Emi Buendia - Injured

[PaulWinch again]

I think Emi will be great next year. I know Phil is in front of him, but I think working with him will be a massive help.

[Abbeyfealeavfc]

Imo Buendia should be starting games. After a tricky settling in period he has become one of our better players, but is not being given the minutes on the pitch to prove it.
Some are saying he doesn't do it over the 90 minutes. I think he gives it his all, when playing full games whether things are coming off for him or not. Besides who offensively is doing it for the full 90 anyway to make the argument for dropping Buendia valid?
A manager should always be looking to play his best players.

[Holte L2]

I'd love to see Emi in a  number 8 role. I think he could be the ball playing midfielder we need.

[chrisw1]

He’s been pretty much our best player all season once he’d got over his tricky start.  He’s tenacious, hard working, skilful.  He sets the team alight.  I love watching him and we need to get him starting games.

[Ad@m]

Absolutely. He did more in his first 60 seconds on the pitch than Coutinho had done in the previous 60 minutes.

[wittonwarrior]

Tell him he's playing Norwich every week and he will be MOTM each and  every appearance.

[Tayls_7]

Absolutely. He did more in his first 60 seconds on the pitch than Coutinho had done in the previous 60 minutes.

You should be employed to go into the changing room to give post-match motivational team talks 

[SoccerHQ]

I'd love to see Emi in a  number 8 role. I think he could be the ball playing midfielder we need.

I agree, seems Gerrard's too much in love with McGinn so far but I'd like to see it tried out in pre season at least given Buendia had strong pressing stats at Norwich and has shown glimpses of that here so with a strong DM behind him (and that's huge for our summer as we all know) I feel it could work in him being a bit of a tempo midfielder for us which all of the top sides have.

Certainly at home to some of the weaker sides in the division we should consider it at least.

[paul_e]

I'd love to see Emi in a  number 8 role. I think he could be the ball playing midfielder we need.

I agree, seems Gerrard's too much in love with McGinn so far but I'd like to see it tried out in pre season at least given Buendia had strong pressing stats at Norwich and has shown glimpses of that here so with a strong DM behind him (and that's huge for our summer as we all know) I feel it could work in him being a bit of a tempo midfielder for us which all of the top sides have.

Certainly at home to some of the weaker sides in the division we should consider it at least.

Not for me, Smith trying to showhorn Buendia into central midfield was one of the things that cost him his job.

[SoccerHQ]

I'd love to see Emi in a  number 8 role. I think he could be the ball playing midfielder we need.

I agree, seems Gerrard's too much in love with McGinn so far but I'd like to see it tried out in pre season at least given Buendia had strong pressing stats at Norwich and has shown glimpses of that here so with a strong DM behind him (and that's huge for our summer as we all know) I feel it could work in him being a bit of a tempo midfielder for us which all of the top sides have.

Certainly at home to some of the weaker sides in the division we should consider it at least.

Not for me, Smith trying to showhorn Buendia into central midfield was one of the things that cost him his job.

Bar a world taken goal v Brentford Buendia struggled in any position under Smith to impose himself.

Who knows, it might not work but people were unconvinced when Milner moved inside and by the end he was one of the best box to box CMs in the league so given Buendia can press well and pick a pass I think it's worth trying as an alternative to McGinn for some games next season.

Obviously need to get a top quality DM in before we try it though.

[Dante Lavelli]

Not for me too.  I reckon as an 8 you’d highlight his worst aspects (strength and athleticism) whilst diminishing the value of his pressing from the front.

[Drummond]

I think if we had a proper DM he'd flourish as an 8.

[Ger Regan]

Quickly becoming my favourite player. Love his attitude, fiery, but clearly cares

[olaftab]

Lovely player and I have been crying for his inclusion so I am glad SG did the decent thing today.

[Nii Lamptey]

Been begging him to get a start, and he didn't disappoint today. Fiery little fella, with absolute magic in his boots! Starting 11 really worked today, so hats off to the management team too.

Hope Emi gets a run out against Liverpool (definitely deserves it), but I can see Gerrard reverting to type and going with Coutinho for the Sky Sports Scouse love-in.