Rudy Gestede - GONE

[in exile]

Jack and Gil  don't offer that but others do

Sounds like a nursery ryhme

[old man villa fan]

Gestede is definitely a "jury's out" player but certainly no write-off.

Is 'jury's out' the right term?  I would suggest that more evidence needs to be considered before we get to 'jury's out', which would imply it's make your mind up time as there is nothing more to see.

[CT Villan]

So far he isn't winning many headers with his back to goal, but you can see an improvement to his game with every minute he spends on the pitch. He'll come good in time.

[Matt Collins]

He did improve but he was playing against the worst defence in the league by some margin

[luke:lamf]

Despite having lurked on H&V for the best part of 10 years, this feels a strange time & subject for a first post, but seeing as I am probably the only Benin-based H&V user I thought it might be of interest to share my impressions from inside the stadium on Gestede's performance for Benin against Mali today.

First, crikey he is a big unit. Clambered all over the Malian defence for the numerous long balls that were punted his way and won the majority - despite his marker in the Malian defence being of an equally imposing stature.

Second, although the state of the pitch was somewhere below Conference standard, he seemed quite clearly limited "on the deck". Missed a couple of one-on-ones, one especially which would have frankly been easier to score than miss. Compared to Benin's other PL international, Sessègnon, it was a question of night-and-day in terms of technical ability (the latter being the most technically impressive player on the pitch).

Third, after about 70 minutes he was quite evidently shot. It could be the heat and humidity playing a part, but there were occasions in the last twenty minutes when the Malian defence was playing itself into trouble and I was screaming at him to put a shift in to press the defender and he literally stood stock still.

However, he also forced the 'keeper into a couple of smart saves from headers and would, had the quality of service from the Beninese wingers been better, surely gotten a goal as his aerial prowess is self-evident.

Give him the right service and he should bang (or maybe, nut) in the goals - here's to hoping that one (or more) of Sinclair, Traoré, Grealish and N'Zogbia can provide it...

[warleyboy]

Thanks for the game insight Luke, brilliant.
I hope he is the new Carew, he definately has it within him, the game against Liverpool in the cup last season, he was a defenders nightmare.
I think Sinclair/Ayew could do well playing alongside him, do not like seeing him isolated on his own up top.
He needs more prem game time for that.

[Pete3206]

Welcome Luke

[dave.woodhall]

And a Heartbreakers reference. You'll fit right in here.

[brian green]

Welcome Luke. Fantastic post. You used the word "crikey", put loads of asides in brackets, and the gem of the idea of "nutting" goals was the cherry on the gateau. Look forward to hearing a lot from you.

[Salsa Party Animal]

Thank for joining the list and it is nice to here from you Luke. How often did you seen him in action on TV/stadium ? Have he got the intelligence or instincts or skills needed to be top striker. 

[luke:lamf]

This is the first time I've seen him outside of highlight reels on the internet - he wasn't playing last time I saw the Squirrels play (against Sao Tomé & Principé). To be honest, anybody based in England will be in a much better position to judge based on his PL and Championship appearances. He was getting some stick from the crowd for wasting possession and/or failing to pick the 'right' option which, given the level of play - it is a long time since I've seen a live top-flight match in the UK, but it didn't strike me a being significantly above the French National (third division) that I watched during my time in France - is a fairly damning indictement of his football intelligence / skill with the ball at his feet.

Get some wingers capable of beating a man and whipping in dangerous crosses, or more consistent set-piece delivery (my only knowledge in this area is formed from during- and post-match threads where Westwood  seems to be regularly pilloried for his failure to provide opportunities) and he'll clearly get on the end of them, he was taking up good positions against Mali but the Beninese wingers (and it pains me to say this) were just atrocious at crossing. The Bournemouth goal and his performance here have offered evidence that he is quite willing to fling himself over and/or through any defender to get on the end of it. Just a matter of that elusive 'final ball'.

[eamonn]

Welcome and happy birthday. You're about to both outlive Jesus and live out your life on here. Enjoy.

[Matt Collins]

Really interesting report thanks

We all know his main threat is his head and physical presence. But there is a minimum level of ability required with the ball on the deck. Especially with the players we have - much more about playing between the lines than whipping balls in

He did show a few nice touches against Sunderland though he was erratic. He doesn't look fit yet either.

I'm not that optimistic he can be our regular striker but we need to give him a chance. It's a shame we can't be confident about relying on anyone else in the meantime.

[Matt Collins]

Sorry for 'shame' read 'very big worry'

[Risso]

This is the first time I've seen him outside of highlight reels on the internet - he wasn't playing last time I saw the Squirrels play (against Sao Tomé & Principé). To be honest, anybody based in England will be in a much better position to judge based on his PL and Championship appearances. He was getting some stick from the crowd for wasting possession and/or failing to pick the 'right' option which, given the level of play - it is a long time since I've seen a live top-flight match in the UK, but it didn't strike me a being significantly above the French National (third division) that I watched during my time in France - is a fairly damning indictement of his football intelligence / skill with the ball at his feet.

Get some wingers capable of beating a man and whipping in dangerous crosses, or more consistent set-piece delivery (my only knowledge in this area is formed from during- and post-match threads where Westwood  seems to be regularly pilloried for his failure to provide opportunities) and he'll clearly get on the end of them, he was taking up good positions against Mali but the Beninese wingers (and it pains me to say this) were just atrocious at crossing. The Bournemouth goal and his performance here have offered evidence that he is quite willing to fling himself over and/or through any defender to get on the end of it. Just a matter of that elusive 'final ball'.

Welcome, great first post Luke.  Can I ask how you came to be living in Benin, I have to admit my dreadful ignorance and had to look it up to see where in Africa it was.  I've certainly never met anybody from there before.