Ekdal performance

[RVclaret]

Obviously Spurs had a much better strike force but there seemed to be much more confidence with the back 4 than the 3. Maybe just a matter of more training but if it doesn't offer us any more defensive solidity you've got to wonder whether we'll persist with the 3.

Well it’s a case of being pragmatic in different circumstances. The back 3/4 thing has been discussed elsewhere on here, but for large parts it was still a back 5 v Sunderland when defending deep (the new term being the ‘rest defence’) with JBL at RWB.

[beeholeclaret]

Makes BBC Premier League 'Team of the Week'

Troy likes him!

[Holtyclaret]

I think you’re seriously over egging it here, let’s put it in context he’s had one awful game and a good one, the good one against a side we finished 24 points ahead of last season.

He looked miles off the pace 2 years ago in this division and was loaned out last season because he was behind CJ in the pecking order.

Based on everything we’ve seen of Ekdal, we need a serious improvement to replace him or we need a serious improvement from him to survive. Hopefully the defensive system can carry him if we haven’t got the funds to replace.

I agree slightly with the overegging bit, he’s a decent squad cb with age on his side to develop further.

But his loan out was to get him playing again following injury and as we were stacked at cb we could afford to do that. I can imagine we will do same with Beyer eventually.

Fun fact but the last two matches are the first he has played for us whilst fully fit.

[KRBFC]

I agree slightly with the overegging bit, he’s a decent squad cb with age on his side to develop further.

But his loan out was to get him playing again following injury and as we were stacked at cb we could afford to do that. I can imagine we will do same with Beyer eventually.

Fun fact but the last two matches are the first he has played for us whilst fully fit.

If Ekdal was Esteve in the same situation, Esteve is not being loaned out to a poor Dutch side for fitness. The reason Ekdal was loaned out is because he wasn’t good enough to break up the pairing.

[Goliath]

If Ekdal was Esteve in the same situation, Esteve is not being loaned out to a poor Dutch side for fitness. The reason Ekdal was loaned out is because he wasn’t good enough to break up the pairing.

Ekdal isn't as good as Esteve. Well spotted.

[Claretnbluebiscuit]

Well it’s a case of being pragmatic in different circumstances. The back 3/4 thing has been discussed elsewhere on here, but for large parts it was still a back 5 v Sunderland when defending deep (the new term being the ‘rest defence’) with JBL at RWB.

That's what I saw too. It asked a lot of JBL and he seemed to struggle with switching between playing as a wing back and a winger. I was sat in that part of the ground in the first half and Walker was having to micromanage JBL's positioning and marking. It looked a bit messy at times. A top side would have exploited it.

[claretonthecoast1882]

Selected for Sweden's squad for the World cup qualifiers next month

[ollieclarets8]

He was poor versus Spurs and very good against Sunderland. Let's not get carried away. Some people are making it out like we have the second coming of Sir Bobby Moore the way they are describing him.

On the fence at best with Ekdal. If we're sitting deep he'll perform better, but will always be a massive risk against any forward with pace.

[Darnhill Claret]

If we are playing a 5 at the back when out of possession, (as at Spurs?), it could be that another player was designated to watch/cover/mark
Richarlison!!
As we don't know, maybe we should lay off the blame game, or is Ekdal the easiest target from that game?