Ratings/Player Discussion vs Seattle

[Strikeb4ck]

Me and you are watching different games.
I thought we moved the ball and created a lot of space well in spells, especially in the first 15 mins of the second half.
I thought the play after Holtby and Capoue left was a bit disorganised.
Not saying we were great, but being a first preseason against the inform side in the mls on a dodgey pitch, we did well.

I thought Seattle's first half attacking play was miles better than us, we barely got around their 18 yd box. In the 2nd half once Kaboul/Veljkovic came on we were more solid at the back, and then Ceballos/Lamela/Soldado offered a lot more than Townsend/Lennon/Kane, which is why we also had more of the ball (and in their half).

 

[faze_coys]

 

[thinktank]

No loan for him this season.

 

[faze_coys]

we can hope, maybe he can teach the english lads that the game is also played when the ball isnt at your feet

 

[rsmith]

Cool vid.

Try watching it a second time, this time picking out Lamela's involvement. They both cover a lot of ground and show well for the ball. We've got a couple of world class players who are gonna slug it out for a start this season.

 

[Gbspurs]

Cool vid.

Try watching it a second time, this time picking out Lamela's involvement. They both cover a lot of ground and show well for the ball. We've got a couple of world class players who are gonna slug it out for a start this season.

Calm down dear, it's only a pre-season friendly!

 

[Syn_13]

we can hope, maybe he can teach the english lads that the game is also played when the ball isnt at your feet

This is what Townsend needs to learn. In that short cameo Ceballos showed more brains than Townsend has done since the beginning of last season. Townsend has the raw ability and the skills, just like this boy, but he needs to learn to play without the ball more. Everytime Andros gets the ball he's looking to be like Bale, take players on, bomb down the flanks, have a crack at goal. The simple give-and-go, one-twos, playing triangles - these are what you should be focusing on to pry open defences, not the same old "hold the ball for 5 seconds trying to fake out the defender and then shift 'n' shoot".

 

[guy]

This is what Townsend needs to learn. In that short cameo Ceballos showed more brains than Townsend has done since the beginning of last season. Townsend has the raw ability and the skills, just like this boy, but he needs to learn to play without the ball more. Everytime Andros gets the ball he's looking to be like Bale, take players on, bomb down the flanks, have a crack at goal. The simple give-and-go, one-twos, playing triangles - these are what you should be focusing on to pry open defences, not the same old "hold the ball for 5 seconds trying to fake out the defender and then shift 'n' shoot".

I have to disagree there, this lad looks way more intelligent on the ball than Andros ever has. Townsend has raw speed and a great strike, but Ive never seen him playing smart pass and move football

 

[Yid]

Neg ratings in our first friendly against a fully fit team and on astro turf .....oh and with the majority of our big names out??? oh and a new coach with new ideas!

Its going to be a long season on SC ...

It's "field turf" (much different to astro turf FYI), but nevertheless. Your point stands.

 

[Snarfalicious]

The movement off the ball is what we have been missing for what seems like almost 2 years now. Also, look at those quick, sharp touches of the ball (Not just Ceballos, I actually thought Cristian had a couple first touches he'd want back). It's how we could have (and should have) been playing with the types of players we have. It's going to be a lot of fun seeing Eriksen get involved.

 

[beats1]

The movement off the ball is what we have been missing for what seems like almost 2 years now. Also, look at those quick, sharp touches of the ball (Not just Ceballos, I actually thought Cristian had a couple first touches he'd want back). It's how we could have (and should have) been playing with the types of players we have. It's going to be a lot of fun seeing Eriksen get involved.

The thing is this a very spanish way of playing which why the team sheet came out the prospect of watching that spanish front 4 was mouthwatering

I was quiet disappointed that eriksen didnt play as I thought poch may play the same way he did at times for southampton and play eriksen in the ward prowse position

Soldado

Falque --- Lamela --- Cebellos

Capoue --- Eriksen
​

The front four rotating, that would be pure sex in terms of movement off the ball and Eriksen played that role under FDB at ajax

 

[CJMurray]

The movement off the ball is what we have been missing for what seems like almost 2 years now. Also, look at those quick, sharp touches of the ball (Not just Ceballos, I actually thought Cristian had a couple first touches he'd want back). It's how we could have (and should have) been playing with the types of players we have. It's going to be a lot of fun seeing Eriksen get involved.

The one touch passing at 0:57 really excites me. Put Holtby, Eriksen, Lamela and Ceballos on the pitch at the same time and we could see some truly beautiful football.

 

[chinaman]

The one touch passing at 0:57 really excites me. Put Holtby, Eriksen, Lamela and Ceballos on the pitch at the same time and we could see some truly beautiful football.

Then we must play Solly. Ade and his clumsy first touch will spoil the spectacle.

 

[faymantaray]

Very excited about this new Spanish speaking contingent! Falque and Ceballos feel like two hot new signings!

 

[Bus-Conductor]

I wasn't overly impressed with Fredericks, and I don't see the new found admiration for Fryers, the kid doesn't impress me at all, looks like rabbit in the headlights most of the time. I thought Veljkovic, by contrast, looked calm, composed and very comfortable.

Players who came out of the game with some credit were Ceballos, Veljkovic, Rose. Carroll, Capoue, Holtby, Lamella, Falque were all various levels of good/decent. Kane and Soldado were a bit ho hum but part of that was the service they got. Dawson, Fryers, Fredericks, Lennon, Townsend were various levels unimpressive.

 

[Yid]

I wasn't overly impressed with Fredericks, and I don't see the new found admiration for Fryers, the kid doesn't impress me at all, looks like rabbit in the headlights most of the time. I thought Veljkovic, by contrast, looked calm, composed and very comfortable.
Players who came out of the game with some credit were Ceballos, Veljkovic, Rose. Carroll, Capoue, Holtby, Lamella, Falque were all various levels of good/decent. Kane and Soldado were a bit ho hum but part of that was the service they got. Dawson, Fryers, Fredericks, Lennon, Townsend were various levels unimpressive.

I would say that's a pretty fair appraisal of our boys in Seattle.
I'd also add that Kane's brilliant pass to Holtby compensated for some of his eventual deficiencies (at least in my mind it did).
It appeared to me that when Bobby came on there seemed to be (small as it was, but nevertheless) an influx of positive energy from the youthful Spanish-speaking contingent (e.g. Ceballos, Falque, etc).
Perhaps we are in need of veteran (or semi-veteran) presence on the pitch? Someone to keep the fellas in check (so to speak)....to provide a bit of guidance and inspiration as well? Someone to be that intermediary between Poch and the younger element?
I don't know, but it's certainly something to consider.

COYS!

 

[Cravenspurs]

Just finished the first half and I am impressed with two things.

1) Capoue's ability to pick out some nice field-switching balls
2) How many tackles Holtby gets in.

Whether it is Sandro/Capoue/Morgan (Rumor) as our DM, I would like Holtby to sit next to him. He puts in a good shift and can push forward well and link with eriksen/llamela and the the like.

The two things I am laughing about:

1) Dawson's existence
2) Lennon's Skip-Jump after giving up on the play

These Two should not be in the squad...would rather give falque and Fryers a chance, at least we are developing for the future.

Two things I am sad about:

1) Carrol's development (a mid-table/minnow player for me)
2) Ceballos/Falque (two players who I just don't think will be given the chance)

This speaks volumes to me. We need to develop players and I hope Poch and the club are serious about this.

 

[Cravenspurs]

If I am not allowed to post this video, I am sorry. But the sequence here at 1:12:00 into the real, is everything but a end product. The passing and moving was something we hadn't seen in a couple years.

 

[Yid]

Just finished the first half and I am impressed with two things.
................................................................................................................................
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Two things I am sad about:

1) Carrol's development (a mid-table/minnow player for me)
2) Ceballos/Falque (two players who I just don't think will be given the chance)

This speaks volumes to me. We need to develop players and I hope Poch and the club are serious about this.

I agree with your take on the initial two things and with your secondary two things, but I am wondering what makes you think Ceballos and Falque won't be given a chance?

Isn't it Poch's M.O. to develop young talent? I am pretty sure during his days at Espanyol and Southampton he's displayed willingness to break in the youngsters first and foremost.

 

[Cravenspurs]

I agree with your take on the initial two things and with your secondary two things, but I am wondering what makes you think Ceballos and Falque won't be given a chance?

Isn't it Poch's M.O. to develop young talent? I am pretty sure during his days at Espanyol and Southampton he's displayed willingness to break in the youngsters first and foremost.

I agree with you man and I am hoping Poch does as he says. Recent history has been more about fighting for 4th and bringing in talent. And just hoping the pressure to get fourth doesn't neglect development.