Did anyone else notice when he dribbled to the byline with his RIGHT foot and got past Pogba toward the goal?  I could not believe it, and I think the same is true of Pogba.

Well well well, we have our Matic back.

 

Little and large in midfield and it's working a treat.

1 hour ago, Davey Baby said:

Well well well, we have our Matic back.

 

Little and large in midfield and it's working a treat.

Everyone seem's to have stepped up after the Arsenal game. The change in formation has given everyone a lift. Matic was one of those players that needed the change the most.

It's good to see him not being so slow in possession and just making things look more simple again, like he did in his first 2 season's after rejoining us. 

His last 3 games were probably better than any game he played last season.

4 assists until now, something to add to his improvement this season.

I thought he was gone, i really did. I didn't think Matic would get back to his old ways, he's been brilliant of late though. Him and Kante together have been fantastic. He's just making things look simple again. Him only using his left foot hasn't been an issue which was one of his biggest problems last season. I also see that he is moving the ball quicker now, it's actually something all players have been doing of late.

pretty average performance against Saints. had around 4 good moments throughout the game. Kante seems to play higher up on field, because Matic cant' really dictate the game. He does come unexpectedly tho with some of his passes...with those 4 moments 2 could've been assists...but is it really enough for that type of player?

Edited October 30, 20169 yr by Salad Monster

5 minutes ago, Salad Monster said:

pretty average performance against Saints. had around 4 good moments throughout the game. Kante seems to play higher up on field, because Matic cant' really dictate the game. He does come unexpectedly tho with some of his passes...with those 4 moments 2 could've been assists...but is it really enough for that type of player?

Good effort, but too obvious.

6 minutes ago, Salad Monster said:

pretty average performance against Saints. had around 4 good moments throughout the game. Kante seems to play higher up on field, because Matic cant' really dictate the game. He does come unexpectedly tho with some of his passes...with those 4 moments 2 could've been assists...but is it really enough for that type of player?

What...?

3 minutes ago, Salad Monster said:

pretty average performance against Saints. had around 4 good moments throughout the game. Kante seems to play higher up on field, because Matic cant' really dictate the game. He does come unexpectedly tho with some of his passes...with those 4 moments 2 could've been assists...but is it really enough for that type of player?

Eh ? Matic was great today, are you sure you weren't talking about Romeu for Southampton ?

Matic did everything that we needed him to do today. He broke up play many times, moved the ball on quickly and protected the ball and defence when we needed him to. When i think of Matic, i'm not looking for a bunch of goals and assists from him, i want to see that no nonsense midfielder that we had 2 season's ago, and that is what we are currently getting.

13 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

I thought he was gone, i really did. I didn't think Matic would get back to his old ways, he's been brilliant of late though. Him and Kante together have been fantastic. He's just making things look simple again. Him only using his left foot hasn't been an issue which was one of his biggest problems last season. I also see that he is moving the ball quicker now, it's actually something all players have been doing of late.

He was excellent today, seems to demand the ball a lot more thsn last season and is constantly on the move and free for a pass.

Just now, BenCFC19 said:

What...?

Ignore him, he's a Muppet troll.

Confidence eh...

He has been absolutely sublime. Back to his very best and makes one hell of a partnership with Kante.

2 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

Eh ? Matic was great today, are you sure you weren't talking about Romeu for Southampton ?

Matic did everything that we needed him to do today. He broke up play many times, moved the ball on quickly and protected the ball and defence when we needed him to. When i think of Matic, i'm not looking for a bunch of goals and assists from him, i want to see that no nonsense midfielder that we had 2 season's ago, and that is what we are currently getting.

 

In defensive way he was not amazing, he was good. While offensively - he did not really do much, this is why I've said "Kante seems to play higher up on field". If you can remember Matic once in an interview said, that he will play higher and Kante will do more job at the back. Currently, it looks like that did not work, and Conte changed their positions.  I don't expect him to score goals - I expect more passes forward and more chances to score for his teammates. 4 good moments is not enough.

8 minutes ago, dkw said:

Ignore him, he's a Muppet troll.

I just understand football

Just now, Salad Monster said:

In defensive way he was not amazing, he was good. While offensively - he did not really do much, this is why I've said "Kante seems to play higher up on field". If you can remember Matic once in an interview said, that he will play higher and Kante will do more job at the back. Currently, it looks like that did not work, and Conte changed their positions.  I don't expect him to score goals - I expect more passes forward and more chances to score for his teammates. 4 good moments is not enough.

10 games and 4 assists so far this season.........he quite clearly is creating chances. Today that wasn't needed from him though, that wasn't what the team was looking to do. We were playing counter attacking football and what we needed from Matic was to break up play and keep things simple. He did those things many many times today. It doesn't matter what he says in an interview a few weeks back, every game is different.

 

2 minutes ago, Salad Monster said:

I just understand football

You must understand it more than anyone else then, because everyone else thinks Matic had a good game.

1 minute ago, Salad Monster said:

I just understand football

 

2 minutes ago, Salad Monster said:

In defensive way he was not amazing, he was good. While offensively - he did not really do much, this is why I've said "Kante seems to play higher up on field". If you can remember Matic once in an interview said, that he will play higher and Kante will do more job at the back. Currently, it looks like that did not work, and Conte changed their positions.  I don't expect him to score goals - I expect more passes forward and more chances to score for his teammates. 4 good moments is not enough.

Don't understand this whole "it's not enough". He's not Messi, and it isn't really his role to be a creative playmaker. He kept things ticking over well and defended very well, he did his job today perfectly and if you find a way to criticise them then you're a very, very harsh critic. We won 2-0 at a ground where the home side hasn't lost there since February, probably should have won by more as well; give it a break

3 minutes ago, Salad Monster said:

I just understand football

No, no you dont.

He had an excellent game against Southampton, covered his area and helped the defense keep the clean sheet. Could finish the game with an assist if Willian was shooting to the goal, Kante and him are very good together and they're one of our reasons for our success in the last 4 games. 

Edited October 30, 20169 yr by IliyaKrostin

5 minutes ago, Salad Monster said:

I just understand football

Well you clearly don't if you think Matic was average. He was quality and I think you will find majority of ratings will state he was excellent.

12 minutes ago, Salad Monster said:

I just understand football

Edited October 30, 20169 yr by havelschayes

3 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

10 games and 4 assists so far this season.........he quite clearly is creating chances. Today that wasn't needed from him though, that wasn't what the team was looking to do. We were playing counter attacking football and what we needed from Matic was to break up play and keep things simple. He did those things many many times today. It doesn't matter what he says in an interview a few weeks back, every game is different.

 

You must understand it more than anyone else then, because everyone else thinks Matic had a good game.

 

I know about his assists, and those stats are good, nevertheless watch how did he make those assists :) Still pretty good for me.  However, look again into this game - he really had only 4 good moments, couple of good interceptions and...and that's it

3 minutes ago, BenCFC19 said:

 

Don't understand this whole "it's not enough". He's not Messi, and it isn't really his role to be a creative playmaker. He kept things ticking over well and defended very well, he did his job today perfectly and if you find a way to criticise them then you're a very, very harsh critic. We won 2-0 at a ground where the home side hasn't lost there since February, probably should have won by more as well; give it a break

1

He is not Messi, you are right :)  but ffs he plays in the CENTRE of the field, and I do expect that he will be more of a creative player, but right now Kante is looking more of a creative player... or maybe Conte simply does not want him to touch the ball often, and even asks team not to pass the ball to Matic, and sees Kante as more of a "playmaker" in our midfield. I am not a critic, just pointing straight to the facts. He was NOT bad I say it again, but he was not that good either.

3 minutes ago, dkw said:

No, no you dont.

U just trollin', bye

40 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

I thought he was gone, i really did. I didn't think Matic would get back to his old ways, he's been brilliant of late though. Him and Kante together have been fantastic. He's just making things look simple again. Him only using his left foot hasn't been an issue which was one of his biggest problems last season. I also see that he is moving the ball quicker now, it's actually something all players have been doing of late.

Same as you, thought he had peaked and was never going to be the same player again. More than happy to be proved wrong. Another great team performance today but I tink he'd get my nod for MOTM.

11 minutes ago, Salad Monster said:

 

U just trollin', bye

Youre leaving? Nice, 2 good results today then.

1 minute ago, dkw said:

Youre leaving? Nice, 2 good results today then.

nah, I just said bye cus' u have to leave

Awesome comeback bro......