blueparrot
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 7 Jun 2012
- Messages
- 27,430
He’s a good player, he’s had a fairly good first season. Like many players especially those adapting to Pep he’ll have an even better second season after a full pre season.
The one thing I thought Madrid did very well for 3/4 of the game was press high and put pressure on our defence and pivots. They also hunted in packs of three or four quite well. He had less space and time to operate than in some games and that caused him problems. Maybe that’s why I was too harsh. I want him to be a fantastic replacement for Fern and be world class. The stage was there for him yesterday. He is probably more aufait with Madrid than anyone on our team and I really expected him to shine. He didn’t. I also noticed that Laporte was playing very conservatively from the start so I wonder if he was fit to play. That definitely exacerbated things and our usual transition from Eddie forward was certainly creaky at times. Anyway, a great win and as you said, everyone contributed. Roll on Sunday.I cannot argue with that assessment. I tend to think he was more good than bad yesterday, and that most of his “bad” moments were down to the opposition doing their jobs well, but I personally have no issue with an assessment that sees it it slightly the other way.
I just didn’t think many of the initial assessments offered took in to account the opposition, his role in the team, and the likely instructions he received from Pep for this specific match based on the pattern of his play I observed. When you factor in those elements, I think he did a decent job.
It was by no means his most impressive performance, but I thought he was solid and contributed to our historic victory, and I just can’t find much fault with that.
That said, as is the case for any other player on the pitch last night, I am sure Pep has a 15 page list of things he’ll want Rodri to improve on.
Thus is life under Pep — if Rodri had given a performance of the tournament Pep would have only offered 10 pages of notes. ;-)
Not to mention he setup the opener with a beautiful lofted pass.I think he bossed it today, and the goal was a fucking nice bonus too. And he almost scored another header!
Contrary to popular belief midfielders and especially the pivot get a lot less time on the ball in Spain. Teams in that league are much more adept at performing a well organised high press.The one thing I thought Madrid did very well for 3/4 of the game was press high and put pressure on our defence and pivots. They also hunted in packs of three or four quite well.
Couple of occasions today one important one right at the end where he fouled someone and could have cost us. He needs to play alongside quicker players in my opinionSays a lot about him that he seems to up his game in the important matches. Said from day one he is a class act and at 23 is perfect for us - just don't get those who say he's too slow cause that my friends is rubbish.
Couple of occasions today one important one right at the end where he fouled someone and could have cost us. He needs to play alongside quicker players in my opinion