Torp and EMC (6 Viewers)

[standupforcity]

I'm a massive Torp fan and have always believed he should be a starter. He was yesterday and proved my point. I also feel the same about EMC.. he's a player who needs a consistent run of games to achieve his true level. What we have this season is a lot of competition for places, but for me EMC is miles ahead of BTA who gave us nothing yesterday. BTA coming on yesterday ahead of EMC was a poor decision...and I hope FL doesn't have a blind spot!

 

[robin.starling]

Injuries have always been a factor, both seem to get injured after finding a good run of form.

 

[Londonccfcfan]

I'm a massive Torp fan and have always believed he should be a starter. He was yesterday and proved my point. I also feel the same about EMC.. he's a player who needs a consistent run of games to achieve his true level. What we have this season is a lot of competition for places, but for me EMC is miles ahead of BTA who gave us nothing yesterday. BTA coming on yesterday ahead of EMC was a poor decision...and I hope FL doesn't have a blind spot!

This was the only question mark of Lampard. Onky question mark.

He made the changes required.
Tactics were spot on. Again Substitutions Asante one was particularly baffling with EMC on the bench.

 

[Cally Fedora]

For EMC has looked a bit nervy with the step up. He did the same when moving up to the champ. Just needs time

 

[Legia Sky Blue]

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For EMC has looked a bit nervy with the step up. He did the same when moving up to the champ. Just needs time

I tend to agree on EMC. I have a feeling he might come good for us in the PL but that we might not see it until the second half of the season. Hopefully he can find a bit more belief and be more the player we saw last season.

 

[stupot07]

Torp has always had the technical ability, and footballing brain to make the step. I'm not convinced EMCs decision making is good enough to make the step up especially as a starter. However, he should have come on ahead of BTA yesterday.

 

[Captain Dart]

Torp has always had the technical ability, and footballing brain to make the step. I'm not convinced EMCs decision making is good enough to make the step up especially as a starter. However, he should have come on ahead of BTA yesterday.

He's probably still troubled by his toe issue.

 

[theskyisthelimit]

As I've said in another thread....first t few months of EMC in championship he looked like he wasn't at the level. I do think he takes time to adapt to the step ups but I am sure he will get upto speed with the PL

 

[Terry_dactyl]

For EMC has looked a bit nervy with the step up. He did the same when moving up to the champ. Just needs time

This is what I think. I also think he’s looked better off the bench more recently. I think he’ll be fine.

 

[Diehard Si]

I agree on Torp, less so on EMC. I feel him and Grimes are perhaps struggling with the pace of the league. EMC was never electric in the champ, he often bustled his way through using his strength. Defenders are much better in the prem league and he's just not getting any joy. I heard something about him not making a single successful dribble yet since coming up.

At the minute I'd say both of them are great championship players, but not Prem level. I feel EMC could adapt though and provide some competition for places. But he needs to look at himself and go away and work, a bit like Sakamoto has done. He wasn't at the level at the start, but has obviously worked with Frank at raising his game. Hopefully EMC can too.

 

[Skybluefaz]

I think BTA was the right sub on Saturday, cos we needed a bit of energy and he brings that in spades.

His quality and decision making was exposed yet again though, there were times when he should have just buggered off into the corner with the ball and win a free kick or a throw in or something but he'd try a dodgy crossfield ball that could have killed us if Sunderland took advantage.

EMC for me is clearly the better player, but that situation was more suited to Brandon, but he just fluffed his lines and we need better players than him if we're going to survive.

Tchaouna needs to stand up or we move on and pick someone up in Jan maybe.

 

[HuckerbyDublinWhelan]

As I've said in another thread....first t few months of EMC in championship he looked like he wasn't at the level. I do think he takes time to adapt to the step ups but I am sure he will get upto speed with the PL

Without digging up old arguments, wasn't this more down to Robins than EMC? We played him on the right - he clearly wasn't comfortable - Once Lampard came in he immediately switched him to the Left in his first game against Cardiff and he was a different player

For Me - EMC used his strength and acceleration in the Championship, I think the issue is in the Premier League every player is as quick and strong as him. Same for MvE - everyone is as quick as him, meaning his pace can't bail him out if he makes a mistake.

 

[DazzleTommyDazzle]

I know it's an extreme case but after Man City played a Lge 2 team (Orient?) in a cup game a year or two ago their manager commented on the speed of the players saying that Man City's slowest player was faster than their quickest,

 

[shmmeee]

Without digging up old arguments, wasn't this more down to Robins than EMC? We played him on the right - he clearly wasn't comfortable - Once Lampard came in he immediately switched him to the Left in his first game against Cardiff and he was a different player

For Me - EMC used his strength and acceleration in the Championship, I think the issue is in the Premier League every player is as quick and strong as him. Same for MvE - everyone is as quick as him, meaning his pace can't bail him out if he makes a mistake.

According to this he only started on the right once…

 

[Esoterica]

Given his late rise through the leagues, you can forgive him needing some time to adapt. He's too slow currently though and heavily dependent on his left foot.

Gboho was direct, his dribbling was at speed and his danger came from being comfortable coming inside on his right foot too.

EMC likes to be wide, receive the ball, slow the game down and get his full back on their heels one vs one, then burst to the byline and cross the ball over with his left foot - that just not bothering PL defenders, it's too predetermined.
He needs to drop some upper body mass, get quicker over a yard or two, be prepared to trust his right foot and engage his full back by driving into the penalty box so that the defender is scared to make a challenge, while unsure which side EMC will go.

 

[Scoreamoto]

Given his late rise through the leagues, you can forgive him needing some time to adapt. He's too slow currently though and heavily dependent on his left foot.

Gboho was direct, his dribbling was at speed and his danger came from being comfortable coming inside on his right foot too.

EMC likes to be wide, receive the ball, slow the game down and get his full back on their heels one vs one, then burst to the byline and cross the ball over with his left foot - that just not bothering PL defenders, it's too predetermined.
He needs to drop some upper body mass, get quicker over a yard or two, be prepared to trust his right foot and engage his full back by driving into the penalty box so that the defender is scared to make a challenge, while unsure which side EMC will go.

he's right footed

 

[Esoterica]

he's right footed

Well I look a bit silly now but the point is the same. He always wants to go around the outside of his defender. It's not engaging his full back where it is dangerous, he needs to threaten the box more at this level.

 

[theskyisthelimit]

Without digging up old arguments, wasn't this more down to Robins than EMC? We played him on the right - he clearly wasn't comfortable - Once Lampard came in he immediately switched him to the Left in his first game against Cardiff and he was a different player

For Me - EMC used his strength and acceleration in the Championship, I think the issue is in the Premier League every player is as quick and strong as him. Same for MvE - everyone is as quick as him, meaning his pace can't bail him out if he makes a mistake.

I seem to recall he was used there quite a lot by Robins early on yes, but even when he was used on the left he still took time to catch up. I'm just hopeful as I like EMC and hope he can get upto speed

 

[theskyisthelimit]

According to this he only started on the right once…

View attachment 55603

I think he came on a lot as a substitute on the right for a couple of times if I remember right

 

[skybluecam]

Why would FL have a blind spot to overlook a player he started all the time last season?

Some of the chat on here is ridiculous. EMC hasn’t really looked up to it physically or technically yet. BTA is playing for his energy and mobility, not much else.

And I’m sure the opinions will turn on Torp as soon as we’re in a scrappy game and he struggles to assert himself in midfield.

 

[Ccfcisparks]

Why would FL have a blind spot to overlook a player he started all the time last season?

Some of the chat on here is ridiculous. EMC hasn’t really looked up to it physically or technically yet. BTA is playing for his energy and mobility, not much else.

And I’m sure the opinions will turn on Torp as soon as we’re in a scrappy game and he struggles to assert himself in midfield.

You were one to say don’t drop Grimes for torp. looking silly now

 

[HuckerbyDublinWhelan]

According to this he only started on the right once…

View attachment 55603

I stand corrected. Could have sworn he wasn't used on the left. It was that point that Darragh McAnthony said he was better off the left side rather than the right.

 

[skybluecam]

You were one to say don’t drop Grimes for torp. looking silly now

I said I didn’t think FL would due to the captaincy factor. Didn’t say I wouldn’t.

 

[Scoreamoto]

Well I look a bit silly now but the point is the same. He always wants to go around the outside of his defender. It's not engaging his full back where it is dangerous, he needs to threaten the box more at this level.

It was an easy jab, apologies! I do get what you're saying.

Much the same with MVE in that it's the confidence to be positive in possession and believe you're better than the player in front of you which has hindered a couple after the step-up.

 

[TomRad85]

It was an easy jab, apologies! I do get what you're saying.

Much the same with MVE in that it's the confidence to be positive in possession and believe you're better than the player in front of you which has hindered a couple after the step-up.

MvE was really good against Sunderland tbf, hope he can keep it up as he's been largely poor before that.

 

[Scoreamoto]

MvE was really good against Sunderland tbf, hope he can keep it up as he's been largely poor before that.

Agreed! He was frustratingly restrained against Fulham.

A couple of times he had the chance to turn and go against Fulham, but looked like he didn't back himself! He's definitely got the quality.

 

[shmmeee]

I stand corrected. Could have sworn he wasn't used on the left. It was that point that Darragh McAnthony said he was better off the left side rather than the right.

As has been said I think he was brought on on the right a bit but that’s down to game state really. He definitely struggled when he was there tho

 

[TomRad85]

Agreed! He was frustratingly restrained against Fulham.

A couple of times he had the chance to turn and go against Fulham, but looked like he didn't back himself! He's definitely got the quality.

Having players as comfortable in possession as Mfuni and Torp around him likely helped his overall game you would think, but he looked generally more confident. More of the same please.

 

[long way home]

FL is molding his squad you can see it, he knows exactly who can play and in what system to maximize the players impact. Torp, has the vision, the touch to play in that role just needed a chance and to get fitter and stronger to impact games, he will and when he drops a level GUs will be next man up in that position. Emc, looks like he needs time to settle but has shown glimpses of what he can do just needs to repeat it more and keep his head up. Grimes will be a closer if we are up and we want to control the tempo and keep shape he is great for that 20 mins.

This is the game now, starters and finishers, getting to know the players at this level is FL biggest job, and i think you can see he is learning about the squad. The game he knows the level and mindset of the squad is being found out in front of us every week by the coaches.

 

[Saddlebrains]

EMC is just too predictable against prem defenders

Stops, checks back, feints, goes, stops. Too easy for them to defend against. And his infuriating knack of falling over all the time when hes almost beat his man

He should come good, but Gboho has earnt the shirt more in 1 game than EMC in 8

 

[Hobo]

EMC still has work to do to step up. Similar situation to last season, so I’m not writing him off. But last season he could do it with the help of a team that was winning most weeks. I think Gboho looks a real prospect so it will be an interesting contest.

Torp is a very technical player but has often struggled over 90 minutes especially when starting, he could struggle to get into games. But he has often been paired with either Grimes or Sheaf and maybe they were all too similar. I thought having the energy of Yirenkyi alongside him helped him a lot on Saturday. Also we didn’t rely on playing out through one player on Saturday which gave our build up play more variety. Also makes it more difficult for the opposition to play against. In fairness to Grimes, when we lost our way a bit second half he came on and did an excellent job of closing the game out.

Sakamoto looks fitter and sharper the last two games. He has always had that work rate, but looks like he has more belief in himself at this level now. It’s fine margins I’m talking.

The real test for all our players will be can they be consistent and have the levels three games out of four, rather than just one in four or one in three.

We are starting to look like we can put out a team that can compete and still have options off the bench. Which is good, but consistency will be the key and maintaining the levels and belief even if we lose two or three on the bounce will be key.

 

[clint van damme]

EMC still has work to do to step up. Similar situation to last season, so I’m not writing him off. But last season he could do it with the help of a team that was winning most weeks. I think Gboho looks a real prospect so it will be an interesting contest.

Torp is a very technical player but has often struggled over 90 minutes especially when starting, he could struggle to get into games. But he has often been paired with either Grimes or Sheaf and maybe they were all too similar. I thought having the energy of Yirenkyi alongside him helped him a lot on Saturday. Also we didn’t rely on playing out through one player on Saturday which gave our build up play more variety. Also makes it more difficult for the opposition to play against. In fairness to Grimes, when we lost our way a bit second half he came on and did an excellent job of closing the game out.

Sakamoto looks fitter and sharper the last two games. He has always had that work rate, but looks like he has more belief in himself at this level now. It’s fine margins I’m talking.

The real test for all our players will be can they be consistent and have the levels three games out of four, rather than just one in four or one in three.

We are starting to look like we can put out a team that can compete and still have options off the bench. Which is good, but consistency will be the key and maintaining the levels and belief even if we lose two or three on the bounce will be key.

I expressed concerns about EMCs lack of pace pre season, early yet but he does seem to be struggling a bit at this level.

 

[Hobo]

I expressed concerns about EMCs lack of pace pre season, early yet but he does seem to be struggling a bit at this level.

Yes, stumbles a lot and can look awkward with the ball at his feet and drifting off side have always been his weakness. But in the six yard box at the far post has always looked a danger. He certainly has physicality. Gboho looks a far more natural wide player and neater in tight situations. But having said that I like competition for a position between two players who have contrasting styles. If you need to change things I don’t see the point of like for like substitutions. I want to see if the opposition can adjust and cope with a different type of problem.

 

[Legia Sky Blue]

I stand corrected. Could have sworn he wasn't used on the left. It was that point that Darragh McAnthony said he was better off the left side rather than the right.

I have absolutely no recollection of EMC being played on the right, whether under Robins or FL.

 

[Terry Gibson's perm]

I have absolutely no recollection of EMC being played on the right, whether under Robins or FL.

It was easily missed as he did nothing there.

If we were to stop up he would be one of many that will be gone in the summer.