Lamare Bogarde

[Dante Lavelli]

Don't understand why they continue to try to play the ball out of defence when we make so many stuff ups. Every game our hearts are in our mouths because of a bad pass close to our goal.

I entirely understand why we do that - it’s the foundation for our approach that has got us to where we are. We don’t actually make that many mistakes versus the overall benefit it brings.

Indeed. If we misplay it once a game it would be a lot. It's confirmation bias when it goes wrong and everyone thinks it's the wrong approach, but more often then not we gain ground from it, win a set piece or score.

Also, its that exact jeopardy that encourages the opposition to commit.  Counterintuitive, but a well publicised error might actually be beneficial in the long run if it encourages the opposition to press high, as long as our players hold their nerve.

[TheToffnar]

It's why Kamara is the biggest miss for the system overall, he's the out ball in that scenario. His little half turns off his man and the delicate pass out to the wing or Tieleman's is something we all miss.

McGinn is the gaping hole in our side as it stands though. His leadership qualities, his ability to beat a press and not having that extra man to drift into midfield is killing us. Praying he's back for the Chelsea game. The odds of us winning that with him back are as good as doubled.

[Dante Lavelli]

It's why Kamara is the biggest miss for the system overall, he's the out ball in that scenario. His little half turns off his man and the delicate pass out to the wing or Tieleman's is something we all miss.

McGinn is the gaping hole in our side as it stands though. His leadership qualities, his ability to beat a press and not having that extra man to drift into midfield is killing us. Praying he's back for the Chelsea game. The odds of us winning that with him back are as good as doubled.

I thought Doug mk1 was better at this than Kamara (but he doesn't have the defensive accumen).  Once they're all back the CM could be unbelievably strong.

[brontebilly]

Kamara is miles ahead of Onana in that respect. Bogarde struggled in there too. Hes only ever going to be a utility player unless he can learn to get turned on the ball quickly in midfield. Takes an assured touch but most importantly courage.

[Chris Smith]

Kamara is miles ahead of Onana in that respect. Bogarde struggled in there too. Hes only ever going to be a utility player unless he can learn to get turned on the ball quickly in midfield. Takes an assured touch but most importantly courage.

Bogarde is only going to get that by playing consistently in his preferred position but his versatility is almost counting against him in that respect.

[brontebilly]

Kamara is miles ahead of Onana in that respect. Bogarde struggled in there too. Hes only ever going to be a utility player unless he can learn to get turned on the ball quickly in midfield. Takes an assured touch but most importantly courage.

Bogarde is only going to get that by playing consistently in his preferred position but his versatility is almost counting against him in that respect.

Didn't impress when given chances v Everton or Brentford. Different type of pressure, pressure to play rather than stopping play. Made a mistake that Spurs punished in the cup too. Not all negative, certainly did ok v Salzburg when he moved to midfield but need to make the PL chances count. Some sharp cameos off the bench earlier in the season in midfield too.

[Dante Lavelli]

Kamara is miles ahead of Onana in that respect. Bogarde struggled in there too. Hes only ever going to be a utility player unless he can learn to get turned on the ball quickly in midfield. Takes an assured touch but most importantly courage.

One of the reasons I became a Bogarde cheerleader was watching him do exactly that in one of his early matches.  He looked a natural, which is unusual for a young DCM.  He hasn't grown in confidence and hasn't dominated games like I hoped, but (as Chris points out) continually shifting between positions cannot have helped. 

I still believe he's worth further investment and patience.  At least for another season, at which point we could be at a crossroads with both Onana and Kamara too.

[brontebilly]

Kamara is miles ahead of Onana in that respect. Bogarde struggled in there too. Hes only ever going to be a utility player unless he can learn to get turned on the ball quickly in midfield. Takes an assured touch but most importantly courage.

One of the reasons I became a Bogarde cheerleader was watching him do exactly that in one of his early matches.  He looked a natural, which is unusual for a young DCM.  He hasn't grown in confidence and hasn't dominated games like I hoped, but (as Chris points out) continually shifting between positions cannot have helped. 

I still believe he's worth further investment and patience.  At least for another season, at which point we could be at a crossroads with both Onana and Kamara too.

Definitely worth keeping on, even as a utility player.  Selling academy players to satisfy financial constraints is depressing. JJ miles better than Sancho/Guessand/Elliot just one example. Agreed on Kamara and particularly Onana.