[Escobar]

His passing yesterday was straight to the opposition every time. His movement is shite. He is slow as feck and never in the box when he needs to be.

And yet we played better with him on the pitch

 

[lsd]

Absolutely. But this idea that he is much better in nonsense. He can hold up the ball better but then does nothing with it. He is marginally better because we insist on hoofing ball to our striker instead of playing in a way that lets them run channels. Given Zirkzee is slow as feck but quite good at holding up the ball he will look much better, but he offers hardly anything more to the attack. If one of these two or even both are all we have for this season our other attackers need to start working more with providing runs and movement.

Yes but at least him holding the ball up shows other players into the attack so at this point in time he is better

 

[Lyng]

Yes but at least him holding the ball up shows other players into the attack so at this point in time he is better

We absolutely do and he should start. The one thing I am opposing is the idea that he is a miles better striker. He is marginally better and thus should start, but we desperately need a new striker.

 

[Gordon'sHill]

Yes but at least him holding the ball up shows other players into the attack so at this point in time he is better

The bar is low but Zirkzee at least makes defenders think a bit and his movement is better. With Hojlund the defender knows where he is, he barely moves and sticks his arse into them for good measure. The idea we can always play balls into channel from deep is just dumb. That's more of an option with a second ball once its played back and the forward or another player is making a run. With Hojlund we never even get that far

 

[MadDogg]

I think “better than Hojlund” is generous. He’s better at some things, worse at others. Depending on how we’re playing and their form, one will be a better fit, but both have massive, glaring, weaknesses.

For Zirkzee, generally the ball sticks to him a bit more, although today that wasn’t the case. But what you sacrifice is huge. He tends to play too deep and doesn’t seem to have the pace, instinct, and timing to get into the box and be at the end of chances or at least force the defensive line back.

And yet Zirkzee still gets double the amount of shots away as Hojlund does (and from a closer distance so it's not like he's stat-padding shots from far out).

Zirkzee's movement and timing around the box isn't good, but he's still better at it than Hojlund has been this season. So picking Zirkzee certainly doesn't sacrifice that. Indeed, other than pace (which Hojlund never seems to use anymore), I can't think of a single thing that Hojlund has been doing better than Zirkzee this season. Even in terms of pressing and winning the ball back, Zirkzee has been significantly better.

 

[Trex]

Neither are good, if we go for an out and out striker be it Osimhen or Gyokeres in the summer then Hojlund should go.

 

[Lyng]

And yet Zirkzee still gets double the amount of shots away as Hojlund does (and from a closer distance so it's not like he's stat-padding shots from far out).

Zirkzee's movement and timing around the box isn't good, but he's still better at it than Hojlund has been this season. So picking Zirkzee certainly doesn't sacrifice that. Indeed, other than pace (which Hojlund never seems to use anymore), I can't think of a single thing that Hojlund has been doing better than Zirkzee this season. Even in terms of pressing and winning the ball back, Zirkzee has been significantly better.

Good you added this season, because Højlunds first season was miles better than Zirkzee's has been so far.

 

[MadDogg]

Good you added this season, because Højlunds first season was miles better than Zirkzee's has been so far.

Not sure about miles, but yes he was better. In saying that, if we compare their respective performances last season then Zirkzee was better than Hojlund (made the Serie A team of the season and was the Serie A young player of the season). Obviously that was in a different league and there are doubts over whether he can do it in the PL, but at the moment I'd say there are equal doubts over Hojlund.

 

[Lyng]

Not sure about miles, but yes he was better. In saying that, if we compare their respective performances last season then Zirkzee was better than Hojlund (made the Serie A team of the season and was the Serie A young player of the season). Obviously that was in a different league and there are doubts over whether he can do it in the PL, but at the moment I'd say there are equal doubts over Hojlund.

Ultimately I dont think either is good enough for where we want to be, for different reasons.

 

[kouroux]

Another game/cameo where you wonder what's his actual use as a player

 

[jamesjimmybyrondean]

Seems like he’s always trying to be too clever. There can be a free man to his side and instead he’d try to pass it between the legs of the opponent and lose the ball

 

[Cathy Ferguson]

First we buy Höjlund and then we repeat the mistake. We are not very good in the transfer market.

 

[Minkaro]

The thing that winds me up about Zirkzee is he’s far too docile. He’s such a physical presence, but he seems almost shy.

I kind of want him to get angry. To use his size to move people out of the way. He’s trying to play like Berbatov when he should be watching Diego Costa.

We should loan him to Atletico and let Simeone corrupt him.

In summary, why does Joshua Zirkzee, the largest of the players, not simply eat the other players?

 

[Cassidy]

The thing that winds me up about Zirkzee is he’s far too docile. He’s such a physical presence, but he seems almost shy.

I kind of want him to get angry. To use his size to move people out of the way. He’s trying to play like Berbatov when he should be watching Diego Costa.

We should loan him to Atletico and let Simeone corrupt him.

In summary, why does Joshua Zirkzee, the largest of the players, not simply eat the other players?

Berbatov was not small

 

[Mike Smalling]

Considering how much space there was when he came on, he was very poor. Was almost made for him, but he seemed determined to give it away.

 

[Ollie Derbyshire]

Seems like he’s always trying to be too clever. There can be a free man to his side and instead he’d try to pass it between the legs of the opponent and lose the ball

Yeah I think this too, he needs to be told to keep it simple, just receive the ball and lay it off, he doesn’t need to try and nutmeg someone or chop it inside for no reason. Just lay it off or play a runner through.

He’s a very frustrating player cause he’s shown he can do that.

 

[Minkaro]

Berbatov was not small

I never said he was?

 

[Cassidy]

I never said he was?

I know but you were linking being big with not being similar to Berbatov in playing style. Zirkzee is similar to Berbatov in playing style and him being big isn't a factor