[RaptorSlo]

I'm really baffled about people calling his performance today wank.

I though he really bossed the midfield.

 

[limerickcitykid]

Good in the midfield battle. I don't know what he was doing on the set-piece but then I don't know what the feck anyone is ever doing when we are defending set-pieces. We could really do with get Tony Pulis in for a week to sort that shit out.

 

[Shimo]

Shown what he is capable of and needs to continue. Though needlessly cleared the ball right to Arsenal player in lead up to their second goal. Think he has got to start though rest of the season as long as he is fit.

 

[TrustInJanuzaj]

I honestly thought Herrera and schneiderlin bossed the midfield today, but I haven't seen the highlights of the goals so maybe that's why I think he was good

 

[KM]

Honestly don't know what match people were watching. Apart from the poor clearance just before their second goal, I thought he and Herrera were bossing the midfield.

 

[acnumber9]

Honestly don't know what match people were watching. Apart from the poor clearance just before their second goal, I thought he and Herrera were bossing the midfield.

And the shocking marking for the first goal. If a defensive midfielder plays a big part in two goals conceded it's a stretch to say he had a good game.

 

[Nighteyes]

Herrera played a part in two of the goals we scored. Schneiderlin was the main culprit in both goals we conceded. Herrera was fantastic. Schneiderlin clearly wasn't and was one of our poorer players.

 

[Timdbro]

Haven't watched their second goal again to see what he was up to, but he was certainly at fault for their first.
Credit where it's due though, I though he was massive in the second half, allowed them absolutely no space through the middle, snapping at their heels every time an Arsenal player tried to turn on the ball. That's what we bought him to do.

 

[Trizy]

Straight swap for Kanté please.

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

He was very good defensively today.

That said, I think he needs to offer our defenders more support in possession. He needs to show for the ball more IMO.

 

[LuisNaniencia]

Herrera played a part in two of the goals we scored. Schneiderlin was the main culprit in both goals we conceded. Herrera was fantastic. Schneiderlin clearly wasn't and was one of our poorer players.

Not so clearly as 50% of people think he played well.

 

[Cerpin]

And the shocking marking for the first goal. If a defensive midfielder plays a big part in two goals conceded it's a stretch to say he had a good game.

That's fair, to an extent. But I think as a team we had a lot of mindless clearances today -- both Blind and Carrick had some silly ones. Schneiderlin was just somewhat unlucky that his led to a goal, in my opinion. Poor marking for the second no doubt, but I think Rojo should have gotten it. Anyway, other than that I agree with those who said he had a strong game.

 

[Raw]

Again, when is the bench part getting deleted from the title of this thread? Come on lads.

 

[Scorpy]

He had a very good second half and was invaluable with his interceptions. Seems like he's found his form again, after being rubbish since his return from injury a couple of months ago.

 

[izec]

First half shit, second half good. Inconsistent as you will ever see. Not marking Welbeck properly, that awful pass for the second goal. But tackled well and made some important interceptions in the second half too.

 

[RikRuud]

Looks like he's starting to find his feet and his role. Gets the ball and passes forward.

 

[Cutch]

Honestly don't know what match people were watching. Apart from the poor clearance just before their second goal, I thought he and Herrera were bossing the midfield.

Basically what I was going to post

 

[NinjaFletch]

I think the mixed responses largely sum up the performance.

Largely good, yet two mistakes that cost us goals. A step in the right direction though, for sure.

 

[Fergus' son]

Two bad mistakes but I still get the impression that he is starting to settle into the club, a lot of room for improvement but things to do look a lot brighter with regards to him IMO. Will be an important player for us.

 

[VivaObertan]

Yeah, I'm one of his biggest critics... and even I thought he had a good, especially in the second half... was getting around the pitch, breaking up play and really high energy. The only issue with him I had was tactical, in that sometimes he'd continue the press up the field and be way out of his DM position when Arsenal were coming forward... (there was one point in the first half where him and Herrera were are two furtherst men forward and Juan Mata was holding!) - but I think that was a direction from LVG, so I won't blame him too much for that...

His decision making does let him down at times - but yeah, more games like the second half will definitely be a step in the right direction

The pressing from CDM past our forwards is intentional. Carrick and Fellaini do it from the holding roles too.

Like Depay, Schneiderlin has really started to grow into his role this week. Long may it continue!

 

[mancan92]

I don't see how you can have a good game whilst also being responsible for arsenal even being in the game at all. We win 3-0 without his mistakes.

 

[Giant Midget]

I don't see how you can have a good game whilst also being responsible for arsenal even being in the game at all. We win 3-0 without his mistakes.

Because his pressing, and interceptions were a major reason Arsenal weren't able to string together decent chances through their tippy-tappy passing.

 

[NotoriousISSY]

Weird afternoon where he was shocking on both goals conceded, but otherwise was very good. Well the first goal was definitely his fault, the second I think was just a freak goal. The pass out was aimless, but it was avoidable from there, and Ozil didn't catch that ball at all - was shocked to see it go in.

He's been much improved this week, his passing is better and defensively he must've snuffed out an Arsenal pass or dribble about 7 or 8 times.

 

[Sylar]

He was at fault for both goals, but he was great. I really think him and Herrera is a partnership we should be using more and more. Both are mobile and aggressive.

I like how MOTD did a bit on him showing the job he did on Ozil.

 

[Long Ball]

Against arsenal we lost 3-0 without him in the team....he's growing into his role with us and would flourish in a less restrictive system

 

[Oo0AahCantona]

He's not a box to box midfielder in terms of true offensive contribution for me. He's an energetic workhorse defensive midfielder for me, Basically what khadera does for germany. Covers ground, intercepts and challenges balls, brings the ball forward when possible and zonal marking opposition creative outlets.

I know people have mentioned at Southampton he was more of a creative outlet, but ive seen nothing in his play so far for us that leads me to believe he can spray balls that can unlock a defence like a more all rounded central midfielder/no.8. I'm comfortable with us building the side around him shielding the back 4, but if were expecting him to get assists, spray the ball around, release runners with through balls, im not convinced he's that player.

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

I like how MOTD did a bit on him showing the job he did on Ozil.

Was just going to say this, MOTD gave him a lot of credit for breaking up the play and sticking tight to Ozil.

 

[Sammyjunn]

Supposed to be the best box to box since Roy Keane if I would believe the comments last season, he puts in a lot of effort and his interceptions are valuable but other than that, hope he's still acclamatising.

 

[Bwuk]

He was at fault for both goals, but he was great. I really think him and Herrera is a partnership we should be using more and more. Both are mobile and aggressive.

I like how MOTD did a bit on him showing the job he did on Ozil.

Agree 100% on him and Herrera part. They should always play together whether it's with a #10 in front of them, or Carrick/Schweinsteiger behind them.

 

[Thisistheone]

I thought that second half was his best performance since joining. Broke up play and covered every blade. Please kick on from here, would be a huge boost to the team.

 

[Hammerfell]

Supposed to be the best box to box since Roy Keane if I would believe the comments last season, he puts in a lot of effort and his interceptions are valuable but other than that, hope he's still acclamatising.

I don't think anyone said that.

 

[criticalanalysis]

I don't see how you can have a good game whilst also being responsible for arsenal even being in the game at all. We win 3-0 without his mistakes.

We would have conceded if he didn't make those mistakes imo. We were 'lucky' not to concede on other occasions.

I know people have mentioned at Southampton he was more of a creative outlet, but ive seen nothing in his play so far for us that leads me to believe he can spray balls that can unlock a defence like a more all rounded central midfielder/no.8. I'm comfortable with us building the side around him shielding the back 4, but if were expecting him to get assists, spray the ball around, release runners with through balls, im not convinced he's that player.

I've seen enough glimpses that he is a natural box to box (but more deep lying) and is capable of playing that kind of progressive football. The 'problem' is he's not going to show that when we play like a sieve i.e opposition are able to walk past us at ease. Once we are able to comfortably 'dominate' the game and opposition fear us (if we continue our attacking attitude), he will have more time to do his thing.

Once the opposition start to take a step back and fear our front players (Martial, Depay, Rashford, Lingard etc) you will see more of the likes of Mata, Herrera, Schneiderlin contributing more on that side hopefully (not with this-possession-at-all costs bs mentality of course).

Before, players would double/triple team Martial, lay off Rooney, wait for/win the first/second ball, attack us and go through the team straight to goal at relative ease.

We need to find that balance because as much as I love Mata's probing further upfield, he needs a creative outlet like Herrera beside him (i.e further up the pitch), which of course leaves us vulnerable (hence Morgan sitting so deep and doing a one man destroy job). The onus is on your centre forward and wide attackers being able to hold the ball and be a constant outlet for the pass AND an attacking force. It's why Rooney and even Martial deserve criticism. The former for being absolute dog turd and the latter for being a bit gung-ho dribbling wise (although who can blame him).

 

[thejtrain]

I'm a fan of his, but he was atrocious for the second goal! He couldn't clear it well enough which is alright, but he's gotta then get up quick and get close to one of the players, particularly Ozil. He's just standing there watching things happen! Had a good game otherwise though - he's been well below his level for a while now.

 

[Sylar]

Agree 100% on him and Herrera part. They should always play together whether it's with a #10 in front of them, or Carrick/Schweinsteiger behind them.

Thing is, I dont think hes played 4 games in a row for us or something. Our record with him in the team is fantastic.

The worrying thing is I think at the beginning of the season, everybody was saying these two + one of Carrick or Basti. That still hasnt changed, and nothing ive seen has made me believe other wise (in terms of us going three in midfield of course). I do wonder what happens when Smallign returns, and if Carrick just pushes forward and one of Herrera/Morgan is dropped which will be a mistake.

 

[Parry Gallister]

I was so happy about signing him. Mixed season so far, maybe even below par, but the last two/three games have been immense, just what I was hoping for in the first place, class.

 

[Nighteyes]

We would have conceded if he didn't make those mistakes imo. We were 'lucky' not to concede on other occasions.

So we conceded two goals which were directly his fault and were lucky not to concede on other occasions as well (This against an Arsenal team who have found goals increasingly hard to come by of late) and the conclusion is somehow that he had a great game? Is this for real?

 

[Kevin]

So we conceded two goals which were directly his fault and were lucky not to concede on other occasions as well (This against an Arsenal team who have found goals increasingly hard to come by of late) and the conclusion is somehow that he had a great game? Is this for real?

Had we drawn or lost people would be furious with him.

You can be Bryan Robson and Roy Keane rolled into one for 88 minutes but if you are at fault for two goals you did not do your job well no matter what position you play, never mind a defensive midfielder.

Laughable to see a consensus forming that "he was at fault for both goals but was great if you know wut I mean. Lolz."

 

[Escobar]

I have hope that if he continues to play in a settled that he starts to slot in and show his best form. He's getting better but he's still some way off his best

 

[pseudo_canadian]

I thought he played pretty well yesterday, especially on so little rest from playing 90 minutes vs. Midgetland and Shrewsbury.

 

[PlayerOne]

Coming into some good form now, think being given more freedom to get forward has helped him.