doubt.

[Tomo 21,733]

It's OK to agree to disagree.

However, in the same post you ask me to remember what Remy did in the PL (for a far small outfit in completely different conditions) AND give him the benefit of the doubt.

I agree with most of what you said originally, im not convinced with Remy in the long run, I think he will only ever be back up and not competition for Diego, however Remy is light years ahead of Torres, Fernando is absolute dog shit, Loic has his uses as a squad player atleast.

[Styles 9,790]

It's OK to agree to disagree.

However, in the same post you ask me to remember what Remy did in the PL (for a far small outfit in completely different conditions) AND give him the benefit of the doubt.

Right, because those two points somehow weaken my argument.

I'm asking you to remember what happened last season; I'm not asking you to recall what happened 4 or 5 years. Giving Remy the benefit of the doubt is the least you could do since, you know, he hasn't actually let us down against good opposition.

[robsblubot 3,529]

Right, because those two points somehow weaken my argument.

I'm asking you to remember what happened last season; I'm not asking you to recall what happened 4 or 5 years. Giving Remy the benefit of the doubt is the least you could do since, you know, he hasn't actually let us down against good opposition.

They do indeed weaken your argument, but certainly do not negate it.

I've watched Remy play many times, so I tend to go with "I know what he can do already." He's no youngster, but yes, it's a new challenge for him and there is a possibility of small improvement still. I do have hope he raises to the challenge, but realistically I find that unlikely due to his age and price tag – considering the hundreds of scouts and professionals involved.

I completely agree that Costa is worth more than 32m, but reckon we could’ve done better than Remy as a second striker. Especially considering how utterly useless Drogba is at 35 – I mean he was dreadful for Galatassaray last season and bad for Ivory Coast in the WC.

I wouldn’t mind having Remy along a more powerful player like benteke for example. Or optionally, we could’ve gone up a notch by, say, spending 20m for a second striker, who would be more likely to provide proper cover for a top striker like Costa.

BTW, we are far more fluid in attack this season than last regardless of striker. On the other hand, the defense looks more vulnerable too, which may become a problem later on this season and especially in the CL single-elimination stage.

[Styles 9,790]

They do indeed weaken your argument, but certainly do not negate it.

I've watched Remy play many times, so I tend to go with "I know what he can do already." He's no youngster, but yes, it's a new challenge for him and there is a possibility of small improvement still. I do have hope he raises to the challenge, but realistically I find that unlikely due to his age and price tag – considering the hundreds of scouts and professionals involved.

I completely agree that Costa is worth more than 32m, but reckon we could’ve done better than Remy as a second striker. Especially considering how utterly useless Drogba is at 35 – I mean he was dreadful for Galatassaray last season and bad for Ivory Coast in the WC.

I wouldn’t mind having Remy along a more powerful player like benteke for example. Or optionally, we could’ve gone up a notch by, say, spending 20m for a second striker, who would be more likely to provide proper cover for a top striker like Costa.

BTW, we are far more fluid in attack this season than last regardless of striker. On the other hand, the defense looks more vulnerable too, which may become a problem later on this season and especially in the CL single-elimination stage.

As with Costa, Remy's fee was fixed into his contract; without a release clause he'd have cost considerably more than 10m. He may not improve beyond his current level now (he could quite easily, however, with better coaching and teammates) but his current level makes him a serviceable deputy.

Whether or not we could have picked up a better #2 wasn't the point I disagreed with - and besides who was available that could 1) be bought at a reasonable fee 2) content to play second fiddle to Costa and 3) better than Remy? Benteke is/was nursing a serious injury so wasn't an option. Who else fits that description?

[OhForAGreavsie 5,898]

They do indeed weaken your argument, but certainly do not negate it.

I've watched Remy play many times, so I tend to go with "I know what he can do already." He's no youngster, but yes, it's a new challenge for him and there is a possibility of small improvement still. I do have hope he raises to the challenge, but realistically I find that unlikely due to his age and price tag – considering the hundreds of scouts and professionals involved.

I completely agree that Costa is worth more than 32m, but reckon we could’ve done better than Remy as a second striker. Especially considering how utterly useless Drogba is at 35 – I mean he was dreadful for Galatassaray last season and bad for Ivory Coast in the WC.

I wouldn’t mind having Remy along a more powerful player like benteke for example. Or optionally, we could’ve gone up a notch by, say, spending 20m for a second striker, who would be more likely to provide proper cover for a top striker like Costa.

BTW, we are far more fluid in attack this season than last regardless of striker. On the other hand, the defense looks more vulnerable too, which may become a problem later on this season and especially in the CL single-elimination stage.

Lots of stuff crammed into a relatively short, but enjoyable, post. Thank you.

I also have doubts about Remy but was hugely encouraged by his performance at Selhurst Park. I thought he displayed good control, linked well and demonstrated a useful amount of power. Not to mention that he forced some important fouls. If he replicates that level of output each time he's called on I'll be absolutely delighted. I do agree with you however that he is what he is now. His form may rise and fall but his basic level isn't going to shift up at this stage.

On the point about us being able to do better in the second striker market, I wonder if there was any player who would:

• Match Remy's output.
• Accept the backup role.
• Be available at a backup striker price and preferably for around the £10m that Remy cost.
• Sign for a similar wage packet. (Not that I have any idea how much Remy actually earns.)

I've a feeling there might be some players who would pass all of those tests but they'd have to be unknowns I think. No 'name' striker is likely to have fitted all of those criteria.

On The Drog, I'd add that he was already below the desired standard when he left, which was why he left of course. I think we'd all agree that he must be here because he offers something which Jose felt was important; something that does not depend only on Didier being in the XI.

The situation with the defence is really interesting. As ever it's a battle of the competing priorities. Given that more possession and more fluidity naturally draws players forward the back four is automatically going to be more exposed. Jose's comments in his presser today suggest that he's happy about the balance at the moment but I suspect he'll still feel compelled to employ the 'low block' against the major sides.

People claim that using the low block will be Jose reverting to type but I don't buy it. He'll press and attempt to dominate possession if he feels he can win that way but the supreme, lovable pragmatist that he is will always do what it takes to win. It's just that we're not yet good enough to go toe-to-toe with the very best and expect to prevail often enough.

[Tomo 21,733]

Lots of stuff crammed into a relatively short, but enjoyable, post. Thank you.

I also have doubts about Remy but was hugely encouraged by his performance at Selhurst Park. I thought he displayed good control, linked well and demonstrated an amount of power, not to mention that he forced some important fouls. If he replicates that level of output each time he's called on I'll be absolutely delighted. I do agree with you however that he is what he is now. His form may rise and fall but his basic level isn't going to shift up at this stage.

On the point of us being able to do better in the second striker market, I wonder if there was any player who would:

• Match Remy's output.
• Accept the backup role.
• Be available at a backup striker price and preferably for around the £10m that Remy cost.
• Sign for a similar wage packet. (Not that I have any idea how much Remy actually earns.)

I've a feeling there might be some players who would pass all of those tests but they'd have to be unknowns I think. No 'name' striker is likely to have fitted all of those criteria.

On The Drog, I'd add that he was already below the desired standard when he left, which was why he left of course. I think we'd all agree that he must be here because he offers something which Jose felt was important; something that does not depend only on Didier being in the XI.

The situation with the defence is really interesting. As ever it's a battle of the competing priorities. Given that more possession and more fluidity naturally draws players forward the back four is automatically going to be more exposed. Jose's comments in his presser today suggest that he's happy about the balance at the moment but I suspect he'll still feel compelled to employ the 'low block' against the major sides.

People claim that using the low block will be Jose reverting to type but I don't buy it. He'll press and attempt to dominate possession if he feels he can win that way but the supreme pragmatist that he is will always do what it takes to win. It's just that we're not yet good enough to go toe-to-toe with the very best and expect to prevail often enough.

Exactly that, people should be happy we have such a tactically astute manager who does what he needs to do, instead of moaning about the lack of stopovers in some games.

When I see managers like Wenger, Rodgers fail to adress problem areas and even think back to how frustrating Carlo was in his second season it makes me even more grateful we have Mou.