47 | Phil Foden - 2022/23

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

That’s fine. I don’t think he’s kicked on nearly as much as we would have hoped or expected. Pains me to say it.

I get what your saying, but he’s put in some world class performances in my opinion. Games where he has dominated or produced something special.

His levels are so high, it’s almost disappointing when he doesn’t get a man of the match or contribute in some way.

 

[Manc in London]

I'd be more concerned if he was getting the ball in good positions and being consistently bad with it. However, he is simply not being given the ball in good positions.

 

[sir baconface]

I think Phil needs to realise that he is in the big time now, and failure is not an option. He may be suffering from big time Charlie syndrome.

Or maybe just a temporary, short term loss of form, in common with several others.

If he felt like a big time Charlie, he’d probably be posting rubbish about player psychology on a football forum.

 

[applejuice]

He wasn't helped by the fact Cancelo didn't want to give him the ball. He made a few attempts to run in behind but was ignored. He's always on the move and looking to stretch things, but he can only be effective if he's trusted to play that way. We might as well play Ake wide left if we want someone to get the ball and pass it backwards. It's strange why that's the plan 9 times out of 10. Watching Arsenal yesterday, Saka and Martinelli are always looking to take the ball forwards to draw the defender onto them.

Cancelo does not want to give any wingers ball. Foden likes to run in behind. Grealish likes to drop deep to collect the ball. Cancelo does not pass to them either way. Compare to Arsenal, their backline feeds wingers balls immediately when wingers ask for it.

When Gundo plays in left midfield, he feeds the ball to the wingers quick and efficient before the wingers are closed down. Laporte also does the same. So I dont think Pep give Gundo/Laporte/Cancelo different set of instructions. It is more like a personal choice that Cancelo almost never feeds the left winger good balls.

 

[manimanc]

That's really interesting, cheers for putting that on, kind of puts my mind at ease about his form.
I think the whole team has took the path that pep was explaining there.

 

[Craig]

I'd be more concerned if he was getting the ball in good positions and being consistently bad with it. However, he is simply not being given the ball in good positions.

He’s been getting the ball in plenty of good positions but doesn’t go past fullbacks these days. He had it under control in the middle of their box on Saturday before h/t and past it back 29 yards to a scum player

 

[Sir peace frog]

excellent young player , again a bit off form(one of a few imo), im expecting him to find that form and make strides in his development

 

[Manc in London]

He’s been getting the ball in plenty of good positions but doesn’t go past fullbacks these days. He had it under control in the middle of their box on Saturday before h/t and past it back 29 yards to a scum player

We could pick out single mistakes for every single professional footballer. The fact is, mostly when he is given the ball he is surrounded by players or has his back to goal 30-40 yards out.

The amount of times he has been played the ball that puts him in a good position in which to attack has been sparing.

 

[Bill Walker]

excellent young player , again a bit off form(one of a few imo), im expecting him to find that form and make strides in his development

Me too.
This dodgy world cup has fucked with everyone, except Rodri, I fully expect Phil to regain his form over the next few weeks.

 

[shevtheblue]

He's not driving at players like he used to, there's clearly a confidence thing going on which is mad for a guy who's so talented. But i don't think anyone's worried that it won't click at some point.
What's really annoying for me is we beat the living shit out of Utd with Foden, Haaland and Grealish but they haven't started together much (if at all?) AFAIK?