₦airaland Forum

Unlimited22:
Mateo Kovacic was our best player before his injury. He was playing at unreal levels, cutting out a lot of unnecessary dribbling, releasing quick passes, and even contributing assists and one or two goals, while still remaining press resistant and improving his positioning.


But you no go ever gree.

That’s typical Kovacic start of season. The tempo he usually finds difficult to maintain. Same thing happened last season at start but we all know who was the least of the three midfielders by season end. But I no know say we go dey in this worst situation of no Kante rn

Greatihex:
where you come dey argue for am before when you been dey campaign for am all these years?

At AM in 433 or 4231 where he was 23 bossing in Everton, averaging 16 g+a in the EPL & getting nominated for young PFA before injury. RLC highlights were either in championship or relegating Fulham. Let me know if he has ever gotten half of Barkley ga stats.

Unlimited22:
When we say it is very easy to lie with stats this is what we mean.

You don’t need 20 games to know if a player is average or below. He lacks confidence, can’t shield the defense, can’t attack, can’t control the game. Since like 3 years ago I’ve clamor that RLC is just a waste pipe & trust our fans to be emotional cos he’s one of our academy.

Unlimited22:
Thecassanova how far na? Make Kovacic come back abi make him no come back?

I only want the best for my team Hence I said

Thecassanova:
No one will watch Saul & RLC midfield display & not choose Kovacic. I dey long throat for Benz no mean say I no go drive my Toyota.

User09:
Not a coincidence our struggles have coincided with RLC starts for us. Jorginho has been overworking in this match.

RLC only good at dribbling in circles

He’s useless.

Atleast Barkley for don contribute to attack now from CM

RLC is useless

SMH

Alonso should be beheaded

Havertz no dey chop come field?

donjazet:
Dude, it's only 4 games. 2 weeks ago, we were all happy and over the moon with our performances. We were on a winning streak coupled with clean sheets. Now we have injuries to the spine of our team.

What do you think Tuchel is doing wrong now that he was doing differently weeks ago?? We started this league with the most difficult set of fixtures and came out on top of the league. Credits where it's due. The man has earned the benefits of our doubt, stop being reactionary.

As I said earlier I’ve nothing against Tuchel management. This is same reactionary mood I was 4 games after Lampard started going south and I received many quotes.

I’m just putting it out that I don’t like our team response/zeal during match day like it used to. That why I mostly attributed that to fatigue, injury or lack of motivation.

I’ve got nothing against Tuchel though these days I fail to see the fighting spirit of this team. It’s like they play with little motivation.

Great teams are build in moments like this, to grind results beyond obstacles. The board should investigate these shambolic december performances, it’s like the squad gas out as the year ends. I hope our injury woes come to and end soon.

Capaldi:
In all the 3 goals it was our midfield not doing their job. James is doing fu.c.k all in all the 3 goal we concede just casually jogging around pressuring no one. One bad game for AC and he back to being shit again lol. This games has nothing to do with AC, even silva will concede the same amount of goal today.

1st goal- was Sarr fault but if you watch the highlight our midfield put no pressure at all.

2nd goal -Barkley loses the ball in the middle of the park and what does james do? He just stand there not even trying to close off passing lane making it so hard for Christensen. If james done his job or maybe Sarr then Christensen can full commit to the offside trap.

3rd goal- there is nothing wrong with our defender clearing that ball, but where is our midfield? James again is just walking around not even trying to put on any pressure. He was supposed to be the guy who help collect second ball from these clearance.

Both James and Barkley were culprits in CM yesterday I don’t know why most are putting all the blame on Barkley who by the way gave us 2 goals input. What was mount doing in that first half that a player behind him was more influential going forward ?

swiz123:
Thecassanova should apologise to us here for that rubbish display that big butt Barkley put in yesterday. Being played out of position is not enough reason to lose the ball often and escort at all times.

I don't know if it is just me, but that boy presses like someone backing a baby.

Only a newbie doesn’t know that Barkley is an escort & tends to lose the ball which is dangerous if he’s closer to the back line. I’ve never hide or disputed that. I support him doesn’t mean I’m oblivious of his ability. Even Reece lost a ball in midfield that they almost capitalize on.

What I’ve always clamor is playing him high up the pitch where he’s very useful in giving defense splitting passes & contributing massively to our attacks. Last night he was rusty but still managed to give two goals contribution playing at a CM role he’s never played before.

Besides, my past comparison of Barkley has always been with RLC. In CM RLC is better suited in AM Barkley is better.

Oluwa Wetin dey occur

The 2 min error may be a crucial mistake that we will regret

TT suppose don move Christensen to midfield

Great goal I must say

donstan18:
The only team that can beat Chelsea without injuries is Bayern.

Bayern is the most complete team in the world right now.

I like the underdog approach

Werner was supplied well today I hope to see more of it

What if we meet psg

nateevs:
Criticism. Not me. I don't criticise Barkley. I just know what he is not. Plus I like to see players given time in a position to see how they can evolve.

What I don't stand for is the constant making it to be the messiah of central midfield. He is not that. If you watch the structural set-up for Tuchel's system well, you can see that Barkley's habit to free-will in midfield is constantly breaking the structure....and this is why he doesn't play.

In this game, he should be playing in a position that allows the LWB, LWF and the LCB to find him in triangles of play. That position is required not just for the advancing of forward okay, but for the press as well.

But he's not doing that. Often that free-will is required when everything has collapsed and we need a goal by any means.

He is a good and useful player for the squad.That's all.

Nobody claim he’s messiah of CM

There’s no place for Barkley in this Tuchel 3-4-3 asides the front 3 which we have a lot of traditional player there. He can’t play in a midfield two & his best career mood was playing at AM behind Lukaku in Everton.

Even with his CM role today he manage to pull two crucial play.

Where’s Ziyech playing

Low key since Barkley left the pitch we’ve struggled going forward

Saul should never start a game again he’s not even good anywhere

No sense of urgency or is it fatigue

Albeit rusty at CM, Barkley contributed majorly to our two goals

Na thé position wey Barkley dey excel be that

See buildup

Saul should just stop these useless crosses

Does Lukaku think he’s invisible?

Greatihex:
Was that not the position you were arguing that he is heaven and earth?

No, this was my mention to you 3hrs before the game indicating CM is not his best fit

Thecassanova:
He’s best utilized in the front 3 but there’s enough competition there, unlike at CMs with injury woes giving RLC fair chance.

Ibime:
Lewis Baker can do CM job with precision but he's not registered for UCL. Drinkwater is on loan.

We should recall Drinkwater Jan if we can’t get a good CM. We need a proven EPL product.

thorrvik55:
Every match day Thecassanova go dey shout "bring in Barkley", "bring in Barkley", now dem don start am, wahala!!

Hin no play where he’s best at besides he reads the game well from bench & effect change.

Thecassanova:
He’s best utilized in the front 3 but there’s enough competition there.