Team v Villa

[jedi_master]

Interestingly Kompany basically admitted he got it wrong with so many wingers, without explicitly saying it. At a presser recently he mentioned how he thought JBG would be more central this season. In reality he’s the only ‘wide’ player with genuine physicality and PL defensive nous, which is what he’s in these teams mainly for. He should have recognised it was needed at this level.

It has been key to us in our PL years to have that graft on the flanks (sometimes in lieu of genuine quality). The likes of Boyd and Arfield were never the most exciting players but they usually offered far more in a 90 minute performance than the more exciting wingers tend to, Cornet as an example. It’s a shame we’re so reliant on Berge centrally as I think he could do a really good job as a right sided midfielder (as opposed to wide player) with the runs he can make down that side. We’re just a bit too slight in these areas.

[gandhisflipflop]

I honestly wonder what games some of you are watching in reference to the amdouni criticism. The lad gets us further up the pitch and often comes out with the ball in some tight spaces resulting in the opposition running back towards their own goal.

[jedi_master]

I honestly wonder what games some of you are watching in reference to the amdouni criticism. The lad gets us further up the pitch and often comes out with the ball in some tight spaces resulting in the opposition running back towards their own goal.

I rate him Gandi, and he was superb against Sheff Utd. I just wonder if in games like this (I.e, away at a top side) whether we’re better setting up to draw and then going for it with him as a sub. I realise that’s not in Kompany’s make up but it’s the type of thing we haven’t tried.

[Newcastleclaret93]

I honestly wonder what games some of you are watching in reference to the amdouni criticism. The lad gets us further up the pitch and often comes out with the ball in some tight spaces resulting in the opposition running back towards their own goal.

Each to their own I guess, but I can honestly say I’m not sure many defences have found him a challenge to defend against at all.

In fact I think some defences have arguably had there easiest games this season against him (especially with Foster out).

I don’t know whether it’s physical or mental, but I feel he gets lost in matches.

[willsclarets]

I don't think we did establish he was better central, at least not in the Premier League when the onus is more on defending and tracking runners than dominating the game, and the system/set up reflects that truth.

He plays that wide role better than anyone else in this squad.

I disagree. Even this season his best game was Arsenal away where he played the central role. He wasn't effective wide last time we were in the premier league in my opinion. I like the guy and thought he was superb last season, but it's a sad inditement of our transfer activity if he's the best we have wide right.

[taio]

Amdouni has caused teams problems but his finishing has let him down. Feel it's right for him to be starting especially with us being light on forwards.

[RVclaret]

I disagree. Even this season his best game was Arsenal away where he played the central role. He wasn't effective wide last time we were in the premier league in my opinion. I like the guy and thought he was superb last season, but it's a sad inditement of our transfer activity if he's the best we have wide right.

JBG played on the right at Arsenal.

[taio]

I disagree. Even this season his best game was Arsenal away where he played the central role. He wasn't effective wide last time we were in the premier league in my opinion. I like the guy and thought he was superb last season, but it's a sad inditement of our transfer activity if he's the best we have wide right.

Gudmundsson is a good player and I'm glad he starts sometimes.

[willsclarets]

JBG played on the right at Arsenal.

If he started there he certainly moved central

[willsclarets]

Gudmundsson is a good player and I'm glad he starts sometimes.

I'm not saying he's not a good player. But how do you spend so much money on wide players and be left playing a 33 year old JBG who wasn't quite up to the standard required last time around

[Zom Zom]

I honestly wonder what games some of you are watching in reference to the amdouni criticism. The lad gets us further up the pitch and often comes out with the ball in some tight spaces resulting in the opposition running back towards their own goal.

It could be due to our frustration as supporters, not that the lad has done anything wrong. I too have voiced for a change in our approach and suggested that he is given a break. Not a criticism of the player, it's just that we don't look anywhere near being set up properly for a lot of these games. The lad's a talent.

[taio]

I'm not saying he's not a good player. But how do you spend so much money on wide players and be left playing a 33 year old JBG who wasn't quite up to the standard required last time around

I agree we spent too much on wide players but that's been done to death.

I don't see anything wrong with playing a 33 year old.

[Zom Zom]

Palace 0-1 Brentford

[claretspice]

I disagree. Even this season his best game was Arsenal away where he played the central role. He wasn't effective wide last time we were in the premier league in my opinion. I like the guy and thought he was superb last season, but it's a sad inditement of our transfer activity if he's the best we have wide right.

I don't think any of that is correct is it? I thought he played from the flank at Arsenal in the same set up we are adopting today (but wasn't there so happy to be corrected on that) - we adopted it for the previous game v Palace. Also - I don't agree he wasn't effective last time we were at this level - he was but unfortunately he had a period of injury trouble that impacted his effectiveness.

Finally, I think we should generally be wary of under valuing the likes of JBG. Generally our problem this season has been under valuing the importance of the attributes JBG offers - and has done over 5 or 6 seasons at this level.

[Superjohnnyfrancis]

How’s the man of the match doing?

[willsclarets]

More than possible my mind is playing tricks! I definitely remember a 1v1 JBG had vs arsenal on the left edge of the box which would be a bit odd from wide right. And I thought (but might be wrong) he was picking up space centrally especially second half.