82 | Rico Lewis - 2022/23 Performances

Status
Not open for further replies.
Dr Jacoby said:
He’s understandably naive in defensive situations (positionally suspect + looks a bit frenetic at times) but he’s great in possession and incredibly press-resistant for such a young player.

I think his future lies in midfield.
Click to expand...

You’re spot-on Doc, he does have the possession attributes of a midfielder but, then again, Pep likes midfielders in all kinds of positions doesn’t he? iirc He once said he’d play 11 midfielders if he could . . or words to that effect?

Point being that under this manager his midfield attributes don’t detract from his defensive position and all players are required to defend.
As example; Bernardo Silva is, to my mind at least, as midfield as you can get . . but Pep’s played him at leftback.
As things stand I recon that Rico will continue to develop as a leftback. He‘ll need to polish up his defensive awareness / positioning, as you mentioned, but he’s only 18 so he’s got time enough . I’m excited about how he could develop from here and IMO he could take a similar path to Foden. I hope so anyhow.
 
Incredibly calm and confident for a kid of 18. Pep seems to have faith in him and trust he will make the right choices when it comes to both positioning and passes he makes. Think he will be used in the inverted full back role by Pep but more likely midfield post Pep unless the game changes and the inverted full back becomes the norm.
 
Always think he needs to play with a size 4 ball, seems to get the ball caught under his feet a lot
 
Today he had 0 tackles, 0 interceptions, 0 clearances, 2 times miscontrolled the ball, 2 times got dispossessed. That's a poor defensive contribution. On the other hand, he displayed excellent passing, and great technical ability on occasion, but again, he has a lot of of work to fulfill his potential. Overall, good offensive contribution, suspect defensively (that hand ball...).
 
Last edited:
Haaland94 said:
Today he had 0 tackles, 0 interceptions, 0 clearances, 2 times miscontrolled the ball, 2 times got dispossessed. That's a poor defensive contribution. On the other hand, he displayed excellent passing, and great technical ability on occasion, but again, he has a lot of of work to fulfill his potential. Overall, good offensive contribution, suspect defensively (that hand ball...).
Click to expand...

That handball was nothing. You can't expect a human being or a football player that is falling, to not put his arm to ease the fall.
It was not a penalty and an easy decision all the time.

I agree on the other points of course. Very bad defensively, very good offensively.
 
Haaland94 said:
Today he had 0 tackles, 0 interceptions, 0 clearances, 2 times miscontrolled the ball, 2 times got dispossessed. That's a poor defensive contribution. On the other hand, he displayed excellent passing, and great technical ability on occasion, but again, he has a lot of of work to fulfill his potential. Overall, good offensive contribution, suspect defensively (that hand ball...).
Click to expand...
What the fuck is this?
 
Haaland94 said:
Today he had 0 tackles, 0 interceptions, 0 clearances, 2 times miscontrolled the ball, 2 times got dispossessed. That's a poor defensive contribution. On the other hand, he displayed excellent passing, and great technical ability on occasion, but again, he has a lot of of work to fulfill his potential. Overall, good offensive contribution, suspect defensively (that hand ball...).
Click to expand...

You didn’t watch the game then just looked up stats to criticise a kid!


Pep see what I do that’s good enough for me..
 
FantasyIreland said:
Nah,Lewis did very well,he has a wonderful attitude and approach and looks to be a sponge as far as learning goes......but the best player on the park was Foden.
Click to expand...

Yeah second best for me foden he drifted in and out the game a bit but that’s probably due to him sticking to one side Lewis seem to have free range to go everywhere! That’s how much pep rates the lad..
 
Still just a kid, what a season he's had, has had some nervy moments but doesn't look out of place at all

Only 18 the world is at his feet, will be interesting to see how Pep uses him I'm not expecting him to be brought in too often but this kid has an amazing future
 
waspish said:
You didn’t watch the game then just looked up stats to criticise a kid!


Pep see what I do that’s good enough for me..
Click to expand...
Nothing like that. I used the same stats to defend Kalvin Phillips, Sergio Gomez, and Cole Palmer recently to counter what I saw as overly negative views of them. With Rico, it was more to address your MOTM comment. I think he was ok, but some people (not saying you) act like he is a MOTM every time he plays because of his age. I can see his talent, potential, and high ceiling at such a young age, so I fully agree with Pep. However, I thought it would be interesting to analyze his performances in a more constructive way (which I am sure the coaching team is doing with him daily) rather than simply saying what a great young kid he is, etc., since we all know that. Long story short, he was productive going forward and very active, BUT there are aspects of his game that need work (defensive and physical), or (my personal view) I would play him in midfield, in a Gundogan-type role. I don't see him as a defender. I would never trust him against any good winger. Conversely, he has this natural positioning ability which I think is what Pep loves about him, along with his great footballing brain. Overall, it was a great 1st season for him.
 
The lad has made a fantastic start to his first team career and has kept his head and done the simple things well and played in an unusual role of inverted full back and made it look easy so far. Still a very long way to go and you would expect he will have dips in form which will really test his confidence and self belief (Like Palmer I think is currently going through). He will make it as a decent footballer but still early to call out the level he will settle at just need to agree he is well above standard expected at this age and continue to support his progress and show patience when it, hopefully only occasionally stalls.
 
some will say its hyperbole but this kid changed our season around. Pep needed someone hungry and with positive attitude to send a message to the squad in terms of mindset if we were to take something out of this season and Rico did just that. Hope he stays with us and keeps improving
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Unread Posts

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

SIGN UP
Back
Top