Marcos Alonso

[Stats 7,138]

On 4/6/2017 at 8:54 PM, Miguelito said:

Exactly, we can't just be happy with the status quo.  It's the same with how Cahill has been performing pretty well recently, but he has massive limitations.  Cahill is very poor in possession and is overly passive in defending (among other things).  Alonso is very slow and gets skinned often around the edge.  He also is sometimes a little predictable.  That is not taking away from the great things he brings to the team, because he is vital part at the moment.  

Like you said, if we are to take the next step as a team, we have to improve.

How is his possession keeping skills poor? He is one of our better players with the ball and one of the more accomplished defenders in the PL at using the ball. He lost possession against Arsenal cheaply but apart from that most times you watch him, he uses the ball really well and is very calm in possession. 

[bluesman2610 1,415]

On 04/04/2017 at 10:13 AM, Unionjack said:

Heres his best bit

 

I'm sorry bout how are we not talking more about this skill. Shows you maybe don't always need pace if futbol IQ is high. Two players left for dead with an elastico/panna .. well played lad!

[OhForAGreavsie 6,058]

On 07/04/2017 at 1:20 PM, Kieran. said:

He has improved so much since the beginning of the season. 

He being Marcos? If so I don't agree. He was a good player, and a good fit, the day we bought him and he still is. If anything has changed it's not what Marcos can do, it's the appreciation, among fans, for what he offers. Back when he was first linked, those of us supporting his arrival were in the minority so it's pleasing that he is winning people over. Pleasing because it means he's done well for us.

I'm a big fan but I remain one of those who sees room for an upgrade at LWB. My ideal scenario would be for an upgrade to arrive, but for Marcos to remain a part of the squad. That would be an immensely positive situation for us.

[OhForAGreavsie 6,058]

1 hour ago, bluesman2610 said:

I'm sorry bout how are we not talking more about this skill. Shows you maybe don't always need pace if futbol IQ is high. Two players left for dead with an elastico/panna .. well played lad!

Because in the scheme of things it's meaningless. An ability to do it doesn't make a player good. An inability to do it doesn't make a player bad. There are an awful lot of footballers who are way short of professional standard but who can do stuff like that. It's an irrelevance.

[Kieran. 6,317]

5 hours ago, OhForAGreavsie said:

He being Marcos? If so I don't agree. He was a good player, and a good fit, the day we bought him and he still is. If anything has changed it's not what Marcos can do, it's the appreciation, among fans, for what he offers. Back when he was first linked, those of us supporting his arrival were in the minority so it's pleasing that he is winning people over. Pleasing because it means he's done well for us.

I'm a big fan but I remain one of those who sees room for an upgrade at LWB. My ideal scenario would be for an upgrade to arrive, but for Marco to remain a part of the squad. That would be an immensely positive situation for us.

Well he actually has improved. He doesn't get beat by pacy wingers as often which means his positioning and 1-on-1 defending has gotten better, and he's better in the air.

[Unionjack 7,531]

5 hours ago, OhForAGreavsie said:

Because in the scheme of things it's meaningless. An ability to do it doesn't make a player good. An inability to do it doesn't make a player bad. There are an awful lot of footballers who are way short of professional standard but who can do stuff like that. It's an irrelevance.

Thats exactly how I see both him and Moses. They both do a very adequate job for us and and I really hope they both stay to both push and fight for a place and give much needed backup. They would continue to be relevant

[bluesman2610 1,415]

7 hours ago, OhForAGreavsie said:

Because in the scheme of things it's meaningless. An ability to do it doesn't make a player good. An inability to do it doesn't make a player bad. There are an awful lot of footballers who are way short of professional standard but who can do stuff like that. It's an irrelevance.

Still think you missed my point the skill in itself is a part of it but the bigger point is that Marcos has a High futbol IQ. Technical ability and tactical awareness is a huge part of that. What he lacks in maybe pure physical prowess (pace) he makes up for by knowing where to be to support in attack and in defence. The fact that he could pull that skill off verses 2 players was just a bonus cherry on top .. but thanks for the reply

[OhForAGreavsie 6,058]

40 minutes ago, bluesman2610 said:

Still think you missed my point the skill in itself is a part of it but the bigger point is that Marcos has a High futbol IQ. Technical ability and tactical awareness is a huge part of that. What he lacks in maybe pure physical prowess (pace) he makes up for by knowing where to be to support in attack and in defence. The fact that he could pull that skill off verses 2 players was just a bonus cherry on top .. but thanks for the reply

Well we fully agree about Marcos. I'm a big fan of his.

I replied as I did because you asked, "I'm sorry b[o]ut how are we not talking more about this skill", so I hope you see why I thought you were talking particularly about the skill.

[Kieran. 6,317]

He is so fucking good at FKs from that area and distance. Wow. 2 crossbars and 1 goal in 3 attempts.

[!Hazard! 3,394]

7 minutes ago, Kieran. said:

He is so fucking good at FKs from that area and distance. Wow. 2 crossbars and 1 goal in 3 attempts.

His left foot is the best kept secret in world football lol. Amazing crosses and free kicks. 

[Magic Lamps 11,692]

21 minutes ago, Kieran. said:

He is so fucking good at FKs from that area and distance. Wow. 2 crossbars and 1 goal in 3 attempts.

spot on. great technique and what an important goal. bends it like bekcham with power brecicison, curl and curve. 

[Stats 7,138]

Such an underrated player. A real unsung hero. He has his critics but I am a real big fan of his. Utilizes his strengths well and despite not being the fastest, he manages to get forward so much times because he like typical Spaniards, is very smart in their play. Good defender too. 5 goals for the season. Brilliant for a LWB in his first season 

[DYC. 7,542]

26 minutes ago, !Hazard! said:

His left foot is the best kept secret in world football lol. Amazing crosses and free kicks. 

Disagree with the crossing. He's a decent crosser. His FKs have been good. Not much to go by though.

Great goal. Keep it coming if possible.

[Miguelito 459]

How is his possession keeping skills poor? He is one of our better players with the ball and one of the more accomplished defenders in the PL at using the ball. He lost possession against Arsenal cheaply but apart from that most times you watch him, he uses the ball really well and is very calm in possession. 

the following is about Cahill....I definitely disagree with that.

I think that he often just has a lot of time and space when he gets the ball. He always makes the simple pass either to a center mid or to Luiz or to Alonso on the left. That's about it. But when he doesn't have that space to dribble the ball into or the time to make simplest of passes, he greatly struggles. If he is under any type of pressure he often boots it away, he definitely isn't calm in those situations. There are times and every single game where he should be keeping the ball, but is not comfortable enough to do so.

There's also times where he needs to make a more advancing pass, but he only makes the simple short pass because that is what he's comfortable with and is able to do. He really limits us in possession

[Stats 7,138]

14 minutes ago, Miguelito said:

I definitely disagree with that.

I think that he often just has a lot of time and space when he gets the ball. He always makes the simple pass either to a center mid or to Luiz or to Alonso on the left. That's about it. But when he doesn't have that space to dribble the ball into or the time to make simplest of passes, he greatly struggles. If he is under any type of pressure he often boots it away, he definitely isn't calm in those situations. There are times and every single game where he should be keeping the ball, but is not comfortable enough to do so.

There's also times where he needs to make a more advancing pass, but he only makes the simple short pass because that is what he's comfortable with and is able to do. He really limits us in possession

Well I guess we see two different things. I find him composed all the time and never chooses the easy option, he uses the ball well to find a player and if necessary kicks it out. When AVB signed him, this was a particular set of skills that he picked out about Cahill that suits his style of football because he described him a very good, ball playing defender. That is also a big reason why I think Conte persists with all three defenders at CB as they all have the ability to used the ball effectively. He don't have the passing skills of Luiz or possession skills but imo he is very comfortable on the ball.