#16 | Rodri - 2020/21 Performances

[GBrannan]

That is irrelevant.

Because Fernandinho has been brilliant for us doesn't effect whether a piece of defending is good or bad.

You are sort of proving my point, because people dislike Rodri they are saying he should have done better on that goal. If Fernandinho did the same thing nothing would be said because those same posters love him. The defending is either good or bad, you can't change your opinion based on which player does it.

Jesus gets a lot of the same treatment, people dislike him purely because he isn't Aguero.

Rodri has no standout qualities.

He’s a very average central midfield player, made to look more so because we look to dominate the ball. He brings no tempo to our play, his passes are slow, often very short and safe, even when we’re chasing the game. He seldom breaks lines, he’s too slow to decide what to do with it and then when caught out of position, he can’t get round on the cover. People wanting this player or that player alongside him to “release him” is a bit like the Rags with Pogba... except, we’d be releasing a player with zero personality on the ball.

The only hope I see for him with us is as a converted centre half.

 

[WallyA]

Obviously Gundogan or Rodri as a lone 6 seems better.

But I'd even prefer Rodri as a CB over the double pivot, he isnt creative enough or defensive enough in a midfield 2.

His abilities work best when playing deeper.

 

[Saddleworth2]

Well Fernandinho's best asset was probably his athleticism in transition both stopping counters and breaking forward when we win it.

We didn't need any of that either today or against Porto so I don't see the issue with Rodri.

If we had been getting rinsed on the counter I would understand but honestly I can't remember a single counter attack chance other than Porto's goal.

Rodri neither defends as well as Fern nor initiates attack as well as him. His speed of pass and number of touches on the ball are a key reason why we are so toothless just now. He is easily marked to negate our building from the back and does nothing to rectify that in terms of expending energy to find space.
If you can’t see that, I cant help you.

 

[EdersonsSmiley]

Rodri neither defends as well as Fern nor initiates attack as well as him. His speed of pass and number of touches on the ball are a key reason why we are so toothless just now. He is easily marked to negate our building from the back and does nothing to rectify that in terms of expending energy to find space.
If you can’t see that, I cant help you.

"Easily marked to negate our build up. "

Again this just isn't true. He consistently makes the most passes in the whole team, how is he not contributing to the build up!

The issue with our build up and lack of chances is the tactical set up and lack of form of the front three more than anything else.

Rodri is worse against the counter than Fernandinho but better against the press, he is worse in transition but has a better passing range. They are very different players and if people want to just constantly state after each game that Rodri isn't Fernandinho then they can do, I just find it

 

[samarasra]

You can't be serious???

How is Dias giving the ball away and then Luiz going on a brilliant run and slotting away a very tight angle shot down to Rodri?

This is what I mean, hating Rodri when there is no basis for it.

Was he also the reason Sterling missed tonight FFS?

Glad you saw the same game I saw. If you notice their is a pattern here of a (smallish) group of posters who have "issues" with Rodri, Garcia, Zinchenko and recently Cancelo (check out the posts on their performance threads), same names keep popping up with illogical negative posts to "prove" whatever narrative is flavour of the day. Barely a word about Dias giving the ball away v Porto, or Sergio giving it away today for West Ham's goal, it was all due to Rodri or Garcia or Cancelo according to the experts, defying what the eye can see.

 

[Saddleworth2]

"Easily marked to negate our build up. "

Again this just isn't true. He consistently makes the most passes in the whole team, how is he not contributing to the build up!

The issue with our build up and lack of chances is the tactical set up and lack of form of the front three more than anything else.

Rodri is worse against the counter than Fernandinho but better against the press, he is worse in transition but has a better passing range. They are very different players and if people want to just constantly state after each game that Rodri isn't Fernandinho then they can do, I just find it

You are obsessed by the number of passes. The vast majority are sideways or backwards at snails pace. I could have a pass completion Rate in the high 90s doing that. Doesn’t make me a replacement for Fernandinho Though.

 

[samarasra]

You’re failing to acknowledge that Luiz pretty much strolled past Rodri as if he wasn’t there.

Or maybe he is describing the root causes of the goal, Dias' poor pass, brilliant run by Luiz , failure of any one of back four or midfield or 'keeper to counteract the mistake and Luiz' skill.

 

[samarasra]

It’s based on an understanding of football mate. Stats tell you a small part of the story. Go watch a recording of one of our games when Fernandinho was at the top of his game. Then watch todays or Wednesdays. Then tell me he is what we need.

You talk about "an understanding of football" as if you know more than others. But you prove the opposite. You say watch "when Fernandinho was at the top of his game", when was that, he came to City as an experienced player in 2013 at 28 years old, was criticsed by some and grew into the club. He played with a different team. You now want to compare a 24 year old, early in his 2nd season, settling into a team in transition, struggling with injuries, with Fernandinho at his peak. You may be gifted with "an understanding of football" but you seem to have little understanding of reality.

 

[Blue Hefner]

Well Fernandinho's best asset was probably his athleticism in transition both stopping counters and breaking forward when we win it.

We didn't need any of that either today or against Porto so I don't see the issue with Rodri.

If we had been getting rinsed on the counter I would understand but honestly I can't remember a single counter attack chance other than Porto's goal.

That is exactly what we needed in both games. Hence why Foden and V Porto Torres stood out. Winning the ball, making it difficult for the other team and looking to create opportunities

I suspect you will argue that Foden and Torrers play in different positions to Rodri but the main principle is the same .Be a threat both in defence and attack. Rodders is passive

 

[Blue Hefner]

Or maybe he is describing the root causes of the goal, Dias' poor pass, brilliant run by Luiz , failure of any one of back four or midfield or 'keeper to counteract the mistake and Luiz' skill.

I do not accept that one loose pass at the half-way line, when the defence are in a good position is the cause of that or any other goal.

Players not getting close or challenging for 2 yards away was/is more of an issue