52 | Oscar Bobb - 2025/26

[hilts]

Thought he was very good first half

 

[K-Bo]

I think people are being broadly harsh. I feel like he's being lumped in with Savinho who actually was crap and didn't do anything, but Bobb created two of our best chances and its phil's fault that he doesn't have an assist.

However, there is definitely a bit of hesitancy to shoot/explode. He definitely has one of the best goals of all time in him, and moments of absolute insane quality, but I feel like he's lacking a bit of confidence to just take the shot right now. Felt same vs huddersfield.

 

[supercity88]

I stand by the fact that our wingers are struggling because of the lack of balance in midfield. We've got Haaland as the spearhead and Foden trying to offer himself as an outlet but Reijnders is more often than not attacking space as opposed to being inside to create the triangles that used to shape our attacking play.

It means our wingers are more often than not left with the option of either taking the defender(s) on or passing back to the full back.

Foden and Reijnders still haven't quite gelled in terms of where they like to receive the ball and which space to operate in.

 

[mattcity5]

I stand by the fact that our wingers are struggling because of the lack of balance in midfield. We've got Haaland as the spearhead and Foden trying to offer himself as an outlet but Reijnders is more often than not attacking space as opposed to being inside to create the triangles that used to shape our attacking play.

It means our wingers are more often than not left with the option of either taking the defender(s) on or passing back to the full back.

Foden and Reijnders still haven't quite gelled in terms of where they like to receive the ball and which space to operate in.

Pretty much agree. Our wingers are often pinned to the touchline with Haaland plus Reijnders and Foden spread between them as extra forwards. It makes it crowded in there and makes it harder for them to get in a position to shoot. A major part of what they seem asked to do is keep the ball and recycle it, so other can probe and look to slip passes through the channels.

I think a lot will only be happy when the wingers are taking the fullback on and whipping perfect crosses over, but that's difficult against everyone who we play, and also probably not what Pep's asking of them.

 

[BillyShears]

Is going to be one of our best players by the end of the season. Pep loves him and he will have ample opportunities to play over the coming weeks and months.

It's pointless trying to critique him right now as he will need a few months to get up to his best after spending nearly a year without football. Just look at Rodri.

 

[BillyShears]

I stand by the fact that our wingers are struggling because of the lack of balance in midfield. We've got Haaland as the spearhead and Foden trying to offer himself as an outlet but Reijnders is more often than not attacking space as opposed to being inside to create the triangles that used to shape our attacking play.

It means our wingers are more often than not left with the option of either taking the defender(s) on or passing back to the full back.

Foden and Reijnders still haven't quite gelled in terms of where they like to receive the ball and which space to operate in.

Spot on. Balance in midfield isn't right, but it's clear Pep wants to acclimate Reijnders asap hence he's playing so many minutes, and Foden is needed as the Haaland linker and overall playmaker. It'll come together with time and it's a lot better than how the Liverpool midfield is currently faring.

 

[franksinatra]

I stand by the fact that our wingers are struggling because of the lack of balance in midfield. We've got Haaland as the spearhead and Foden trying to offer himself as an outlet but Reijnders is more often than not attacking space as opposed to being inside to create the triangles that used to shape our attacking play.

It means our wingers are more often than not left with the option of either taking the defender(s) on or passing back to the full back.

Foden and Reijnders still haven't quite gelled in terms of where they like to receive the ball and which space to operate in.

I think also it’s quite clear there is a noticeable drop off in energy levels second half. The number of passing lanes options becomes less, the team loses dominance of the ball and the wingers get starved of decent possession as the passing from the back becomes less concise.

That is not omitting Bobb or Savinho from blame as there part of the team which should be helping the side regain dominance of the ball, but the drop off is cumulative along side the rest of the team.

I like the way Reijnders plays but there is an issue of balance in the side. Reijnders is best suited in an advanced role but so is Foden playing the pockets so it can leave us exposed and a bit disjointed. Hence we often shoehorn Bernardo in on the right wing.

Once Cherki gets fully fit it’s going to be interesting to see if Reijnders still gets the nod centrally as a front four of Haaland, Doku, Foden, Cherki will demand a more defensive/controlling midfielder centrally such as Gonzalez/Kovacic alongside Rodri

 

[Nevizade]

I think also it’s quite clear there is a noticeable drop off in energy levels second half. The number of passing lanes options becomes less, the team loses dominance of the ball and the wingers get starved of decent possession as the passing from the back becomes less concise.

That is not omitting Bobb or Savinho from blame as there part of the team which should be helping the side regain dominance of the ball, but the drop off is cumulative along side the rest of the team.

I like the way Reijnders plays but there is an issue of balance in the side. Reijnders is best suited in an advanced role but so is Foden playing the pockets so it can leave us exposed and a bit disjointed. Hence we often shoehorn Bernardo in on the right wing.

Once Cherki gets fully fit it’s going to be interesting to see if Reijnders still gets the nod centrally as a front four of Haaland, Doku, Foden, Cherki will demand a more defensive/controlling midfielder centrally such as Gonzalez/Kovacic alongside Rodri

Have to say this bit really intrigues me as well. Forward options galore when Marmoush gets back but that second midfield position is really up for grabs.

Would be perfect for Adam Wharton but that's for another thread.

 

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

I think also it’s quite clear there is a noticeable drop off in energy levels second half. The number of passing lanes options becomes less, the team loses dominance of the ball and the wingers get starved of decent possession as the passing from the back becomes less concise.

That is not omitting Bobb or Savinho from blame as there part of the team which should be helping the side regain dominance of the ball, but the drop off is cumulative along side the rest of the team.

I like the way Reijnders plays but there is an issue of balance in the side. Reijnders is best suited in an advanced role but so is Foden playing the pockets so it can leave us exposed and a bit disjointed. Hence we often shoehorn Bernardo in on the right wing.

Once Cherki gets fully fit it’s going to be interesting to see if Reijnders still gets the nod centrally as a front four of Haaland, Doku, Foden, Cherki will demand a more defensive/controlling midfielder centrally such as Gonzalez/Kovacic alongside Rodri

I think the opposition managers making changes is completely changing the nature of the games. Brighton and this one. They take over the midfield and our forwards are then starved of the ball. I was very surprised we didn’t make changes sooner on Sunday but saying that Doku was shite when he came on.

 

[bluemoonandmore]

It is so obvious (at least to me) that Bobb and also Reijnders are so close to getting at the end of things (assists or goal), but it is not happening as of yet. So with enough confidence it may look completely different at the end of the season. A good team (look at PSG), will be more free flowing and understanding/experimenting seemingly not under pressure. We can get there - I am sure; because the prospects trying to gel now have the talent and football intelligence to do it. And as always, healthy competition only helps the team. Bobb is a player that, when injury free and of top of things, could deliver week in and week out.

 

[cleavers]

Started, and subbed after 77 minutes for Norway.

 

[HelloCity]

 

[pudge]

I doubt many watched Norway vs New Zealand, despite I'm sure a couple who would claim it, but holding onto the ball for too long does seem like it would have been true, it's a very big Bobb thing to do

 

[cleavers]

I doubt many watched Norway vs New Zealand, despite I'm sure a couple who would claim it, but holding onto the ball for too long does seem like it would have been true, it's a very big Bobb thing to do

Coach moans about him, yet he left him on for the full 90 ?

 

[born2bblu]

If this is true, then it is disturbing. I don’t remember that any coach, particularly the national teams coaches, recently coming out to focus their attack publicly on one player, considering: this player is only 22, it is a friendly game, and it appears that several other senior players didn’t do well in the same game (unless he also attacked other players). The coach is Norwegian and I won’t be surprised that he is a fan of Liverpool/united. Out of curiosity, I checked Wikipedia, and these are excerpts from this “genius” career.

Player:
In October 1997, Solbakken joined English Premier League club Wimbledon for £250,000. In his six league games for Wimbledon, Solbakken scored one goal against West Ham United and was twice named “man of the match”, but he fell out with team manager Joe Kinnear and was banned from club training shortly thereafter. Solbakken was quickly sold to Danish side Aalborg in March 1998.

Coach:
On 11 May 2012, English club Wolverhampton Wanderers announced that Solbakken was to become their new manager. Solbakken failed to stop the club's slump (in the Football League Championship) that had brought relegation and despite at one time lifting the club to third place, they had slumped as low as 18th by the turn of the year. He was sacked on 5 January 2013, following an FA Cup elimination by at that time non-league Luton Town, which was his fourth consecutive defeat.

 

[Ric]

Seems pretty harsh for a national manager to single out a young player like that.

 

[jamesha]

Seems pretty harsh for a national manager to single out a young player like that.

That comment is only part of what he said about Bobb. He actually praises him for being good in the previous game and in training. It was a friendly so maybe Bobb decided to try a few things which did not come off in a meaningless game?

 

[Dr Jacoby]

Good prospect but somewhat overhyped by many of our fans after a couple of impressive outings before his long-term injury.

 

[ninjamonkey]

Nothing wrong with what he said imo if that's an accurate assessment of his display. I highly doubt that quote provides the full context for a start, he also specifically says first half, so I assume he improved second half and did what was asked after a half time talk from him seeing as he got the full 90.

 

[Skrastins]

If this is true, then it is disturbing. I don’t remember that any coach, particularly the national teams coaches, recently coming out to focus their attack publicly on one player, considering: this player is only 22, it is a friendly game, and it appears that several other senior players didn’t do well in the same game (unless he also attacked other players). The coach is Norwegian and I won’t be surprised that he is a fan of Liverpool/united. Out of curiosity, I checked Wikipedia, and these are excerpts from this “genius” career.

Player:
In October 1997, Solbakken joined English Premier League club Wimbledon for £250,000. In his six league games for Wimbledon, Solbakken scored one goal against West Ham United and was twice named “man of the match”, but he fell out with team manager Joe Kinnear and was banned from club training shortly thereafter. Solbakken was quickly sold to Danish side Aalborg in March 1998.

Coach:
On 11 May 2012, English club Wolverhampton Wanderers announced that Solbakken was to become their new manager. Solbakken failed to stop the club's slump (in the Football League Championship) that had brought relegation and despite at one time lifting the club to third place, they had slumped as low as 18th by the turn of the year. He was sacked on 5 January 2013, following an FA Cup elimination by at that time non-league Luton Town, which was his fourth consecutive defeat.

you could say that Oscar had more time with the ball vs New Zealand than Solbakken was playing in England

and tbh, Norway FA should get high quality coach, they have golden generation and should capitalize on that, i doubt Solbakken is at that level