The full quote was “never give up the chance to put in a nondescript performance” but it got cropped as there is a limit on characters.
I don't know what he was dropped for at Cardiff, was it a disciplinary issue or just for poor form, but it does seem like a hollow punishment when he's come straight back into the team both times he's been dropped this season, while doing very little since the start of the season. He did well towards the back end of last season even when we were a shambles, but he's been crap so far this season
A funny old game, we're clawing clear of the bottom 3, in large part today thanks to Louza, but he was nowhere apart from that moment. Think I'm happy with the midfield at the moment
Don’t think he wants to be here or in England any more. Can see him potentially going Udinese in January and someone coming this way.
Get the impression he was happy to play in the Premier League, could handle playing for a team that should've been challenging for promotion but has absolutely zero interest in putting a shift in in the nether regions of the Championship. Better for all parties if he moves on and we get another player with a fraction of the talent but prepared to run through walls for Ismael.
His body language today stunk of a future in Turkey or Saudi. Might just go back to France and be happy though.
Send Louza to Udinese and take Etienne Camara from them in his place. Best solution as also provides a CDM who knows the league and I believe is homegrown.
He's gone full Mezut Ozil , just jogging about looking busy . However put the cross in for the goal so earned his wages I suppose .
I was expecting him to have a great season - his defensive output last season wasn't terrible and his progression + creativity was by far the best in the side of our central midfielders. With VI coming in I was hoping to see an uptick in his defensive output and we'd see a much more complete midfielder. Sadly the opposite has happened, his defensive output has regressed, but his OBV (On Ball Value - basically assesses each action the player makes and determines whether it increases or lowers the probability of the team scoring) has dropped off massively - last season only 3 CMs in the Championship registered a higher OBV and 2 of those are now in the PL (Hamer + James McAtee). There's still sparks of it - only 6 central mids in the league (out of 65) this season have created more open play xGA, but the consistency and overall regression is disappointing
Is Camara actually any good though? I know he's young but he wasn't even a regular for a crap Huddersfield and can't get a minute for Udinese. Would be pointless if he's not good enough to compete with Livermore for a starting spot. Also, him being homegrown isn't that important really - with the new rules about signing non work permit qualifying players, it would be more beneficial to the club if they were rather England qualifying. I also don't think he's even homegrown anyway as he left a couple of months before he'd completed 3 years at Huddersfield.
That really supports what many have been pointing out of late - he's been playing as if he just doesn't give a toss.
As @lowerrous said, I'm not convinced by Camara - he was ok for Huddersfield last year but far from amazing and a very different skillset to Louza (Camara is more defensively minded but we've made good progress in that regard with Livermore and Kayembe recently), if we're after a Louza replacement we need to replace him with someone who can carry the ball and create chances for team-mates - as well as some average defensive stats. If we're looking at options from Udinese, a loan swap for Oier Zarraga could be interesting, joined Udinese in the summer on a free transfer from Athletic Bilbao but has struggled to break into their first team, only playing 67 mins after playing in 50 odd games for Bilbao (although admittedly not many starts). His stats (below) from La Liga last season aren't amazing but also aren't bad, a drop down in quality could be a savvy move (if he'd come) if he can adjust to the physicality (not watched any of him - just going on pure data here!). Martin Payero could also be a shout, but his time at Middlesbrough is a red flag!
I don't think an actual Louza replacement would be that much of a priority though in midfield. With Kayembe and Kone as the 8s we've been playing better than with Louza in the team, and we've also got "Dave" and Asprilla who can also do the more creative role in the middle of the pitch. It's the number 6 role where we're more lacking good options (which isn't to say that Camara would actually be a good option though).
Have to say I think he’s a bit disheartened too. You can obviously take it two ways and he’s chosen the wrong approach, however he has been surrounded by complete dross and two donkeys up front that he can’t really create a lot for or with. It’s totally the wrong attitude but it’s definitely a question of attitude rather than ability for me and I think we have to take 20% of the blame for letting him down.
One of those "donkeys" just managed to score from one of his crosses. And he's not really shown himself to be particularly better than the supposed "complete dross" around him like Kayembe, Sema, Asprilla etc.
Yeah, Asprilla is one of the players in the squad who resembles Louza most, and although what he tries doesn't always come off, he's still always trying to make things happen (see also Chak, although he's not quite as productive)
I always look at midfielders and see if they are showing for the ball or hiding behind an opponent , particularly in a tight space . Not saying Louza was hiding yesterday but I thought he could have done better . Some players never hide but maybe lose possession and get slated by fans for this . Cleverley never hid but couldn't get some of our fans off of his back no matter how hard he tried . Someone who hides never gives away possession on the stats .
Thank you for some stats and balance to the debate . As we all know he has underperformed and I’m guessing him being dropped is an attitude issue . However he is the only player of genuine quality in our whole squad and I hope VI can manage him back into the team.
Would agree that he's our best technical player technically, however the footballing landscape is littered with failed players who had amazing technique and lacked discipline/motivation or whatever to reach the top. Agree that hopefully VI gets that fire into him cos he can be a hell of a player on his day - we just need to make sure we get that day frequently.
Bye Imran. If you're being kept out of the side by Livermore and Kayembe then you need to take a long look in the mirror.
Got to be on his way hasn’t he. He clearly has not bought into Ismaels style, he should be dominating in this league. Such a shame as there is real quality there, but his wages and transfer fee could be better spent elsewhere I reckon.
