[DWelbz19]

Scalding hot take: He’s our second best CDM after Ugarte

More like ice cold. He’s the only one in the side after Ugarte. Casemiro is a nonentity.

 

[DWelbz19]

I thought he was from the academy but we actually got him from Brighton?

Quite an “old” age too, I think. We signed him at 18 according to our youth thread — https://www.redcafe.net/threads/toby-collyer.469203/

 

[RuudTom83]

Ugarte with Collyer as backup/rotation makes the more defensive side of CM less of a worry.

 

[Dannn411]

Ugarte with Collyer as backup/rotation makes the more defensive side of CM less of a worry.

Backup? I'd play him alongside Ugarte and move Mainoo upfield to compete with Bruno for the 10 spot. Two central midfielders with legs finally.

 

[flameinthesun]

Has good energy, however, the concern still remains over his base technical level. When it comes to taking the ball in tight spaces and maneuvering he is lacking, as well as in his passing. It may be something he develops, the more experience he gets but for example when Mctominay broke into the team I think his base technical level was higher than Collyer's, which isn't saying much. Hopefully he improves on that side, however, at the moment it is mainly good energy he's providing rather than much on the ball.

 

[RuudTom83]

Backup? I'd play him alongside Ugarte and move Mainoo upfield to compete with Bruno for the 10 spot. Two central midfielders with legs finally.

Hmm I think that would be far too negative, especially with 3 CB and 2 defenders playing WB…7 out of 11 players not being creative would send me to sleep.

 

[Dannn411]

Hmm I think that would be far too negative, especially with 3 CB and 2 defenders playing WB…7 out of 11 players not being creative would send me to sleep.

True. But maybe we can compensate for that by playing attacking wingbacks (Amad and some other attacking WB on the other side) and just have the midfielders and centre backs as the back 5 defensive players.

 

[Jingaling7]

Scalding hot take: He’s our second best CDM after Ugarte.

No. Just no .

Why does this fanbase just over hype every academy prospect we have? we do it time and time again.

He's technically flawed when it comes to passing, watched him closely when the back 4 had possession and he's got the mctominay hiding trait.

 

[Smores]

True. But maybe we can compensate for that by playing attacking wingbacks (Amad and some other attacking WB on the other side) and just have the midfielders and centre backs as the back 5 defensive players.

This formation demands someone who can spread the ball either in midfield or defence as there's often a lot of space. You can't always just slowly build up with simpler passing through midfield. It's why Bruno is being played in CM.

It's also why I'd be shocked if we didn't look at Gomes on a free as he can replicate that Morita profile at Sporting.

I think Collyer will get plenty of minutes for the rest of the season. I was very impressed by him yesterday.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

He's basically a big body on some legs that can actually move around... and honestly, that's pretty much what we need right now.

Not much quality on the ball and I seriously doubt he'll be with us longer term, but for now, he's doing a job... and a good job at that.

 

[GiveItToGi...nowait]

He's basically a big body on some legs that can actually move around... and honestly, that's pretty much what we need right now.

Not much quality on the ball and I seriously doubt he'll be with us longer term, but for now, he's doing a job... and a good job at that.

Finally a Mctominay replacement

 

[AndySmith1990]

Looks fine for where we are, that being a bottom half PL team that is struggling to win matches. He will get plenty of minutes in midfield by default simply by having energy

 

[Rossa]

In comparison to the others it's very notable how big/strong his running looks on the tele.

Apart form that, it's hard to judge him against a poor Scottish side tbh.

Agree - him, Dalot and Højlund are our powerful runners. It was cool to see him cover Dalot's right side when it was wide open, and Collyer took five strides and covered the entire side. Not to be underrated.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

He's basically a big body on some legs that can actually move around... and honestly, that's pretty much what we need right now.

Not much quality on the ball and I seriously doubt he'll be with us longer term, but for now, he's doing a job... and a good job at that.

Finally a Mctominay replacement

He seems to already be considerably better than McTominay at a) getting on the ball and b) passing to a player in red.

 

[Mike Smalling]

No. Just no .

Why does this fanbase just over hype every academy prospect we have? we do it time and time again.

He's technically flawed when it comes to passing, watched him closely when the back 4 had possession and he's got the mctominay hiding trait.

It's not some huge appraisal of Collyer, to be honest. More of a result of the lack of quality we have available in the position. Collyer is at least mobile and plays with intensity - none of that can be said for Mainoo, Casemiro or Eriksen.

 

[Marwood]

Four at least (Ugarte, Collyer, Casemiro, Mainoo) based on who has played the role. You could add Eriksen to it as well.

But yeah, the options are slim. Hope we play Collyer more though. Even with his inexperience he seems like the best option.

I don’t think anyone would say for sure Mainoo is a CDM. His role is still up in the air really while he develops. Eriksen definitely not.

We're really down to Ugarte and Collyer. One of them has to play I think at all times.

Just think it's a luke warm take as opposed to a scalding hot take to say he's the 2nd best CDM we have.

He's second in a three man race.

 

[Bondi77]

I cant wait until the moment we decide he’s shite!

Are you going to have a party?

 

[Scriblerus]

Decent performance. Breaking up play, receiving and playing simple passes. Which can work as long as he has a progressive passer next to him.

 

[Mike Smalling]

I don’t think anyone would say for sure Mainoo is a CDM. His role is still up in the air really while he develops. Eriksen definitely not.

We're really down to Ugarte and Collyer. One of them has to play I think at all times.

Just think it's a luke warm take as opposed to a scalding hot take to say he's the 2nd best CDM we have.

He's second in a three man race.

Ok, to make it clear then, I mean in the context of the system that Amorim plays no matter what, and the players that have been used in that position. Then it includes Mainoo for sure, and maybe also Eriksen (can't actually remember).

Maybe not too controversial, but I bet many would still favor Mainoo.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

He seems to already be considerably better than McTominay at a) getting on the ball and b) passing to a player in red.

 

[Bondi77]

He seems to already be considerably better than McTominay at a) getting on the ball and b) passing to a player in red.

Comparing him to McT is like comparing Pogba to Viera and Toure.
It is pretty insulting really and very lazy!

 

[Carl]

Reaction would be very different had the times he turned the ball over in dangerous positions lead to goals.

I like him, because he's a grafter. Definitely room for that in this squad.

 

[Marwood]

Reaction would be very different had the times he turned the ball over in dangerous positions lead to goals.

I like him, because he's a grafter. Definitely room for that in this squad.

True. Getting punished for mistakes or not can quickly change opinions.

His recovery pace when he gave the ball away just as the commentators were praising him was really impressive though.

But when he got caught early in the game I thought it was a shocking pass from De Ligt.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Those stats are incredibly rare for McT. Especially the number of touches/passes. Remains to be seen how rare they are for Collyer.

 

[MadDogg]

He made one fairly bad error in each half which could have been punished (especially the one in the first half). Otherwise seemed solid without being particularly impressive, which is fine in the short-term but hopefully he will keep developing. There were a few times he took a while to get the ball fully under control and by that time somebody who had been in a good position had been closed down. This early in his first team career it's not a big deal though.

 

[romufc]

No. Just no .

Why does this fanbase just over hype every academy prospect we have? we do it time and time again.

He's technically flawed when it comes to passing, watched him closely when the back 4 had possession and he's got the mctominay hiding trait.

Who has overhyped him? Hyping someone would mean the fans want him starting games?

What most are saying is he is a good second to Ugarte.. which is true.

 

[Bertie Wooster]

He's doing a decent job for now, helping provide some cover in an area that we're low on - CDM's who can offer good mobility in the middle of the pitch.

I think he's definitely PL quality - just whether we need an upgrade to get where we want to be or whether he's got enough about him to make that step up with us.

A similar situation to when Elanga was upgraded to first team for the second half of a season. He offered something the rest of the squad weren't at that time, but jury was out on whether there was enough potential regarding technical quality / end product about him. A change of manager meant he was moved on instead, and he has proven himself PL quality (for a team currently 3rd).

Collyer is in that bracket. I think he's got enough about him to play in the PL - and for teams who, while smaller than us, are currently higher in the table! So, for now, he's definitely worth a squad place here and is doing all right (albeit with low expectations and levels of competition in the squad in that position). He'll need to kick on and offer more if he's to establish himself with us, otherwise you'd think we'd need an alternative upgrade. But hopefully he'll do that as the season continues. Certainly a promising start so far.

 

[the_cliff]

And Mainoo could play in a more attacking role then, I think that suits him well.

I'd like to see that. Been thinking for a while that our best bet right now would be a base of Ugarte-Collyer with Mainoo and Bruno in front of them and Amad rwb.

 

[Idxomer]

Comparing him to McT is like comparing Pogba to Viera and Toure.
It is pretty insulting really and very lazy!

Insulting to McTominay or Collyer?

 

[Bertie Wooster]

I'd like to see that. Been thinking for a while that our best bet right now would be a base of Ugarte-Collyer with Mainoo and Bruno in front of them and Amad rwb.

Doesn't Amorim prefer one of the #10's to possess more of a wingers ability to be a threat on the ball with pace and running ability?

A front three of Mainoo, Bruno and Zirkzee (and I've seen Eriksen suggested as an understudy #10) would seriously lack pace, mobility and dribbling. I think Mainoo could be used as a #10 in the Bruno, Eriksen role. But I think the other probably should be an Amad or Garnacho style, someone more capable of running with the ball and stretching defenders.

Garnacho might be too much of a traditional winger to suit, but someone else more like Amad - a mix of a winger and a #10 - is probably best to work alongside a Bruno, Eriksen, Mount or Mainoo type. Rather than two of the latter types.

But I guess all that's just symbolic of the many problems in the squad so far - which ever selection you make to address one issue and improve that part, just creates a new issue as it weakens another part. Really difficult to put out a good first XI of the current squad - let alone squad depth - that feels strong in most areas without clear and obvious weaknesses being evident.

 

[Mike Smalling]

I hate these tweets with a passion. Using every single stat, so there are more lines and it looks impressive. "2 interceptions" and "1/1 tackles won". Jesus wept.

 

[Pexbo]

Match winner

 

[Robbie Boy]

What a clearance.

 

[Red Royal]

What a header...

 

[2 man midfield]

Got us 3 points tonight

 

[FerociousCorgis]

Great instinct to drop back to the line

 

[Superunknown]

Outstanding clearance off the line. Huge. He's looked good since he has come into the first team.

 

[ClassOf'99]

Nerves of steel

 

[Bobski]

A midfielder who can over ground like he does is always going to be useful in certain scenarios.

 

[ShinjiNinja26]

Saved us! Another good cameo from the kid.