I must admit that I wasn't wildly excited when we signed him but since I have eaten a whole shovel-full of humble pie because I now think we've got a bargain. He improves game on game.

i do like the way he is starting to bang a few goals in, hopefully it continues

Not sure about bargain, we made quite an investment, but hes starting to live up to it. Seems like hes almost improving every game. His aerial presence is something we desperately need

he comes from a 'pedigree' Spanish footballing family

starting to show a little bit of that class, long may he continue to improve and score more goals

He's not a perfect player, but deserve more credit for his performance so far. About half of the post in this thread are still about how can we replace Alonso next year with a better player. He fits in well in the system, a winning system, that's all that matters right now.

He is a tall guy who's positioning is excellent. He really is an asset on the left close to the not-so-tall Eden.

2 hours ago, evissy said:

He is a tall guy who's positioning is excellent. He really is an asset on the left close to the not-so-tall Eden.

Positioning is probably his worst trait if I'm honest.  Just ahead of his passing.

He's much better in duels, rarely panics and has good core strength.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4214018/amp/Alonso-reveals-went-watch-Chelsea-kid.html

Edited February 11, 20179 yr by Floyd25

From the above article:

 

ALONSO STATS 

Appearances: 19

Goals: 4 Assists: 3

Clean sheets: 12 

Total chances created: 18

Average passing accuracy: 75%

Yellow/red cards: 2/0

 

Pretty impressive stats tbf, didn't realise he had contributed to so many goals.

 

 

He's had a brilliant debut season. One of our most consistent performers. 

Really astute buy from the club. 

On 13/02/2017 at 15:54, RIP Mourinho said:

From the above article:

 

ALONSO STATS 

Appearances: 19

Goals: 4 Assists: 3

Clean sheets: 12 

Total chances created: 18

Average passing accuracy: 75%

Yellow/red cards: 2/0

 

Pretty impressive stats tbf, didn't realise he had contributed to so many goals.

Reads quite similar to Pogba's stats :) except for clean sheets!

People were his biggest critics, and talking about how he is the weak link. He improved in the defense and he is a threat going up front. Conte knew what he was buying and he adapted nicely, he also looks like a great team player. The atmosphere in this team is outstanding.

3 hours ago, ForeverCarefree said:

He's had a brilliant debut season. One of our most consistent performers. 

Really astute buy from the club. 

Plus: people have remarked on his thin lips. I put it to you that Jürgen Klopp has much thinner lips. There is a reason for that messy stubble, it hides.... well, nothing.

It had to be said.

Edited March 20, 20179 yr by Valerie

2 minutes ago, Valerie said:

Plus: people have remarked on his thin lips. I put it to you that Jürgen Klopp has much thinner lips. There is a reason for that messy stubble, it hides.... well, nothing.

It had to be said.

For Marco to overcome his thin lip infliction and still manage to be one of the best in the league in his position is a testament to his hard work. 

Klopp on the other hand is clearly struggling with his thin lippedness and his poor attempts at covering them with facial fuzz are obviously not working, perhaps if he embraced it like our Alonso? 

3 hours ago, ForeverCarefree said:

For Marco to overcome his thin lip infliction and still manage to be one of the best in the league in his position is a testament to his hard work. 

Klopp on the other hand is clearly struggling with his thin lippedness and his poor attempts at covering them with facial fuzz are obviously not working, perhaps if he embraced it like our Alonso? 

Excellent analysis. 

Klopp probably lacks the character to overcome his thin lippedness. Once more Chelsea comes out on top.

I'm still not sure what Diouf was so angry about. He went absolutely bat-sh*t crazy.

8 hours ago, TrueBlueBIH said:

People were his biggest critics, and talking about how he is the weak link. He improved in the defense and he is a threat going up front. Conte knew what he was buying and he adapted nicely, he also looks like a great team player. The atmosphere in this team is outstanding.

Why, who should have been his biggest critics? Mice? Seagulls? Spotted hyenas?

He is very dangerous going forward and has improved greatly defensively​

Maybe took I while to settle in as it often does with players joining a new team but since Christmas he has been going from strength to strength and contributing more to going forward as well as tightening up his defending. At the moment I think as far as our wing backs go he is the stronger of the two.

He has been a revelation. I think part of the reason he was seen as a weak link was because he played at Bolton and was left go and as well ad that his price tag wasn't inflated.

He has been a revelation. I think part of the reason he was seen as a weak link was because he played at Bolton and was left go and as well as that his price tag wasn't inflated.

He's been very good this season but I still see him as our weak link.

Luckily, most right wingers in the Premier League are sh*te so he's not been tested properly. 

Will need to purchase another LWB next season to cope with PL and CL.

Great season though, Marcos!

Edited March 20, 20179 yr by JMaher94

11 hours ago, undertow said:

Why, who should have been his biggest critics? Mice? Seagulls? Spotted hyenas?

Quality input mate, i am very pleased you actually read the entire post.

13 hours ago, undertow said:

Why, who should have been his biggest critics? Mice? Seagulls? Spotted hyenas?