10 | Jack Grealish - 2024/25

[Alan Harper's Tash]

That performance was the one many of us have been hoping would happen, once Grealish was given the chance and moved inside.

Not sure why it has taken Pep so long to try him out there, but better late than never imo.

Obviously any success achieved will be sulked over, frowned upon and ignored by the Grealish haters and experts who have decried his signing since arrival, but in truth it reveals more about them than the player or the club.

There does need to be a footnote added though that Forest went man to man all over the pitch last night, so the key to beating them was dribbling past your direct opponent, which is Jack’s forte.

We need to see how he does against low blocks etc.

A promising start though.

 

[Centurions]

I've never understood why Pep hasn't tried him there before, seems odd TBH.

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

 

[Dax777]

There does need to be a footnote added though that Forest went man to man all over the pitch last night, so the key to beating them was dribbling past your direct opponent, which is Jack’s forte.

We need to see how he does against low blocks etc.

A promising start though.

Even low blocks are best dismantled by individual players who can beat their man. Coz once you beat 1 player, others have to move out of their original position to engage with the threat. And that causes spaces to open for other players to get into.

Kev's goal was a good example of that. Forest had more than enough players back. But once Doku dribbled past 2, all that stuff broke down and Kev simply slipped into an open area caused the the havoc Doku created beating 2 men and forcing other defenders to move...

We need more of that

 

[balotelli's back pocket]

I'm thinking he is more suited to RW (he is left footed), or playing in the spaces behind Haaland like Kevin and Foden are doing.

He's a very two footed player but he definitely leads with his right when he dribbles.

 

[Norbert D]

at last Grealish in his best position. He’s got all the attributes to be a success in the middle, be criminal if he was let go without us seeing the best of him, especially cos one of our rivals would put him straight in the middle.

 

[kaz7]

He has one very good game in three plus years and people think that he ran the game , kev did that

 

[Johnny Mars Bar]

Now thinking to next season.

It is hopefully obvious to Pep to transition Jack to the middle.

Meaning we need a backup LW for Doku.

I dont think that should be Nunes either.

We need to be ruthless and cut the dead wood.

I would keep Jack and try him in the middle if he performs well this season but Nunes needs fucking off. Daft panic signing.

 

[Johnny Mars Bar]

Kevin De Bruyne: “We performed well as a team but I think Jack Grealish did EXCEPTIONAL! He’s so good at controlling the tempo of the game, at holding the ball - you can’t really get it off him! Sliding through players, that’s his quality! Maybe with the type of guys we have on the flanks, he’s very good at that! I think we needed a bit more control, he was able to do that!”

I wouldn’t argue with Kev , no doubt others ….well ……

Sounds like Kev dropping a hint to Pep that, with the subtlety of a sledgehammer.

 

[eastmanc]

That performance was the one many of us have been hoping would happen, once Grealish was given the chance and moved inside.

Not sure why it has taken Pep so long to try him out there, but better late than never imo.

Obviously any success achieved will be sulked over, frowned upon and ignored by the Grealish haters and experts who have decried his signing since arrival, but in truth it reveals more about them than the player or the club.

To be fair I think Pep was considering playing him in the middle for a while but the problem that he has been injured so much. He was very good last night. So strong on the ball, which is exactly what we have been lacking in the middle of the park and such a difference to seeing young Rico getting knocked all over the show.

 

[balotelli's back pocket]

He has one very good game in three plus years and people think that he ran the game , kev did that

Kev disagrees.

 

[David White]

Those stats exemplify why Jack is an important squad member. Quite simply, he has outstanding technique. He also has a good engine and can play sensible football (like Gundo can / does).

I hope Pep perseveres with him in a central role. That left side of Josko, Doku and Jack has real possibilities.

Great post. I also think it alleviated the load on Bernardo too because we looked so much more balanced.

 

[Lauz9888]

Sounds like Kev dropping a hint to Pep that, with the subtlety of a sledgehammer.

Been a fan for a while. https://www.hitc.com/i-rate-him-de-bruyne-a-big-fan-of-aston-villa-player/

 

[supercity88]

He has one very good game in three plus years and people think that he ran the game , kev did that

What do previous performances have to do with last night? He played really well, in a new role and people are simply giving credit and showing excitement about what it might mean.

I wouldn't say Kevin ran the game. He created chances and scored a goal, but it was a team effort last night which is what we have lacked. Doku beating players to drag defenders out of position or Bernardo and Kevin linking up and the likes of Jack and Gundo finding space to create overloads.

And at the heart of it was this central role for Grealish which helped address an issue we have had since Rodri's injury.

 

[hilts]

Kev disagrees.

What do Pep and Kev know

Ones been picking him for years the other has given him praise:-)

 

[DMA's]

Never been biggest fan of his but I was at the game last night and I thought Jack played really well. Happy to admit I have got it wrong and he can indeed play cm

 

[Colin Bells Boots]

He has one very good game in three plus years and people think that he ran the game , kev did that

I wasn't expecting everybody to change their opinions of him, especially when so deeply entrenched and invested in disliking him karen.

 

[sarcastico]

Jack has the ball control, grit, vision, and dog in him to play midfield.

He may have always been too slow to play winger for City but he can thrive at CM in this part of his career.

 

[.db.]

Top quality!

Up there with Liverpool at home from the treble season that performance last night.

‘Super, super Jack…

 

[Dipsis_LTU_MC]

It's time.