6 | Nathan Ake - 2022/23

[Craig]

We needed him to stop the rot unfortunately.

The whole defence was way off it first half, we can't play Walker at CB, plus Cancelo, plus Gomez. Too uncertain, too unreliable.

Ake's never going to come on and put in the dream full-back performance and spark a comeback, but at least bringing him on (along with Akanji) made the defence look like an actual defence.

Yeah, but in terms of chasing a game at 2-0 down i’d have preferred Walker to right back and that goon on the right moving to the left in the hope he improved a bit

 

[chris85mcfc]

Keeps plugging away, but it concerns me how much of the ball he has during the game

 

[Dr Jacoby]

Not saying a lot but he was one of our better performers. But he’s absolutely not a left back.

 

[SamTheGuru]

Was the pivot point in the second half and had control of the game. His positional sense is great.

 

[city warrior]

I think he is our 2nd or 3rd most important player right now. Not because he is world class, but because both Cancelo and Gomez are so awful, that Ake looks like Passarela in comparison. But really, if Ake gets injured, that's it for us. If Cancelo and Gomez cannot defend against Southampton, then against elite competition we would be destroyed. Pep has to manage his minutes very wisely.

 

[Manchester_lalala]

Just a good defender, never makes mistake either. Like many have said, he’s not a left back. You feel safe down that left side when he’s playing, but you know we’re going to struggle to create any chances.

 

[normskih]

He doesn’t let us down and has been one of our better players of this season. Just gets on with it.

 

[Goater=Legend]

Need more of his attitude in the team.

 

[ninjamonkey]

Did his job well stood up and tried to get us going that's just not his role. One of the ew that can be satisfied with their own performance tonight, did nothing wrong and is vital to us.

 

[applejuice]

I think he is our 2nd or 3rd most important player right now. Not because he is world class, but because both Cancelo and Gomez are so awful, that Ake looks like Passarela in comparison. But really, if Ake gets injured, that's it for us. If Cancelo and Gomez cannot defend against Southampton, then against elite competition we would be destroyed. Pep has to manage his minutes very wisely.

Or better buy someone now...

Ake's injury history does not look good.