Muric

[agreenwood]

He’s perfect for our team and he gets better by the week.

[HiThere]

If you put him in the Man City side right now he wouldn't look out of place.

[warksclaret]

One thing that's impressed me is our coaching. It picks up weaknesses and they then focus on it. Sure Muric, Maatsen , JBG and a few others have benefitted, and for all to see

[bobinho]

Whilst his performances fully warrant the praise he’s getting on here, it may become more apparent next year how good a keeper he is. Against consistently better opponents he’s gonna have to keep goal a bit more than he does now.

He’s bloody excellent with the ball at his feet. Every bit as good as an outfield player.

[MT03ALG]

We discussed that Muric might be Man of the Match !!!!!

[CHEWBACCA]

Hope he's better when we play Sheffield again,he was shocking in all aspects that game .

[Cleveleys_claret]

Hope he's better when we play Sheffield again,he was shocking in all aspects that game .

Let's tear the guy apart for his worst appearance. But let's not forget there were several bad performances that day. And as a team we have learnt.

One thing I think is becoming noticeable is how much comfier Muric is when he has 2 ball playing defenders in front of him, instead of one being Taylor.

The guy is a class act, hearts in mouth stuff sometimes but in my head I am confident because it's him. Yes he will throw in a howler now and again, but give me this team in all aspects of what we are to the last 3 or 4 years before any day of the week

[summitclaret]

Hope he's better when we play Sheffield again,he was shocking in all aspects that game .

He was let down by poor team selection and even worse the failure to make changes at half time.

[taio]

He was let down by poor team selection and even worse the failure to make changes at half time.

What was wrong with the team selection?

[claretspice]

What was wrong with the team selection?

It didn't include Barnes, which given the physicality of Sheffield's approach was a mistake and could have been rectified at half time. The fact Barnes started against Blackburn a week later was arguably a tacit admission of it.

Barnes and Rodriguez are hugely important to our ability to defend our box. They're as good defensively from set plays as anyone we've got, and they talk and organise and do the ugly stuff. There were plenty of examples of that when we had to defend against Norwich. It helps the keeper massively.

[taio]

It didn't include Barnes, which given the physicality of Sheffield's approach was a mistake and could have been rectified at half time. The fact Barnes started against Blackburn a week later was arguably a tacit admission of it.

Barnes and Rodriguez are hugely important to our ability to defend our box. They're as good defensively from set plays as anyone we've got, and they talk and organise and do the ugly stuff. There were plenty of examples of that when we had to defend against Norwich. It helps the keeper massively.

I can't imagine many people would've called for Barnes to start at the time and without the benefit if hindsight

[Devils_Advocate]

I can't imagine many people would've called for Barnes to start at the time and without the benefit if hindsight

Correct they weren't calling for Barnes who'd done nothing at that point to suggest he could offer much to this team. A load of idiots with the hindsight of one bad game were saying Lowton and Taylor should have been playing full back and a few wrote Maatsen off as not being able to defend.

Despite some issues in the first half we were good going forward and noone was moaning at half time. TBH and Beyer were the ones who struggled the most and this exposed Murics weakness.

We learnt from this game and the defenders (especially Beyer) have really upped their game in terms of attacking crosses and being more aggressive.

[claretspice]

I can't imagine many people would've called for Barnes to start at the time and without the benefit if hindsight

I think quite a few did, in fairness (I know I did and I'm not claiming foresight - I was one of a crowd). He'd done well without scoring against Rotherham in the midweek before to stake a claim.

[taio]

I think quite a few did, in fairness (I know I did and I'm not claiming foresight - I was one of a crowd). He'd done well without scoring against Rotherham in the midweek before to stake a claim.

Your team vs Sheff Utd

Muric
Roberts THB Beyer Taylor
---------Cork Cullen
Benson Bastien Zaroury
------------Rodriguez

[HalifaxClaret]

Not read the whole thread so don't know if this point has been made but it never ceases to amaze me that people think players who can do it all would be playing for Burnley.

Muric is brilliant for the way we play. If he could catch the ball too he wouldn't be playing for Burnley.

If Chris Wood had pace he would not have played for Burnley.

If Dwight McNeil was 2 footed he would not have played for Burnley.

If Nick Pope could have passed the ball better he would not have played for Burnley.

Etc etc

[claretspice]

Your team vs Sheff Utd

Muric
Roberts THB Beyer Taylor
---------Cork Cullen
Benson Bastien Zaroury
------------Rodriguez

And then we discovered Jay would miss out, didn't we? That's when, quite reasonably, there was surprise in many quarters that Barnes didn't start. Of course, given the form he had been in to that point, Jay was preferred of the two if fit.

[roperclaret]

What was wrong with the team selection?

I’ve been making this point for a while. VK got it wrong, not necessarily with the defence but he played Tella as the 9. Which meant we gave up possession way to easily as the triangles between midfield and our wide men didn’t work. He quickly realised his mistake and hasn’t done it since

[HiThere]

I’ve been making this point for a while. VK got it wrong, not necessarily with the defence but he played Tella as the 9. Which meant we gave up possession way to easily as the triangles between midfield and our wide men didn’t work. He quickly realised his mistake and hasn’t done it since

Tella was better at 9

[HiThere]

Your team vs Sheff Utd

Muric
Roberts THB Beyer Taylor
---------Cork Cullen
Benson Bastien Zaroury
------------Rodriguez

ClaretSpice isn't the most knowledgeable about football. He won't admit it though.

[taio]

It didn't include Barnes, which given the physicality of Sheffield's approach was a mistake and could have been rectified at half time. The fact Barnes started against Blackburn a week later was arguably a tacit admission of it.

Barnes and Rodriguez are hugely important to our ability to defend our box. They're as good defensively from set plays as anyone we've got, and they talk and organise and do the ugly stuff. There were plenty of examples of that when we had to defend against Norwich. It helps the keeper massively.

Yet you still wouldn't have started him against Blackburn:

'For that reason, I'd be tempted to make just one change to the team. That would be to bring Taylor into the team at centre back, and play Beyer at right back (which increasingly looks to me his more natural position).'

[roperclaret]

Tella was better at 9

But totally wrecks the team dynamic.

[Bosscat]

Tella was better at 9

He wasn't bad at 15, 55 and 58 yesterday v The No b enders

[roperclaret]

ClaretSpice isn't the most knowledgeable about football. He won't admit it though.

How ironic

[HiThere]

But totally wrecks the team dynamic.

It really doesn't. He started out right and he was ok but was always better when he moved inside and partnered Barnes.

[ksrclaret]

So Muric is looking the part, isn’t he guys.

[HiThere]

So Muric is looking the part, isn’t he guys.

Very much so.

[claretspice]

Yet you still wouldn't have started him against Blackburn:

'For that reason, I'd be tempted to make just one change to the team. That would be to bring Taylor into the team at centre back, and play Beyer at right back (which increasingly looks to me his more natural position).'

I cant recall exactly why I wrote that as I did - theres clearly context missing - but if you are going to trawl back through months of posts to find.what was written at the time, you might at least not quote selectively. The team I proposed for Rovers in a separate post again had Rodriguez in it on the basis he'd likely be fit, and that was obviously the intent even in the post you've quoted because it goes on to say it'd be between Tella and Benson to play wide.

[taio]

I cant recall exactly why I wrote that as I did - theres clearly context missing - but if you are going to trawl back through months of posts to find.what was written at the time, you might at least not quote selectively. The team I proposed for Rovers in a separate post again had Rodriguez in it on the basis he'd likely be fit, and that was obviously the intent even in the post you've quoted because it goes on to say it'd be between Tella and Benson to play wide.

All I'm saying is that you didn't say before the Sheff Utd game that Barnes - specifically - should've started which is what you said. Because you disputed my comment about hindsight. I think it's only fair that I try to substantiate with evidence hence the references. Not sure about the relevance of Rodriguez, Tella and Benson.

[roperclaret]

It really doesn't. He started out right and he was ok but was always better when he moved inside and partnered Barnes.

Barnes didn’t play in the sheff U game??

[HiThere]

Barnes didn’t play in the sheff U game??

I'm talking about the previous game YNC.

[roperclaret]

So not a 9 then

[boatshed bill]

It didn't include Barnes, which given the physicality of Sheffield's approach was a mistake and could have been rectified at half time.

The day we start picking centre-forwards for their defensive qualities is the day i'll give up watching.
I

[claretspice]

All I'm saying is that you didn't say before the Sheff Utd game that Barnes - specifically - should've started which is what you said. Because you disputed my comment about hindsight. I think it's only fair that I try to substantiate with evidence hence the references. Not sure about the relevance of Rodriguez, Tella and Benson.

Bloody hell. I said that quite a few people had said Barnes should start at Sheff United - to support what someone else had said. I've explained that this was in the context of a choice between Tella and Barnes once Rodriguez was ruled out. I've explained why that was the case: Rodriguez and Barnes give us a focal point up front, and - relevant to this thread - are two of our best defenders at set plays, particularly against physical opponents. That helps Muric massively by taking the pressure off him at set plays, and helps us get up the pitch in general play.

Whether you want to accept that was my opinion or not is entirely for you. I'm not going to waste any more of a Sunday evening debating it either way. But it was certainly a view expressed when Tella was selected up front and Barnes left out in Jay's absence.

[elwaclaret]

The day we start picking centre-forwards for their defensive qualities is the day i'll give up watching.
I

I think its more physicality… Against a WBA/Luton I’d put a fit Barnes/Rodriguez on to take some of the steam out of the opposition at both ends of the field… bring on the speed when its even more advantageous.

[boatshed bill]

I think people are inclined to read far more into the Sheffield Utd result than is necessary.
They beat us because they were better on the day, it really is that simple. pointing out individual weaknesses won't alter the result.

[HiThere]

I think people are inclined to read far more into the Sheffield Utd result than is necessary.
They beat us because they were better on the day, it really is that simple. pointing out individual weaknesses won't alter the result.

It isn't really. We were shattered and our normal game took us 2-1 up at half time. We were the better team and looked to take advantage and put the game to bed. Second half we looked shattered.

[boatshed bill]

I think its more physicality… Against a WBA/Luton I’d put a fit Barnes/Rodriguez on to take some of the steam out of the opposition at both ends of the field… bring on the speed when its even more advantageous.

That's a slightly different point. I'm not really debating that.

[boatshed bill]

It isn't really. We were shattered and our normal game took us 2-1 up at half time. We were the better team and looked to take advantage and put the game to bed. Second half we looked shattered.

Exactly, so they were better on the day... fitness counts. I agree with you, we looked shattered.

[HiThere]

Exactly, so they were better on the day... fitness counts. I agree with you, we looked shattered.

I'm looking forward to the reverse fixture.

[boatshed bill]

I'm looking forward to the reverse fixture.

Same here.
I think we've made massive progress since then.
Our game is basically about "working" the opposition. I'd say that at Sheff Utd we just didn't have enough in the tank; this is why they found ways to bully us.

[evensteadiereddie]

I can't wait to take those **** kickers on again...
Thrash those and the season's complete.
Not really, Boro will catch 'em.

[evensteadiereddie]

I've got a mate in the local down here in Staffordshire who is a Blade and a knob, obviously, who declared that Muric was a bellend and would cost us in the long run.
I kept quiet because it was obvious that the Blades roughed us up and we were too naive to deal with them.

Even if those gits beat us to the title, highly unlikely, we know that our prospects are far, far better than a team of journeymen **** kickers for the 23/24 Prem season.

[roperclaret]

I think people are inclined to read far more into the Sheffield Utd result than is necessary.
They beat us because they were better on the day, it really is that simple. pointing out individual weaknesses won't alter the result.

Nope, can’t agree. The fact we played Tella through the middle who was trying to run in behind, with Zaroury and Benson on the wings meant that we could not dominate possession and control midfield that day. A centre forward that drops deep and pulls opposition centre backs out is integral to the way we play. It’s no coincidence that we have never picked that forward line again since that game

[roperclaret]

This is why Pep originally benched Aguero until he learnt how do do this

[NewClaret]

It’s no coincidence that we have never picked that forward line again since that game

For this reason I hope Tella could learn that role and how to drop in. His heading ability has really surprised me recently so I think he could play that striker role. Plus I can’t see Tella getting ahead of Benson / Zaroury when both fit & he’s too good to be on the bench.

[claretandy]

Sheff utd was a one off, let's not forget 2 of their goals shouldn't have stood, and we missed some good chances.

[Leisure]

https://twitter.com/kosovarfootball/sta ... CgpGg&s=19

[NRC]

and the antithesis of Muric
https://twitter.com/i/status/1625488865371750400

[roperclaret]

How much is City’s buy back clause?

[ElectroClaret]

Fabulous against PNE, horrendous for their goal tonight.