Brilliant timing. We've finally got some of these near mythical "classic Pozzo network" signings playing well at a semi decent level, just in time to get relegated so they won't play for us. Estupiñan, Suarez and Cucho all being sold this summer whilst we continue with Deeney, Gray and offer a year extension to Holebas. #Pozzos4ever #bestownersinworld
On the plus side, he's a striker who can actually run with the ball and make chances on his own, rather than having to have them spoon-fed to him. On the negative side, if we had him up front we'd have to dramatically change our tactics away from "hoof it to the big lump". A separate point - are those pressing stats really not very good, or does it appear that way just because of the graphic/scale?
Yeah the pressing stats don't look fantastic which is weird cos the clips I've seen of him would indicate the opposite (then again I've only seen clips of his goals - so maybe he only really presses when he can sense he stands a good chance of winning the ball)
What are Kane's pressing stats? I always get the impression whenever I see him that he does very little in that regard.
Don't have recent ones (since Statsbomb costs £1k a month so can only see the stuff they post publicly haha) but there's this from 9th Jan which'll do.
Yes perhaps. If they aren't great though then it's something he'd definitely need to work on if he'll ever play for us under Pearson, as it's clear he demands our forwards to often press the opposition very high up the pitch.
So basically one higher than Suarez. Excellent. That's what I was thinking about it. I'd rather have goals from a striker than 'pressures'.
Maybe, but actually looking at some other strikers radars it looks as if the pressing template for strikers is a bit misrepresentative: Aguero under Pep presses very well but doesn't show up great in the stats But then Firmino showed up fantastically in this way last season (although he generally drops a bit deeper so is more likely to be pressing midfielders maybe?)
More Lazio talk.. http://sportwitness.co.uk/club-wont-offer-e20m-watford-man-meeting-players-agent-next-weeks/
I only watched the first half and I'll be honest, it was a terrible 45 minutes. Suarez created one shooting chance early on with a nice run on the ball. Receiving the ball on the right he beat two defenders as he drifted inwards without letting them get too close before shooting left-footed from around the edge of the area into a third defender. He had a superb chance near the end of the half after a flowing move. A back heel into his path as, again, he came in off the right side, meant all he had to do was run onto the ball and slot it beyond the keeper. Sadly his stride pattern meant he couldn't get a first time shot away, he took a touch and a defender cleared as he swung at nothing. It didn't look good. He tackled back well enough, giving the odd free-kick away in the process. A bit annoyingly he'd slow play down if he received the ball with his back to goal between the centre circle and the penalty area but rarely gave the ball away. It looks like he loves to run onto a ball either side of the opposition full-back. I fell asleep at half-time so didn't see the second-half!
Suarez goal 4 minutes in to the match tonight - looked more like a slightly scuffed cross which caught the goalkeeper off guard.
Exactly the type of player we have missed this season, I don't think he would struggle with the physicality either he seems powerful and has aggression about his play.
Nice to see him in our kit "will never play for us"..........and another forum classic......"is that Vyda in the background?"
Hahahahaha have fun playing in La Liga 2! Obviously he will jump ship, but still hilarious that he thought he was too good for us in championship, a season later we were back in the Prem. 2 seasons later, he’s now currently about to be playing in a much inferior league to the Championship.
He left us to play in La Liga and the Europa League, then avoided being part of this atrocious squad we currently have this season. But yeah, hilarious...
Scored 13 minutes after coming on for his debut. Hopefully the first of many (assuming there are goal related add-ons we get a cut of).