Douglas Luiz - back home on loan

[aj2k77]

Luiz keeps things ticking over whilst Tielemans makes things happen.

[PaulWinch again]

Luiz keeps things ticking over whilst Tielemans makes things happen.

Luiz at current state of fitness does that, but at his best he’s a creative force. Tielemans is stronger at that, but it’s not a binary comparison.

[Olof's Beard]

Luiz keeps things ticking over whilst Tielemans makes things happen.

Luiz at current state of fitness does that, but at his best he’s a creative force. Tielemans is stronger at that, but it’s not a binary comparison.

Yep some cracking assists in his time, it's easy to forget. The set piece delivery on to Pau's bonce at Spurs, the outside of the boot, inch-perfect throughball to Watkins at Sheffield United etc etc. Doug's not hitting those heights yet and I guess after 18 months of barely playing (and rumours of long term injury issues), we have no evidence that he is definitely capable of hitting those heights again. But in the circumstances, it's been an encouraging enough start to his second spell to suggest he might have it in him as he plays more.

[Dave]

Luiz keeps things ticking over whilst Tielemans makes things happen.

Luiz at current state of fitness does that, but at his best he’s a creative force. Tielemans is stronger at that, but it’s not a binary comparison.

Yep some cracking assists in his time, it's easy to forget. The set piece delivery on to Pau's bonce at Spurs, the outside of the boot, inch-perfect throughball to Watkins at Sheffield United etc etc. Doug's not hitting those heights yet and I guess after 18 months of barely playing (and rumours of long term injury issues), we have no evidence that he is definitely capable of hitting those heights again. But in the circumstances, it's been an encouraging enough start to his second spell to suggest he might have it in him as he plays more.

Really don't see why we've stopped him doing his corners. They're predominantly short and across the edge of the box or short to allow a dribble to the box rather than those whipped-in, under-the-bar ones which were so useful in 23/24.

And lo, as soon as Bailey does a proper one we score from it.

[cdbearsfan]

Nearly all the corners we have had have been from the wrong side for Luiz to try to put one just under the bar. I'd imagine he will try it when he has the option to do so, I don't think we have told him no to do so. Luiz couldn't have done the Bailey one because, again, it was wrong side for him. Would be happy for Bailey to take all the corners from that side if they're both on the pitch at the same time.

[Dave]

He had four or five from his preferred side against Brentford, and they were all (or nearly all) knocked short to Maatsen.

[PaulWinch again]

Luiz keeps things ticking over whilst Tielemans makes things happen.

Luiz at current state of fitness does that, but at his best he’s a creative force. Tielemans is stronger at that, but it’s not a binary comparison.

Yep some cracking assists in his time, it's easy to forget. The set piece delivery on to Pau's bonce at Spurs, the outside of the boot, inch-perfect throughball to Watkins at Sheffield United etc etc. Doug's not hitting those heights yet and I guess after 18 months of barely playing (and rumours of long term injury issues), we have no evidence that he is definitely capable of hitting those heights again. But in the circumstances, it's been an encouraging enough start to his second spell to suggest he might have it in him as he plays more.

Really don't see why we've stopped him doing his corners. They're predominantly short and across the edge of the box or short to allow a dribble to the box rather than those whipped-in, under-the-bar ones which were so useful in 23/24.

And lo, as soon as Bailey does a proper one we score from it.

Yep it’s odd - especially as it seems to be en vogue to let anything go from corners in the area at the moment.

[Dante Lavelli]

Tactical boffins, ignoring injuries, do you see Doug and Tielemans playing together, or is it one or the other because they’re too similar?

[AV82EC]

Tactical boffins, ignoring injuries, do you see Doug and Tielemans playing together, or is it one or the other because they’re too similar?

As was proved in 23/24 they can both play in the same team.

[brontebilly]

Tactical boffins, ignoring injuries, do you see Doug and Tielemans playing together, or is it one or the other because they’re too similar?

As was proved in 23/24 they can both play in the same team.

Definitely worked against likes of Man City and Arsenal. They used combine very well from memory.

[ROBBO]

Luiz played his heart out but lack of fitness told, having said that when our injury problems are over he will become a back up, I would much rather be looking for a more imaginative midfielder in the summer. We find it hard to break a low defence and we need a back up for Tielemans, Luiz isn't it.

[eye digress]

Dougie is doing fine, albeit lacking a bit of match sharpness.

The winter 23-24 edition of Dougie was every bit as good as Tielemans - how quickly we forget. That's where we need to get him back to, and I think we will.

All in all, in the circumstances, we're lucky to have him.

Still hoping Tielemans shakes of his injury early - what a player!

[ChicagoLion]

Tactical boffins, ignoring injuries, do you see Doug and Tielemans playing together, or is it one or the other because they’re too similar?

As was proved in 23/24 they can both play in the same team.

Yes and helped by having the qualities of SJM.