Pires

[IanMcL]

Got mine and others vote as MOM last night. Well done.

[NewClaret]

Who knew that giving a young foreign player a chance may be what's needed to help him develop. The comments on here were utterly laughable, with people even going as far to say he's the worst left back we've ever had.

It’s got to the point I can’t read the player threads or match day threads any more.

Who would think that a foreign player new to a league would need time to adapt and also a good run of games in the side to find some form? We write players off far too easily.

So many have been embarrassed on here, for example saying we’d lose money on Trafford yet they still do it.

Saw it the other day that Sonne was being written off after one average game in a team with 9 changes in it or something. Beggars belief.

[cblantfanclub]

The match day thread - which I often rely on - is without question one of the the most negative and critical on this board by some way.

[jlup1980]

He's getting better by the game, which happens to coincide with a proper run in the team... who would have thought it?!! I think he's been ok all season. He's had the odd poor game, but he's a 23 year old lad finding his way in a new country.

Anyone suggesting he's the worst left back we've ever had clearly hasn't watched us for very long. We had some shockers in the 80's and 90's. Any advance on Steve Morgan!?

[claretspice]

I thought he played pretty well last night. He defended OK whilst looking a bit languid at times, switched off a couple of times but recovered well, put in a couple of good crosses and overhit a couple of others, passed the ball well for the most part but was a bit careless once or twice.

But that's essentially been Pires all season. I think he probably stood out a bit more in a relatively poor team performance last night, and perhaps he's showing a bit more purpose with the benefit of a run in the team. But fundamentally, he's been overcriticised over the past 6 weeks or so and it looks as though he's getting a bit more credit now, which is pleasing to see. But I don't think it's the case that he performed much better last night than he did at Cardiff or against Sheffield Wednesday when he got some criticism.

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

Thought he’s played well last two games. Fantastic cross that should have been put away 2nd half.

[RVclaret]

I thought he played pretty well last night. He defended OK whilst looking a bit languid at times, switched off a couple of times but recovered well, put in a couple of good crosses and overhit a couple of others, passed the ball well for the most part but was a bit careless once or twice.

But that's essentially been Pires all season. I think he probably stood out a bit more in a relatively poor team performance last night, and perhaps he's showing a bit more purpose with the benefit of a run in the team. But fundamentally, he's been overcriticised over the past 6 weeks or so and it looks as though he's getting a bit more credit now, which is pleasing to see. But I don't think it's the case that he performed much better last night than he did at Cardiff or against Sheffield Wednesday when he got some criticism.

Played with far more clarity and decisiveness in the past two games, for me. Example being the two excellent first time whipped crosses, I’ve wanted that more from him, and he wouldn’t still be sat on 2 assists for the season (opening game v Luton) if that was the case in every game.

[Im_not_Robbie_Blake]

Congratulations to Pires and Anthony - our left side was excellent last night.

[Conroy92]

As others have said. Not much difference last night from prior weeks. Albeit maybe last night he had what should have been a match winning assist if someone had got on the end of it.

There are some right belms on the player ratings threads. I noticed one person's comment next to pires last night was "6- apparently had a good game but I didn't see it".

[Goliath]

I thought he played pretty well last night. He defended OK whilst looking a bit languid at times, switched off a couple of times but recovered well, put in a couple of good crosses and overhit a couple of others, passed the ball well for the most part but was a bit careless once or twice.

But that's essentially been Pires all season. I think he probably stood out a bit more in a relatively poor team performance last night, and perhaps he's showing a bit more purpose with the benefit of a run in the team. But fundamentally, he's been overcriticised over the past 6 weeks or so and it looks as though he's getting a bit more credit now, which is pleasing to see. But I don't think it's the case that he performed much better last night than he did at Cardiff or against Sheffield Wednesday when he got some criticism.

I think the huge difference was the cross that should have led to the winner and the assist..they are more decisive actions that elevate him to another level if he can do them regularly

[warksclaret]

Some very good moments from him last night. For me he is constantly passing back to Esteve when he has moments he could push forward and stretch the opposition (something we saw a lot from Charlie Taylor). He failed to deal with several Albion attacks, one of which led to their free kick and goal. If anyone watches the highlights watch how he deals with the high cross moments before the foul by Brownhill which gave them the free kick.Rather than challenging hard aerially he cowers under their player. He does quite a bit of this. This may all sound over critical however I accept he played a key part last night and was a major improvement from several weeks ago. I liken him to Vitinho-you have to take the rough with the smooth