Marcus Edwards

[Swizzlestick]

While a perhaps quieter game yesterday, opposition defences are terrified of him so are having to plan accordingly which is freeing up Anthony. His movement is always clever and it’s dragging players out of their comfort zone. He is exactly the signing we needed to turn us from playoff candidates to automatic promotion contenders.

[Goliath]

If he had pace and athleticism he'd be at a top club

[fatboy47]

He is at a top club.

[pureclaret]

He is at a top club.

THE TOP CLUB just look at the table today!

[equinox]

Safe to say then that he's made a big difference, if not THE difference.

[Woodleyclaret]

A great signing and having a similar impact to Benny and Zaroury last time we won the league

[Im_not_Robbie_Blake]

I don't see him being much of a threat in the Prem. Lacks physicality and defensive nous.

[equinox]

I don't see him being much of a threat in the Prem. Lacks physicality and defensive nous.

Well he's about as good as it's going to get so I'd start making other arrangements for next season if I was you.

[Vegas Claret]

I don't see him being much of a threat in the Prem. Lacks physicality and defensive nous.

For the most part the Prem is a league of giants, should we go up we would have to improve our physicality substantially - I agree with you about Edwards but we also need someone to create....

[fatboy47]

If you're looking for us to sign better players than Edwards then life's gonna prove a big disappointment to you.

[CrosspoolClarets]

I don't see him being much of a threat in the Prem. Lacks physicality and defensive nous.

Did you see the game when he tore Spurs to shreds in the Champion’s League?

[fatboy47]

Did you see the game when he tore Spurs to shreds in the Champion’s League?

Kinda like Robbie did in 2009

[KateR]

I think he's made a big difference, and we would have drawn a few games we've won since he started playing. Last two games he has be targeted IMO, but draws opposition to him, thus providing more space for others to score. He has definitely improved our points return, such a critical signing to get us to this point, SP also needs a lot of credit for making this happen, just in my opinion of course

[Spijed]

I don't see him being much of a threat in the Prem. Lacks physicality and defensive nous.

Does Wilson Odobert look any stronger?

[johnnyjones]

Do we have any kind of future fee on the lad?

[mickleoverclaret]

Do we have any kind of future fee on the lad?

I've read we get him for £8m if we go up which would be an absolute steal.

[dsr]

The point about Edwards is that he creates the vital first goal. We're by far the best side in the division when we're a goal up, but have struggled all season to break down the packed defences. Both the recent 4-0 home wins started with effectively the same goal - Edwards using trickery to fire the ball across from the goalline, and a defender on hand to score the OG. Either or both those matches could have finished 0-0 without Edwards to unlock the door.

[Cirrus_Minor]

I thought he was fairly average tonight. Maybe struggled with us attacking mainly from the left but seemed to get bogged down and wasn't his usual threat.

[Burnleyareback2]

First few games I felt he was trying to score the perfect goal with every chance. Now it looks like he doesn’t want to take anyone on.

Great player and we have stepped forward since he arrived but something has changed.

[Hedontplayforyou]

Could be a bit of fatigue kicking in with him not having the start to his season that he would have liked . He’s very capable and a joy to watch when he’s at it.

[Vegas Claret]

Needs to realise he's not in Portugal and stay on his feet- this is the Championship where you don't get free kicks for every bit of contact. He'll likely fair better in the big league should we go up.

[Dark Cloud]

I think the guy is absolutely terrific, but he's had two poor matches this week by his standards, so hopefully he'll be firing next Friday after a whole week resting.

[DCWat]

He’s saving himself for an Easter Monday spectacular!!

[Bacchus]

He has shown in flashes what he's capable of but we haven't had a 90 minute performance from him yet. He's also gone from barely playing for a few months to starting every match in a hectic schedule and a more physical league than he's used to.

He's a good player, who has had a positive impact and despite some disappointing games I'd rather have him on the pitch when it matters than off it.

[Darnhill Claret]

He has many attributes which have strengthened our team/squad. This adds to the strengths of our other team players. He can control passes quickly even ones that aren't very good. For me his biggest strength is his instant control. This means our midfield have a few more seconds to either assist our forwards or prepare for the next phase of play. Otherwise we get rushed off our feet and the opposition have a chance of a quick break.

He also tends to think to make an aggressive attacking play, if possible, and happy to take defenders on in the penalty area.

[blatherwickstattoos]

Very poor last 3 games. Still offers more than Koleosho

[jojomk1]

Sorry, but just don't see why all the hype in Edwards
Very similar to Koleosho and Benson in a lot of ways
Small stature with little physical presence, no real pace to go past defenders so constantly just turns round to pass sideways or backwards, uses his right foot mainly to stand on (one right foot shot last night high into the stand) and gives little support to Roberts with defensive tracking back
Brought off, rightly, in the last 3 games and probably the lowest ratings average of the whole team last night
Someone mentioned he would be a "steal" at £8m
Not so sure ?

[Tricky Trevor]

He’s a winger. They are known for being up and down players. Last two he’s been off his best but before the season is done he’ll win us a match.

[helmclaret]

Very poor last 3 games. Still offers more than Koleosho

Had a very good first half at Coventry. He’s definitely improved this team since coming in.

[CaptJohn]

Teams are wary of him for sure and that does open up other areas of the pitch. Norwich concentrated on cutting out balls to him last night with a high press and it worked to a degree with several interceptions. One criticism is his tendency to drift inside when the ball is on the other wing, when it would be better for him to hug the touchline and stretch the opposition's defence. Needs a few days R&R.

[warksclaret]

I was forgiving of the pitch at Derby when he kept slipping over-yesterday he looked nervous and did not seem so quick to get on the ball, meaning the ball got snubbered by their defenders. Still lots to go from this guy-he can change things on the pitch very quick with his footwork and deft passing. HE if nothing else means Anthony does not get the attention from opposing defenders and we saw the benefits last night and at Cov

[claretspice]

He's still adapting to the pace physicality and intensity of English football, and rebuilding his confidence.

But for all he didn't have the best of games last night, he still had plenty of good moments - indeed the Times describes him as 'unplayable at times' last night. That might be going a bit far but he was certainly committing defenders last night - he invariably attracts two defenders and if he passes it he tends to do so in a way that capitalises on the space that creates. He played 4 or 5 sumptuous passes last night that on another day might have led to goals (most obviously when Esteve fired over).

He's also working hard. He won more tackles than anyone else on our team according to the statistics.

[billyhamilton82]

His defensive attributes have definitely improved.

We also have to take into consideration tiredness and the pressure of being our "main man".

At times he had 3 men on him last night.

[Big Vinny K]

Sorry, but just don't see why all the hype in Edwards
Very similar to Koleosho and Benson in a lot of ways
Small stature with little physical presence, no real pace to go past defenders so constantly just turns round to pass sideways or backwards, uses his right foot mainly to stand on (one right foot shot last night high into the stand) and gives little support to Roberts with defensive tracking back
Brought off, rightly, in the last 3 games and probably the lowest ratings average of the whole team last night
Someone mentioned he would be a "steal" at £8m
Not so sure ?

You are watching a completely different game of football from me.
Should have stopped reading your post at “very similar to koleosho” - he’s about as similar to koleosho as Lionel Messi is to Billy Whitehurst.

[alwaysaclaret]

Interesting that Norwich best spell was after both Edwards and Hannibal had gone off, have to say I'm still on the fence re Edwards, and although he doesn't produce a lot, as some are saying often takes 3 player's out of the game, so clearly leaves player's free, that's what he and the team need to keep working better on, although our goals for column has improved, and he is very tightly marked in most games.

[Rileybobs]

He’s had a relatively poor couple of games but he needs more help from Roberts, who has also been below par recently. When Roberts makes forward runs it opens up pockets in more central areas where I feel Edwards does his best work.

[Burnley1989]

He’s had a relatively poor couple of games but he needs more help from Roberts, who has also been below par recently. When Roberts makes forward runs it opens up pockets in more central areas where I feel Edwards does his best work.

Spon on

[Goliath]

He’s had a relatively poor couple of games but he needs more help from Roberts, who has also been below par recently. When Roberts makes forward runs it opens up pockets in more central areas where I feel Edwards does his best work.

I think Roberts already quite limited physical capabilities have reduced even more over the season. There was a point in the second half where it looked like he was running through treacle as he tried to get back to their left winger who had got past him.
I think he's very close to being done as a top Championship full back because he's going to struggle to get up and down which was one of his biggest strengths and helps provide Edwards with the overlap he needs to be at his best.

[warksclaret]

He’s had a relatively poor couple of games but he needs more help from Roberts, who has also been below par recently. When Roberts makes forward runs it opens up pockets in more central areas where I feel Edwards does his best work.

Agreed-would go further by saying when Brownhill/Roberts/Edwards are on their game, that trio combining are too much for a Championship defence. Just like Roberts, Brownhill has been largely quiet recently

[dvalley69]

I think Roberts already quite limited physical capabilities have reduced even more over the season. There was a point in the second half where it looked like he was running through treacle as he tried to get back to their left winger who had got past him.
I think he's very close to being done as a top Championship full back because he's going to struggle to get up and down which was one of his biggest strengths and helps provide Edwards with the overlap he needs to be at his best.

Worrying you say that after just signing a new contract.

[billyhamilton82]

You are watching a completely different game of football from me.
Should have stopped reading your post at “very similar to koleosho” - he’s about as similar to koleosho as Lionel Messi is to Billy Whitehurst.

I always wanted us to sign Billy Whitehurst.

[billyhamilton82]

I think Roberts already quite limited physical capabilities have reduced even more over the season. There was a point in the second half where it looked like he was running through treacle as he tried to get back to their left winger who had got past him.
I think he's very close to being done as a top Championship full back because he's going to struggle to get up and down which was one of his biggest strengths and helps provide Edwards with the overlap he needs to be at his best.

Caveat....3 tough games in 6 days.

All of the players were physically and mentally tired as SP alluded to in his post match interview.

He wasn't the only one, they were all shattered, as the fixture list definitely worked against us.

Amassing 7 out of 9 points is nothing short of remarkable.

[chekhov]

Caveat....3 tough games in 6 days.

7 days.

[IanMcL]

Just knackered. Week off so should be fine.

[Conroy92]

I think we're also seeing opposition defenders double up on him which is giving him less space. There's more to come from him. Feels like he's doing the basics a lot of the time at the minute but he does them exceptionally well.

[CrosspoolClarets]

Fabulous player for our level.

Wingers don’t burst down the line nowadays, they cut in, and Edwards is no different. He needs a fullback more like Pires than Roberts, to leave defenders guessing.

And as well as the intensity, workload and tempo of this league being new, I also wonder if he has ever been in such a nip and tuck season end. Sporting used to either win the league easily or lose it by a distance, Champion’s League were sudden exits more akin to cup matches. What he has here is week after week nerves, like many players he will be new to it.

He has improved us hugely, pure and simple.

[xxmunkyennuixx]

I think Roberts already quite limited physical capabilities have reduced even more over the season. There was a point in the second half where it looked like he was running through treacle as he tried to get back to their left winger who had got past him.
I think he's very close to being done as a top Championship full back because he's going to struggle to get up and down which was one of his biggest strengths and helps provide Edwards with the overlap he needs to be at his best.

I think he's carrying a knock. Was in the ground early and watched the warm up. He was excellent a month ago but seems really laboured at the moment. Still honest in his work rate, his passing, his desire.

Feel people are being hypercritical of Edwards. Slightly below average in both the last two games. I like Koleosho but he's nowhere near as complete as Edwards. Teams have sussed he's a threat and are pulling, kicking and doubling up. You can be more robust in the Championship than elsewhere. I think he needs time to adjust and then he kicks on. A bit of support when he tries a few things that don't come off will do him wonders. He tried early on and it didn't work so he ended up just sliding the ball sideways quite a bit. He looked a frustrated figure. There's a moment in him before the end of the season. Just like Hannibal came through yesterday.

[Cheshireclaret]

He occupies opposition players and at one point last night, he had 5 players round him. To some extent he’s been thrown in at the deep end and has been lauded as our saviour. His arrival has coincided with some great form and he’s created more than he’s cost in terms of play and I’d rather he wore a claret shirt than a red and white striped, or white shirt!

[Quicknick]

I think he's carrying a knock. Was in the ground early and watched the warm up. He was excellent a month ago but seems really laboured at the moment. Still honest in his work rate, his passing, his desire.

Feel people are being hypercritical of Edwards. Slightly below average in both the last two games. I like Koleosho but he's nowhere near as complete as Edwards. Teams have sussed he's a threat and are pulling, kicking and doubling up. You can be more robust in the Championship than elsewhere. I think he needs time to adjust and then he kicks on. A bit of support when he tries a few things that don't come off will do him wonders. He tried early on and it didn't work so he ended up just sliding the ball sideways quite a bit. He looked a frustrated figure. There's a moment in him before the end of the season. Just like Hannibal came through yesterday.

That moment will be when he scores a brilliant goal against Sheffield United.

[Goalkeeper]

At times, his first touch is poor. He obviously isn't physical, given his stature. He is at very best a top 6 Championship player, he will sink without trace in the Premier League.