Emi Buendia

[Crown Hill]

The team put in a hopelessly lethargic performance that day. In particular, Big Jhon had gone rogue in ways that only Emery can see. I think him talking up Buendia was all about talking Big Jhon down, diplomatically.

yep both Duran and Watkins refused to play alongside each other and got in each other's way.

However i do think Unai thinks Buendia follows instructions which to him is everything.

[eye digress]

Totally agree - first base with Unai is doing the allotted job.

[Villan82]

Buendia seems like a great character. He's doing what's asked and is working to prove he belongs. He really has the bit between his teeth at the moment. It's great to see.

The year we finished 4th the one thing we struggled with was breaking down teams like Sheffield United at home and West Ham and Everton away. I wonder with him would we have got a few extra points to push on for an even higher placing

[brontebilly]

I think Unai likes him because he follows instructions. I remember him praising him for it at Monaco. Same with Guessand. Elliott the opposite. Did Elliott ever play again after Sunderland?

He played very well in Monaco that night, a night the team were dreadful. But before then, including a cup defeat to Palace he was miles off the pace.

I thought he was a very effective rather than spectacular option when Emery first came in. Changed a key game away to Everton when he came on. But he's only now showing the quality that made him our record signing back under Deano.

[LeeB]

I think Unai likes him because he follows instructions. I remember him praising him for it at Monaco. Same with Guessand. Elliott the opposite. Did Elliott ever play again after Sunderland?

I think it was that Monaco game when he was hopelessly bad when he came on as well, at that point I could not see any way he'd be part of our team going forward.

He started that game and was our best player admittedly with not much competition.

It seemed he was ubnlucky to out on loan afterwards but I think Unai said he had to build up his fitness.

Yes, I was thinking of the Brugges game it seems.

[darren woolley]

Brilliant free kick goal.