Reserves - now the Fonz debate

[Clampy]

I thought it was a strange decision by GH to bring him off when he did.  He'd just scored a well taken goal and had a perfectly good one disallowed.   

I said exactly the same thing to my mate last night. It took him a while to get into the game, and when he did, he was taken off. He did'nt put himselff about enough in the first half, but he was much better in the second. His goal is the type of one Gabby would have missed last season,  he stuck it away well.

[myf]

Probably being saved for Sat.  Also gave Gabby a good run out to help his fitness for Sat.

[Mazrim]

He's not quick enough or strong enough for me and needs greater awareness.

Delfouneso isnt quick enough?
Do you know what mate, I dont recall reading anything by you that I've ever agreed with. Its quite amazing.

[cb]

Well I thought that the type of goal he scored last night, was a cut above many of the things we have seen from our strikers at Villa Park over the last ten years at least. The awareness to come back onside, receive the ball and turn in one movement and then to run through the defense and finish clinically is not something we've really had since Yorke in our strikers. It is the type of goal that you see many of the real top class strikers do reglarly. That's not to say it means he's the second coming of Henry, but it is at least one piece of evidence that he might be capable of becoming the player we all hope he can be...

[Merv]

 Yes, the timing of the run was excellent; I can imagine a couple of our more senior strikers getting that wrong and straying offside. Good finish, too - stayed composed despite the defender sliding in and tucked it away nicely. Thought he was unlucky with the header, didn't do much wrong there and just got above the defender. Not much contact.

In his two starting games, Nathan has looked bright and sharp and that goal will have done him lots of good. As Chris S said, his goals to games ratio at senior level is superb.

I think GH did the right thing in making the sub, which as much about giving Gabby a decent run as preserving the Fonz. Feel happier now that Gabby has got a bit of action under his belt before Man U - I'd still start with Fonz v Utd and have Gabby as a second half sub option.

[pablopicasso_10]

In his two starting games, Nathan has looked bright and sharp and that goal will have done him lots of good. As Chris S said, his goals to games ratio at senior level is superb.

it is at every level he has played at, both for club and country...

[Fuse]

We finally ahve a player cvomign through the ranks who will be a superstar. This kid will score 20 goals a season for us, no doubt about it.

That goal alst night was as many have said, Torres like. In 20 second half mins he scored two and should have ahd a penalty and he is only 19.

7 goals in 9 starts with some of those at Europa League level.

I onloy hope the idots who are on his back either shut the fuck up or go an crawl under s stone!

[pelty]

Nathan is a real prospect. I feel he needs to put more pressure on the defenders, though. He does not chase the ball enough defensively, but his instincts are excellent and I think he has a chance to be very, very good.

[PaulTheVillan]

Delfouneso doesn't look like he's got much pace at all.

Good finish for the goal and the header, but other chances when the ball went across the face he wasn't as sharp as I expected.

Maybe that's just match practice at this level.

I'd still prefer GH to bring in a good quality striker to lead our line.

[fredm]

I was disappointed he didn't get a run of games with Emile.  It would appear that his favoured position is to play off a  main striker and as we all know, the one asset every knowledgeable person says about Emile is how he brings people into the game, be it Owen, Rooney etc.

Who knows, they maybe could replicate the Liverpool duo for GH!!

[timeoutbigbar]

Delfouneso doesn't look like he's got much pace at all.

Good finish for the goal and the header, but other chances when the ball went across the face he wasn't as sharp as I expected.

Maybe that's just match practice at this level.

I'd still prefer GH to bring in a good quality striker to lead our line.

Agree with this.  I was lead to believe he was very pacy, but he seemed to be caught on his heels a few times last night when people tried to release him.  Whether that was because as PTV said he isnt quite up to speed with match practice at this level or whether it was a lack of awareness i don't know.  Glad to see him get the goal, to be fair Ash did lay it on a plate for him and though he did take it well, i'd have been fuming if he had missed.

[pedro25]

He took his goals very well indeed last night and I'm pleased for him, but he did not show great pace in the last 2 games at all, twice he turned back inside a defender rather than back himself to head for goal and get a shot away and twice he was sluggish and didn't get on the end of crosses he should have done.

[Mazrim]

He most certainly has bags of pace and he even showed that to score last night, even though it was a few yards, that was all he needed. He also showed pace on numerous occasions against Fulham and definitely last season in a few cameos. When he came on against Palace for instance and rocketed down the right as soon as he came on.

He might lack a bit of sharpness from inexperience but pace? No way.
Its one of the things he is noted for. Its not in peoples imaginations.

[Concrete John]

I did think he lacked a little sharpness last night a few times, but this was an awareness/alertness issue and nothing to do with how fast he can run.

[D.boy]

The fonz has pace and will be a cracking striker, he just needed that goal to give him confidence (there was nothing wrong with the header either). I have faith in him and look forward to watching him develop.