Carlos Sanchez

[pauliewalnuts]

Sanchez and Benteke are both on a different level technically to the rest of the team.

Sanchez just knocks it around like he's playing on a beach somewhere. There was a ball he played today, out to a man wide, where he just casually scooped it over the Sunderland player between them, and to the man's feet.

It wasn't the sort of pass you're likely to see repeated over and over, it'll have got lost in the "noise" of the match around it, but it was the sort of pass which the likes of Cleverley could probably manage once in a dozen attempts.

[adrenachrome]

Sanchez and Benteke are both on a different level technically to the rest of the team.

Sanchez just knocks it around like he's playing on a beach somewhere. There was a ball he played today, out to a man wide, where he just casually scooped it over the Sunderland player between them, and to the man's feet.

It wasn't the sort of pass you're likely to see repeated over and over, it'll have got lost in the "noise" of the match around it, but it was the sort of pass which the likes of Cleverley could probably manage once in a dozen attempts.

I agree about Sanchez, but Benteke is one of those players who is in touch or out of touch, and you can usually tell pretty early on in a game. When he finds a rhythm Benteke is poetry in motion. When he is our only threat dastardly opponents find ways to stop him, just as they did with Ash Young.

I would guess that Poyet told Wes Brown to knock CB off his stroke early on and then keep niggling him. He does not do all that moaning for shits and giggles, he genuinely has got the hump.   

As I said to a wide eyed, incredulous old chap in the concourse of the Upper Witton Lane today, in many respects he is like Hurricane Higgins. Or maybe John Higgins. Same rules apply. 

[Toronto Villa]

We need to get quality in just like him. Lambert has spent his transfer budget well when shopping above the bottom of the barrel. He needs to now find players that can take the ball from the likes of Sanchez and do something with it. The likes of Cleverley, Gabby, Weimann, N'Zogbia are not or no longer the answer.

So right TV. Those four should not even be in the first team squad. To give Agbonlahor a new four year contract sums up this manager and the club owner who authorized it.

I don't mind Gabby being at the club. He's just not starting quality anymore. Impact sub and that's about it. Same with Weimann really. Cameo roles, rotation at best. Cleverley might be a punt in the Delph role should he decide his future lies elsewhere, but never at the numbers being quoted. N'Zogbia, just so very, very disappointed by him and he needs to move on quickly.

[supertom]

I really like Carlos. He looks the business and he's still settling. He's the sort of player you can build a midfield around. We just need to sign 2-3 of his ability, particularly with Delph one foot out the door.
Cleverley, Westwood, Richardson are not good enough. The former shouldn't be signed, the latter two are squad level.

[papa lazarou]

Some few months ago I commented on a thread that in my opinion there was a big hole in the middle of the park that had been vacant since Stan Petrov had to stop playing. Whoever filled that position didn't have to be world class, they had to be competent and able to delay and disrupt the advance of the opposition midfield - at the time we were being overwhelmed and dominated by the opposition's midfield which also exposed our defence to constant pressure.
I believe that we now have that player. In recent performances, as he's acclimatised to premier league football Sanchez has shown a natural ability that we have been missing in midfield for a long time.
Congratulations to those who were involved in bringing him to our club.
Just another 4 or 5 of the same ability in different positions would do nicely.

[SoccerHQ]

Some few months ago I commented on a thread that in my opinion there was a big hole in the middle of the park that had been vacant since Stan Petrov had to stop playing. Whoever filled that position didn't have to be world class, they had to be competent and able to delay and disrupt the advance of the opposition midfield - at the time we were being overwhelmed and dominated by the opposition's midfield which also exposed our defence to constant pressure.
I believe that we now have that player. In recent performances, as he's acclimatised to premier league football Sanchez has shown a natural ability that we have been missing in midfield for a long time.
Congratulations to those who were involved in bringing him to our club.
Just another 4 or 5 of the same ability in different positions would do nicely.

I've long hoped Westwood could be that player given his style and he has his good periods of form but not quite good enough defensively and Sanchez is far more of the finished article which you'd expect given his experience.

Infairness Sanchez and Westwood as the two infront of the back 4 will keep our possesion ticking over no problem but it all falls down when the third midfielder is also a busy workmanlike player. That is the problem.

[papa lazarou]

Infairness Sanchez and Westwood as the two infront of the back 4 will keep our possesion ticking over no problem but it all falls down when the third midfielder is also a busy workmanlike player. That is the problem.

Westwood or Delph (for however long he's here) will both improve with the freedom afforded by Sanchez's presence, relieving them of some defensive responsibilities that they can't provide but you're quite right, we have an abundance of workers but no creative midfielder.
Or do we?

[Dante Lavelli]

I small silver lining of this season could be that sanchez and westwood could be a very good base for a 4231 formation for next season, a la Chelsea and most German teams.  The problem is clearly the 3 as our squad lacks players that are natural in these position (only really Grelish).

[supertom]

I small silver lining of this season could be that sanchez and westwood could be a very good base for a 4231 formation for next season, a la Chelsea and most German teams.  The problem is clearly the 3 as our squad lacks players that are natural in these position (only really Grelish).

I'd agree long term it's the system we should go for. As we've become acutely aware though, Gabby and Weimann need replacing in the starting 11.

[WestleyArmsAV]

Weimaraner agree, gabby no chance . We missed him Sunday.

[supertom]

Weimaraner agree, gabby no chance . We missed him Sunday.

I think he's an impact player now. From the bench. But in the starting 11 we need better. Too many times Gabby just looks like he can't be arsed.
I would say in a 4-2-3-1 Weimann would become slightly obsolete, but in all honesty he's just not good enough at this level.
Unfortunately neither Gabby and Andi can do any wrong in Lamberts eyes. See also Cleverley and Westwood. Certain players can get away with total mediocrity too often.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

When he doesn't play we miss what Gabby could have brought to the party.
Unfortunately he's bringing it less often when he does play.

I'd play him wider - he gets lost in the middle when Benteke is in front/alongside him.

[supertom]

When he doesn't play we miss what Gabby could have brought to the party.
Unfortunately he's bringing it less often when he does play.

I'd play him wider - he gets lost in the middle when Benteke is in front/alongside him.

I'd like to see him attacking fullbacks more. His crossing is actually less erratic than some of the other players. Gabby spends too much time playing with his back to goal though, which he's mediocre at. He should be given one job. Run at people. Simples. When he commits defenders we get a lot of set pieces and territory out of it.

[PeterWithesShin]

It's genuine pace we miss when Gabby is out. Even when he's crap the threat is always there for that one sprint that can help win a game, and the opposition are aware of it as well.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

On thread - agree with papa...Sanchez is the player we've needed since we lost Stan...defensively very strong but with enough guile and flair to join the attack when he can.

If he's got a good mate back home like him, but with a more creative element to his game he needs to let "Paul" know.