David Silva - 2016/17 performances

[Mr HJ]

Scandalous that he was dropped tonight, and when it was evident it wasn't working he should have come on sooner.

He wasn't dropped - with the games coming thick and fast it would be impossible to play him every game, same with Sterling. The work that these two do during matches means they need managing. We should have had enough to beat Stoke but for some reason we were back to slow, slow play - I think Yaya has to hold his hands up for our lack of midfield creativity last night but that's another discussion.

 

[christened at st marks]

The team was lost without their go to man, shown a lot of them what standard they are

 

[lancs blue]

He wasn't dropped - with the games coming thick and fast it would be impossible to play him every game, same with Sterling. The work that these two do during matches means they need managing. We should have had enough to beat Stoke but for some reason we were back to slow, slow play - I think Yaya has to hold his hands up for our lack of midfield creativity last night but that's another discussion.

That's what I couldn't understand about our tactics last night, we seemed to be playing with 2 deep-lying midfielders when it was blindingly obvious after about 10 minutes what Stoke had come for. I can understand a couple of players being rested but we could have used an extra attacker instead of either Ferny or Yaya. I'd have brought Iheanacho on at the same time as Silva.

 

[Rolee]

That's what I couldn't understand about our tactics last night, we seemed to be playing with 2 deep-lying midfielders when it was blindingly obvious after about 10 minutes what Stoke had come for. I can understand a couple of players being rested but we could have used an extra attacker instead of either Ferny or Yaya. I'd have brought Iheanacho on at the same time as Silva.

Allen did a good job on Yaya, stuck to him like glue, I thought Pep should've swapped Fern and Yaya, let the big man sit deep and pull the strings and give us more energy and running with Fern in the more advanced role but this is the Silva thread so I'll leave it there.

 

[bellsouth]

Apart from replacing the full backs, my biggest concern is how we replace Dave. We are often without ideas when he doesn't play. I haven't seen enough of Isco to know what he brings but I don't we have anyone at the club currently who can fill his boots when he's out of the side.

 

[kaz7]

David Silva vs. Middlesbrough: 1 goal 5 shots (4 on target) 105 touches 3 key passes 2 tackles

No injury this year and enjoying his football

 

[RandomJ]

MOTM again. He makes us tick.

 

[doobyedoobye]

He's a footballing God

 

[FJRMCFC]

Should've had 4. Missed a glearing chance vs Stoke too.

 

[1894southstander]

He's a footballing God

He is God

 

[Tevez City]

He deserve full mark today except for his finishing.

 

[domalino]

He deserve full mark today except for his finishing.

Good to see him going for goal when it's on though, not shying away from shooting.

 

[Dax777]

MOTM again. He makes us tick.

If we are being partial, sure. For my money Otamendi was Motm and clearly so. But I understand how the narrative goes around these parts.

 

[RandomJ]

If we are being partial, sure. For my money Otamendi was Motm and clearly so. But I understand how the narrative goes around these parts.

Seriously? If you think Otamendi was motm then great you're perfectly entitled to your opinion. No need to be a prat and go on about "narratives" ffs.

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

Silva is one of those midfielders who can get hold of a game by the proverbial 'scruff of the neck' and give it fuckin' good shaking. Men of the Matches rarely go to defenders. Midfielders and attackers have the whip hand and when a team wins without too much hassle at the back the focus is trained on the folk up front.

 

[OB1]

Dave's work was very eyecatching today and MotM is probably fair but Yaya and Ota gave him platform.

 

[Vienna_70]

My MotM again today.

Pulled the strings and kept everything ticking over. Took his goal well.

I know it's been said repeatedly, but now that he is injury-free, he is showing those who had written him off that there's plenty to come yet.

 

[Vienna_70]

I think the deeper role suits him because now when he receives the ball more often than not he is facing the opposition goal. In previous seasons he has been receiving the ball with his back to goal with some neanderthal centre back giving him a clattering. In this position he is getting more time on the ball and he is able to dictate the game. Playing further forward also meant we had to take his goal return into account, which was clearly not good enough for that position however this responsibility now falls on others and we as fans can relax and enjoy his Iniesta (of 3 years ago) type brilliance in the middle of the park.

The deeper rôle that Merlin (and Kevin) is playing means that he is arriving in the box that little bit later and able to pick up any scraps that the front three might miss. The fact that he has already scored six times this season compared to four for the whole of last year is testament to this, IMHO.

 

[Vienna_70]

To be fair to Isco, he may have plenty of improvement in him that will be realised once he is a regular first teamer playing for a brilliant coach with a fine record for developing players.

I thought that was Brahim Diaz!

 

[Vienna_70]

If we are being partial, sure. For my money Otamendi was Motm and clearly so. But I understand how the narrative goes around these parts.

I agree that Nico had a good game, but he wasn't as good as Merlin, IMHO.