Jesus Navas

[johnmc]

Let's have it right, his attitude and work rate are to be applauded but he's a specialist in crossing it to the other team. 1 goal in 80 odd games! Fuck that. We need better.

Exactly. There is no other team that would accommodate an attacking player, whether that be a winger or attacking left or right midfielder who doesn't score. Workrate is a given. Those who don't work get short shrift as Yaya got and continues to. All players should work but they also need to contribute in accordance to their position.

 

[Jazzman]

Concentrate on what players can do and not what they can't so much. He has pace, ball retention, good defensive abilities and seems a good team mate and member: a large number of good qualities. His end product is not the best but not helped by a succession of small attacking players.

Plus he is always working hard. That is more than can be said about a number of his team mates.

 

[BlueDeadHead]

Ok. It was to make it easier for you. You asked what top sides play with wingers. Well the one our manager has just come from did and they all chipped in with good goal and assist numbers.

So it's simple then. To cure Navas going to pieces in front of goal just switch him to the other side. Laughable. He has had numerous chances in his time. His finishing is woeful. Changing sides won't change that.

Simple yes or no question. Robben and Navas are both technically wingers. Are they comparable?

 

[johnmc]

Simple yes or no question. Robben and Navas are both technically wingers. Are they comparable?

No. Different planets.

 

[BlueDeadHead]

No. Different planets.

Sorry, are they comparable in their roles?

 

[johnmc]

Sorry, are they comparable in their roles?

Obviously not.

 

[BlueDeadHead]

Obviously not.

Then I am lost. Navas is instructed to run the touchline and cross. He has no left foot so when you start him on the right you do so knowing he can't shoot. Because of how he plays he never has a proper angle to shoot. I just don't know how you can expect him to score playing that role.

 

[KnaresboroughBlue]

Navas is a good squad player. He used to weigh in with a few goals and a good number of assists for Seville and hopefully Guardiola can get him to be more productive again.

 

[johnmc]

Then I am lost. Navas is instructed to run the touchline and cross. He has no left foot so when you start him on the right you do so knowing he can't shoot. Because of how he plays he never has a proper angle to shoot. I just don't know how you can expect him to score playing that role.

Look, I've seen Navas have numerous opportunities to score. To say otherwise is ridiculous. The amount of times he was in a position to score and fluff it or try to pass instead is there for all to see. You can't say otherwise.

When the ball is on the other side of the pitch a winger should be in the box making another striker more often than not. To suggest a winger should only ever get to the byline and cross and that's all is not true to the position. It's oversimplification to the extreme. To put it another way, should a left back or right back only ever stay on the touchline or shift across into the middle to help out when the attacking team are on the opposite flank.

There are no wingers, inverted or otherwise that have played regularly at a top club who don't score. In fact several wingers were so competent in front of goal they are used as back up strikers or change position altogether.

 

[Bilboblue]

Then I am lost. Navas is instructed to run the touchline and cross.

Care to tell us how you know this?

You don't, it's conjecture.