[Apokalips]

I don't even think he is past it or anything like that, the midfield tactics we play are shocking and would expose anyone. He is alone in midfield and his nearest passing options are always a fair distance away. Prime Kante wouldn't be able to cover our midfield, nor would it be fair to ask one individual to hold down that whole area alone anyway.

The gaps between our players at times is so poor and movement is so slow. You watch City and they closed gaps quickly and when they got the ball back every player calmly popped it around to the next who moves into position to give his mate an option. We get the ball to our midfielder and then everyone stands around high up the pitch waiting for a long clipped ball. Even Onana only seems to play long passes at the minute.

 

[Darlington Padgett]

How did Madrid keep him and Varane fit enough to actually win any of those champions leagues? They’re both made of fecking shortbread

This is like the second time Casemiro is injured, he's had 3 suspensions so that might be why everyone is thinking he's injury prone. Regarding Varane, they kept him fit for like 2 seasons but he was always having those small injuries.

 

[next_number_seven]

Still think Antony was worse.

Antony's worse cos ETH coached him before so knew him inside out.

If a wide player isn't quick enough to beat a man, they should have other qualities like passing, crossing, shooting but he doesn't have that.

Casemiro was a panic purchase cos we'd no quality DM.
I was hoping we'd get 3 good seasons out of him.

 

[poleglass red]

This is like the second time Casemiro is injured, he's had 3 suspensions so that might be why everyone is thinking he's injury prone. Regarding Varane, they kept him fit for like 2 seasons but he was always having those small injuries.

Injuries haven't been Casemiro's problem, it's he came back so unfit from pre season that he has struggled in every game, bar the game v Palace B team. Was the same last season, he started slowly, we put that down to new league, new club. Then he settled in very well then struggled again in latter part of the season. Throw in suspensions, we haven't really got what we should out of him, especially since he plays in such a crucial position. It's something along with Varane, that should have been addressed by ETH. Casemiro looked more tired last season when he came back from his last suspension. If anything that break should have recharged his batteries.

 

[Yagami]

What has happened to him? The number of crap lobbed passes he plays is astonishing.

The most surprising thing for me is that people are only now noticing/complaining about it. Everything everyone is criticising him for now, he's been guilty of since his first game here.

In fact, he was guilty of said things before he even joined, which is why I didn't want him because we didn't have a Modric, Kroos, Isco, Kovacic, whoever in his time at Madrid to carry him in possession, which was always a weakness of his.

With that said, with the options we have, I still think our best bet is him alongside Amrabat, behind a Bruno/Mount/Eriksen. Problem is, outside of getting Casemiro available, it seems to be one or t'other in regards to Casemiro and Amrabat for ten Hag. He seems dead set against playing both together.

 

[Romez]

Still think Antony was worse.

Anthony is a "better" signing by virtue of age.

In theory he can get better and we can get way more money from him in a potential sale than we can Casemiro.

Unless a Saudi club offer something ridiculous.

 

[Rossa]

I don't even think he is past it or anything like that, the midfield tactics we play are shocking and would expose anyone. He is alone in midfield and his nearest passing options are always a fair distance away. Prime Kante wouldn't be able to cover our midfield, nor would it be fair to ask one individual to hold down that whole area alone anyway.

The gaps between our players at times is so poor and movement is so slow. You watch City and they closed gaps quickly and when they got the ball back every player calmly popped it around to the next who moves into position to give his mate an option. We get the ball to our midfielder and then everyone stands around high up the pitch waiting for a long clipped ball. Even Onana only seems to play long passes at the minute.

Agree with this. He has never been fast, not even at 25 was he ever fast. He wasn't fast last year either when he was brilliant in stages. The distances within our team are massive. Our passing is shambolic, slow, pedestrian and most likely behind the player intended for.

Then he is supposed to shield the defense, but how can one player do that when two or three players are racing towards him? Our set-up is doing nobody any favours.

 

[Rossa]

Injuries haven't been Casemiro's problem, it's he came back so unfit from pre season that he has struggled in every game, bar the game v Palace B team. Was the same last season, he started slowly, we put that down to new league, new club. Then he settled in very well then struggled again in latter part of the season. Throw in suspensions, we haven't really got what we should out of him, especially since he plays in such a crucial position. It's something along with Varane, that should have been addressed by ETH. Casemiro looked more tired last season when he came back from his last suspension. If anything that break should have recharged his batteries.

How do you know he was unfit? Carrick always started seasons slowly - was he unfit or was it just a characteristic of him? Supposedly it's not new with Casemiro either. Some tail off at the end of the season, and some start off more slowly.

 

[SB16]

Out "for several weeks"

 

[Apokalips]

How do you know he was unfit? Carrick always started seasons slowly - was he unfit or was it just a characteristic of him? Supposedly it's not new with Casemiro either. Some tail off at the end of the season, and some start off more slowly.

Confirmation bias. Casemiro is not allowed to be out of form or exposed by the poor tactics, it is that he is unfit (chubby face makes him look overweight) or lost his legs (he's over 30).

 

[GreatDane]

Out "for several weeks"

Oh...that's nice.

 

[Sylar]

If you dont laugh, you will cry.
We need to stop buying from Madrid, Munich, Dortmund and Chelsea.

 

[soapythecat]

He’s been utterly dog shit this season, when’s he’s been available. Whilst he is an extra pair of legs, he won’t be missed. Offers nothing. Wouldn’t be upset if he’s sold in January.

 

[GreatDane]

He’s been utterly dog shit this season, when’s he’s been available. Whilst he is an extra pair of legs, he won’t be missed. Offers nothing. Wouldn’t be upset if he’s sold in January.

Would still like to see him next to midfielder with energy. Unless his legs are truly gone, then he should still have 2-3 years in him and bags of experience.

 

[RuudTom83]

cursed!

 

[hobbers]

Good news for ETH.

 

[Jericho]

He’s been utterly dog shit this season, when’s he’s been available. Whilst he is an extra pair of legs, he won’t be missed. Offers nothing. Wouldn’t be upset if he’s sold in January.

Offers nothing? Do you know he's our top goal scorer this season? I realize that fact is more damning of our attackers than anything else, but to say he offers nothing is so far from the truth. We're going to be worse without him.

 

[Rockets Redglare]

He’s been utterly dog shit this season, when’s he’s been available. Whilst he is an extra pair of legs, he won’t be missed. Offers nothing. Wouldn’t be upset if he’s sold in January.

The exaggeration in some of these posts. Yes he hasn’t been great but who has? Literally every player has been shite, should we sell them all in January?

 

[Pogue Mahone]

The exaggeration in some of these posts. Yes he hasn’t been great but who has? Literally every player has been shite, should we sell them all in January?

Maybe only the players who turn 32 this season and have been shite for nearly 10 months now?

 

[Ayoba]

feck sake

 

[Cassidy]

Good news for ETH.

Don't think so to be honest

 

[V.O.]

Maybe only the players who turn 32 this season and have been shite for nearly 10 months now?

He's had a few stinkers, but I think most of his recent form has been due to our suicidal midfield shape where him or Amrabat have basically been expected to be a one man midfield.

The one or two times we've dropped somebody back next to him to play something like a normal midfield, he's still done well.

 

[spiriticon]

He comes on for 1 half of football and immediately puts himself out for the next few weeks. Just what is going on?

 

[Pogue Mahone]

He's had a few stinkers, but I think most of his recent form has been due to our suicidal midfield shape where him or Amrabat have basically been expected to be a one man midfield.

The one or two times we've dropped somebody back next to him to play something like a normal midfield, he's still done well.

I mean, you’re not wrong. But he was just as poor towards the end of last season. And him being isolated only explains his defensive struggles. He’s been unbelievably careless in possession for ages. The hiding we got from Liverpool was one of the worst examples of that. So there’s definitely something going on with him that’s about more than just tactics.

Also, how come other teams seem to manage ok with only one specialist DM? Why do we completely fall apart if we dare to pair Casemiro up with two more offensively minded midfielders? Look at Rice and Rodri and who they play with. Liverpool don’t seem to have any CM with a purely defensive role. Isn’t it likely that our issues are more to do with personnel than a decision to have only one CM in a purely defensive role?

 

[ColvaleGoa]

I think Cas has already checked out to Saudi.

Let's try and do something with Amrabat now. I don't know the answer but Cas is not the one despite his enormous experience. He just seems lost or disinterested. Let's move on and find a younger hungrier replacement.

 

[Acrobat7]

Would still like to see him next to midfielder with energy. Unless his legs are truly gone, then he should still have 2-3 years in him and bags of experience.

But that's exactly the role he's supposed to fulfil. He needs a complement like Modric and/or Kroos. His job was never to organise. He's a destroyer and doesn't excel in possession.

 

[Still ill]

I think Cas has already checked out to Saudi.

Let's try and do something with Amrabat now. I don't know the answer but Cas is not the one despite his enormous experience. He just seems lost or disinterested. Let's move on and find a younger hungrier replacement.

I mean the Carabao Cup final was only what, March? And he was the epitome of the engaged, purposeful leader, loving life, rejuvenated. 7 or 8 months later, he's for the scrapheap?

 

[Sparky Rhiwabon]

I mean the Carabao Cup final was only what, March? And he was the epitome of the engaged, purposeful leader, loving life, rejuvenated. 7 or 8 months later, he's for the scrapheap?

That type of midfielder tends to have a steep decline around that age, look at Kante at a similar age

 

[ToToMarshall]

He's out till 2024 apparently.

 

[Still ill]

That type of midfielder tends to have a steep decline around that age, look at Kante at a similar age

Yeah, true, although I don't think they're quite the same. Cas hasn't ever needed to cover the same amount of ground as Kante. As has been said, take the creative burden off him, let him occupy a space and be destructive, then start attacks.

 

[Still ill]

He's out till 2024 apparently.

Eh??!

 

[RedDevil@84]

Just what we needed. Another injury to an already injured squad.

 

[hobbers]

Don't think so to be honest

Since he seems to be the only player ETH trusts in a single pivot it really is good news even if he doesnt believe it.

Now he's forced to at least double pivot with Eriksen and Amrabat, and Mainoo is more likely to get involved sooner.

 

[RedDevil@84]

I think Cas has already checked out to Saudi.

We ll be lucky if he goes for a fee to Saudi.

 

[UpWithRivers]

from McFred to McAmbrabat

 

[Cassidy]

Since he seems to be the only player ETH trusts in a single pivot it really is good news even if he doesnt believe it.

Now he's forced to at least double pivot with Eriksen and Amrabat, and Mainoo is more likely to get involved sooner.

Possibly, hopefully Mainoo can get involved and he is good enough

 

[Solius]

He always comes back rusty so if we're even getting a top form Case back it won't be until mid January at least.

 

[Rossa]

Confirmation bias. Casemiro is not allowed to be out of form or exposed by the poor tactics, it is that he is unfit (chubby face makes him look overweight) or lost his legs (he's over 30).

Yep, Ronaldo was over the hill since 28. It's ridiculous.

 

[GreatDane]

But that's exactly the role he's supposed to fulfil. He needs a complement like Modric and/or Kroos. His job was never to organise. He's a destroyer and doesn't excel in possession.

He doesn't have the speed, but he does have many other qualities. If he had someone to do the running for him then he could do a good job with positioning, passing ect.
I hope anyway, because otherwise then it's huge wages out the window.

 

[Acrobat7]

He doesn't have the speed, but he does have many other qualities. If he had someone to do the running for him then he could do a good job with positioning, passing ect.
I hope anyway, because otherwise then it's huge wages out the window.

But passing isn't his strong suit. Once his energy/legs are gone there isn't too much left.