Player Watch: Emerson Royal

[Mattspur]

Pretty sure Emerson, Romero and Lenglet formed the back 3 when we were defending... from where I was sitting (row 3).

And in attack, Son was always fairly advanced, alongside Kane and Richarlison so looked like a fluid 3-4-3 to me. Either way, our passing was a little bit more zippy in the early stages of the first half and we looked ok going forwards. Was hoping Bissouma would get a run out to give our midfield a bit more substance but the end stages demanded quite a lot physically.

Mason said it was 4 at the back today. 2 up top. Worked well.

 

[ajspurs]

One thing I loved today was that he tried to move the ball out of his feet quickly as well and maintain/establish a tempo to our play. Far too often we see our defenders and midfielders so slow to move the ball on and I think that can contribute to our lethargic football. Dier in particular can love to take an age only to play the simple pass he could have played straight away or hoof it to the opposition.

 

[Chimbo!]

He was excellent... but best player by a mile?

Thought Harry had a fantastic game and was my MOM.

I have to say I think Royal really stood out yesterday because he was clever; he won free kicks, dealt with Zaha, covered Porro, and was assured in possession. Kane was the match winner but he didn’t contribute much during the game. Royal, however. constantly made important contributions.

 

[Japhet]

One thing I loved today was that he tried to move the ball out of his feet quickly as well and maintain/establish a tempo to our play. Far too often we see our defenders and midfielders so slow to move the ball on and I think that can contribute to our lethargic football. Dier in particular can love to take an age only to play the simple pass he could have played straight away or hoof it to the opposition.

I'd say Romero is also guilty of playing way too slowly from the back a lot of the time. Of course, it would be a lot easier for him and Dier if our midfield 2 weren't always outnumbered.

 

[N'Obody]

My guy Emerson, zero to hero. I'm so glad for him, always been his supporter since day one. Can't beat his passion and desire to want to be the best he can be. He's the kind of guy who utilises whatever ability he has to the limit and plays with confidence in himself. May he keep on improving and become a key figure in the team for years to come.

 

[easley91]

There was one moment when I think Zaha must have thought he finally got the better of Emerson when he turned him like 3 times. Then Emerson still blocked the cross. He was on fire yesterday. MOTM with Kane. Could have gone either way.

 

[yido_number1]

Mason said it was 4 at the back today. 2 up top. Worked well.

Mason might have said 4 but Emerson tucked in as 3rd CB and Davies and Porto pushed on. Was played as a 3 at the back.

 

[mil1lion]

Formation is at times pretty pointless to delve into much. What was clear was Emerson was instructed to play inside right possibly knowing Zaha likes to come inside anyway. Porro played a bit more like Lennon attacking and tracking back to help Emerson. It was certainly not a conventional back 4. Romero was the centre piece and actually it suited him well, he was excellent. Romero and Emerson seem to bring the best out of each other.

 

[Jet]

Formation is at times pretty pointless to delve into much. What was clear was Emerson was instructed to play inside right possibly knowing Zaha likes to come inside anyway. Porro played a bit more like Lennon attacking and tracking back to help Emerson. It was certainly not a conventional back 4. Romero was the centre piece and actually it suited him well, he was excellent. Romero and Emerson seem to bring the best out of each other.

You can tell from body language and positioning (not to mention the constant high 5s) that Romero trusts Emerson a lot. I think when you have confidence and trust in the guy next to you, the dire defending disappears.

 

[Nayim60yards]

Good?? Was th le

 

[mdharris]

Pretty sure Emerson, Romero and Lenglet formed the back 3 when we were defending... from where I was sitting (row 3).

And in attack, Son was always fairly advanced, alongside Kane and Richarlison so looked like a fluid 3-4-3 to me. Either way, our passing was a little bit more zippy in the early stages of the first half and we looked ok going forwards. Was hoping Bissouma would get a run out to give our midfield a bit more substance but the end stages demanded quite a lot physically.

Agreed, seemed this way on TV too. Looked like this season's standard 3-4-3, with Davies brought in as LWB to limit Olise.

 

[ComfortablyNumb]

I get what you're saying regarding today being defensive, but we shipped 12 goals in a week. We had to be more focused on that and eliminating errors as much as we could. We know we can score. We just had to build from the back again.

Having Emerson at RCB gave Porro the license to get forward with having to worry too much about Zaha the other way.

Indeed. It’s less about formations and much more about partnerships. An inexperienced coach seems to get this, how come world class managers didn’t?

 

[SUIYHA]

Definitely looked like playing at RCB from where I was sitting in the stadium, and whilst modern formations are much more fluid I think the key thing here is that he could focus on his defensive duties whilst using Porro as the attacking outlet out wide. He is clearly never going to be a good attacking wing-back/full-back and asking him to be that clearly affected his confidence after yet another move kept breaking down on the right hand side, but yesterday he looked at home. Finally.

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

Indeed. It’s less about formations and much more about partnerships. An inexperienced coach seems to get this, how come world class managers didn’t?

Let's not forget that the last "world class manager" got us into 4th last season, and was in 4th this season when he quit. He probably knew what he was doing.


And its less about partnerships, and more about player availability...

Having said that - I do think Ryan Mason deserves credit for the tactical tweak of using the CCB to play forward/more aggressively of the other 2 CBs. That is something Mason did earlier with Dier - but it was a much better use of Romero's skills, and to Romero's credit, he really took on the responsibility well.

 

[yido_number1]

Let's not forget that the last "world class manager" got us into 4th last season, and was in 4th this season when he quit. He probably knew what he was doing.


And its less about partnerships, and more about player availability...

Having said that - I do think Ryan Mason deserves credit for the tactical tweak of using the CCB to play forward/more aggressively of the other 2 CBs. That is something Mason did earlier with Dier - but it was a much better use of Romero's skills, and to Romero's credit, he really took on the responsibility well.

Getting 4th with these defenders was a near miracle.

I'm slowly warming to Lenglet as well. He's not world class but he's a decent back up.

 

[Jamturk]

I think it is a waste of his elite engine playing him at RCB.

 

[Japhet]

Getting 4th with these defenders was a near miracle.

I'm slowly warming to Lenglet as well. He's not world class but he's a decent back up.

I'd keep Lenglet ahead of Dier, Sanchez, Tanganga or Rodon. I think Emerson has found a place at RB or RCB. We need 2 CBs though to give a bit of depth and I'd like Ndicka and Kim Min Jae if there's any way we could do that. I think that would give us good balance, depth and versatility.

 

[dontcallme]

I'd keep Lenglet ahead of Dier, Sanchez, Tanganga or Rodon. I think Emerson has found a place at RB or RCB. We need 2 CBs though to give a bit of depth and I'd like Ndicka and Kim Min Jae if there's any way we could do that. I think that would give us good balance, depth and versatility.

In theory yes. The problem is we'd need to find buyers or pay off contracts to get ride of Dier, Sanchez, Tanganga or Rodon. With Lenglet we just need to not take up the option to buy.

 

[easley91]

Indeed. It’s less about formations and much more about partnerships. An inexperienced coach seems to get this, how come world class managers didn’t?

Because Emerson was injured?

 

[Tottenhamboy85]

Getting 4th with these defenders was a near miracle.

I'm slowly warming to Lenglet as well. He's not world class but he's a decent back up.

Lenglet my unappreciated player of the season.

I think him & Romero could’ve been a good partnership