[Smores]

Maybe he's just not ready yet, I don't see Ole being the type of player to hold a talented player back if he's the real deal. He had no hesitation throwing Greenwood in the starting XI. Only thing is, he should be playing U23 games if he's not ready rather than no football.

Greenwood was fortunate that there was an open spot for him to take up. Amad won't get that now even if he was as ready as Greenwood was back then.

I'm fairly sure Ole will go with the more senior player unless it's forced so Amad will need to play twice as good as his competition.

 

[charlenefan]

Greenwood was fortunate that there was an open spot for him to take up. Amad won't get that now even if he was as ready as Greenwood was back then.

I'm fairly sure Ole will go with the more senior player unless it's forced so Amad will need to play twice as good as his competition.

Utter bollocks

 

[Devil may care]

Should have been a foul for sure but he did himself no favours with his first touch, he should have been away but lost control and invited the Granada player to make a last-ditch challenge.

Agreed, I think the question over his pace is actually down to the fact his first touch meant he couldn't accelerate as he didn’t have the ball under control, I just felt it was another garbage call from the ref after the ludicrous Pogba booking.

 

[city-puma]

True! Looks really weird with him on the wing. Not a terrible player though.

Yeah, I found him very good exactly. But just like most of their other players, he has some issues to just put the ball into the back of the net. I had a feeling that he should be a Moyes player. Maybe next season.

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

Was he called up to the 1st team to quickly do we think then.

Could be but Sociedad, Milan and Granada are no mugs contrary to what some people are saying. We were very unlucky to face these teams over the random Scandanavian/Eastern European teams that the likes of Arsenal and Spurs faced. I think he would have had more minutes if our draws were kinder.

After being knocked out in consecutive years in knockout football, Ole will rightfully take no chances at this stage and play his best players if drawn against difficult opposition.

 

[city-puma]

I think once Diallo adds a little bit physical, with the ball on feet, he won’t be slow for sure. What we need is that kind of players, can take on players in the tight space.

 

[luke511]

He needs more minutes with Bruno to find his runs, the goal vs Milan is a great example.

 

[TheReligion]

Does it really matter how tall or fast he is then?

 

[laughtersassassin]

His point may be that that wasn't obvious tonight. Which it wasn't.

I agreed with that in my first post.

He clearly isn't Rashford James fast but he is faster than Greenwood imo. Somewhere in between those in terms of pace.

From what I seen in other games he has good acceleration over the first 10 or so yards.

Personally think he should play a few more under 23 games if he is only going to get 5 minutes every 10 games.

Match sharpness is a thing. Talent is clear to see with him though. Some nice pieces of control today.

 

[Grande]

Greenwood was fortunate that there was an open spot for him to take up. Amad won't get that now even if he was as ready as Greenwood was back then.

I'm fairly sure Ole will go with the more senior player unless it's forced so Amad will need to play twice as good as his competition.

Utter bollocks

Yeah, this is a fair summary. We’re doing Amad no favours by claiming that he needs to play twice as good as his established competitions, when in fact he has not played even as well as Danny James or Juan Mata yet. It’s not to be expected, and phantasizing about it only builds him up for disappointed critique before he’s even ready.

Today he made three touches in thevicinity of their box, all pretty off touches. Which is to be expected, and is a reason to phaze him in on merit rather than wishful thinking.

 

[sglowrider]

All this talk about Amad's playing time.

I bet if you replaced 'Amad' with 'Mason' from a couple of years ago, the comments would be exactly the same.

 

[criticalanalysis]

Yeah, I found him very good exactly. But just like most of their other players, he has some issues to just put the ball into the back of the net. I had a feeling that he should be a Moyes player. Maybe next season.

It's come full circle. Burn was the central defender, who cleared everything in that infamous game against Fulham under Moyes. We kept spamming 80 something crosses into the box and he just ate them up.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26120927

He kind of looked 'impressive' then as a Hangeland mark 2.

 

[prateik]

We are 9 ahead of 5th.. 7 clear of 3rd.. everyone will drop points.. If things go well.. we should have 4 all done with 3-4 games to go.. maybe even secure 2nd by then..

Hopefully we progress to the Europa league finals as well..

I can see a lot of kids getting minutes against Villa, Fulham and Wolves.

 

[city-puma]

It's come full circle. Burn was the central defender, who cleared everything in that infamous game against Fulham under Moyes. We kept spamming 80 something crosses into the box and he just ate them up.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26120927

He kind of looked 'impressive' then as a Hangeland mark 2.

Moyes like labored team setup, for both his team and the opponents, isn’t he?

 

[AjaxCunian]

I think he makes brilliant runs.

Wanted to say, he has a great feeling for space. Something I think our other forwards lack many a time.

 

[GazTheLegend]

Showed great movement and pace. How he isn’t getting more minutes is bewildering considering the alternatives

Absolute nonsense. The alternatives are Rashford, Pogba, Cavani, Greenwood and Dan James (who was extremely impressive when he came on last night as well and is still young himself), all of which don't deserve to be dropped for any reason at the minute.

 

[Adam-Utd]

Agreed, I think the question over his pace is actually down to the fact his first touch meant he couldn't accelerate as he didn’t have the ball under control, I just felt it was another garbage call from the ref after the ludicrous Pogba booking.

Yep, the ball got behind him so he had to hesistate, then when he started to run he got fouled from behind for the first attempt, then tried to carry on and got fouled again.

While Amad obviously doesn't have Rashford levels of pace yet, he definitely does have great acceleration but also balance + agility to make up for it. We have no issues with his speed put it that way.

 

[pratyush_utd]

This is why players dive I guess. How this wasn't called as foul I will never know

 

[Adisa]

The decision was a disgrace. Still looks very slight to me.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

This is why players dive I guess. How this wasn't called as foul I will never know

He didn’t need to dive but it definitely would have helped his case if he’d screamed his head off and rolled around in mock agony like those Granada twats were doing all evening.

 

[Adisa]

Cameo so nothing really to judge him on. He's not that fast though, and pretty weak.

I don't think he's rapid like Rashford. But he is very quick over ten yards, especially with the ball. A similar profile to Hazard. I think those qualities are more important in a skillful attacker.

 

[Jeppers7]

Absolute nonsense. The alternatives are Rashford, Pogba, Cavani, Greenwood and Dan James (who was extremely impressive when he came on last night as well and is still young himself), all of which don't deserve to be dropped for any reason at the minute.

 

[Smores]

Utter bollocks

Exactly what evidence shows that Ole won't favour his established players over potential?

Perhaps Greenwood will be pushed up front or we sell Dan James those things may elevate Amads playing time. If not he won't get regular playing time even if he slightly outperforms his competition.

When Ole gives youth serious time not just as a result of injury or gaps then I'll change my mind.

 

[Drizzle]

I don't think he's rapid like Rashford. But he is very quick over ten yards, especially with the ball. A similar profile to Hazard. I think those qualities are more important in a skillful attacker.

Honestly I don't think he's quick at all. He's got very quick feet and a 3 yard burst, but my worry is that it's not enough to carry him past ultra-athletic premier league defenders. He'll need to bulk up quite a bit to be able to hold them off once his body is in the way.

The good thing though is that his quick passing and interplay will more than compensate. A little like Sancho perhaps, another player who isn't a pace merchant but is fluid and clever so it isn't an issue.

 

[Glorio]

He didn’t need to dive but it definitely would have helped his case if he’d screamed his head off and rolled around in mock agony like those Granada twats were doing all evening.

Ole wouldn't have given him any food though

 

[Glorio]

Exactly what evidence shows that Ole won't favour his established players over potential?

Perhaps Greenwood will be pushed up front or we sell Dan James those things may elevate Amads playing time. If not he won't get regular playing time even if he slightly outperforms his competition.

When Ole gives youth serious time not just as a result of injury or gaps then I'll change my mind.

Greenwood pushed James out of the team though. I suppose that's evidence

 

[Oldyella]

We are 9 ahead of 5th.. 7 clear of 3rd.. everyone will drop points.. If things go well.. we should have 4 all done with 3-4 games to go.. maybe even secure 2nd by then..

Hopefully we progress to the Europa league finals as well..

I can see a lot of kids getting minutes against Villa, Fulham and Wolves.

If City drop any more points we may not. Long shot but who knows?

 

[The Boy]

Maybe he's just not ready yet, I don't see Ole being the type of manager to hold a talented player back if he's the real deal. He had no hesitation throwing Greenwood in the starting XI. Only thing is, he should be playing U23 games if he's not ready rather than no football.

Is that right though? You'd know better than me, but I thought Greenwood was eased in gently last season getting a few sub appearances and the odd start in an EL group game, he only really broke into the fist team after lockdown. It seems he might be doing exactly the same with Amad, ease him in gently, but annoyingly because of him joining in the January window there are no EL group games to play with for Ole. I think you'll se a lot of him pre season in the summer and his minutes will be getting more regular by Xmas. Which to me feels about right.

 

[Adisa]

Honestly I don't think he's quick at all. He's got very quick feet and a 3 yard burst, but my worry is that it's not enough to carry him past ultra-athletic premier league defenders. He'll need to bulk up quite a bit to be able to hold them off once his body is in the way.

The good thing though is that his quick passing and interplay will more than compensate. A little like Sancho perhaps, another player who isn't a pace merchant but is fluid and clever so it isn't an issue.

He will get stronger. That will come with time. He's already shown he can beat men for fun. He protects the ball well but is simply not strong enough, and in this country, fouls are not called. The other areas of his game are also very good, passing, interplay, runs etc.
I still think he's comparable to Hazard in terms of pace. He's definitely not slow. I think he will be fine once he gets the upper body strength.

 

[RUCK4444]

Honestly I don't think he's quick at all. He's got very quick feet and a 3 yard burst, but my worry is that it's not enough to carry him past ultra-athletic premier league defenders. He'll need to bulk up quite a bit to be able to hold them off once his body is in the way.

The good thing though is that his quick passing and interplay will more than compensate. A little like Sancho perhaps, another player who isn't a pace merchant but is fluid and clever so it isn't an issue.

Imo that three yard burst is more important than flat out speed.

See Dan James, his flat out pace is only really effective on the counter.

This kid will be fine, his linkup and quick passing will more than compensate, as you said.

 

[MrBest]

This is why players dive I guess. How this wasn't called as foul I will never know

It is 100% a foul, but taking the positives from that, it was a beautiful move between three players who are not in the first team. Amad picks up a lose ball, DVB pings to James who flicks back to Amad. I think Ole need to start trusting these guys a bit more to release the pressure off some our first teamers who need a break. I liked the look of Amad, probably is not ready to start, but looks ready enough for 5/10 mins off the bench more regularly than he has been.

 

[UncleBob]

The decision was a disgrace. Still looks very slight to me.

Slight?

He clearly kicks Amads leg while he's trying to run, ofcourse it's going to feck up his balance.

 

[macheda14]

Slight?

He clearly kicks Amads leg while he's trying to run, ofcourse it's going to feck up his balance.

Amad looks slight. A slight build.

 

[romufc]

I would really like to see him get minutes on the RW. If he shows he can do well, it might make things easier in the transfer window.

We know Cavani wants to leave so we need a ST, Greenwood can play there but not on a weekly basis yet. Martial is hit and miss.

We need a CDM and CB as well, so spending money on a RW seems pointless to me this summer, which is why Ole should think about giving Diallo more chances?

I mean we did spend alot of money on him.

In a pandemic, we have spent £35m on Donny, £12 on Telles and £20m on Diallo for them to play a bit part role.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Ole wouldn't have given him any food though

Ha! True!

 

[Adisa]

Slight?

He clearly kicks Amads leg while he's trying to run, ofcourse it's going to feck up his balance.

I am talking about Diallo. He has a slight frame.

 

[Bertie Wooster]

I remember reading about Amad when we signed him and the reports all suggested he had good pace to go with his quick feet and dribbling ability.

I then watched YouTube clips of him in Atalanta youth games and he certainly ran with the ball well and could away from players when running with the ball. He doesn't seem to have Dan James levels of pace, but definitely isn't slow and has a decent level of pace.

I then saw his 2 or 3 games with our U23's and while he struggled physically at times - being small for his age and playing a level up to 5 years older - he didn't look slow at all and his quick feet, mobility and decent pace where what gave him the edge over taller, stronger defenders and helped him look impressive at that level.

 

[UncleBob]

I am talking about Diallo. He has a slight frame.

Aah. Not really concerned, he's 18.

 

[Smores]

I remember reading about Amad when we signed him and the reports all suggested he had good pace to go with his quick feet and dribbling ability.

I then watched YouTube clips of him in Atalanta youth games and he certainly ran with the ball well and could away from players when running with the ball. He doesn't seem to have Dan James levels of pace, but definitely isn't slow and has a decent level of pace.

I then saw his 2 or 3 games with our U23's and while he struggled physically at times - being small for his age and playing a level up to 5 years older - he didn't look slow at all and his quick feet, mobility and decent pace where what gave him the edge over taller, stronger defenders and helped him look impressive at that level.

His pace on the ball is pretty damn good from what i've seen. That's as useful as pace to run in behind considering most games we're facing a low block that needs quick movement to displace. James is the opposite so we've got both options.

That's an area i think Greenwood struggles at times but then he's not really a winger so it shouldn't be expected.

 

[Sea-Cow]

Just because you are young, doesn't mean you will turn out to be great. James will obviously never be a great player. Is it so hard to see? Amad is twice the talent. Ole doesn't have the balls to play Amad though, he is going for the safe option, as he usually does.

I am far from his biggest managerial supporter, but I don't blame him for playing it safe. He is trying to not get fired from his dream job, which means prioritizing results right now. He doesn't have the luxury of long-term planning, so it makes sense that he goes with the safe option.