30 Jan 2025 09:58:48
Ed001 what's your thoughts on James McConnell?
Every time he gets a chance he seems to stand out for me. I thought out of the young players last night I thought he looked the best. Seems to be a very good all round player got that bit of bite and very good on the ball.
{Ed001's Note - I like him a lot, I would like to see him get some more chances this season as he does do well. I enjoyed watching his tackles last night.}
30 Jan 2025 10:08:10
Yeah I love players coming through ed001 too many get overhyped but he seems to be the other way. I love the way he nearly always plays the ball forward through the lines where too many now seem to go backwards or sideways.
{Ed001's Note - he seems to be growing as a player, without any sign of it going to his head which is good.}
30 Jan 2025 10:21:35
More of a downside ed001 where are you with quansah he looked all over the place last night the first goal I don’t know what he was doing behind Robbo and then the 3rd goal he was nowhere In site. He seems to stroll round the pitch sometimes like he is Virgil and is not doing the basics right at all. Am not sure if this is a metal issue where he thinks he is better than he is or he is just not going to be good enough to stay with us long term.
{Ed001's Note - I would have moved him on in the summer. I am not a fan of him at all. His defensive awareness is non-existent.}
30 Jan 2025 10:50:08
I thought Endo was poor last night and endorsed why Slot's not giving him game time.
30 Jan 2025 11:38:17
Rome1977, Endo looked fine during his brief time at CB last night. He was caught on the ball several times in midfield though including for one of their goals (Ref didn't help at all mind you) . He seems to lack the peripheral vision and/ or speed of thought to play in a Slot midfield, but when in defence everything is in front of him and he looks very good on the ball. He actually has a decent passing range but he wants too much time.
I thought Quansah looked good with the ball, but all over the place without it. I'm not sure what he was doing for the 1st or 3rd goals. I still think he deserves patience and is not bad as a 4th choice CB. I remember when we first signed Matip he was very similar to Quansah now; looked great with the ball, but like he had no appetite for defending at times.
McConnell I agree with everything grino and Ed001 said. He stands out for his age every time he plays but last night he just stood out in general, regardless of age. He was very good.
30 Jan 2025 10:43:28
I’d give him a little more time Ed.
30 Jan 2025 11:07:51
what do you think McConnell best position Ed? Sort of in front of defense like Gravenberch or further up top like Szobo? Would be interesting to see if he step up, we will probably not needed to buy another midfielder next season.
Also do you think Slot rate Quansah enough for him to stay next season? Do you agree with peoples saying that he is young and can have a difficult spell in his career and can improve as he get older? It seems like he is taking a massive down step from last season.
{Ed001's Note - I would play him deeper, alongside Gravy or as cover for him.
Players can go through spells of poor form, but he has never shown any capacity for awareness. He strolls through games thinking he is van Dijk, rather than realising Virgil wasn't like that at his age. I am sure Slot will give him a bit more time, as 4th choice, but that is not really helpful for a player to develop, which is why I would let him go. He needs to play games. You only have to look at how poor Kelleher is most of the time to see how sitting on the bench can set a player back.
I am surprised there has not been anyone mentioning how abysmal he was last night. Kelleher is regressing badly.}
30 Jan 2025 11:24:24
Yeah ed001 I agree with you the timing of moving players on is essential I thought Origi goes down a a legend not because of how good he was but a few moments and we should have moved him straight after the champions league final his stock was never going to get higher. quansah Hopefully with his age and being English there is time to pull the wool over someone’s eyes.
30 Jan 2025 11:41:39
I did some googling on McConnell, then I found out that Jay Spearing is listed as an academy player, number 71. Is that list is recent and current list?
{Ed001's Note - yes, he coaches and plays for the academy. It is to help with his experience.}
30 Jan 2025 13:11:44
Yep, Kelleher wasn't good last night. Slot's choice of playing Alisson ahead of him in the first leg of the cup semi final probably hasn't helped his motivation either.
30 Jan 2025 13:49:46
A few thoughts.
Positives from last night!
1. Everyone got a good run out.
2. Was nice for Gakpo, scored and didn't get injured.
3. McConnell, already mention by many
4. Chiesa, looked a lot better and fitness is getting there
5. Thought Morton did well when he came on.
Negatives
1. Quansah, just awful really was. He actually looked better when you bought the ball forward. Bit he would even worse in midfield with no awareness of players around him.
2. Kelleher, thought he could do better on 2 of the goals.
3. Elliott, just seem a little like he was running on sand and trying to play the dream pass instead of taking the easier and better option.
4. Bradley, now he has been brilliant but thought he was off it and caught out a few too many times with players getting around him. Might of been done to the lack of help her had and Endo just not being strong enough in midfield.
Endo does get caught on the ball far too much.
5. So pleased we didn't buy Bakayoko, awful player. Predictable, fell over every time he was touched but did take his goal well.
Finally, the ref! First half seemed to want the game to flow and let things go but that changed massively in the second half. Every time they went down it was a free kick. The tackle by Obispo on Danns, I think it was him, was a yellow card. Went straight through Danns and finished him off for the rest of the game. PSV players seemed to get aware with everything in the second half.
Last note for Nallo, gutted for lad but he shouldn't of let the ball bounce. And the ref was very quick to get the red card out, with Quansah not far away from Bakayoko. Or maybe the ref knew Quansah would of run the other way or something.
30 Jan 2025 18:53:00
Rome Endo was poor last night but that’s the first time this season and in a long time he’s been poor. A bit harsh to be honest given he’s a model pro, delivers 99% of the time and doesn’t whine.