SafewayFox

I kinda see your point but a bit of perspective is needed. We’re talking about a player (Wilf) who for the past two seasons looked like he was physically shot so I’m pretty sure it seems sensible to manage his minutes whilst also giving Casadei some of his own against a side that Enzo clearly seems a lesser challenge than Preston.

I honestly think that’s why Hamza is in. He’s quicker than every other defender that we have - so sad to see Ricky and a lesser extent JJ lose that yard of pace.

A very tidy little player. I still don’t think he makes our strongest starting 11 but what a great squad player who could be very handy (if) we get promoted too.

You could argue that Leeds/Southampton etc are having it now though. There is always one club (at least) that has a finish as we’ve started.

The score line flattered that performance but our fitness levels impress me each game. We WILL have a blip of results so important that gap keeps growing between us and the rest.

We need to make the most of the gaping gap between their defenders and the rest of their players. Dare I say, going longer (with a purpose) would make them have to think a bit more.

Stephy has been very, very poor. Why our squad depth should come into handy. Wingers have off games but previously kept them on to stink out the joint.

People are entitled different opinions right? I understand the system/process but something that needs to improve is the in game management, their goal was one of the most obvious things to happen as we didn’t take the sting out of the game by playing safer, getting the home fans on their back etc.

I’m really not trying to be OTT but Ricky P in the inverted FB role is one that I’m not 100% sold on. His lack of pace to get back into his RB position is such a sad thing to see.

JJ getting done over the top is one of the most frustrating things. He misreads the flight of the ball so often.

This! Their fans are getting louder and louder with us playing into their hands right now.

I get that it’s about possession football but when their tails are up just mix it up and go long for a couple of minutes (aim for Fats and Stephy)

Way too many extremes of opinions happening. He was poor but used incorrectly but whilst he has definitely improved vastly, the opposition haven’t truly tested him and too limited to be a first choice in the PL. Enjoy his contribution now and let him get a half decent signing on fee somewhere else please.

The players have an element of responsibility though surely. Hardly like we can do a scan mid game, so go by a lot of what the player says/does. Look at Barnes at the weekend, he pulled up and straight away knew he couldn’t continue, looks like he’s out for months with a foot injury.

I’d love to see Nelson but gonna throw out an alternative in Hamza! He is quicker than JJ and thought had a good game against Norwich.

Sorry but Jannik at LCB would be a car crash. Not saying Doyle is rapid but he clearly has the ability to get up and down the pitch (albeit it slower than the likes of JJ) but playing LCB means that Jannik’s lack of any pace would be so exposed as he has that whole left side of the pitch to marshall. The same goes for Coady, we’d be extremely exposed if either play there.

This exact thing is why I feel regardless of Jannik’s recent renaissance, we cannot afford to offer him a new contract. We already have Coady who has only proven to play middle of a three. We need new CB’s with an eye of being adapt at playing anywhere across the back 3. Jannik and Coady’s lack of athleticism will always hinder either to various roles.

Or, don’t have a longer term business model offering such huge wages unless confident of increasing our revenue? FFP is def there to create a closed shop but I will be an annoying voice about our mismanagement of wage structure over the years.

Again - some great points but how we allowed our wage bill to spiral to 8th in the PL and then have FFP fears highlights that something in our business model/wage structure was off. I think that’s my biggest gripe in recent seasons, Jannik is clearly one example of many. You could also argue that this has meant that we haven’t been able to then shift these below average players on too. Things right now are making me love football again but Rudkin and co will always have a big question mark next to their name in terms of the above IMO.

I half agree but half disagree. We had European football, a “higher ceiling” than Southampton as an example but Jannik “would only join us if we added an extra 20k per week”?? That doesn’t make any sense to me, throw in how much we offered to PL unproven youngsters like Soumare etc….it’s fair to question our previous wage structure.

Good point mate. I would say that Doyle can play CB much more naturally than JJ too but tend to agree with the other metric comment. Maybe I’m built weird but I think it’s great that for this season (the now) we have such different and quality options. I genuinely think Doyle can tighten up his game and be even better but he’s 19 and some of his progressive passing will only continue to develop. I hope that Doyle’s not out for too long and JJ/Doyle give Enzo a great headache for positive reasons.

I get that Doyle has had some sloppy moments but what I think a lot of posters (not just yourself to be fair) are criminally underestimating for Doyle are as follows - 1) Doyle is a left footed CB and for Enzo’s style of football that is a very important factor due to the next reason. 2) Doyle’s passing through the lines whilst has been sloppy has also been pretty impressive, how many of our other CB/FB’s pick out Kasey earlier on in the season. Is Doyle good enough for Man City? Most likely not but could he be a very good squad player for us? 100%

Isn’t that the tale of any winger that isn’t the elite level though mate? I like Stephy and also get frustrated by some of his decision making but he is clearly a level above the Championship it’s whether he then makes the jump to the PL or not - which will only likely be answered after a season or two playing it.

Whilst I don’t want to be “that guy”, I’m all for Jannik playing a part in our current success BUT I still would not want him to sign a new deal in the Prem. I’ve been quite surprised how either we’re defending so much better as a team or why other teams haven’t done what Cov did and target Jannik with a striker with a bit of pace? Norwich whilst set up cutely and Southampton with all their possession barely made many clear cut opportunities.

I’m going to whisper this but with Hamza’s much superior athleticism to 2023 Ricky….would Hamza in that role against a top side be a viable option? Ricky P is clearly the more technical player if a team is parking the bus but I think Ricky P has been 7/10 at best this season.