10 minutes ago, Shweaves said:

I do wonder what will happen when Reece returns. 3 at the back? Reece in midfield? Didn't Bayern do something similar with Philip Lahm at one point?

I think/hope that they’ll just share the position 50/50! Especially if we actually do get some kind of European competition! It will be good to have 2 players of such quality for the same position!

8 minutes ago, Mod said:

I think/hope that they’ll just share the position 50/50! Especially if we actually do get some kind of European competition! It will be good to have 2 players of such quality for the same position!

If anything its better for Reeces long term recovery, there's literally no pressure to rush his return now.

Surprisingly good dribbler, does really clever flicks and one twos. If he could work a bit more on his crossing he would be unstoppable going forward. 

That's yet another cheap defender we've purchased that turned out to be class, would have taught we would have learned out lesson now and stop spending big on defenders. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/C4nzSq7NlJe/

Not sure if the video will be visible but you can clearly see him being annoyed at the fans booing Sterling and urging them to clap instead.

Regardless of what we think of Sterling, this just shows great character from Gusto.

On 04/03/2024 at 08:26, RIP Mourinho said:

Seriously, where does Reece play when he comes back? RCB in the back 3?

Gusto is fantastic. 

In his wigan days, Reece was deployed as a midfielder for large parts... I have a vision.

saying that, the rumours of the 100m Real Madrid wanted to pay.. id actually take that now if it came around again.

Edited March 18, 20242 yr by SHrIT

10 hours ago, Mod said:

I think/hope that they’ll just share the position 50/50! Especially if we actually do get some kind of European competition! It will be good to have 2 players of such quality for the same position!

I'm not sure that will work. They won't be able to build much momentum if they are both in and out of the team every other game.

Given that Chilli also cant seem to string a season together and for me cucurella is a level below what we need, I wouldn't be opposed to to seeing gusto cover out on the left it needed. Rather him out there then Colwil. (Assuming Reece is able to regain full fitness and put a string of games together) 

On 18/03/2024 at 12:56, Mod said:

I think/hope that they’ll just share the position 50/50! Especially if we actually do get some kind of European competition! It will be good to have 2 players of such quality for the same position!

 

On 18/03/2024 at 23:36, Scott Harris said:

I'm not sure that will work. They won't be able to build much momentum if they are both in and out of the team every other game.

Reece is our one truly world class player in my opinion, if he wasnt injury prone he would be wanted by every team in the game. But I think Gusto has earned this position and its his until he loses it, either by loss of form or injuries.

James is tied in 3rd for most big chances created in the league, despite starting only 5 times this season. 

Love Gusto. Really do, but James is the most complete RB in Europe when fit. 

14 hours ago, dkw said:

 

Reece is our one truly world class player in my opinion, if he wasnt injury prone he would be wanted by every team in the game. But I think Gusto has earned this position and its his until he loses it, either by loss of form or injuries.

I think this is about the fairest position. James has done nothing wrong except be cursed by what is known my medical experts as 'JackWilshereitis' 

That then opened the door for Gusto who has done nothing but deliver at a very young age. 

There would be no justification for dropping Gusto but, equally, you can see why any manager would see a fully fit James sitting on the bench as baffling. 

You do wonder if we will look to convert one to a different position so we can play both. However that prospect may be irrelevant if James continues to get pick up injuries more regularly than Wayne Rooney picks up the cast of Golden Girls.

12 hours ago, loz said:

I think this is about the fairest position. James has done nothing wrong except be cursed by what is known my medical experts as 'JackWilshereitis' 

That then opened the door for Gusto who has done nothing but deliver at a very young age. 

There would be no justification for dropping Gusto but, equally, you can see why any manager would see a fully fit James sitting on the bench as baffling. 

You do wonder if we will look to convert one to a different position so we can play both. However that prospect may be irrelevant if James continues to get pick up injuries more regularly than Wayne Rooney picks up the cast of Golden Girls.

Welcome aboard, Larry David.

The last few times James has come back from injury, we've been desperate for him to hit the ground running and be the catalyst to improve our performances. I think with Gusto putting in such solid shifts, it gives us the opportunity to really ease James back in. Reece has started training again I think. Hopefully this time he isn't rushed back!

3 minutes ago, Shweaves said:

The last few times James has come back from injury, we've been desperate for him to hit the ground running and be the catalyst to improve our performances. I think with Gusto putting in such solid shifts, it gives us the opportunity to really ease James back in. Reece has started training again I think. Hopefully this time he isn't rushed back!

To be fair the last time James came back from injury he did just that, he got MOM in his first game back creating plenty of chances. But as you say we dont need to rush him back now as we have Gusto playing extremely well.

1 hour ago, dkw said:

To be fair the last time James came back from injury he did just that, he got MOM in his first game back creating plenty of chances. But as you say we dont need to rush him back now as we have Gusto playing extremely well.

I am sure Reece himself is/was keen to be back to full first team appearances as soon as possible. If anything, he probably has to be held back a bit if he feels ready to return. Lets hope that this time the re-conditioning is more effective, not to mention he has a bit more luck.

Probably play a handful of games be called up by England get injured and be back for us next January. 

Proper world class player, but hope he puts his club career over England aspirations for the next 12 months.

I think the workload of playing RWB will mean he moves into midfield eventually and sooner if he gets another injury. Some bodies break down earlier than others and if you look at other quality wing backs in the league they are a different body shape. 
 

Reece ‘s body mass is a part of his injury record. Luke Shaw goes through the same thing imo.

James could play anywhere in our midfield I believe. I’d like to see him compete with Lavia and Caicedo for the two deep midfielder positions allowing Enzo more freedom to play.

Seems mad to consider moving one of the best there is in that position but if his body can’t do it he’ll have to. 

You just know with the slower tempo in Spain he’d be a star in Madrid at RWB though.

But what do I know 😀

 

Gusto=Good 

I honestly want to live in a world where people stop pretending there isn't a blatant media agenda. 

1 hour ago, Sconnie Blue said:

I honestly want to live in a world where people stop pretending there isn't a blatant media agenda. 

Trafford must have been a saint in a previous life, within weeks of getting dropped by Burnley for being sh*te he's called up for England and in the conversations for young player of the year.

1 hour ago, timetowaste said:

Trafford must have been a saint in a previous life, within weeks of getting dropped by Burnley for being sh*te he's called up for England and in the conversations for young player of the year.

Strange journey for him. He was outstanding for the U21s. Proper class. The rubbish defence around him at Burnley hasn't helped.

43 minutes ago, dermott said:

Strange journey for him. He was outstanding for the U21s. Proper class. The rubbish defence around him at Burnley hasn't helped.

Yeah definitely, coming off a season in league 1 straight into the prem with that Burnley defence (and a £15m+ fee) wasn't gonna be easy for him.

He and Palmer have been standouts for POTS I think, he's not far behind Palmer either. Obviously, Cole has to take it because he's been phenomenal. But I'm glad to see how well-received Gusto has been by our fans. 

I thought at the start of the season he was pretty nervous, very static, didn't really take many risks, and kept it very simple. But as time went he started to get comfortable and grew into the role. Hell, even when he got shifted out left he still had a banger of a game. He makes a few mistakes defensively, but what wingback doesn't? I do think a prime Reece James is better but that's no shame for Gusto, Reece is just an exceptionally gifted player, and Gusto has done extremely well for some fans to debate if Reece can even make it back into the team. 

It's good that we have some positives this season amongst all the barrel of sh*te we've had to deal with as fans, he's definitely one of them. 

Any news on his injury? Based on our luck, I assume he'll be out for a few months?

Probably out for the season if a hamstring pull