Emi Buendia

[tomd2103]

It's not Emery's fault that we overpaid for Buendia. I'm not entirely sure yet what Unai's 'system' will be when he gets his own players, but Buendia is going to be a tough one to make work whatever it is. You can see that Bailey is a classic winger, he's just an inconsistent one. He's got the pace and the skills to play wide in a 4-4-2 or a 4-3-3. Buendia hasn't got the pace to play as a winger, isn't strong enough to play centrally, and his passing is mostly really sloppy. Getting him to cut that out would be a start, but even if he does, if we get another forward player in I think little Emi will be making way.

Buendia certainly does not seem to have the physical attributes to be a star in this league even if he has moments of brilliance.
And, Bailey's occasional moments of brilliance do not mask the fact that he does not take on and beat his fullback very often and misses chances that a top player should be burying.
I think both are - at best - squad players in a world where we are actively seeking to make significant improvement.

Both have their moments of quality, but if we are going to push on and trouble the European places then those two and possibly Ollie Watkins should be bench options.  They are far too inconsistent to be starting week-in, week-out in a side that is going to have compete with the top sides in the division.

[Villafirst]

Almiron was a flop at first at Newcastle, look at him now with the right coach in Eddie Howe. Let's give Unai Emery and his coaching team the chance to properly work with these players. Most of them were poor under Gerrard, but have improved significantly hence the upturn in results in less than 3 months.

[tomd2103]

Almiron was a flop at first at Newcastle, look at him now with the right coach in Eddie Howe. Let's give Unai Emery and his coaching team the chance to properly work with these players. Most of them were poor under Gerrard, but have improved significantly hence the upturn in results in less than 3 months.

Maybe, but I just don't see it with some of our players.  They just consistently make poor decisions and squander possession, which I'm not sure is something that can be coached.  Time will tell I guess.

[Risso]

If all good coaches were happy just to try to work with and improve the players they inherit, they wouldn't buy any more players.

[brontebilly]

Best game for us today? Outstanding in first half. Influence waned a bit after Coutinho came on.

[SoccerHQ]

Yes, thought he was really good aswell. Getting into a nice rhythm now and has the feeling of being the main man in the final third now which he should thrive off.

[edgysatsuma89]

Definitely the best I've seen him for a while. We attacked well down the left when Moreno came on as well (although we know what he did at the other end).

[Nelly]

His shot that came off the bar for Watkins to finish was magic. If that went in, off his weaker foot, it would have been quite something.

[Astnor]

Good game yesterday, did make a lot of things happen throughout the game

[PeterWithe]

He did some great things but again seemed to lose the ball more often than I’d like to see. I think I’ve maybe just taken against him and I’ll never be completely convinced.

[Risso]

He did some great things but again seemed to lose the ball more often than I’d like to see. I think I’ve maybe just taken against him and I’ll never be completely convinced.

He had one of his best games, but still does give the ball away too cheaply. If he can cut that out, he'll be a great player if used correctly.

[Percy McCarthy]

His shot that came off the bar for Watkins to finish was magic. If that went in, off his weaker foot, it would have been quite something.

Football heaven.

[OCD]

Unlucky to hit the bar twice and not have anything to show for it. Might have been his best game yet.

[RamboandBruno]

Unlucky to hit the bar twice and not have anything to show for it. Might have been his best game yet.

That header was lovely, so unlucky

[Smithy]

Unlucky to hit the bar twice and not have anything to show for it. Might have been his best game yet.

That header was lovely, so unlucky

It never ceases to amaze me how good he is with his head considering his size.  Not so much with 'arial duels', but when the ball comes into the box if he can get his head on it, it's usually going on target, and he's quite good at finding space in the box.