franksfat&slow&wank
11:03 Fri Oct 7
Re: Pedro Obiang
|
strangely I read somewhere we'd conceded little when Nordveit was playing defensive midfield, is this true or was I on the mushrooms?
I don't rate him btw
|
jack flash
11:01 Fri Oct 7
Re: Pedro Obiang
|
I saw some statistics recently showing that Kouyate had covered the greatest distance per game for us this season ~ & by quite a margin too
Not quite sure where he's been running though!
Starting Nordtveit over Obiang is ridiculous. On current form I would be playing Obiang every game
(& possibly Kouyate AND Noble even if it means sacrificing someone further forward)
We've got to stop leaking goals by getting overrun in midfield
I don't know who scouted Nordtveit, but he should be sacked. The bloke's as fucking hopeless as Tore
|
franksfat&slow&wank
10:36 Fri Oct 7
Re: Pedro Obiang
|
I think bilic has dog shit in his eyes at the moment
has he explained why he started that kebab eating cunt last match
my 7 year old was scratching his nut at that one
|
Sir Alf
10:28 Fri Oct 7
Re: Pedro Obiang
|
Nagel 2:54 Thu Oct 6
Agree mate and its 110% Kouyate that has to make way based on current form. Noble has been poor too but Kouyate is not even involved and jogging back on the few blind alley runs he makes. I have become a tad obbessed with this one. Everything I read points to Noble and yes he is captain and yes he has been poor but Kouyate is getting off so so lightly and I would suspect a midfield of Obiang, Noble, Lanzini, Payet, Antonio and / or Ferghouli and Fernandes will do a lot better. They will at least have the full complement of players.
Based on past performances and what he can do going forward, scoring goals etc, I understand why everyone might want tp wait for Kouyate to get back his mojo but 7 games in and he has been worse than shocking as opposed to Noble's shocking.
Expectations on Noble higher I suppose but looking solely at their contribution over 630 minutes of league football, Noble is head and shoulders ahead of Wily.
Its a Bilic blind spot as was Antonio at RB, Obiang, Collins gaffs, Zaza's struggles and Tore generally. No room for favourites and faith in future form now. Drop those who aint producing and try something else after a few games. No 8 your time is up.
|
Nagel
2:54 Thu Oct 6
Re: Pedro Obiang
|
That Newcastle game was the end of a 9 match unbeaten run in which Obiang had played most if not all games. Obiang did play after that in the wins v Everton and Spurs and the draws v Leicester and Norwich. I think the Newcastle and Bournemouth league games were the only ones he played in all last season that we actually lost.
It's not so much about how good he is, more that Noble/Kouyate/Lanzini is not a good partnership for the midfield 3. Dropping Lanzini and replacing him with Obiang or another defensive midfielder and we've been much more solid but we don't create anywhere near as many chances.
The only way to get the balance right is to drop one of Noble or Kouyate and play with one holding midfielder (eg Obiang) and one attacking midfielder (eg Lanzini).
|
normannomates
5:39 Thu Oct 6
Re: Pedro Obiang
|
I recall Obiang starting last season at the Geordie alongside Noble and Kouyate.
All three were piss poor..but he was hardly seen after that.
Bilic doesn't seem to rate him.
Great opportunity for the lad to prove himself right now. Hope he does it.
I like him
|
Sir Alf
6:37 Wed Oct 5
Re: Pedro Obiang
|
Sadly it seems that way Tex. I think Bilic had written Obiang off and was looking to move him on as Nordveit seemed the one he (Bilic) thought would be the DM ? It never made sense as although Obiang had a few less than impressive displays most were sound, efficient and above all else showed he had good passing and technique. Bilic just felt that Kouyate and Noble could not be dropped last season and that I can understand but again why Nordveit other than the club saw Obiang as one they could sell for a few million and Nordveit was a free?
Thank gawd he did not go. For the record, Nordveit has only been played in his preferred position a couple of times (one the win against Bournemouth) so I will give him a while longer before saying he is a complete dud. But Obiang is the better athlete and passer of the football.
You do worry that it all comes down to who purchased him. Manager prefers his picks I suppose but a strong, confident one that you have faith in is quick to recognise the better man based on performance, skills etc... even if he was not his first choice. That is what I hope Slav does now. Give him a run in the side even if he has a more wobbly game against Palace. He has been more than generous to Noble and Kouyate in that respect so only seems fair and IMO asign of good management and leadership.
|
Texas Iron
5:27 Wed Oct 5
Re: Pedro Obiang
|
How Nordtveit starts in MR ahead of Obiabg is a mystery...
Bilic playing favourites...
|
Sir Alf
4:47 Wed Oct 5
Re: Pedro Obiang
|
Kouyate has to be benched or at least give Fernandes or Ferghouli more time to establish themselves and sub the geezer if he continues to contribute absolutely nothing as he has for all games this season.
Bilic always takes Noble off but its Kouyate who has been the worst of the two IMO and by some margin. Just shows how dreadful he has been. Some will say "well he don't slow it down or pass it sideways like Noble" and "he has not messed up other than his pass against Southampton" that's because he has hardly been involved in over 600 minutes of football !
Cannot pass accurately but catches the eye with running with the ball albeit with no end product or a poor pass.
He has got off so lightly with Noble taking most of the pelters. IMO.
He needs to be upgraded if we want to progress even if we do recover some form. Just not good enough technically for me. If he would accept not being an automatic starter every game then he can be of value as he reminds me so much of an upgraded Diame who was most effective as a substitute second half.
If Bilic picks Kouyate again next match as I expect he will and Kouyate is once again anonymous as I suspect he will be, it will be another nail in Slavs coffin methinks.
Nothing personal against the guy. Wily was exceptionally effective in a lot of games last season but currently is like Nolan (albeit a faster version) and on the periphery. It might be argued that he more than others relies on us being better in possession to release him on his forward runs ? And perhaps with a proper striker creating space for him, one able to hold it up, lay it off and / or make space for Noble and Payet to create better through balls?. Maybe but until Carroll or Sakho or Ayew or dare I say Zaza can properly provide outlets, Wily K is of little value.
"Come in Number 8, your time is up!"
|
El Scorchio
1:51 Wed Oct 5
Re: Pedro Obiang
|
Egg- exactly!
That is the key reason for me as to why we are so terrible going forward. So static. No one is willing to drop between the lines, and there is NO passing and moving. The Saints players were always on the move making options and angles for each other, especially after releasing the ball. Our lot seem to just stand more or less still (or even all run away from the ball carrier) giving no such options or varying depth to our attack.
We're forcing people to hit 15 yard passes instead of 5 yard passes, which is a reason why so many of them get misplaced or intercepted and it's why they just go sideways instead. We are also painfully slow moving the ball, and so many times against Boro I just saw people jogging around instead of having any urgency going forward.
Often if we broke, there was one man with the ball, but no-one trying to get up with play or into the box so we just ran into a dead end or the ball had to come all the way back.
If Antonio breaks with the ball, then Kouyate, Zaza, Payet at least should be busting a gut to get into the box or a supporting position. Just doesn't happen.
|
Alex V
1:37 Wed Oct 5
Re: Pedro Obiang
|
Too many creators is a bit of a problem I think. That's why Kouyate I feel has to play in attacking midfield even in poor form - he's one of the few guys who runs off the ball, Antonio being the other.
|
Eggbert Nobacon
1:31 Wed Oct 5
Re: Pedro Obiang
|
Scorch
Yeah by attacking players I was including Payet, Antonio, Tore, Lanzini etc etc etc
Too many times all of them are basically stood marked and not one of them is making a run or getting into space
|
dealcanvey
1:20 Wed Oct 5
Re: Pedro Obiang
|
Obiang performed well on Saturday and wanted to make an impression.
That is the idea of having a big squad. When players dip in form you have the chance to bring in a hungry player who wants to make that position his own for the next game. Obiang did just that.
When Lanzini came on in the second half he looked much better than in previous games. Again he wanted to prove that he should of started from the off.
For me Bilic does not drop an out of form player quick enough. I think Noble or Kayoute should be dropped for the next game as both have not been good enough so far this season.
|
El Scorchio
1:13 Wed Oct 5
Re: Pedro Obiang
|
Eggbert Nobacon 12:41
I would include most of the midfield in that statement too.
It seems common for a centre back or Noble to have the ball, and not one of the more advanced players making themselves available or moving for a pass, or even being withing 20 yards, forcing the ball to be passed along the back line.
They are like a bunch of distant statues. We seem to just form up into two lines when 'attacking' with half the opposing team and a huge gap between the two flat lines of players. Looks far too easy to defend against.
|
Willtell
12:48 Wed Oct 5
Re: Pedro Obiang
|
I agree Eggie but I really do get the strong impression that DS doesn't actually respect SB's decision making and is working up to a firing which DG will be dead set against....
|
Eggbert Nobacon
12:41 Wed Oct 5
Re: Pedro Obiang
|
for me the major problem for our midfield, is the complete and utter lack of movement in front of it
our attacking players have been awful on that front
|
the exile
12:14 Wed Oct 5
Re: Pedro Obiang
|
If the board are really undermining Bilic then maybe it's to get him to walk rather than have to sack him. Think of all the money they would save - I'm sure that might just have crossed their minds.....
|
Swiss.
11:28 Wed Oct 5
Re: Pedro Obiang
|
Noble = Ray Wilkins. Mr sideways pass
|
Willtell
10:58 Wed Oct 5
Re: Pedro Obiang
|
I see they have done it again with yet another article on Obiang this morning...
|
Full Claret Jacket
10:55 Wed Oct 5
Re: Pedro Obiang
|
Lets be clear, like all the players in the current squad there has been games where Obiang has been pretty dreadful. What is a bit bemusing is that this guy is repeatedly dropped or subbed when there are worse performers. If his character is good and he is fit I can't see why he isn't playing.
That said, I don't like to see the club undermining the manager with this type of PR. They did the same with the Antonio at RB thing. If you don't like the manager and his decisions then get rid. It's unprofessional and childish.
Why should the players respond to Bilic when the club is inferring through PR that he doesn't know what he is doing.
|
| 
