Rudy Gestede - GONE

[Risso]

I have to say he does look very static and not very mobile.  Too early to judge yet, but at the moment he looks very much like a one-dimensional Championship striker.  Benteke had much more to his overall game.

[Matt Collins]

I don't think there's any way he isn't arsed. But I agree his movement was very poor and ungainly. His hold up play improved but not otherwise

As you say let's hope it's partly fitness because that performance was a real worry

[mcgrath_85]

His lack of changing his pace from a leisurely jog made me think that he didn't look arsed and I stand by that.
As for his hold up play: I counted two awkward occasions when he didn't lose the ball. This being an improvement is worrying in itself.

[Ron Manager]

Gestede improved over the last half hour of yesterday's game He will surprise quite a few of you disbelievers believe me.Excellent acquisition!

[PeterWithesShin]

I think he'll do okay for us, worth remembering that yesterday was only his second start at this level.

[Toronto Villa]

I think a lot of our players are just getting used to the PL. Gestede is stepping up and defences are adjusting to him. Now he'll need to work on finding ways to create space for himself. Part of his development. Same with the other new lads who are just at different stages of their understanding of this level. If they are good players they'll all get it but for some it will just take a little more time and fitness. Gueye has got it right away and Amavi to a large degree. Ayew and Veretout just need a bit more seasoning.

[Ron Manager]

I think a lot of our players are just getting used to the PL. Gestede is stepping up and defences are adjusting to him. Now he'll need to work on finding ways to create space for himself. Part of his development. Same with the other new lads who are just at different stages of their understanding of this level. If they are good players they'll all get it but for some it will just take a little more time and fitness. Gueye has got it right away and Amavi to a large degree. Ayew and Veretout just need a bit more seasoning.

Veretout is a class act who I have seen in France. Once he catches on to the pace of the PL he will look outstanding.

[john2710]

After his 30 minutes Man U, I held off commenting on him. However after seeing him in the 2 following games, I just don't see anything that resembles a Premier League player. This guy should only be used as an option from the bench when we want to be direct. If he is our main man, I'm worried.

[old man villa fan]

It's his second start at this level, so I think he was ok. Has some nice movement at times. I would have brought Kozak on towards the end, although that was when Rudy was playing quite well so I can see why he was left on.

Ah yes, the 'can't have your cake and eat it' dilemma that managers on the touch line have.  You're right though, Gestede was improving as the game went on.

[old man villa fan]

Sorry but the simple truth of the matter is that he isn't good enough. His goal scoring record shows that he thrives on accurate balls into the box and we don't have the players that can deliver quality crosses in what is a very one dimensional and low percentage success rate tactic. If we don't sign another forward this transfer window then we're going to be struggling for goals particularly when Traore and/or Grealish are not available.

You're joking aren't you, Amavi hit two beauties into the 12 yard box in the first half alone.

If players at Blackburn can hit quality crosses for him to score, I'm sure some of ours can.

The difference here is he needs to improve his movement as the defenders marking him will be cuter at making sure he dosen't get away from them to get a free header like he was getting every week in championship or even v Bournemouth.

At this level we should have players that can deliver accurate crosses, particularly when they are under no real pressure.  This to me is where Hutton does not deliver.  In the first half he had so much space and time on the ball to get good crosses in but failed time after time.

Similarly, Westwood with free kicks and corners.  We have scored with one driven flat corner at Bournemouth and now it seems as though every corner is the same in what is probably the most difficult cross to hit accurately and has no 'second bite of the cherry' if it is drops short or goes longer as with an in swinging corner with pace.

The benefit of Gestede will only be seen with accurate delivery, whether it is from crosses or balls played up to him.

[john e]

Worth a reminder that the only 3 points we have gained so far this season came from a Gestede winning header

[Matt Collins]

He's a massive threat in the air - although not quite as amazing so far as I'd imagined

Very happy with him as a squad option and to come off the bench, and start if he's playing really well

But I'm really not keen on him being our first choice striker this season. Ditto all the other current options.

[citizenDJ]

I mentioned in the match thread yesterday, so apologies for repeating, but I think he thrives off crosses from the byline rather than crosses from deep. With Traore, Gil, Amavi getting to the line and crossing, I think he's capable of scoring a bunch. But he's no Benteke when it comes to managing passes coming in to him from deep, although he clearly can win 'knock downs' and make some decent flick-ons.

[Mister E]

Far too early to judge, but being bullied by Kaboul on Saturday was not encouraging.
I would like to have seen how Kozak managed the Blunderland's defenders, and I think TS needs to mix it up a little.
Gestede is definitely a "jury's out" player but certainly no write-off.

[Matt Collins]

If he is going to play its crucial that we have pace near him to get behind teams. Jack and Gil  don't offer that but others do