9 | Erling Haaland - 2023/24

[oakiecokie]

Just one of those "bad days at the office" yesterday. Could and should have had 2 or 3 but I bet he scores on Tuesday.

 

[bluemc1]

It basically stems from the fact that Erling hasn't got the skills that Sergio had. Apart from yesterday he is the re-incarnation of Nat Lofthouse and every other type of old 'English' CF. His touch is intermittent and he will never have the whisper control that we got with Riyad and that we have with Phil and Bernardo, but matches are won with goals and he can score 'em by the dozen. Starts again Tuesday.

Games are won by goals you’re right and he’s a great goal scorer
Pep has a very specific style though and the way we play requires every cog to be right for the role

I don’t believe Ederson is the best goal keeper in the world ( he was exceptional yesterday) but I wouldn’t swap him for anyone because of how important he is for how we play
City are vulnerable when they lose possession so I see the game that if we’ve got 10 men or say the front 6 all able to be involved at all times and an option to take it, keep hold of it and retain possession we’re much less likely to lose it than if we’ve only got 5 doing this role

It’s an interesting debate and I’m just on a certain side of it

If you look at my post over the last 10+ years you’ll see I don’t slag any players off at all or flap in match threads it’s just my own honest opinion off what I thinks suits us better

 

[r.soleofsalford]

I remember a long time ago we won 5 trophies and dominated football where did those good times go.

We now have a wanker at centre forward who’s scored 52 goal in 54 games, all this bollocks about coming back after being out with a 2 month injury, his grandmothers death and being the leading scorer in the premier league this season bollocks.

Ffs honestly some of you fuckers on here should fuck off and go and find a little dog to kick.

If we win against Brentford we will be on the same number of games, will be 1 point behind Liverpool and 1 in front of Arsenal.

The double treble is still on and the 4 on the trot premier league title.

So forgive me but ffs fuck off.

 

[citizen_maine]

His finishing has been Sterling level all season. I love him, but he needs to buck up his ideas if he wants to justify a spot

16 goals and 5 assists in 19 games. Justified

 

[r.soleofsalford]

Just one of those "bad days at the office" yesterday. Could and should have had 2 or 3 but I bet he scores on Tuesday.

How Caicedo stayed on the pitch especially after the follow through on Doku’s shin I don’t know. A City player would have seen a straight red for that challenge alone never mind the 4 or 5 fouls before it.

 

[ScottSinclair]

16 goals and 5 assists in 19 games. Justified

And a more composed finisher with more reliable technique would have more goals and we would have more points. He is definitely not beyond criticism, he is the number 9 for the greatest team on the planet

 

[Phil1]

His finishing has been Sterling level all season. I love him, but he needs to buck up his ideas if he wants to justify a spot

I’ve often thought that about you whenever I read one of your posts on here.
Must do better.

 

[citizen_maine]

And a more composed finisher with more reliable technique would have more goals and we would have more points. He is definitely not beyond criticism, he is the number 9 for the greatest team on the planet

Top scorer in the league. Doesn't appear to be anyone more composed and reliable

 

[St.Pauli support]

Frustrating match, shake it off, Big Erl.

Last PL team he didn't score against is... Brentford?
Get it done. And stop thinking. Just put it in.

 

[ScottSinclair]

Top scorer in the league. Doesn't appear to be anyone more composed and reliable

Underperforming his expected goals and creates nothing for himself.

We have been guilty at times of not using him to his strengths, but this season he really has to take responsibility for his underperforming in front of goal. If you go back and watch games this season you will see that this has been the case all season, despite racking up (very) good numbers.

Considering that he offers us extremely little in other aspects of our build-up, and his limits as a footballer leads to fairly often a broken up attack or possesion when the ball goes to him, then he needs to be held accountable when he fails to put away chances that you expect any forward in the league to score. Our totally dominant system and the ability we know he has in front of goal makes it possible for him to be top scorer in the league and still have a poor season. That is the standard that is set, and if he follows the same trajectory the rest of the season I'm sure he would be the first one to agree that he has had a disapointing season, especially if we don't win any titles. Which is what he is absolutely here to do