This time yesterday I was of the opinion that he’s never going to make it here and we should sell him to CP or whoever. Now I firmly believe that he’s the best thing since sliced bread and we should erect a statue in his honour.

That was superb last night, much more aggressive from him and he imposed himself on the game rather than letting it happen around him. But one swallow doesn't make a summer (or a porno) and hopefully this gives him the confidence to do this more often. 

Proper proud dad moment this morning. 

Very good performance from the lad - pleased for him and he can hardly do more.

In an ideal world he would now get a run if games in the starting line-up but we are not Crystal Palace so chances are he won't, but I would play him on Sunday.

It was good to see him with a smile on his face, he was playing with the cockiness and self-assurance which made him stand out in the youth sides. 

I think we are all very happy for him to score that hattrick!

Big moment for him, besides the goals he put a great performance. Keep that RLC!!

Who was the last academy player to score a hattrick for us?

52 minutes ago, PloKoon13 said:

It was good to see him with a smile on his face, he was playing with the cockiness and self-assurance which made him stand out in the youth sides. 

I think last night was the first time I've seen him smile broadly! Excellent teeth too 

Sarri's post match interview doesn't fill me with hope about increased playing time though, let alone a starting place in a PL match.

Surely we could play him through the centre on Sunday? Other alternatives are Giroud or Morata!!!!!! 

53 minutes ago, CFCholland said:

Who was the last academy player to score a hattrick for us?

Before my time yet think it was Clive Walker.

Not sure why we would waste him up top. His biggest attribute is being able to pick the ball up relatively deep and drive at players. One of the reasons Hazard never really stood out up top. 

12 hours ago, PloKoon13 said:

I feel like a proudly sobbing parent on the sidelines, semi-coherently blubbering the words "he's finally taken his first steps towards proving himself worthy of the number 12 shirt."

Wearing the legendary number 12 was clearly the motivation needed to start scoring goals. 

Big goal scoring responsibility goes with that shirt and he's risen to the challenge. 

18 minutes ago, ForeverCarefree said:

Wearing the legendary number 12 was clearly the motivation needed to start scoring goals. 

Big goal scoring responsibility goes with that shirt and he's risen to the challenge. 

Never done it on a wet, windy er... Saturday against Macclesfield though, has he?

What i think is very promising is the recognition by Sarri that Ruben is now "more suited" to his style of play.

Ruben has always looked like a yard gainer, but has up until now looked timid, not sure of himself and playing rigidly to a team system.

Last night he showed that in a team with lots of possession and territory, he can be a very large and effective player to have, someone who can drift forward with or without the ball from midfield, offering loads of options up front for defenders to worry about. 

We could end up with our very own Yaya. 

Great to have two English players pushing for places in midfield, trying to displace a WC winner, WC finalist, and teachers pet is gong to be very hard, but they are giving it a bloody good shot, who knows how good they could be for us, but they do have youth on their side.

1 minute ago, coco said:

What i think is very promising is the recognition by Sarri that Ruben is now "more suited" to his style of play.

Ruben has always looked like a yard gainer, but has up until now looked timid, not sure of himself and playing rigidly to a team system.

 Last night he showed that in a team with lots of possession and territory, he can be a very large and effective player to have, someone who can drift forward with or without the ball from midfield, offering loads of options up front for defenders to worry about. 

We could end up with our very own Yaya. 

Great to have two English players pushing for places in midfield, trying to displace a WC winner, WC finalist, and teachers pet is gong to be very hard, but they are giving it a bloody good shot, who knows how good they could be for us, but they do have youth on their side.

100% Ruben will be a better player for this experience than being at Palace and drifting his career. He will get game time in Europa League and Carabao cup. He will start next Wednesday I am sure. 

Barkley may have supplanted Kovacic in his role for the 1st team looking at how he didnt feature last night. Sarri may now be looking at Kovacic to battle more for Kante's role - something people dont seem to think could ever happen. Whereas I would like to see it happen sooner rather than later. 

 

On 05/10/2018 at 11:30, RIP Mourinho said:

 

A low quality meme for you all to enjoy on this fine day.

Time to bump this bad boy back up the thread.

1 hour ago, benjsross said:

100% Ruben will be a better player for this experience than being at Palace and drifting his career. He will get game time in Europa League and Carabao cup. He will start next Wednesday I am sure. 

Barkley may have supplanted Kovacic in his role for the 1st team looking at how he didnt feature last night. Sarri may now be looking at Kovacic to battle more for Kante's role - something people dont seem to think could ever happen. Whereas I would like to see it happen sooner rather than later. 

 

I don't think that's the case, Mateo I believe is on in the Europa for more defensive balance (Barkley RLC and Cesc midfield three defensively would be tragic) while also giving Ross a chance to start PL games on the following  Sundays.

Kovacic will start all the big games and rightly so. 

 

I have said a few times that I love the idea of RLC but not the reality. 

Last night was the idea of him playing out, even factoring out the hattrick he was getting on the ball, getting involved and making things happen. The next few months will tell us a lot about where he is heading in his career and whether last night is a sign of genuine progression or a one off. 

1 hour ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Time to bump this bad boy back up the thread.

didn't anyone ever tell you giving your self props leads to bad luck?

World class performance from Ruben last night. Superb hat-trick and his all-round play was a joy to watch. Ruben is unique, who else has that strength, power and technique? Critics might say "Well it was only against BATE", but we've played weaker teams and I've never seen Barkley, Kovacic, Willian, Pedro put in that kind of performance before. Ruben bossed the game and he's the only player in our squad bar Hazard that has that ability. Fair enough, we need to see it consistently,  but he proved last night how talented he is.

5 hours ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Not sure why we would waste him up top. His biggest attribute is being able to pick the ball up relatively deep and drive at players. One of the reasons Hazard never really stood out up top. 

Disagree on that, all three goals were strikers goals.  And when I think his biggest attribute -its how strong he looks keeping balance when someone's in his back.  He had 3 nice goals, but the one that stood out to me was the second, not sure anyone else on the roster scores the second goal - that was a diego costa / didier drogba goal.  He was being held and thrown, and it just didn't matter. Would Morata or Giroud score that?

If a guy wants to jump Eden's back, he runs him around and needs the space, RLC just takes the hit and keeps playing.

18 minutes ago, Wearyourblue said:

Disagree on that, all three goals were strikers goals.  And when I think his biggest attribute -its how strong he looks keeping balance when someone's in his back.  He had 3 nice goals, but the one that stood out to me was the second, not sure anyone else on the roster scores the second goal - that was a diego costa / didier drogba goal.  He was being held and thrown, and it just didn't matter. Would Morata or Giroud score that?

If a guy wants to jump Eden's back, he runs him around and needs the space, RLC just takes the hit and keeps playing.

I actually think he reminds me of Lampard not leading the line yet being the attacking midfielder.

First goal was good work down the right from Zappacosta yet Reuben was nowhere near the keeper yet hanging back.

Second goal yes could be a decent strikers finish.

Third was created by Pedro losing possession and it fell kindly for him yet a good finish from the midfield.

 

Here's a 3min link with the goals

 

When he’s on his game, I don’t see what Kovacic offers that RLC doesn’t, or maybe I’m just getting carried away based on that performance. But both Kova and RLC are good at dribbling and breaking lines, both are creative and link up well, but RLC can actually finish, Kova doesn’t have a clue how to finish. RLC needs to be more consistent and prove he can be that good against better opposition, if he can do that I can’t see why he shouldn’t be starting, either that or he does leave and our loss is a big gain for another club. 

I think Kovacic actually does better in the Kante position, as he gets around the pitch alot and can bring the ball forward, but doesn't offer much of a goal threat.

1 minute ago, Floyd25 said:

When he’s on his game, I don’t see what Kovacic offers that RLC doesn’t, or maybe I’m just getting carried away based on that performance. But both Kova and RLC are good at dribbling and breaking lines, both are creative and link up well, but RLC can actually finish, Kova doesn’t have a clue how to finish. RLC needs to be more consistent and prove he can be that good against better opposition, if he can do that I can’t see why he shouldn’t be starting, either that or he does leave and our loss is a big gain for another club. 

RLC is a better attacking option yet in the EPL the test would be how he defends and there Kovacic is probably better.

I was taking a look on another CFC forum and someone mentioned a conversation with Jody Morris who said he was incredibly gifted yet a poor trainer.  Now with Conte and Sarri they install systems of play that need a lot of practise and from that it would appear RLC is not diligent and so falls to the back of line when it comes to picking the best disciples.