Maatsen is 6cm shorter than even Cucurella ... I think that is counting against him as well. 

3 minutes ago, Sexyfootball said:

Maatsen is 6cm shorter than even Cucurella ... I think that is counting against him as well. 

Depends what you're measuring.

10 minutes ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Still worth a try surely though

I think he would have been tried if he were thought to be up to it. He was a LB in name only at Burnley, spent most of his time forward which Burnley's dominance in the comp allowed. Frankly, I don't think he's showed anything remotely special forward and, given that he still won't sign a contract ...

2 hours ago, Sexyfootball said:

Maatsen is 6cm shorter than even Cucurella ... I think that is counting against him as well. 

is 6cm even noticeable in regards height?

2 hours ago, dermott said:

I think he would have been tried if he were thought to be up to it. He was a LB in name only at Burnley, spent most of his time forward which Burnley's dominance in the comp allowed. Frankly, I don't think he's showed anything remotely special forward and, given that he still won't sign a contract ...

City and Barca both keen on him in reports. Not good enough for mid table Chelsea though... hmmm

I think if there weren't any contract distractions we would've seen him at LB at some point. 

1 hour ago, RIP Mourinho said:

is 6cm even noticeable in regards height?

All managers like a bit of height in defence and midfield, to help with set pieces at both ends of the pitch. Also makes you more physically "imposing" as a side, and hence less likely to get bullied by opponents. 

We have a lot of guys who are first choice starters already who are less than 180cm ... James (or Gusto), Caicedo and Enzo in the pivot ... Silva (182) is relatively small for a centre back too. I think this is why Pochettino has been playing Colwill (187) at left back as much as possible, in preference to Cucurella (173) or Maatsen (167), and trying to get Disasi (190) into the eleven as well. 

Personally I'd like to see James, Disasi, Badiashile and Colwill as a back 4 unit.

25 minutes ago, Sexyfootball said:

Personally I'd like to see James, Disasi, Badiashile and Colwill as a back 4 unit.

Moot if this poor marking from crosses continues. 

12 hours ago, RIP Mourinho said:

is 6cm even noticeable in regards height?

It is and his cameo against Brentford was just so bad. 

 

 

10 hours ago, Sexyfootball said:

All managers like a bit of height in defence and midfield, to help with set pieces at both ends of the pitch. Also makes you more physically "imposing" as a side, and hence less likely to get bullied by opponents. 

We have a lot of guys who are first choice starters already who are less than 180cm ... James (or Gusto), Caicedo and Enzo in the pivot ... Silva (182) is relatively small for a centre back too. I think this is why Pochettino has been playing Colwill (187) at left back as much as possible, in preference to Cucurella (173) or Maatsen (167), and trying to get Disasi (190) into the eleven as well. 

Personally I'd like to see James, Disasi, Badiashile and Colwill as a back 4 unit.

It is not just set pieces. 

You opp can also aim your goal kick in that area. Usually fb are taller and stronger than winger but if your fb are smaller, you can get exploited. 

It is like you play football on handicap. 

 

 

5 hours ago, Bob stark said:

It is and his cameo against Brentford was just so bad. 

 

6cm absolutely isn't noticeable between two players. If the choice was Maatsen or Colwill i's agree, but if its Cucurella or Maatsen the height makes no difference to set pieces. 

27 minutes ago, RIP Mourinho said:

6cm absolutely isn't noticeable between two players. If the choice was Maatsen or Colwill i's agree, but if its Cucurella or Maatsen the height makes no difference to set pieces. 

Honestly this does not really matter. Colwill is back. 

 

 

28 minutes ago, Bob stark said:

Honestly this does not really matter. Colwill is back. 

 

 

agreed

Out until February 

3 hours ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Out until February 

Yes I read that. So despite all the money we are short left back, right back and striker. You wouldn't bet on Gusto staying fit that's for sure.

18 hours ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Out until February 

February? Yet more bad luck.

I was hoping we might sell him in January.

3 hours ago, just said:

February? Yet more bad luck.

I was hoping we might sell him in January.

I was wondering if there is any scope to renegotiate the deal for Hall with Newcastle and bring him back in January. Not getting much game time there and his permanent deal only kicks on after a certain number of appearances 

3 hours ago, just said:

February? Yet more bad luck.

I was hoping we might sell him in January.

I was hoping he'd be out for the season. 

3 hours ago, loz said:

I was wondering if there is any scope to renegotiate the deal for Hall with Newcastle and bring him back in January. Not getting much game time there and his permanent deal only kicks on after a certain number of appearances 

I've been wondering about that too. Based on his playing time I'm not sure Newcastle are interested in signing him permanently, in which case they may decide it works out well to allow him to return in January.

This was apparently Gallagher's heatmap yesterday:

 

In addition to offering absolutely nothing going forward. Cucurella probably shouldn't play for us any more.

First game back since injury so won't be too harsh but he really didn't offer much last night and got caught out for Murphy's wonder goal. Hopefully can get a bit of form now Chilwell's out.

I thought he offered nothing in attack, everytime the ball went to left, it back passed to the central area, because Cucu is not making a run or even sticking by the touch line. Cut the guy some slack given his lack of match fitness, but that performance isn't going to cement a spot in the team. We could have played a CB there and got the same output, if not more.

He’s so rash in his decision making . Always seems to be rushing and making the wrong decisions £60 million for a full back who can’t defend or attack isn’t athletic and his hair doesn’t help him either😂 

I thought that defensively he stood well his ground up until the mistake for their second goal. Attacking-wise, he didn't offer much, but I was more concerned before the kick off about his defensive capabilities. Overall, I don't think he was as bad.

2 hours ago, RMH said:

I thought that defensively he stood well his ground up until the mistake for their second goal. Attacking-wise, he didn't offer much, but I was more concerned before the kick off about his defensive capabilities. Overall, I don't think he was as bad.

I agree. He was also given some absolute hospital passes by petrovic and chalobah, which he controlled well under pressure. The left side just didn't have an outlet at all and I would rather we boot it up than risk losing the ball in a compromising position. Also his mistake was (if I recall correctly) the one time he failed to nick it in front of a player. Overall it was a decent return and defensively he did a good job, bar one error.