He battered Swansea yesterday for about 20 minutes. Didn’t really need to do much more. Agree with an earlier comment that he lacks blistering pace. A team like us in the prem would be playing on the counter a lot more. On the flip side, he is very strong in the air which we could make more of.
Ephron mason clark (1 Viewer)
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prufrock
Well-Known Member
Love EMC, to see him step up this year in the way he has! Control is now consistently excellent. His running is direct and skillful. His delivery has improved massively as well as his work in tight spaces. I think it helps that that he hasn't received the ball with back to goal quite as much this season (unless JDS isn't playing then he comes short more often)
His in the box and back post finishing has been decent and he has shown he has the character to score a big goal when it matters. He arguably looks best when breaking and directly running at defenders with pace so hopefully will transition to the prem well for us (if we get there) and be a decent outlet.
Having said that, for next season, and it's a big ask as it's a difficult skill, I really want his shooting outside the box when cutting in to be improved. Quite a few attempts this season from the same area but without finding the net and not many finding the target. If he can get that shot right on the training ground with repetition week in week out and there is surely another 2-3 goals a season, every season there. Maybe he could call Arjen Robben and get the cheat code?
His in the box and back post finishing has been decent and he has shown he has the character to score a big goal when it matters. He arguably looks best when breaking and directly running at defenders with pace so hopefully will transition to the prem well for us (if we get there) and be a decent outlet.
Having said that, for next season, and it's a big ask as it's a difficult skill, I really want his shooting outside the box when cutting in to be improved. Quite a few attempts this season from the same area but without finding the net and not many finding the target. If he can get that shot right on the training ground with repetition week in week out and there is surely another 2-3 goals a season, every season there. Maybe he could call Arjen Robben and get the cheat code?
Hobo
Well-Known Member
Does tend to ball watch and not be aware defence has pushed out. Or just blindly keeps running forward and gets ahead of play.
He really does need to work at staying on side. In the Premier League goals will be hard to come by so we don’t want Refs or VAR chalking them off for silly off sides.
He really does need to work at staying on side. In the Premier League goals will be hard to come by so we don’t want Refs or VAR chalking them off for silly off sides.
Sky Blue Pete
Well-Known Member
Grendel
Well-Known Member
I don’t think he shows a lot of strength and I don’t see a lot of pace either - it’s not a problem at this level but it’s a different game in the top flight
Expect a lot of decisions against when that lightweight appears on the opposition.I just think hes tears matty cash a new one next year
Frank Sidebottom
Well-Known Member
Do-do-do, do-do-do-do-do.
Do-do-do, do-do-do-do-do.
Evo1883
Well-Known Member
His hold up play is exceptional , but its opinion , be interesting to see what frank does
Calista
Well-Known Member
He's such a quality player and it was ridiculous how some people took ages to start seeing it. I agree about the lack of pace, but that's the only thing that I feel might limit him in the Prem. I don't get your comment about his strength at all - it's a big attribute IMO.
Cally Fedora
Well-Known Member
I agree about the lack of pace. But you look at his goals and he can take a chance - even if some look a bit scruffy. I certainly think he takes his place in the squad for next year and may be a cover option at CF as well.
Grendel
Well-Known Member
I don’t think he uses his physique enough - he can hold the ball up but he’s an odd winger. He looks more like a forward sometimes.
It will be interesting how he does compared to Sakamoto.
PUSB-We_are_going_up
Well-Known Member
I wonder if there’s any chance of doing an Ollie Watkins with him and move him from the wing to CF
skybluegod
Well-Known Member
How do you think Sakamoto will do? As he's inarguably worse in both the areas you mention. Although clearly much more developed in others.
Cally Fedora
Well-Known Member
Sakamoto will be fine. His quality is under appreciated. His delivery is exceptional and he also has an eye for a goal.
Hobo
Well-Known Member
Don’t you think he looks clumsy on the ball and goes to ground a lot.
When he cuts inside does he get good shots off.
How many crosses does he put in.
Are the crosses good quality or just lofted so the striker can’t get power on the header.
Ball watcher who doesn’t realise he is offside
Gets excited and gets ahead of play so offside
I have also created a list of what I think are his strengths before now on other posts. The above might have a different slant if he were a 22 year old.
He will be 27 in August.
I hope I am wrong but I think he will struggle. At the moment he relies on strength. At the top level most players have strength, physicalit, pace and speed of thought.
He has done a great job for us this year like all the players. Yes I think he has improved. But he will have to improve much more to be half as effective next season.
Hobo
Well-Known Member
His quality is not under appreciated, he is probably our most loved player. I agree with your assement on his qualities, I would add quick feet and speed of thought.
His Achilles heel is lack of pace and physicality at the top level. Also he can be a bit predictable in his skill sets. He will still be a useful squad member. Can cross with either feet so that is a big tick for me.
Calista
Well-Known Member
Frankly, no. Opinions I suppose
Calista
Well-Known Member
To expand on that, he looks far from clumsy to me, highly skilled in fact. And when he goes to ground it's usually because he's skllfully drawn defenders into a foul.Frankly, no. Opinions I suppose
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