KEA or Sylla?

[Rudy65]

Sylla without question

[supertom]

One thing about KEA that bugs me is that his first touch isn't very good. Maybe this is something due to a fallacy that all Dutch players have an exceptional first touch. Maybe one assumes that you can walk up to any Dutchman on the street, give him a can of beans and he could open it with his foot of choice. But KEA, for a Dutch born, Moroccan international doesn't have an adhesive touch by any stretch of the imagination. He doesn't appear to have any standout attribute, either technically or physically. He's fairly tidy on the ball, in as much as he can pass it 5-10 yards sideways. He's also far too laboured on the ball at times. He needs to be sharper with it, but I don't think he's a player that can handle being rushed and in this league, when you're in midfield, you're going to get rushed.

Westwood showed signs last season of being able to pick out a more incisive pass. I don't think he was terrible yesterday (at least in the first half). My major problem with Westy in the last couple of games has been discipline. He seems intent on getting himself sent off. It's a dirty streak he showed no signs of last season and perhaps it's largely frustration that he's playing poorly. But the signs of him kicking on and moving up a level don't appear to be happen. I'm just wondering whether we've already seen his best. Whether there's no more potential in him to get better.

[Clampy]

At the moment, I'd be leaving Westwood out. He was great last season but so far this season he hasn't quite got it back. KEA, Sylla and Delph would be the best three I think, especially away from home.

[eastie]

At the moment, I'd be leaving Westwood out. He was great last season but so far this season he hasn't quite got it back. KEA, Sylla and Delph would be the best three I think, especially away from home.

Totally agree clampy, away from home I would go with that midfield too.

[Concrete John]

If and when Lowton gets back in the side, I wouldn't mind seeing a midfield three of Delph, Bacuna and Sylla.  Sylla could play the holding role, which is what he was brought as.

[eastie]

If and when Lowton gets back in the side, I wouldn't mind seeing a midfield three of Delph, Bacuna and Sylla.  Sylla could play the holding role, which is what he was brought as.

I think bacuna stepping into midfield is the best thing at home I would  dispense with the 4-3-3 system and give us more width  .

[Rudy65]

One thing about KEA that bugs me is that his first touch isn't very good. Maybe this is something due to a fallacy that all Dutch players have an exceptional first touch. Maybe one assumes that you can walk up to any Dutchman on the street, give him a can of beans and he could open it with his foot of choice. But KEA, for a Dutch born, Moroccan international doesn't have an adhesive touch by any stretch of the imagination. He doesn't appear to have any standout attribute, either technically or physically. He's fairly tidy on the ball, in as much as he can pass it 5-10 yards sideways. He's also far too laboured on the ball at times. He needs to be sharper with it, but I don't think he's a player that can handle being rushed and in this league, when you're in midfield, you're going to get rushed.

Westwood showed signs last season of being able to pick out a more incisive pass. I don't think he was terrible yesterday (at least in the first half). My major problem with Westy in the last couple of games has been discipline. He seems intent on getting himself sent off. It's a dirty streak he showed no signs of last season and perhaps it's largely frustration that he's playing poorly. But the signs of him kicking on and moving up a level don't appear to be happen. I'm just wondering whether we've already seen his best. Whether there's no more potential in him to get better.

Agree with all that

I just think KEA is rubbish. Full stop.

With westy there is a player there, based on last season. I think he will come good. The aggressive streak is annoying when it goes wrong,  conversely, if he wasn't doing it, he would attract criticism anyway. He cant win, but just needs to be a bit more controlled

[Ads]

I cannot believe KEA was subbed yesterday ahead of Westwood.

KEA hasn't been great by any means, but he at least gets about the park. Bar two bookings, I cannot think of a single contribution Westwood has made in the past two games.

[Concrete John]

If and when Lowton gets back in the side, I wouldn't mind seeing a midfield three of Delph, Bacuna and Sylla.  Sylla could play the holding role, which is what he was brought as.

I think bacuna stepping into midfield is the best thing at home I would  dispense with the 4-3-3 system and give us more width  .

My suggestion would still be 4-3-3, eastie.  Something like:-

Guzan
Lowton - Vlaar - Clark - Luna
Bacune - Sylla - Delph
Weimann - Benteke - Gabby

[edgy22avfc]

Sylla is a much better option than KEA.  Shame Gards ain't fit otherwise he'd be ideal in a midfield three with Delph & Sylla OR Westwood. 

[eastie]

I wouldn't stick with the 3 up front at home john, either 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 - neither gabby or Weimann are natural widemen and it's not working when we need to take the game to teams - maybe tonev and bacuna could provide width or try Kozak alongside benteke but clearly we need to switch things at home .

[Concrete John]

The solution to our home problems is a proper number 10, which we don't really have in the squad.  Changing formations won't really solve it, in my option.  I'd certainly try to stay away from 4-4-2 for fear of being over run in midfield. 

[supertom]

The solution to our home problems is a proper number 10, which we don't really have in the squad.  Changing formations won't really solve it, in my option.  I'd certainly try to stay away from 4-4-2 for fear of being over run in midfield. 

For want of the number 10, I'd like to see us playing with a couple of wide players. I'd be tempted to play Albrighton. The other option would be to play Gabby tighter on the left flank. When he's in field he loses the ball too often because his touch is poor. Bacuna on the right side could also work well. He's full over energy, works the flank well. The qualities not always great, but a little like Milner he does his duties both ends of the field and keeps on running all game.

But we need to start making more use of the width of the pitch. We don't have the ability to try and open teams through the middle.

I'd play a 4-4-2 or a 4-2-3-1(wide). I think if you play Bacuna on the right and Sylla and Delph as the middle 2, in a 4-4-2 it can work because there's enough energy to cover the ground and make sure we don't get totally overrun in the middle.
I'd then play Weimann or perhaps Helenius (if ready) off Benteke. 

[Clampy]

I think we should have given Albrighton more of a run when he came back a few games ago. He looked lively in the cup game.

[barrysleftfoot]

 Bacuna is our best RB, and played well there again yday, why weaken another position, to strengthen somewhere else.

 At home, i would try Tonev, with Weimann playing in centre, behind CB, with Sylla and Delph, away from home i would play KEA, Delph and Sylla.

 I really like Sylla, and think he will become a very good player, but him and Delph don't offer much of a goal threat, nor does Westwood, thats why i think i would play Weimann there.His industry, and attacking tendencies means we might offer more of a goal threat.

 Lets give Tonev a few games, and have a look at him.