Quote from: pablo_picasso on September 30, 2023, 07:55:22 PMQuote from: chrisw1 on September 30, 2023, 07:23:19 PMI also think he was better than he was given credit for pre Emery. He was just asked to do too much defensive work and was crying out for someone alongside him.100% valid point...He certainly suffered from the role he was being asked to perform. He did it without complaint & to the best of his ability, but it just didn't suit his game.He seems a much free-er (word?) player now he has been given permission to take & keep the ball in tight areas...Yup, all of this and Chris's post above.I'd also add that he joined us at age 21. In the last few years when we were saying he was too defensive, not defensive enough, trying too hard, not trying enough - I think he was judged as being a highly rated Brazilian signed from Man City who wasn't brilliant from day one.He's never been anything less than good. He's now our best midfielder since...Milner? Probably past him now on longevity. Barry?
Quote from: chrisw1 on September 30, 2023, 07:23:19 PMI also think he was better than he was given credit for pre Emery. He was just asked to do too much defensive work and was crying out for someone alongside him.100% valid point...He certainly suffered from the role he was being asked to perform. He did it without complaint & to the best of his ability, but it just didn't suit his game.He seems a much free-er (word?) player now he has been given permission to take & keep the ball in tight areas...
I also think he was better than he was given credit for pre Emery. He was just asked to do too much defensive work and was crying out for someone alongside him.
Quote from: Dave on September 30, 2023, 11:49:29 PMQuote from: pablo_picasso on September 30, 2023, 07:55:22 PMQuote from: chrisw1 on September 30, 2023, 07:23:19 PMI also think he was better than he was given credit for pre Emery. He was just asked to do too much defensive work and was crying out for someone alongside him.100% valid point...He certainly suffered from the role he was being asked to perform. He did it without complaint & to the best of his ability, but it just didn't suit his game.He seems a much free-er (word?) player now he has been given permission to take & keep the ball in tight areas...Yup, all of this and Chris's post above.I'd also add that he joined us at age 21. In the last few years when we were saying he was too defensive, not defensive enough, trying too hard, not trying enough - I think he was judged as being a highly rated Brazilian signed from Man City who wasn't brilliant from day one.He's never been anything less than good. He's now our best midfielder since...Milner? Probably past him now on longevity. Barry?Milner only had one very good season with us, his last one. Centre of the park, great athlete and gave 💯 every game. Luiz definitely has more to his game than Milner did but not quite matching his athleticism.Think Luiz has a fair way to go to match Barry. On today, Luiz was very good again. Thought others stood out more, mind but he utterly dominated Gilmore from the first whistle. Never looked like getting a second yellow either.
They paid how much for Casiedo
Quote from: brontebilly on September 30, 2023, 11:54:22 PMQuote from: Dave on September 30, 2023, 11:49:29 PMQuote from: pablo_picasso on September 30, 2023, 07:55:22 PMQuote from: chrisw1 on September 30, 2023, 07:23:19 PMI also think he was better than he was given credit for pre Emery. He was just asked to do too much defensive work and was crying out for someone alongside him.100% valid point...He certainly suffered from the role he was being asked to perform. He did it without complaint & to the best of his ability, but it just didn't suit his game.He seems a much free-er (word?) player now he has been given permission to take & keep the ball in tight areas...Yup, all of this and Chris's post above.I'd also add that he joined us at age 21. In the last few years when we were saying he was too defensive, not defensive enough, trying too hard, not trying enough - I think he was judged as being a highly rated Brazilian signed from Man City who wasn't brilliant from day one.He's never been anything less than good. He's now our best midfielder since...Milner? Probably past him now on longevity. Barry?Milner only had one very good season with us, his last one. Centre of the park, great athlete and gave 💯 every game. Luiz definitely has more to his game than Milner did but not quite matching his athleticism.Think Luiz has a fair way to go to match Barry. On today, Luiz was very good again. Thought others stood out more, mind but he utterly dominated Gilmore from the first whistle. Never looked like getting a second yellow either.I think Dougie is a better player than Barry….there I’ve said it, ready and waiting to be shot down.
Quite often when we didn't have the ball, Dougie was the highest up the pitch out of all the midfielders, just behind Watkins and Diaby. He is even more dangerous playing higher up, hence the goals and assists this season.