27 | Matheus Nunes - 2024/25

Status
Not open for further replies.
Actually, having watched the match back. I think I was a bit harsh on him on the match thread. In the second half especially, he did some useful things in attack. He can be a useful squad player — and no more — as far as the attack is concerned. I continue to believe, though, that he is no kind of a defender, and it is irresponsible of Pep to play him there.
By the way, the cross field pass was a a mistake, but we've seen as bad as that from nearly everyone this season. It did not lead directly to the goal. Bournemouth still had a fair bit to do, and the movement could have broken down at several points after that interception of his pass. I don't think there's any need to go overboard on it. No, it was just the general feeling that he was being had on toast right through that first half. He just isn't comfortable there, and I've never seen him comfortable there at any point this season.
This business of Pep playing players out of position and asking them to redefine themselves is getting a bit tiresome. Yes, it's been forced him on through injuries, up to a point, this season. And in the past, it's sometimes been spectacularly successful — Johnny moving further up into a deep midfield position being a case in point. But it's hit and miss. Some players can adapt. Others simply can't.
 
Last edited:
I prefer him to Rico at RB, even if he often isn't closing his man or isn't tough enough in 1on1s, but tbh he never was made to be a defender.

But he can offer a lot going forward with bursting runs and if Erl was in-form Nunes had an assist in his book after that beauty of a cross right on Erl's front...
 
The pass was poor in that he was hitting it, almost blind, into the danger zone and doing so with his weaker foot. Mahrez and Foden have all done similar but with their stronger foot. Nunes also has a frustrating habit of not always playing to the whistle and stopping and appealing to the referee when he thinks he's been fouled. That's something he shares in common with Savinho, and while it might go unpunished higher up the park, if he's doing that as part of the last line of defence, then those slight pauses will lead to opposition chances. Two aspects on which to work.

That said, given the problems Semenyo caused our defence in November, when he ran us ragged, I thought Nunes did rather well to keep him at bay.
 
Gabriel said:
That said, given the problems Semenyo caused our defence in November, when he ran us ragged, I thought Nunes did rather well to keep him at bay.
Click to expand...

Good player, if we're honest about it. I was pretty impressed with him. Hell of a pace, once he gets going. Difficult to knock off the ball.
A bit too into roughing players up, apparently. (Although again, if I'm absolutely honest, I'd like one of those on our side, from time to time).
 
He makes mistakes as he isn't a natural defender. But he has a lot of attributes that we need at the minute.
Clocked at the 2nd fastest speed in the league this year, I read yesterday. We haven't much pace in our team. He was winning 60-40 balls on Sunday near the end to retain possession purely due to his pace.
He can also deliver a good cross, has plenty of assists this season and delivered one right onto Haaland's head on Sunday. Has done the same a few times this season that have led to goals. If we've Haaland as our only scoring threat we could be doing with someone who can put a good cross in.

I'd definitely keep him as a squad player.
 
IrishBlueSince92 said:
He makes mistakes as he isn't a natural defender. But he has a lot of attributes that we need at the minute.
Clocked at the 2nd fastest speed in the league this year, I read yesterday. We haven't much pace in our team. He was winning 60-40 balls on Sunday near the end to retain possession purely due to his pace.
He can also deliver a good cross, has plenty of assists this season and delivered one right onto Haaland's head on Sunday. Has done the same a few times this season that have led to goals. If we've Haaland as our only scoring threat we could be doing with someone who can put a good cross in.

I'd definitely keep him as a squad player.
Click to expand...
I'm pretty sure the criticism of him wouldnt be as vitriolic and aggressive if it wasn't for the derby cock-up.

I would have cut our losses in the Summer, because he's clearly not good enough or trusted to play in the middle, but I think this season he's actually been one of the few positives and players that have improved.

Agreed he's definitely shown he's a useful squad player. If there's some serious interest in him where we can get a good fee I can still see him being sold though.
 
As an ultra attacking RB (the system I hope we do next season), he can be a very good squad player, even if I still want a first choice RB signed, because Lewis cannot possibly backup such a role.

He also showed good stints on LW and RW with many assists (he has one of the best creating numbers in our team). So his utility shouldn't go unnoticed, especially because he has always been fit so far.

These are his stats this season (currently its set to compare him to fullbacks, but he did play on the wing some games).

1743604011864.png

This stacks up EXTREMELY well to the best fullbacks in the world. That 0.29xAG/90 (yes its a mix of wing and fullback game time), is comparable to very good wingers (and one of the best in the squad).

Yes, those fuck ups he has made in some of these games are bad, but I remember Walker and others (Gvardiol this season!) doing that quite often as well, and with time playing as a RB, I think those will be vastly limited.

I simply don't by those quotes I see online like "He is too dumb for Pep's system". Give him some time to adapt to this new role, because the potential positives of this high flying attacking RB system is the way the top teams are playing (PSG, Barca), and even Newcastle demolished Liverpool in the Cup final because of Livramento doing this, it's going to be the way we set up next season, I feel confident Pep will realize this (if he hasn't already).
 
WallyA said:
As an ultra attacking RB (the system I hope we do next season), he can be a very good squad player, even if I still want a first choice RB signed, because Lewis cannot possibly backup such a role.

He also showed good stints on LW and RW with many assists (he has one of the best creating numbers in our team). So his utility shouldn't go unnoticed, especially because he has always been fit so far.

These are his stats this season (currently its set to compare him to fullbacks, but he did play on the wing some games).

View attachment 151712

This stacks up EXTREMELY well to the best fullbacks in the world. That 0.29xAG/90 (yes its a mix of wing and fullback game time), is comparable to very good wingers (and one of the best in the squad).

Yes, those fuck ups he has made in some of these games are bad, but I remember Walker and others (Gvardiol this season!) doing that quite often as well, and with time playing as a RB, I think those will be vastly limited.

I simply don't by those quotes I see online like "He is too dumb for Pep's system". Give him some time to adapt to this new role, because the potential positives of this high flying attacking RB system is the way the top teams are playing (PSG, Barca), and even Newcastle demolished Liverpool in the Cup final because of Livramento doing this, it's going to be the way we set up next season, I feel confident Pep will realize this (if he hasn't already).
Click to expand...
JUst put my popcorn in the oven waiting for the Nunes-Out crowd to arrive.
 
I don’t understand how people give the fella so much stick - he’s a midfielder who got stuck in at right back and shouldn’t be playing there. Does what he can, but it’s like expecting a pig to ride a big if you expect him to be able to solidly defend.
 
He does a job and tries hard. My main stickler with Nunes is he seems to make a lot more errors than other members of the squad. Misplaced passes, lapses in concentration. I just feel like the technicality is lower than much of the rest of the squad. He’s obviously physically very strong but I’m not sure about his technicality. He’s best of probably in the wider zones but even then I feel as though he has to work on his play 1v1. He’s a very good crosser though so that’s something we can use to our advantage.
 
He tries hard and he takes risks. It doesn’t lead to a great outcome on occasion but I quite like his gall.

Was a fan of the back four tonight overall. See how khusanov does on the right and rotate them. Otherwise keep the same
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Unread Posts

Don't have an account? Register now and see fewer ads!

SIGN UP
Back
Top