1 hour ago, carefree franco said:

I know I’ve said it before but maybe we play with 3 midfielders and play palmer and another as 2 hybrid 10/wingers. Fernandez with santos/lavia and caicedo looks a lot sturdier and gives him freedom you also have palmer in his drifting wherever he wants to go on the right which for me is his best position anyway. Yes in theory you lose a forward but dropping one of Neto/Madueke (as things stand) to accommodate this seems like a no brainer?

No problem with 4-3-3, but if it's me then I want someone more productive and mobile than Enzo to be the most forward of the midfield 3.

<EDIT> : Would really like to see Chukwuemeka have a run in that role (highly unlikely I know ... )

Edited June 6, 20251 yr by Sexyfootball

I’m fine with Palmer at #10.

Enzo being the auxiliary box crasher I’d play against stubborn sides. Or with Lavia/Santos when Caicedo is at RB. Other than that, Caicedo/Lavia should be the midfield pair in almost every big match. We’re the most fluid like when both are on the pitch.

I don't like how trying to control the ball can be considered a red these days, the player has dipped his head just as much.

For me there nothing malicious in it and with the speed of football most of the time the player trying to control the ball doesn't even know its happened until 'impact'.

I haven't watched the game this is just based off the still images above and my general annoyance at players getting sent off for this type of thing.

4 hours ago, Ukraine Bolt said:

I don't like how trying to control the ball can be considered a red these days, the player has dipped his head just as much.

For me there nothing malicious in it and with the speed of football most of the time the player trying to control the ball doesn't even know its happened until 'impact'.

I haven't watched the game this is just based off the still images above and my general annoyance at players getting sent off for this type of thing.

Good game from the Highlights, and well worth watching for the Luis Diaz goal (would love to have him on our left flank!)

As for the challenge, it was a pretty bad one. I don't see how he wouldn't have been aware that the player was right in front of him.

Starts at 4:43 in the highlights :

Also missed a chance earlier in the game that NNNJ would have probably wanted Jackson castrated for missing ... 😎

1 hour ago, Sexyfootball said:

Good game from the Highlights, and well worth watching for the Luis Diaz goal (would love to have him on our left flank!)

As for the challenge, it was a pretty bad one. I don't see how he wouldn't have been aware that the player was right in front of him.

Starts at 4:43 in the highlights :

Also missed a chance earlier in the game that NNNJ would have probably wanted Jackson castrated for missing ... 😎

Yeah if he sees the player and goes for it then a red is understandable

Him making sure he gets his vacation then.

17 hours ago, Sexyfootball said:

Good game from the Highlights, and well worth watching for the Luis Diaz goal (would love to have him on our left flank!)

As for the challenge, it was a pretty bad one. I don't see how he wouldn't have been aware that the player was right in front of him.

Starts at 4:43 in the highlights :

Also missed a chance earlier in the game that NNNJ would have probably wanted Jackson castrated for missing ... 😎

Obviously a straight red, but the way the Colombia player reacted is one of the most pathetic things I've ever seen.

15 minutes ago, bluedave said:

Obviously a straight red, but the way the Colombia player reacted is one of the most pathetic things I've ever seen.

Yes he definitely lost his man card for that "seizure" LOL. Hollywood beckons !

Great run and great effort in the 2nd goal

Goals are beginning to become a part of his game now and it’s great to see. If he keeps up his recent scoring form he could well become one of our most important players.

3 hours ago, dansubrosa said:

Goals are beginning to become a part of his game now and it’s great to see. If he keeps up his recent scoring form he could well become one of our most important players.

More goals than Nico Jackson maybe

9 hours ago, dansubrosa said:

Goals are beginning to become a part of his game now and it’s great to see. If he keeps up his recent scoring form he could well become one of our most important players.

I thought he made quite a difference in our play when he came on yesterday, much more attacking impetus and we moved the ball forward through him more. He is getting in the box much more than his first season with us, and is showing how effective he can be doing that. Maresca needs to start making use of that more, though I expect he wont as it means changing his system.

33 minutes ago, dkw said:

I thought he made quite a difference in our play when he came on yesterday, much more attacking impetus and we moved the ball forward through him more. He is getting in the box much more than his first season with us, and is showing how effective he can be doing that. Maresca needs to start making use of that more, though I expect he wont as it means changing his system.

Do you not think maybe Maresca is the reason he is getting into the box more?

3 hours ago, bisright1 said:

Do you not think maybe Maresca is the reason he is getting into the box more?

3 hours ago, bisright1 said:

Do you not think maybe Maresca is the reason he is getting into the box more?

Possibly, I dont think getting players in the box is a problem under Maresca, Cucurella seems to spend half the game there, and we usually have a couple of players in and around it.

On 26/05/2025 at 17:45, Ukraine Bolt said:

So many games just pass him by, no amount of goals can cover up his limitations on the pitch

If he scored 200 goals a season - that would make up for his limitations right?

On 26/05/2025 at 17:45, Ukraine Bolt said:

So many games just pass him by, no amount of goals can cover up his limitations on the pitch

1 minute ago, nonotnowjim said:

If he scored 200 goals a season - that would make up for his limitations right?

What about 199 goals?

On 26/05/2025 at 17:45, Ukraine Bolt said:

So many games just pass him by, no amount of goals can cover up his limitations on the pitch

2 minutes ago, nonotnowjim said:

If he scored 200 goals a season - that would make up for his limitations right?

tell you what.... lets cut this by half. What if he scored 100 goals per season....

Just want to get to the magic number - or see if you really will stick by your claim....

23 minutes ago, nonotnowjim said:

Just want to get to the magic number - or see if you really will stick by your claim....

It is most trying when fans are unreasonable about individual players

3 hours ago, PloKoon13 said:

It is most trying when fans are unreasonable about individual players

Absolutely I agree.

We have seen it time and again.... people unreasonably defending some (Jackson) and unreasonably chastising others (Lovely Boy)

19 hours ago, bisright1 said:

Do you not think maybe Maresca is the reason he is getting into the box more

Yes, because last season he played mostly as box crashing 10.

Still don’t see where he fits as a starter if Maresca insists on playing 2 in the middle, and everyone is fit. We control games better with Lavia & Caicedo, and James starts every game as a RB for me.

I am in the small minority who feels that “box crashing” masks his flaws, and for £105m..

6 hours ago, ducavis said:

Still don’t see where he fits as a starter if Maresca insists on playing 2 in the middle, and everyone is fit. We control games better with Lavia & Caicedo, and James starts every game as a RB for me.

I am in the small minority who feels that “box crashing” masks his flaws, and for £105m..

If he adds 10 goals and 10 assists a season, would it really be a problem?

17 minutes ago, evissy said:

I'm not sure he will ever be worth the price we paid for him but you can clearly see improvements each season.