Jadon Sancho (loan)

[caster troy]

At the time I assumed McGinn's goal yesterday was an Austin McPhee masterclass, but MotD showed it was actually Sancho reading the situation and orchestrating a different routine to what was planned. He does seem to have good football intelligence, his pull backs are generally into more dangerous areas than Bailey's for example.

If we get in the Champions League and he doesn't demand crazy wages he could be a good signing.

[Somniloquism]

I mentioned in the other thread, I reckon it is something coached to be called as a alternative play if they notice it as the players were standing in coached positions and a quick hand signal wouldn't have meant much to Digne unless he was aware what it meant. But the lead tactic was to put the ball in the 6 yard box apart from their defender was having a blinder and was probably their MOTM and almost full MOTM even with the goals, which he could do nothing about.

[LeeB]

It's a really good example of what he's got, he's very subtle with touches, shapes as if shooting then a plays a straight pass, but one so well executed McGinn literally doesn't have to move at all.

I think it's that's subtlety that Emery is after, it's what picks locks, and why he seemed to endlessly chase Joćo Felix.

[The Man With A Stick]

We could have done with this sort of form 4 months ago, but better late than never.  He's frustrating but in almost 40 years watching Villa I can probably think of two wingers or wide forwards who weren't.  Part of me thinks he's doing a Lee Hendrie, who's form always used to perk up a few months before his contract was up for renewal.

If we get top 5 then I'm sure we'll have better options available but based on the last few years recruitment I'm not sure I'd trust them to go out and get one.

[Smithy]

I mentioned in the other thread, I reckon it is something coached to be called as a alternative play if they notice it as the players were standing in coached positions and a quick hand signal wouldn't have meant much to Digne unless he was aware what it meant. But the lead tactic was to put the ball in the 6 yard box apart from their defender was having a blinder and was probably their MOTM and almost full MOTM even with the goals, which he could do nothing about.

I agree that wasn't an 'off the cuff' set piece, it felt much more like as a "when the situation presents itself" set piece.  Unlike the corners, there was only one West Ham player looking at Sancho, Digne and SJM on the edge of the box (at corners, it was two West Ham players covering those three), so I think they knew they could give one of them a free shot at goal from a decent position.  I definitely agree that it was Sancho that saw it, and called it, but everyone from Cash onwards knew what to do.  I suspect that if the free West Ham defender had charged directly in Sancho's direction, it would have been Digne with the shot.

I suspect Rogers reaction, the "why haven't you crossed it?" arms, was due to the fact we were actually getting a lot of joy dropping it right on the keepers head, so he probably thought we should keep doing the same (reasonable enough).

[brontebilly]

Weight of pass is underrated. We had a similar worked free kick at OT. Luiz (I think) played it across to Rogers with just a bit too much pace and Rogers scuffed it wide. Yesterday McGinn could step onto that pass perfectly and curl home without checking stride.

Sancho started very impressively yesterday. But a forward player can't be passing up shooting on goal like he did for the penalty shout. Rogers effort was poor but Sancho was in a much better position.

[Somniloquism]

Yep, it had to be hard enough to not allow it to be intercepted but was perfect for McGinn to move onto.

[Mellin]

Weight of pass is underrated. We had a similar worked free kick at OT. Luiz (I think) played it across to Rogers with just a bit too much pace and Rogers scuffed it wide. Yesterday McGinn could step onto that pass perfectly and curl home without checking stride.

Sancho started very impressively yesterday. But a forward player can't be passing up shooting on goal like he did for the penalty shout. Rogers effort was poor but Sancho was in a much better position.

I think that's generally a strength. Something he doesn't get enough/any credit for is how intelligent a footballer he is. He's always head up, almost always finds the pass in tight areas and if the pass isn't on he'll wait until it is, whilst backing his ability to keep the ball. It's really, really rare. He's a link player, but because he plays out wide it's not seen as enough. It's actually perfect for out style.

I hear people moaning about him ducking out of challenges, but that isn't his job. He's light. Let Onaka go flying in. As long as he works hard in defensive shape, which he does, it's a crazy thing to hold against him.

Sign him. Keep him with Emery. He's going to keep getting better and better.