Maxi

[BenArfa10]

He would be a much more effective player if he just passed the ball a lot sooner. Reminds me of Neymar, selfish to the detriment of the team.

[Zippity]

I'm not sure it's selfishness as such, Benny.

I just think it's a belief in his own ability that he can get into a better position-to pass or shoot-with just one more dribble or sprint. I think it's his decision making that's at fault but I genuinely think he's making that extra shimmy or attempt to take on one defender too far to help the team be in a better position as opposed to because he's doing it for himself.

With a pre-season under Howe, I think we'll see a different player next season-as long as he's amenable to making those changes in his game.

[trinitoon]

Players who attempt a lot of dribbles also lose a lot of them. The loses frustrate us but nobody hoys up these threads when they come off or he scores.

I think he led the league in dribbles (attempted or won, can't remember) before his injury, didn't he. He can be frustrating but would you like to face him? Or have him in our team?

I'd agree with benching him because he's not 100% (pace is one of his weapons too). But only he and Fraser make something out of nothing.

[TANYA_]

the way i see him at the moment, i may be wrong but, if we didnt have him in the squad, we would have not dropped points against Chelski and Everton.

Yes i know he has won us games too but a few flash in the pan games will never cut it now. Everytime he plays we have 10.5 warriors on the pitch, if he wants to be at the top, he needs to give it all

[Zippity]

Tbf, the Chelsea loss was all about the cheating bastard officials refusing to do their job.

Last night, aye, he lost the ball but we were all shocking apart from Bruno in that second half. unfair to blame ASM.

[trinitoon]

If he weren't in the squad, we wouldn't be where we are now. We'd be lower.

I'd get rid of many other players before him.

[TANYA_]

If he weren't in the squad, we wouldn't be where we are now. We'd be lower.

I'd get rid of many other players before him.

i had a knee jerk reaction to his last two games,

after thinking about it, its the managers choice to put him into the last 2 games unfit and us needing to keep tight.

We have obviously gone for the win and its backfired, not ASM fault, we rolled the dice, set it up and failed. MEH shlt happens

[ex_pat_magpie]

If he weren't in the squad, we wouldn't be where we are now. We'd be lower.

I'd get rid of many other players before him.

He's a bit like Robert was or Ben Arfa, they have their off days but the team wins more than it loses with them in.

[Sclox]

He's a bit like Robert was or Ben Arfa, they have their off days but the team wins more than it loses with them in.

Exactly. And I would add it can't all be on him just returning from injury - when these players have an off day someone else needs to step up. Like the KK days, when Ginola or Shearer was off key we'd have enough other talent to fill the gap, Gillespie might have a game or Lee, Big Dunc or Sir Les - someone would always be on or off form but it didn't matter. We just don't have that luxury at the moment.

When we have a wealth of talent all on form together then we get the Man U 5 nil or Spurs 7 nil games happening.

[ex_pat_magpie]

Exactly. And I would add it can't all be on him just returning from injury - when these players have an off day someone else needs to step up. Like the KK days, when Ginola or Shearer was off key we'd have enough other talent to fill the gap, Gillespie might have a game or Lee, Big Dunc or Sir Les - someone would always be on or off form but it didn't matter. We just don't have that luxury at the moment.

When we have a wealth of talent all on form together then we get the Man U 5 nil or Spurs 7 nil games happening.

Those days and players really make your mouth water. Even when we lost a game we had good entertainment and a pitch full of triers giving their best whether they were on form or not. You couldn't label one shirker then.