#16 | Rodri - 2020/21 Performances

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The Fat el Hombre said:
I think that's the question at this stage. @OrigamiNinja has nailed it - it's no coincidence that Cancelo is coming into midfield and playing a blinder, and that we are seeing Rodri's weaknesses exposed much less and Rodri is playing much better. He couldn't do the fernandinho role so Pep tried the double pivot which didn't work, so he's bringing the full backs into midfield which is currently working. Instead of asking Rodri to progress the ball through midfield it's Cancelo doing it, who's much better at it (stats nerds - show me some examples of those ambiguous 'progressive' and 'through the lines' passes in a game before you start, because the ones posted so far are very obviously bullshit). If/when this gets sussed out Pep may have to think of something else, and/or hopefully Rodri can carry on and what we have seen up until the last 6 weeks or so was Rodri finding his feet. I think it's also worth noting what a hell of a shift Bernie, Gundo and the likes of Foden and Sterling are putting in around him which has complimented his game and left him exposed much less.

Also don't give me the 'he was always like this, you just didn't see it' crap because he wasn't, or if he was doing good things they were far less regular and him getting exposed was far more regular and more prominent than anything positive he was doing. He stuck a cross pinpoint on someones head the other day, and twice I think he opened them up with chips over the top. He may have done that now and then previously but not 3 times in a game or if he did it would have very much been an anomaly. Note that these balls were played in the final third when we've found him in a bit of space, which along with him sweeping up in our own third and stepping in on the front foot in the middle seems to be what and where we're seeing some of the best of him at the moment (as opposed to him picking up possession in our own third from our defence where he hasn't been so good at moving it progressively through midifeld and has too often passed it sideways most of the time).

One thing I have seen much less of him lately is his Frankenstein impression - chasing after the opposition with his arms fully stretched after they ghosted past him for the 3rd or 4th time in the game. I'm not seeing that but I am seeing him on the front foot, timing his challenges better and imposing himself more on the opposition. Seems to be learning to use his large frame better as well. Probably positive long term signs of him adapting with a bit of luck

But yea at the moment I'm happy with him, hopefully it continues. Put it this way I think it would be more of a gamble starting Fernandinho today instead of Rodri, all things considered. And hopefully no Frankenstein impressions today. Up the blues
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Delighted you are "happy" at last. Maybe watch less Frankenstein movies and watch our previous games with an open mind instead.
 
I think Rodri having Bernardo and Gundogan alongside him is working great.

I really hope that when KDB comes back that we at least try him in Mahrez's position so that the trio in the middle aren't disrupted.
 
TonyM said:
I think Rodri having Bernardo and Gundogan alongside him is working great.

I really hope that when KDB comes back that we at least try him in Mahrez's position so that the trio in the middle aren't disrupted.
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we've got to find some way of making Bernie and Kev work together. No surprise Bernie has come alive again without Kev around.
 
He gave us an amazing performance last night, which really is what he usually does. He's bossing the midfield, playing a vital part in our defence as well as helping out in the build up to our attack.

His physicality is as good as it gets, just look at how the likes of Oscar nominee Salad, Oscar nominee Mane (I have to mention I fucking hate them two with all my heart, and have ZERO respect for them) and Firmino bounces off him, and getting the ball from him seems pretty much impossible.

Works really hard, reads the game, can pass, can shoot (he should shoot more often)... a lynchpin to our team, who deserves more praise than what he receives, especially from the media.
 
He has been fantastic in recent months. Have to say I didn’t see it coming but thrilled it has. Was a real presence yesterday which has been missing from our midfield for the past 18 months.
 
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