Douglas Luiz - coming back?

[chrisw1]

I agree Paul.  Under Smiths / Gerrards set up with a better DM available I'd have expected Luiz to take McGinn or Ramsey's place, both were struggling with form and we had no answers.

[OCD]

I think when considering how he’s playing now compared to under other managers, you’ve got to consider that he’s 24 now and in his 3rd Premier League campaign. He’s maturing, settled and knows what he’s doing. He’s got the best years ahead of him now.

[olaftab]

Second best player on the pitch yesterday after Tyrone.

That was superb defending when he caught up with Solanke in the second half and got the block in.

Yes he was good but watching from North upper Solanke messed that up big time.

[Risso]

Second best player on the pitch yesterday after Tyrone.

That was superb defending when he caught up with Solanke in the second half and got the block in.

Yes he was good but watching from North upper Solanke messed that up big time.

He did, took a dodgy extra touch when he should have shot.

[LeeB]

Second best player on the pitch yesterday after Tyrone.

That was superb defending when he caught up with Solanke in the second half and got the block in.

Yes he was good but watching from North upper Solanke messed that up big time.

He did, took a dodgy extra touch when he should have shot.

Yes, we said the same at the time. He'd opened up his body for the shot as well, couldn't belive he took the extra touch.

[Drummond]

I think Martinez did that to him, he got confused as to what to do next.

[paul_e]

I think Martinez did that to him, he got confused as to what to do next.

I agree, I thought that was really good goalkeeping.

[Risso]

One thing I've noticed him doing a lot is rolling the ball backwards a fair amount, with his foot on top of the ball. It seems to buy him a few moments, and I don't really recall him it doing it much before Emery arrived.

[LeeB]

I think Martinez did that to him, he got confused as to what to do next.

I agree, I thought that was really good goalkeeping.

Haven't really looked at Martinez from the footage, but it's those kind of things that seperate the good from the great with keepers.

[Risso]

I thought it was Emi's best game in ages.

[LeeB]

I thought it was Emi's best game in ages.

He was like Beckenbauer at times

[Drummond]

I think Martinez did that to him, he got confused as to what to do next.

I agree, I thought that was really good goalkeeping.

Haven't really looked at Martinez from the footage, but it's those kind of things that seperate the good from the great with keepers.

Martinez did the opposite of what you'd expect. Normally a keeper comes out to narrow the angle etc but he backpedalled really quickly and kept the choices low and obviously Mings was piling back too.

[Smithy]

Second best player on the pitch yesterday after Tyrone.

That was superb defending when he caught up with Solanke in the second half and got the block in.

Yes he was good but watching from North upper Solanke messed that up big time.

He did, took a dodgy extra touch when he should have shot.

Yes, we said the same at the time. He'd opened up his body for the shot as well, couldn't believe he took the extra touch.

I think you have to credit Martinez a little there, too.  His positioning was very good - he started to come, almost beyond his box (so would have been seen by Solanki) then he stopped, then he retreated slightly, then goes back to his six yard box as Solanki goes slightly wide, then sets himself at the near post.  All that makes Solanki rethink his approach with every touch.  I still think Solanki made a mess of it, definitely, but I can't help but think the thought of facing the best goalkeeper in the world, one on one, has a reasonable impact on a forward's decision making if they ever find themselves in that position.

[olaftab]

Yes all of that sums up the difference between great and good. Emi did his work like a top class performer and Solanke behaved like an adequate, average PL player. Simple really better players  win games.

[olaftab]

One thing I've noticed him doing a lot is rolling the ball backwards a fair amount, with his foot on top of the ball. It seems to buy him a few moments, and I don't really recall him it doing it much before Emery arrived.

Yes getting back to Dougie, he appears majestic to me these days.