Faes and Soyuncu

[Paninistickers]

Possibly an unnecessary thread. 

 

But just wanted to say I thought that was elite level centre half pairing today. As good a partnership as I have seen from any team, all season. 

 

 

[Wasyls Pec Deck]

Definitely the bite and aggression and leadership we’ve been lacking at the back. I do wonder if Soyuncu had been a regular whether we’d be in this mess.

[mod hero]

I thought it was a dangerous ploy to play them together as they are similar ball carrying/play out from the back centre halves. 
 

fair play to to Deano, they were immense.

[Craig]

Off the ball in particular it was noticeable how much Cags was leading the back four. We've really missed that with Evans out and him marginalised.

 

[StanSP]

Soyuncu's presence made a difference. 

 

He played with such confidence and assurance it was so refreshing to see. There were no times at all where I thought he was out of control (on the pitch or mentally), and he was so composed on the ball. And then when it came to the defending - successful tackling, handles the temperament of Costa (how was he not booked for hauling Soyuncu down?!) and got so many headers and blocks in. So commanding. And the best thing - he was a leader on the pitch for the team. 

 

I think Faes was very good too, and I feel like he fed off the solidity of Soyuncu. 

[BenTayfour]

Best CB pairing in a while. 

[lcfc sheff]

They’re bastards, would love the partnership to continue next season 

[Bluearmyfox28]

Getting massively carried away with myself here but I would be lying if I haven’t thought, if we manage to stay up whether DS will convince Cags to sign a new deal.

[Marshall Cockney Fox]

12 minutes ago, Bluearmyfox28 said:

Getting massively carried away with myself here but I would be lying if I haven’t thought, if we manage to stay up whether DS will convince Cags to sign a new deal.

I think that's highly unlikely. 

[Lcfc-1992]

I like at times it was just no nonsense defending just get rid. Soyuncu’s mistakes come from him trying to overplay.

[Aus Fox]

You have to say, if we had Faes and Soyuncu as the cb pairing with Iversen in goal, we would not be in a relegation battle now.

[LcFc_Smiv]

6 hours ago, Aus Fox said:

You have to say, if we had Faes and Soyuncu as the cb pairing with Iversen in goal, we would not be in a relegation battle now.

I agree to an extent in terms of their ability. I just don't think they would have been as effective under the previous manager. They would have been shoehorned into a style of play where they are forced to play out from the back and take unnecessary risks on the ball passing out from the back, we have seen it with Cags before and in some instances with Faes that it can lead to the self destruct button. I genuinely think Smith has taken a look at the players and allowed them to play in a way that accommodates their strengths, the bit where Cags just booted it out of play today to make sure we weren't put in unnecessary trouble was refreshing. A centre back under the old regime would have been encouraged to play back to the keeper to 'build another attack' inviting more pressure on the defence and most likely leading to an error and a goal. More than anything I think Smith is highlighting that Rodgers loyalty to his brand of football is what has killed us, players were totally mismanaged.

[Saxondale]

Superb pairing. It really worked.

[Jack1993]

Incredible that Brendan basically spent the last year telling us that Soyuncu was sh!t

[Dahnsouff]

Be good to eventually find out quite what went on that left Soyuncu out in the cold for so long, admit I was a critic,  but I got it so so wrong, as he was imperious yesterday and these two seemed both secure together and both able to bring the ball out of defence.

[Spudulike]

That first half sliding last ditch block by Wout was worth a goal. It's not the first time he's done that. Great determination. 

[mozartfox]

This pairing reminded me of Alan Woollett  and Malcolm Manley.  Awesome.

[StriderHiryu]

I disagree. Soyuncu was a level above, him and Soumare our MOTM and Soyuncu was dominant throughout. Faes was ok but not on the same level. 
 

Sadly this is a worry for next season. Are Souttar and Faes good enough? Maybe, but Cags yesterday played like when he made team of the year. He’s had plenty of stinkers for us too, but one thing we can say with certainty is that at his best he was genuinely one of the best centre backs in the league. Somehow we did replace him, but we already sold his replacement!

[Bordersfox]

26 minutes ago, Dahnsouff said:

Be good to eventually find out quite what went on that left Soyuncu out in the cold for so long, admit I was a critic,  but I got it so so wrong, as he was imperious yesterday and these two seemed both secure together and both able to bring the ball out of defence.

I was also a critic because he needed dropping when he originally got dropped.  His head had gone at the time or so it appeared.  He was making numerous costly errors. 

 

However, there comes a point (and that point is where Amartey has to play regularly let alone the point where we're in the bottom three) that he must get put back into the team and given another crack of the whip.  Unfortunately Rodgers' p1ss poor man management, certainly in Soy's case, seemed to make that impossible.

 

That and persevering with Ward.  Two decisions that I would love to hear Rodgers' honest explanation about.  Because they seem inexplicable from a footballing sense.  

[CosbehFox]

8 hours ago, Craig said:

Off the ball in particular it was noticeable how much Cags was leading the back four. We've really missed that with Evans out and him marginalised.

 

Yeah talking between them pair looked good. 
 

It could be a disaster but they also by far are quickest pairing 

[FoxInTheBirstallBox]

Considering how long cags has been out, it's unbelievable how against man city and wolves he has maintained match fitness..... Extremely professional of him (considering he wasn't training well apparently)

[CyprusFox]

Is his summer move to A Madrid 

 signed and sealed. Does anyone really know?

[adam95581]

21 minutes ago, CyprusFox said:

Is his summer move to A Madrid 

 signed and sealed. Does anyone really know?

Sounds like it’s as good as done (from a Turkish newspaper). Realistically, Atletico would be a pull even if we weren’t in a mess and needing a rebuild…unless we stay up and appoint someone ridiculous then I can’t see him staying 

[Beachyboy]

1 hour ago, StriderHiryu said:

I disagree. Soyuncu was a level above, him and Soumare our MOTM and Soyuncu was dominant throughout. Faes was ok but not on the same level. 
 

Sadly this is a worry for next season. Are Souttar and Faes good enough? Maybe, but Cags yesterday played like when he made team of the year. He’s had plenty of stinkers for us too, but one thing we can say with certainty is that at his best he was genuinely one of the best centre backs in the league. Somehow we did replace him, but we already sold his replacement!

Yep Soumare and Cags best two for me also, I had Soumare Cags close 2nd, I do think some of the work Bouba did allowed Cags to get a mini rest bite at times rather than sustained pressure.

[foxfanazer]

11 hours ago, mod hero said:

I thought it was a dangerous ploy to play them together as they are similar ball carrying/play out from the back centre halves. 
 

fair play to to Deano, they were immense.

I'm sure over a prolonged amount of time we'll see the odd howler from then due to the risks they take but I love their aggression to win the ball