Ian Maatsen

[andyh]

The kid has an incredible engine. Up and down the pitch for the whole game, many times at full pace.
Like all of them, he is improving game by game.

[PeterWithe]

Incredible stamina to get up and down so many times at top pace. He's always been good going forward but very impressed with him defensively yesterday, and Rogers more than did his part as well.

[N'ZMAV]

I think the baton is being handed over from Digne to Maatsen now - I imagine both will get starts and gametime this season, but Maatsen is maturing.

[Brend'Watkins]

He’s really looking the part now. I don’t agree that he’s ahead of Digne quite yet, I see it more as a case of we have two equally capable players for the one position which we can rotate.

[Mister E]

Bearing in mind he was up against Saka (the cheat that he is) I thought he was excellent and contributed hugely both defensively and offensively. I wonder if we’re starting to see the gradual replacement of Luca with Ian for the biggest games. What’s great is that they’re both really good players and we have that flexibility.

Bang on; I said after Wednesday that Maatsen made a huge difference to our attacking capability on the night, and I think yesterday we saw that again but also saw his defensive improvements.

[Skipper_The_Eyechild]

He’s really looking the part now. I don’t agree that he’s ahead of Digne quite yet, I see it more as a case of we have two equally capable players for the one position which we can rotate.

I agree. I think if you're playing Rogers, Tielemans, McGinn behind Watkins then I would much rather Maatsen be playing to give the width.

[Garyth]

He’s really looking the part now. I don’t agree that he’s ahead of Digne quite yet, I see it more as a case of we have two equally capable players for the one position which we can rotate.

I agree. I think if you're playing Rogers, Tielemans, McGinn behind Watkins then I would much rather Maatsen be playing to give the width.

It's quite nice how different players and combinations can be selected depending on freshness and opposition.

Maatsen + Sancho looked a good combo late in the 2nd half.

[Drummond]

I thought he had a good game today as well.  He has top.end speed and got forward well throughout the game.

Great close control as well, and he's getting better defensively. With hindsight after a year of settling in him and Onana is excellent business last summer and both are still a few years away from their prime.

See also, potentially, Eliott?

[Dave]

Little bump for Ian, all the way down in the middle of page four.

When we're convincing hot, young players to join us he should be the one we're featuring in the Powerpoint presentation. Probably won't be first choice immediately, but listen, learn, take your chances and you'll push your way into a title-challenging side.

Still probably got an outside chance of going to the World Cup, even if Netherlands are properly stacked in defence.

[Baldy]

Little bump for Ian, all the way down in the middle of page four.

When we're convincing hot, young players to join us he should be the one we're featuring in the Powerpoint presentation. Probably won't be first choice immediately, but listen, learn, take your chances and you'll push your into a title-challenging side.

Still probably got an outside chance of going to the World Cup, even if Netherlands are properly stacked in defence.

He's becoming an unsung hero.

Well deserved bump up the order. Been fantastic.

[Crown Hill]

Would have preferred Digne against Barnes yesterday there were some hairy moments but Maatsen good going forward. Perhaps he’s really a midfielder?

[Brend'Watkins]

He’s come on massively over the season. He’s slightly above Digne now due to his pace and attacking prowess but both can play an important part in our success. I wonder if it’s a case of Maatsen’s energy levels dip around the 70 mark or we need Digne in there around that time due to opposition subs as he’s a stronger and better defender?

[LeeB]

Proper, stupidly quick and now has the composure with it. Has the potential to be the best in his position in the world.

[brontebilly]

Would have preferred Digne against Barnes yesterday there were some hairy moments but Maatsen good going forward. Perhaps he’s really a midfielder?

Thought both our full backs were very solid defensively. Think it was Buendia that was caught out the one time they got in behind us on the left. Wouldn't have any confidence in the Maatsen of last season holding out. He gives us much needed pace on the flank too.

[Crown Hill]

Newcastle were attacking down the right at will first half. They’d obvs worked out getting behind our full backs was the game plan. But they had nothing in the middle.