82 | Rico Lewis - 2024/25

[callumcity]

Walker is probably the most capable full back for beating pacy wingers in the history of the game and even he got beat for pace by Traore today.

There’s no stopping Traore, we and every other team are fortunate that he’s never been able to figure out how to pass and finish effectively.

Ridiculous to criticise Lewis.

Bernardo had Robinson on toast and he has the pace of a snail.

Lewis is 19 and already good enough for the first team and not in his favoured position.

He’s better than Zinchenko ever was at defending!

 

[ElMago_DSilva]

The problems Rico had today we can expect to see more teams try and exploit. It's not necessarily anything to do with Rico himself it's just the tactical disadvantage you leave yourself open to when you have a right back who isn't even especially quick playing most of the game as an 8 and is therefore always "out of position" when we lose the ball.

He coped very very well playing this way against Chelsea and West Ham away... Seemed to be able to play that inverted midfield position and recover and get back into right back position, but today he struggled getting back into position with how fast and direct Fulham's wide players were.

We focused too much on controlling the midfield and playing with the spare man instead of being a bit more cautious of the Fulham counter attack and shutting down Fulham's wide players.

Far too gung ho today at the back.

 

[mexico1970]

He's 19 years of age. He's slotted into this team seamlessly and rarely has a bad game for us.

His tactical understanding on the football field for a player so young is exceptional.

He was caught out of position quite a lot today, but I don't know if that was our tactic today to risk him being out of position to overload the midfield and play in the pockets.

If he could shoot and he was a bit taller, he'd be absolutely unbelievable.

I think people are being way too harsh on him.

He's 20 next month, not thinking he's that good of a player isn't being harsh on him it's being honest. Sometimes I read the matchday thread and think I have stumbled on the Bellingham thread instead.

 

[kun]

Nope I wasn't, I am just not in the "I love Rico" cult that seems to have sprung up over the last season. He's been ordinary at best and mainly anonymous.

And I am being kind here, while McAtee languishes on the bench too.

Been our best player this season, other than Haaland.

 

[kun]

Love him. Adore the fucker.

But the sooner he’s not a full back, the better. There’s a gap to put him in midfield with Rodri and KDB out/needing more rest. He gets targeted aerially and also physically and he can’t win either of those unfortunately.

But his energy, confidence and ability on the ball will be fantastic in midfield. Hence Pep changing it quickly by bringing Stones on and pushing Walker to right back and Lewis higher up.

Think that was more to get Walker away from CB. He’s a walking disaster.

 

[WestGorton]

Been our best player this season, other than Haaland.

Agreed. Difficult game physically for him today against Traore but the last minute burst sealed it.

 

[The Stockport Iniesta]

Yeah, I really don't understand the posters claiming that Lewis is better than Walker. For ball distribution? Yes. For assisting with the midfield roles? Yes, sure. For being in and around the pen box at crucial moments? Absolutely.

For being defensively sound and knowing that getting sucked into ball watching and using speed to recover against his man? Absolutely fucking not.

Let him play upfield!!

Kyle hasn't exactly covered himself in glory with his defending recently, and he doesn't have the excuse of inexperience.

 

[pride in battle]

He wasn't out of his depth at all. Absolute nonsense.

He was...

 

[pride in battle]

he excels at being way better than walker, being a good passer and having great football iq

Really ? If we had paid 25 million he would be slated today...yes he's a clever player but he's struggling with the pace and physicality of the premier league...way TOO slow at full back if they have pacy forwards, defending today was horrendous.

 

[pride in battle]

Love him. Adore the fucker.

But the sooner he’s not a full back, the better. There’s a gap to put him in midfield with Rodri and KDB out/needing more rest. He gets targeted aerially and also physically and he can’t win either of those unfortunately.

But his energy, confidence and ability on the ball will be fantastic in midfield. Hence Pep changing it quickly by bringing Stones on and pushing Walker to right back and Lewis higher up.

Pep was way too slow with subs