Saiz This Season - Maturing Maverick ?

[UbiqueLUFC33]

Saiz this season has had his critics for certain parts of his performances but for me this is slightly unfair as like others in the squad his skills are being adapted for a more team orientated role.He is playing a lot deeper and is developing positively every match in the role Bielsa requires from him game by game.
His technical ability is beautiful to watch at times and under Bielsa his role in the team is now more 'complete' by his possession/positioning and thus keeping the ball flow moving all over the pitch using neat one two's when up in attack and now not afraid to take responsibility in carrying the ball from deeper positions which allows our full backs to join in attacking modes.Saiz is currently giving Roberts more space too as the opposition defenders are being pulled wide by clever Roberts runs whilst the opposing midfield are being pulled out to combat Saiz coming at them - in short space is created to effect !Teams are loading the midfield defensively and Bielsa has utilised Saiz to great effect in this respect this season and opportunities are being created left,right and centre............ Nigel Adkins obviously did his homework on Leeds but we adapted individually and as a team accordingly and got a result

Saiz is far more a team player now and is developing nicely and offers much more than his previous role allowed -
Our 'flowing style' of late has had teams attempting to stop it in a variety of ways but subtle zonal positioning changes by Bielsa has incorporated Plan A to still shine through whatever gets put in our way.

We are a handful,with the players coached well,players with emerging new tactical flexibility playing as a team and as individuals,IMO.
Long season to go,yes there are negatives but with Bielsa I'm happy to enjoy the positives evidently emerging throughout the squad.

MOT

I totally agree Mrs O. Last season I was far from his greatest fan; particularly after 'Gob Gate' which certainly helped throw our top 6 push away but this season he has been a revelation. As others have said, his work rate is exceptional and he keeps running and chasing to the end - something he didn't do last season. He may not be the most effective tackler but at least he tries. Going forward he always looks dangerous and scares the opposition either into crowding him out and leaving space elsewhere or into fouling him and possibly drawing a yellow card. His performance has been even more impressive in the absence of Pablo and Roofe as that leaves him as the only genuinely creative attacking threat (I don't count Alioski who is way too erratic and Roberts is a WiP). I should also say that he has been allowed extra freedom because Phillips has played so well in the defensive / holding role. In some ways they are perfect foils for each other.

Minor criticism is that his end product is poor - with his talent he should certainly be scoring more goals, or at least taking more shots. He still has an edge of petulance (as gifted 'mavericks' often do; particularly Spanish / Latin ones!) but I think MB will keep a lid on that. We need to keep him fit, booking free and happy. If we can do that then he will be a big part of what could very well be a long overdue but ultimately successful season for us,

MOT