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Ratings v Sheffield United II

Player of the match?

  • Vorm

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Walker

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Davies

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Vertonghen

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Dier

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Mason

    Votes: 9 3.1%
  • Stambouli

    Votes: 17 5.8%
  • Lamela

    Votes: 3 1.0%
  • Eriksen

    Votes: 177 60.8%
  • Kane

    Votes: 11 3.8%
  • Dembele

    Votes: 55 18.9%
  • Rose

    Votes: 1 0.3%
  • Paulinho

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Townsend

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • No one

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Ffs we are going to Wembley

    Votes: 18 6.2%

  • Total voters
    291

mw828

Well-Known Member
Aug 20, 2010
1,122
1,674
Dembele was good, but I think he is often overrated. He holds the ball for ages. He wouldn't have to beat or fend off his man every time if he'd just pass in less than 10 touches. Lamela and Andros do almost the same thing, but don't have the physical tools to hold them off so can only try to dribble past.

Eriksen was MOTM by a mile here. Good game all around and two really great goals. Thought Kane was good too. He got in a lot of bad spots where he didn't have great shooting angles but didn't have any clear passing lanes or supporting runners. People can complain about it, but players that consistently put in a high volume of shots find the goal more than others. Ade or Bobby wouldn't have had half the shots and probably wouldn't have had any assists either.

Mason seemed a bit out of control. He gets forward in dangerous spots a lot, but he doesn't do anything with the opportunities he finds there. Some very wayward passes too. He's probably still searching for his top form after injury.

I fear for us all when Vorm is in goal. Can't act surprised either, he was that type of keeper at Swansea as well.
 

LexingtonSpurs

Well-Known Member
Aug 27, 2013
13,456
39,042
Dembele showed tonight he has to play closer to the front man. Play him in the hole and you get a different player, he's too good to play that deep
Sure - but what have we complained the most about all year - getting the ball from midfield to the attackers. Dembele is stronger than Mason, thus better in possession, and can help support the attacking 4.

Best lineup has Chadli, Eriksen and Lamela (or Townsend if you prefer his style) in the AM3. Dembele does not fit in that mix. He does fit as a CM2
 

prawnsandwich

Well-Known Member
Jul 19, 2014
6,035
4,064
After tonight if I ever see Dembele in a midfield 2 again I'll cry. He was fantastic in that free role. Glides effortlessly past players, that little bit by the corner flag at the end of the first half was magic.
But what did he create? All fur coat and no knickers.
 

Supersi32

Well-Known Member
Jul 23, 2008
2,525
2,754
Dembele was superb until that Sheff Utd player nobbled him. Does leave a bit of a conundrum once Chadli is ready to play again, though.

Much more drive and ambition to commit opposing players from Dembele tonight, much, much better from him.
 

iluvsteffenfreund

Well-Known Member
Nov 5, 2004
2,078
2,465
Sure - but what have we complained the most about all year - getting the ball from midfield to the attackers. Dembele is stronger than Mason, thus better in possession, and can help support the attacking 4.

Best lineup has Chadli, Eriksen and Lamela (or Townsend if you prefer his style) in the AM3. Dembele does not fit in that mix. He does fit as a CM2
How do we know he doesn't fit in that mix ? Have we played with dembele eriksen and chadli behind Kane ? We have to play these boys sat
 

Larryjanta

Well-Known Member
Apr 22, 2014
1,953
5,040
Mason was class needs more praise deserved a goal.

Agreed. Amazed some still don't see what he offers. Our tempo is so much better with him in the side. Needs to work on his composure, positioning and the defensive side of his game (all things learnt through playing) but, given his inexperience at the top level, could become an absolute beast within a couple of years.
 

JimmyG2

SC Supporter
Dec 7, 2006
15,014
20,779
Well we did it our way again. Don't try this at home.I'm getting a defibrillator for my birthday and a stretcher.

Vorm.........6........Brave save at the end. One or two iffy moments. Not responsible for goals.
Walker.......5........Can we have the real Walker back please. Gone backwards after injury. Still fast even backwards.
Dier...........6.......Will get better . 3rd choice at the moment.
Verts.........7..........Steady performer. Likes a bit of aggro to brighten things up.
Davies......6..........Still prefer Danny. Made some good runs but not seen.
Mason......6.........Hearts in the right place but not always his head.
Stambouli.7+........Good game. Has presence
Dembele...8..........More like it. Still no assist or goal but more influential.
Lamela......7.........Getting there. Still dwells but a worker. Frisson of excitement whenever he gets the ball. Oh stop it.
Eriksen......8+.......Proper footballer. So cool on the ball. Essential link in all things good.
Kane.........7+.......His assist for the winner was beautiful. Gone off the goalscoring boil but worth his place anyway.

Paulinho....6.........Does a job. Poch clearly likes him. Not sure why.

Poch..........Strong team. Kept faith with Vorm which I like. Substitutions a bit off the wall. Shades of Ramos.Chelsea in the league cup final.
 

iluvsteffenfreund

Well-Known Member
Nov 5, 2004
2,078
2,465
Agreed. Amazed some still don't see what he offers. Our tempo is so much better with him in the side. Needs to work on his composure, positioning and the defensive side of his game (all things learnt through playing) but, given his inexperience at the top level, could become an absolute beast within a couple of years.
Hit some good tackles tonight and his 3rd man runs were good. He was poor in possession though and your right his composure wasn't great.
 

Larryjanta

Well-Known Member
Apr 22, 2014
1,953
5,040
How do we know he doesn't fit in that mix ? Have we played with dembele eriksen and chadli behind Kane ? We have to play these boys sat

I loathe agreeing with you but I'd like to see this. Dembele looked much better playing as an attacking mid and him and Mason do different things with Stambo sitting. Think they bring out the best in each other but don't think they'd work as a two, they need someone to sit and mop up (and Stambo has that role sown up)

id still play Mason over Dembele in a midfield two every day of the week but thought the three looked very good today and getting Dembele the ball quickly further up the pitch (thanks to Mason's quick passing) makes him a much more dangerous player.
 

Larryjanta

Well-Known Member
Apr 22, 2014
1,953
5,040
Hit some good tackles tonight and his 3rd man runs were good. He was poor in possession though and your right his composure wasn't great.

Thanks god, after saying something I agree with you go and say something stupid. He was not even close to poor in possession, he kept us ticking and was a major reason we opened them up so much.

I don't get why you don't rate him but I've come to accept it from you.
 

THFCSPURS19

The Speaker of the Transfer Rumours Forum
Jan 6, 2013
37,886
130,485
I loathe agreeing with you but I'd like to see this. Dembele looked much better playing as an attacking mid and him and Mason do different things with Stambo sitting. Think they bring out the best in each other but don't think they'd work as a two, they need someone to sit and mop up (and Stambo has that role sown up)

id still play Mason over Dembele in a midfield two every day of the week but thought the three looked very good today and getting Dembele the ball quickly further up the pitch (thanks to Mason's quick passing) makes him a much more dangerous player.
It doesn't work IMO. You're playing Chadli or Eriksen in the wrong position if you use those 3. Lamela or Townsend has to start on the right if you want Dembele as a CAM and you can't exactly drop Eriksen, so Chadli would have to go, which would be really unfair on him.
 

gp13tot

Well-Known Member
Aug 25, 2011
1,759
1,278
Vorm 4

Walker 6
Davies 6
Dier 6
Verts 6

Lamela 5.5
Stambouli 7
Mason 6.5
Eriksen 7
Dembele 7.5

Kane 7

Paulinho 5
Townsend 4
Rose na
 

iluvsteffenfreund

Well-Known Member
Nov 5, 2004
2,078
2,465
I loathe agreeing with you but I'd like to see this. Dembele looked much better playing as an attacking mid and him and Mason do different things with Stambo sitting. Think they bring out the best in each other but don't think they'd work as a two, they need someone to sit and mop up (and Stambo has that role sown up)

id still play Mason over Dembele in a midfield two every day of the week but thought the three looked very good today and getting Dembele the ball quickly further up the pitch (thanks to Mason's quick passing) makes him a much more dangerous player.
Agreed.

Have always said if you can get him in those positions you would see best from him. Poch has to recognise this now
 

Shea

Well-Known Member
Apr 5, 2013
7,711
10,930
Vorm 6
Walker 5
Davies 5
Dier 6
Verts 6+
Lamela 5
Stambouli 7+
Mason 6
Eriksen 8+
Dembele 8
Kane 8

Paulinho 5
Townsend 5
Rose 6




Erkisen a clear man of the match - that extra bit of quality that made the difference, once again our match winner

Kane was also very good

Dembele had a very good game and it was a mistake to take him off for Paulinho who was terrible

I thought our full backs were awful tonight

Lamela very disappointing against opposition he should in my opinion be able to look like Messi against, he was ineffective

Mason got forward well but never really able to impose himself on the game

Was comfortable for most of the match, we were in control without really playing well. Didn't do enough to put the game to bed though and nearly paid for it dearly.

Erkisen and Kane - once again our match winners. The pair of them were the PL level class that set us apart from a plucky, hard working League one outfit

Hard luck on Sheff Utd, they played really well over two legs but fantastic for us to be going back Wembley and while Chelsea will of course be favourites - in a one of game we have a real chance of bringing some silverware back to the Lane again at last

COYS
 
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Strikeb4ck

Well-Known Member
Aug 8, 2010
4,483
9,409
Dembele absolutely ran the show tonight. Phenomenal. One of the best players on this planet when he's on song, just no way to get the ball off him.

9: Dembele, Eriksen, Stambouli
7: Lamela, Kane
6: Mason, Vertonghen, Dier
5: Walker, Davies, Townsend, Vorm
2: Paulinho

NET: Rose

We fell apart as soon as Paulinho came on. Just put in a gutless display, seems there is just no passion about him. Disappointing as I thought he looked bright in a couple recent cameos.
 
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iluvsteffenfreund

Well-Known Member
Nov 5, 2004
2,078
2,465
Thanks god, after saying something I agree with you go and say something stupid. He was not even close to poor in possession, he kept us ticking and was a major reason we opened them up so much.

I don't get why you don't rate him but I've come to accept it from you.
Compares to stambouli and dembele he was poor in possession mate. He kicked it out under no pressure twice and gave it straight to them 5 secs later. He lost the ball when in on goal and wasn't as good as he usually is in possession where he keeps it reasonably well.
 

Larryjanta

Well-Known Member
Apr 22, 2014
1,953
5,040
It doesn't work IMO. You're playing Chadli or Eriksen in the wrong position if you use those 3. Lamela or Townsend has to start on the right if you want Dembele as a CAM and you can't exactly drop Eriksen, so Chadli would have to go, which would be really unfair on him.

I kind of agree with you, on instinct however, for me, Eriksen has a free role whether we play 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1. One could argue that having Dembele in there gives Eriksen even more license to roam as there is an extra man to cover him.

Basically, I like Eriksen, Dembele and Lamela behind Kane or Chadli, Eriksen and Lamela there or even Chadli, Dembele, Eriksen.

I think that's Dembele's best position (too slow at moving the ball for the CM2) so, really, it's down to personnel and who Poch wants for each game. We have enough games to rotate all those four for the rest of the season
 

Larryjanta

Well-Known Member
Apr 22, 2014
1,953
5,040
Compares to stambouli and dembele he was poor in possession mate. He kicked it out under no pressure twice and gave it straight to them 5 secs later. He lost the ball when in on goal and wasn't as good as he usually is in possession where he keeps it reasonably well.

Disagree, passionately :)

Knocking balls out of play will always happen with him as he is trying to move it quickly. I accept that as I'd rather 75% pass accuracy of they're all instant passes trying to move us forward than 100% safe, slow passes that do nothing too move us forward.

Davies fired the ball in at him at 100 miles an hour on a bobbly surface, can't give him all the blame there.

You don't rate him, fine. I do, fine. We'll probably never agree, which is also fine.
 
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