Amartey

[Hamilton Fox]

Never been his biggest fan but thought his calmness and actual passing were top class today 

[Vindaloo FOX]

Remember he is still only 26, coming to his prime years.

 

Can play many positions, we would be crazy to let a player like that go.

[Hamilton Fox]

2 minutes ago, Vindaloo FOX said:

Remember he is still only 26, coming to his prime years.

 

Can play many positions, we would be crazy to let a player like that go.

Only 26? Feels like he’s been here 10 years!

[TJB-fox]

I actually think he’s looked bloody good this season, shouldn’t have dropped him for Vestegaard. 
 

Normally when he plays well, I think oh he was decent, but decent for Amartey. 
 

But this season he’s genuinely impressed me, namely Norwich away and Man U home.

[Kierzz]

He's great in a back three. I think he can now do a job as well in a back two but has to be partnering Evans.

 

He doesn't work with Soyuncu in a back four. Big Ves isn't great but better with Soyuncu or Amartey in a back four.

 

 

[HybridFox]

He pocketed a collectors item today 

[TheMightySystem]

His confidence with the ball at his feet has come on leaps and bounds this season as well. Stays calm when pressured and is always looking to get passes into midfield instead of doing the easy backpass.

Think it does help though that Evans is back, All the players seem more confident to take risks knowing that Evans will be covering for mistakes 9 times out of 10.

[splinterdream]

yes amartey over vesty

[BoyJones]

5 hours ago, LCFCbwoi said:

I feel like he’s mistreated by the fans over his ability, central defence is arguably the hardest outfield position to come into when you’re back up player.

 

He’s really solid whenever he has Evans next to him and has been apart of Rodgers most impressive wins, Today and Man City last season.

 

The absolute luxury we have that a player who seems absolutely fine with his minimal role in the squad yet stays fully committed whenever he’s called on.

He is mistreated by our so called fans but he is a decent player. Very assured today. Unfortunately we have a lot of posters who like to slag of the likes of Amartey, Maddison and Pérez who are top players and the Manager. The players all put a shift in today, but will still get criticised by loads of members on this forum. Unfortunately, many members on this forum are glass half empty merchants who hide behind their keyboard and love slagging off the team. 

[WigstonWanderer]

Well done Big Dan, fine performance. Didn’t realise his contract was up for renewal but I think we’d be mad to let him go.

[StriderHiryu]

7 hours ago, Marshall Cockney Fox said:

I swear his confidence on the ball has improved. He was prepared to hold onto it a little longer and find a pass to Youri in the middle. Where previously he was always keen to shunt it to the keeper or CB inside. Well done lad.

This is another good example of Brendan Rodgers improving players. He's done it with a long list of players at the club in his time here:

 

- Tielemans

- Ndidi

- Barnes

- Vardy

- Iheanacho

- Justin

- Thomas

- Albrighton

- Fofana

 

All of these players have improved significantly since he got here. I didn't put Ricardo on the list because I think he has always been class for us, and not necessarily because of coaching. Maddison the jury is out on as to if he's getting better or worse!

 

Players that didn't improve:

- Gray (tearing it up at Everton, but he never made the jump here, despite being given chances)

- Under

- Chilwell (I know we sold him, but IMO he stagnated / stayed at the same level rather than going onto become the left sided Ricardo)

- Perez. (Bit harsh this one as he's been much better this season, and arguably it's not a case of not improving but rather has reached his limit already)

 

You can see already that Lookman, KDH, Soumare and Daka will be added to that list. This is yet another reason why we are lucky to have Brendan and why he will be very hard to replace. He can turn academy graduates and reasonably priced signings into 50-60m+ players. From the owners perspective he's turning water into wine!

 

Soumare already looks better and is younger than Ndombele of Spurs, who was brought for 60m. After 10 games! Compare that to his opposite number today who made an 80m defender, a 75m winger and a 5 time Balon d'Or winner look atrocious.

 

Back to Amartey, look how pumped he was when Soyuncu scored! One thing even his biggest critic has to admit is that Amartey does care for the team, and players like that are always good in my book.

[dayday]

The reason I like him is because though he knows he won’t start many games, he never sulks and always gives his best, he is the perfect squad player

[mozartfox]

He looks much more confident now.  His passing is no longer just the sideways shuffle. Chuffed for him. Keep it up Dan!

[Blue-fox]

Big Dan the Ghanaian Bobby Moore

[beepee1984]

I'm not ready to say Amartey needs to start. Our top 3 CBs are Evans, Fofana, Soyuncu, but he is next in line and I no longer dread when His name is in the starting line up.

 

Also 4 wins from 6 games with him starting, 0 from 5 without him

(Although, I expect that stat is more useful to read as 4 wins from 5 when neither Bertrand or Vestergaard start and 0 from 6 when we have rely on last seasons 2nd worse defence)

[Facecloth]

1 minute ago, beepee1984 said:

I'm not ready to say Amartey needs to start. Our top 3 CBs are Evans, Fofana, Soyuncu, but he is next in line and I no longer dread when His name is in the starting line up.

 

Also 4 wins from 6 games with him starting, 0 from 5 without him

(Although, I expect that stat is more useful to read as 4 wins from 5 when neither Bertrand or Vestergaard start and 0 from 6 when we have rely on last seasons 2nd worse defence)

I don't think anyone is saying that when everyone is fit. But he definitely should be 4th choice centre back.

[ARM1968]

Still don't really get why people can’t see how good this lad is. He is so versatile, honest, hard working and patient. He doesn’t moan or complain, he just takes his chance whenever he gets it and gives us 100%. 
 

He is never going to be world class, but he will always be class. 

[majaco]

Pleased that Amartey is getting more credit.  He needs game time which he can only get if there is umavalability of the three ahead of him.  

 

I am a long term fan of Amartey but have recently been of the opinion that he may not be good enough if we are to be a club challenging near the top.  In part, this is because he looks rusty ( not surprisingly) when he is drafted in.  

 

Vestergaard has attributes but overall does not seem to offer more than Amartey.  

 

I would like to see him get a run in upcoming games to make it clear either way if we should keep him or look to move him on.

 

He had a good game yesterday.   Imo he has some brilliant qualities.   I want to see if he can be consistent.

 

 

 

[urban fox]

Have always stood up for big Dan. Can play several positions, always gives of his best. Maybe he is a bit of a “jack of all trades” type but every squad needs a couple of this type of player. Knows he is never going to be a nailed on starter in a side pushing for honours but seems happy with his lot (and picking up a few medals on the way). Let’s not forget he was forging a regular starting place in the side until that horrific injury which kept him out for almost two years. (Just found out the 5-2 win at Man City was his first full pl game since the injury)

deffo need to put a new contract on the table for him like we did for Albrighton. This is not sentiment, it is good business when you see the sort of fees that a replacement would cost us if he goes on a free at the end of the season.

Edited 17 October 2021 by urban fox

[Charl91]

HAS to play instead of Vestergaard. For all his experience, Vestergaard makes at least as many poor defensive lapses as Amartey.

 

Amartey also seems better in the air, and most importantly, he has legs.

Edited 17 October 2021 by Charl91

[Sly]

Credit where credit is due.

 

Amartey has been given a chance and he’s taken it. 
 

This season he’s been solid and dependable, which is all you can ask for from a centre back. We must remember that centre back wasn’t his natural position but he isn’t getting into our midfield. With the improvements shown alongside an experienced centreback, you can see what a major benefit this is. 
 

What he really needs a consistent run of games that would allow him to learn the role and at Premier League level. I’d rather have him in the side, rather than Vestergaard, especially in this formation, as it allows us to press. 

[Sunbury Fox]

Surprisingly good on the ball yesterday. He's obviously been working really hard on that side of his game. Great stuff, big man!

[StriderHiryu]

4 hours ago, dayday said:

The reason I like him is because though he knows he won’t start many games, he never sulks and always gives his best, he is the perfect squad player

Spot on!

 

This season he was involved in wins against both of the Manchester clubs. In one game he was MOTM, in the other he didn't put a foot wrong. We know he's not as good as at least 3 other defenders in the team, but for 5m, his versatility and reliability are very good assets to have in the squad. He's the defensive version of Albrighton, and I mean that in a good way.

 

If we had to rely on Amartey to be our first choice CB every week, we'd be in trouble. But to use him for 10-20 games a season as a squad option is perfectly acceptable.

 

If he keeps playing I do expect him to make some more mistakes, but I also think he will be a net positive for the team. Yesterday he was up against Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo and pocketed both!

[drumbeat]

16 hours ago, FoxyLeon said:

When Evans doesn't play, I actually think Amartey should be the leader in the centre of defence for us.

Brave call. Not sure I'd go that far but then, tbh, I'd not considered it before now. I'll put it on the 'maybe' pile. Given our current uncertainty with Evans, and a replacement for him, it's something for the mix even if not a leading contender.

 

 

[TJB-fox]

I always feel so chuffed for him when he plays well. Great work Dan 👍