- Aug 30, 2010
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On the ball, it feels like he's playing like he did under Conte, with much less freedom and confidence. His ball distribution and decisions are restricted, with far fewer take ons or line breaking passes. Even in the games against teams that have sat deep, he's been very passive compared to earlier in the season. Playing like a water carrier just seems like such a waste of his ability, and he's not really good enough positionally or defensively to make up for it.
I always fear a mistake when the ball is played to him slightly away from his body, rather than moving towards the ball, he seems to kind of casually dangle out a leg to control it and too many times misses it or takes a bad touch.
He wasn't the only one by any stretch, but I thought he was weak in the tackle on several occasions. We lost the ball over and over to weak tackles all over the pitch.