Libor Kozák (confirmed post #190)

[pauliewalnuts]

I think Lambert and his scouts have done enough to earn the benefit of the doubt on transfers. They don't seem to make panic buys and I doubt would spend this sort of money without being convinced he's worth it. No offence to anyone, but I trust their judgement on players much more than someone who's watched a few Serie A games

You could have addressed me directly, you know. And for what it's worth, I trust Lambert's judgement on transfers more than mine as well. But I'm entitled to my view and I'm entirely unconvinced by this. Even Ferguson signed Djemba-Djemba - nobody's perfect.

Quite right, everyone is entitled to their view and opinion, just yours are mostly negative, and in this case, before he's even played a game.

Lambert will make mistakes with his signings, but they won't be apparent if this is true for Kozac for a while, so let's contain judgement until there something to judge.

How are my views 'mostly negative'? I always thought I was a bit of a happy clapper on here.

I also don't see how someone's views being "mostly negative" is in some way wrong in any case.

They're every bit as valid as the next man's views. It's like when Nigel Kennedy had his rant about the new policy of being careful with money.

I agree entirely with what Lambert is doing and why he's doing it, but I can see that NK, like the rest of us, have every right to disagree if we want.

[Monty]

And I agree almost entirely with Lambert apart from about two things - and hopefully it'll turn out I'm wrong and I'll disagree on no things.

[Concrete John]

When he plays I think it'll be alongside Benteke with Weimann or Gabby in behind and a midfield 3 behind them.

Don't think Gabby is suited to playing in the hole like that.  Weimann possibly is, plus Tonev and Helenius should be also.

[Toronto Villa]

I don't see why Lambert needs to change his tried and trusted system. It works perfectly well the great majority of the time against most teams. What this does is offer another player that might fill Benteke's role when the big man is given a rest, or Lambert might just put them on together if we come against a team that is doing well against our Plan A. Like Liverpool last week, it might have been something to try. We just don't know, but in my opinion we look very dangerous with a central target man and two quick and busy wide forwards to supply and support.

[pauliewalnuts]

I think that's what this is (at TV said above) another option for Benteke if he needs a rest or is injured.




_{although, obviously, Benteke is actually an uninjurable robotic beast sent from another planet and thereby immune to such concerns}

[Concrete John]

The Bentekinator?

[silhillvilla]

Don't think Gabby is suited to playing in the hole

Judging by the amount of kids he's got he is

[Des Little]

Don't think Gabby is suited to playing in the hole

Judging by the amount of kids he's got he is

Oooooooosshhhhhh!

[paul_e]

Don't think Gabby is suited to playing in the hole

Ignoring the jokes:

Gabby has played brilliantly this year in precisely that position.  The team sheet may have him listed on the left of a 3 but that's not where he's played, the majority of his best work has involved drifting deep and central and coming on to the ball at pace, With Benteke drifting between their right centre back and right back to open a bit of space.  We've done it a hell of a lot of times since January and created lots of chances with it, our whole front 3 is very fluid and they all find and create space for each other.

[eamonn]

Don't think Gabby is suited to playing in the hole

Judging by the amount of kids he's got he is

Oooooooosshhhhhh!

It were proper bo, I tell thee.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

When he plays I think it'll be alongside Benteke with Weimann or Gabby in behind and a midfield 3 behind them.

Don't think Gabby is suited to playing in the hole like that.  Weimann possibly is, plus Tonev and Helenius should be also.

I think it's the position where Gabby is most effective.
His breaking through for his two goals at Norwich last season were pretty much from that position, as were his runs at the Arsenal defence that created two penalties on 17th August.
I wish he'd do it more often as well as drifting wide from time to time and testing the full-backs.
Playing wide all the time limits his scope and threat imho.

[sonlyme]

Good spot Paul E - that is exactly what we do.  Which is great if the opponents are trying to attack us as there is space to attack into.  It's shit if the opponents sit deep like Liverpool as neither Gab nor Andy are natural wingers and lack the dribbling abilities to take opponents on and beat them.

We were light in the striker department after DB went so I can see why Lambert might have done this.  I also live in hope that it may signal that we develop more than just the one way of playing - with more balls into the box against the right opponents.

But to be honest I was also slightly disappointed as I wanted a tricky playmaker or winger to help feed the beast - not this lads fault though - and as far as heads on sticks go - Peter Withe didn't do too bad for us.

The one thing we seem to be getting with Lambert is surprises - long may they be nice surprises.

[Matt Collins]

When he plays I think it'll be alongside Benteke with Weimann or Gabby in behind and a midfield 3 behind them.

Don't think Gabby is suited to playing in the hole like that.  Weimann possibly is, plus Tonev and Helenius should be also.

I can't see us going back to the diamond too easily. It was ditched fairly readily. Not much width in that side!

[danlanza]

Gabby has made the hole his own.
Libor will bore through it all.

[LeeB]

Gabby has made the hole his own.
Libor will bore through it all.

Gabby's made every hole his own.