Marcos Alonso

[OneMoSalah 8,776]

8 minutes ago, Tomo said:

It's not that he gets beat it's the way he gets beat, so easy so many times. However as I've alluded to at wing back it isn't that big an issue because he is decent going forward and there's enough cover around, in a flat back four he would get regularly targeted and exposed.

Also Willian is what he is, a highly talented but inconsistent winger, he wasn't even better last season than his usual self he just looked it due to how bad the rest were.

You mean when Adama Traore blitzed past him (and for me, he rather intelligently didn't try and touch him where he would of conceded a foul) v Middlesborough and when Kyle Walker flicked the ball over his head?

To be fair they are probably two of the quickest players in Europe, or at least I would think Traore would be in that list anyway, Marcos is not slow but I wonder how many players will be able to cope with Adama Traores pace in situations like that? Not many. Again Walker took it over his head in a 1v1 what is he meant to do foul him? I wonder how many fouls he has conceded in all honesty because it cannot be that many. 

Willians football last season was better than the year we won the league. No denying it. It's too soon to write him off, or we might as well have written Hazard off after last season.

[Gilvorak 3,734]

He's a decent depth option imo. We need to go big fir Kurzawa in the summer. Like £50m type of bid. He fits the exact profile we need for LWB & can of course play as a left back.

[Tomo 21,733]

23 minutes ago, OneMoSalah said:

You mean when Adama Traore blitzed past him (and for me, he rather intelligently didn't try and touch him where he would of conceded a foul) v Middlesborough and when Kyle Walker flicked the ball over his head?

To be fair they are probably two of the quickest players in Europe, or at least I would think Traore would be in that list anyway, Marcos is not slow but I wonder how many players will be able to cope with Adama Traores pace in situations like that? Not many. Again Walker took it over his head in a 1v1 what is he meant to do foul him? I wonder how many fouls he has conceded in all honesty because it cannot be that many. 

Willians football last season was better than the year we won the league. No denying it. It's too soon to write him off, or we might as well have written Hazard off after last season.

There was the first half vs Saints were Tadic repeatedly had him on toast.

[OneMoSalah 8,776]

1 hour ago, Tomo said:

There was the first half vs Saints were Tadic repeatedly had him on toast.

That was one occasion if I remember right in the first 10 minutes where Tadic beat him then did two or three faints (thought it was quite needless after the first one to be honest as it was an excellent chance to get it in early to catch our defence out) before crossing the ball in where it came to nothing.

I've checked the stats and on average they aren't great for him in 1v1 duels but I don't think that means he struggles in 1v1s, this is his first season in England (he played in England for Bolton and Sunderland yes but I'm discounting these because he played in Italy after for however many years) at a top club, he's only played 7 or 8 games and he's already been declared a weak link or someone who struggles 1v1 although he is more than competent at this as he has shown bar two or three moments that stick out with Adama Traore, Kyle Walker and Dusan Tadic (I think the three of them would give a lot of people problems to be honest).

He is an excellent option because he offers a different threat, some of his crossing is very good, he's got good stamina and is strong in the air, perhaps he's not to everyone's taste as he looks quite lethargic in comparison to some players but I can't see why people would want to think of him as a weak link already when we've conceded 1 goal in 7 games and he wasn't even involved in the goal we did concede. 

I think next season he will be even better, Conte turned Lichsteiner from an average defensive player to a very good one so I have high hopes he can improve Alonso even more.

[Despiadado.Maleante 1,046]

The new Ivanovic...

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,919]

1 minute ago, Despiadado.Maleante said:

The new Ivanovic...

Noooooo Don't say that.

[lucio 5,418]

A bit of a pinball machine

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

He did his best considering his flank was constantly overloaded. 2 v 1 most of the time. He missed Matic's protection by the side. He made the 3rd goal. I like him  

[Supermonkey92 1,428]

Not the weakest link, but unless he improves his concentration he wont be in the first team within two years (if we keep improving). Keep saying it though, great left foot. 

[Polo7 3,496]

Pass was great for the 3rd goal but he panics a lot. Still hasnt done too badly since joining.

[Gilvorak 3,734]

He was gash let's be honest. All of their chances came from his side for a reason. Forced Hazard to drop deep at times to do his own job for him.

Nice assist at the death but doesn't change how woeful he was both offensively & defensively for nearly 90 minutes. Still think we need a replacement lined up January but options are thin.

[Jase 43,479]

8 hours ago, Despiadado.Maleante said:

The new Ivanovic...

Alonso isn't great defensively but he's pretty good going forward, something that Ivanovic can't boast about.

[Styles 9,790]

Hell of a struggle for him yesterday and he was clearly being targeted.

An upgrade is a must and I think Conte knows by now. That's not to say Alonso won't be a useful squad player for a few years.

[Special Juan 27,424]

Agree with most of what has been said...upgrade needed, and on Saturday he really just panicked and ran into dead corners, we should be looking to strengthen massively in this area.

Felipe Luis would of been great but some daft twat sold him.

[akgw13 867]

In his defense he had Cahill behind him, Hazard in front, and Fabregas next to him against Man City who were clearly intent on attacking down that side. Yes he struggled, but so did moses on the right side. Cahill was not much help plus without matic next to him he was left on an island 2v1 against KDB and Navas. I don't think he played especially well but as i have said in the past he is serviceable, hard working, and a good soldier. I agree with everyone in that we definitely need to bring someone in to be competition/challenge/replace him. But he can play LCB, LWB and has a good attitude. I like him and think he has been a good purchase in the context of the market and where we were.

[dimmas 126]

On 11/6/2016 at 9:22 PM, Kieran. said:

How are people complaining about his defensive skills when we literally haven't conceded ONE goal with him in the side. 

I think even you actually understand, it isnt about how many we conceded goal.
But how many opponent player succesfully send dangerous cross into our box from alonso's side
or How many opponent player able to beat him at the left side

Probably nobody talking trash to alonso, slagging him or etc.
But Alonso being CONSTANT TARGET by opponent team, that is what concern some of us who critics him 

Also in my opinion, alonso is one of the reason why we still struggling when oppenent press us highly.
Alonso is another player who looks awkward when get presses and his lack of dynamism and mobility hold back our team even more.

I dont think he is bad player, i like him as a player
He almost try his best in every matches, have decent technique, good when supporting attack.
But if we want to become GREAT team, sadly to say we absolutely need better leftback

 

[Parky 739]

I think the speed of the English game exposes his deficiencies a lot more and his qualities suits a slower league like Serie A. He could still make a solid LB in a back 4 but the LWB position exposes his lack of real pace, dynamism and agility. I think we overpaid for him and could only recoup half of his fee but we were left in a desperate situation so got owned for it.

Need to plan ahead and look to bring in a world class LWB or try develop Kennedy a solid WB like Conte did with Moses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[kellzfresh 7,229]

7 minutes ago, Parky said:

I think the speed of the English game exposes his deficiencies a lot more and his qualities suits a slower league like Serie A. He could still make a solid LB in a back 4 but the LWB position exposes his lack of real pace, dynamism and agility. I think we overpaid for him and could only recoup half of his fee but we were left in a desperate situation so got owned for it.

Need to plan ahead and look to bring in a world class LWB or try develop Kennedy a solid WB like Conte did with Moses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think Alonso would be even worse in a back four. He'll have only two centerbacks as cover instead of three.

From City's passing images above, it's clear he's been targeted now because of his lack of pace and cahill's poor one on one ability. Hazard too is more forward than Pedro/willian on the other side too, so adding fabregas close to him was just overkill.