Fernando

[schfc6]

You're going to be in deep shit when Pell Not Pep and Schfc6 log on!

Please explain how he was deployed differently last night than he was away at Liverpool? Apparently he and Fernandinho asked to play in a two against the mighty Liverpool, yet brilliant last night. Should be simple. To me, looked like he played in a holding role alongside Fernandinho. Identical to Liverpool away.

My point all along. Fernando has never been asked to be anything other than a holding midfielder. A position he played all his career. A position he played last night. Next to his buddy. Has he has done countless times.

Is he good enough to cover Ya Ya,? No. that remains a tactical mistake.
Has he always played as well as he did last night alongside Fernandinho? No, he's remained largely shite. Albeit as good as he's ever been last night.

 

[Bellamy's Caddy]

Will Sterling be fit by the time the semi's come round? The obvious way to set up if he's fit would be him and Navas on the wings and KDB behind Kun. Silva on the bench.

Good point RE Sterling, hopefully he will be fit. Does anyone know when he's due back?

Silva and Yaya on the bench...potentially game changing options to draw on if needed!

 

[OB1]

Thank God you're not manager then ;)

I thought Silva did well last night overall. He hasn't shown the same quality on the ball that we know he has but he is working harder IMO.

At least I know I couldn't do the manager's job ;-0

 

[OB1]

Will Sterling be fit by the time the semi's come round? The obvious way to set up if he's fit would be him and Navas on the wings and KDB behind Kun. Silva on the bench.

I hope so because I think that is our best hope and would leave both Yaya and Silva on the bench in those circumstances.

 

[kaz7]

People like saying that. They really don't have a clue. Seeing as the guy has never played any other position than DM for us. And he was in a Midfield 2. A position he has played many times before and gotten cursed at.

Bit rather than admit they didn't know he had this in him, they'd rather pretend someone else got it wrong all along.

It is a neat trick. Don't ask too many questions though. Just take it at face value. :)

Gobshite,play him behind yaya and dinho is his best position,many times he has been played in a 2 and got slagged off because he wasn't very good
Along side dhino works very well as we saw but next to yaya he was rubbish

 

[Phil1]

Was significantly better in the 2nd, but was painful to watch in the first. I wasn't gonna bring it up on such a great day, but I've been amused by some of the claims I've read.
@Pablo1 It wasn't just the lack of tracking back, albeit that too was a huge problem 1st half.

You'll have to forgive me for not taking serious posters who use phrases like "shockingly bad" and "painful to watch"

 

[blue ranger]

Managed to watch the game back last night after I got home from the match, the tv doesn't really do justice to how shockingly bad he was .. Clichy had a worldy because, fortunately, he was able to stem the tide of being doubled up on constantly. You suggested silvas defensive duties were neglected, glad we agree on that, however, his decision making with the ball has become really concerning...

People moan about yayas attitude toward other players, silva 4/5 times last night was berating those around him for his mistakes....

I thought Silva was our worst player last night by some distance. Was really frustrated in second half when he put his arm up and claimed for an offside because he didn't want to track back. Luckily for him Clichy had the game of his life.

Absolutely love Silva but only in the 10 role behind the striker. But the issue is that KDB is better in that position.

 

[cleavers]

He was not tracking even the most basic of runs

This isn't the Yaya thread ;o) I thought Silva was OK, not shocking or anything like it, just OK.

There really shouldn't be anyone getting it after last night, because it was a great TEAM performance, from 1-11 and the subs, they are a very good side, were one of the favourites to win the CL, who only 3 weeks ago showed Chelsea up on their own pitch. We didn't let them, we let them have possession where it didn't hurt us, and used our own efforts very well, and frustrating as it is, if we'd played like that against the teams around us in our league, who aren't as good imho, we'd probably be champions by now.

The players look like they really want this, some knowing that it may be their last chance, because they will be leaving in the summer, and won't ever get another chance, as the only way after us is down.

 

[Lancet Fluke]

Will Sterling be fit by the time the semi's come round? The obvious way to set up if he's fit would be him and Navas on the wings and KDB behind Kun. Silva on the bench.

Totally agree. Would give us pace, work rate and balance. Would be a good set up against the real top teams in Europe where we aren't necessarily going to have tons of possession. Not sure it will happen though, I suspect he will always pick at least two of Yaya, Silva and KDB when they're all available.

 

[Lancet Fluke]

Please explain how he was deployed differently last night than he was away at Liverpool? Apparently he and Fernandinho asked to play in a two against the mighty Liverpool, yet brilliant last night. Should be simple. To me, looked like he played in a holding role alongside Fernandinho. Identical to Liverpool away.

My point all along. Fernando has never been asked to be anything other than a holding midfielder. A position he played all his career. A position he played last night. Next to his buddy. Has he has done countless times.

Is he good enough to cover Ya Ya,? No. that remains a tactical mistake.
Has he always played as well as he did last night alongside Fernandinho? No, he's remained largely shite. Albeit as good as he's ever been last night.

Think you're asking the wrong person, it wasn't me who said it.

 

[BillyShears]

Totally agree. Would give us pace, work rate and balance. Would be a good set up against the real top teams in Europe where we aren't necessarily going to have tons of possession. Not sure it will happen though, I suspect he will always pick at least two of Yaya, Silva and KDB when they're all available.

Yeah maybe. But then I was 100% convinced that Yaya would be accommodated and KDB moved out of his best position last night and Pellegrini surprised me. I think there's a different mentality and focus on the CL and as such I expect that whoever we draw, Pellegrini will come up with a tactical set up and plan to try and win the ties.

Silva and Toure are both yesterday's men though. Of that there's no doubt for me. For everything they've achieved and done at the club, both of them should be sold this summer and younger, hungrier, players brought in in their positions.

 

[kunaguero10]

Managed to watch the game back last night after I got home from the match, the tv doesn't really do justice to how shockingly bad he was .. Clichy had a worldy because, fortunately, he was able to stem the tide of being doubled up on constantly. You suggested silvas defensive duties were neglected, glad we agree on that, however, his decision making with the ball has become really concerning...

People moan about yayas attitude toward other players, silva 4/5 times last night was berating those around him for his mistakes....

Well it seems you have a bit of a personal vendetta against Silva, which I'll respect and agree to disagree on.

However back to Fernando, this is very much like Javi Garcia's resurgence in his last 6 months. I don't think anyone was under any illusions that he was suddenly at the required level, but that doesn't mean we didnt appreciate his improvement and him doing a good job in his last few months here.

Same with Fernando, well done for finally becoming of use to us, but for me it's too little and far too late.

I just hope the replacement isn't another downgrade though!

 

[Chi-town blues]

Fantastic game again but the haters are watching him closely . One bad pass and the knives are out.

 

[crystal_mais]

Fernando has been class -

 

[Zin 'messiah' Zimmer]

You'll have to forgive me for not taking serious posters who use phrases like "shockingly bad" and "painful to watch"

And yet it seems to be reinforced somewhat by those who were there.... Listen, maybe it's the fact the guy has set himself such high standards that it comes across as 'picky', however, his ball retention is seriously on the decline, his positional sense off kilt (only really noticed if you were analysing the game in the stands)...

You're doing the same thing yaya fans have been guilty of, holding on to former high level performances and making excuses... He was shockingly bad, in my opinion, doesn't make me right, granted, however I've watched enough football over the years to see he's currently a liability...

 

[Lancet Fluke]

Yeah maybe. But then I was 100% convinced that Yaya would be accommodated and KDB moved out of his best position last night and Pellegrini surprised me. I think there's a different mentality and focus on the CL and as such I expect that whoever we draw, Pellegrini will come up with a tactical set up and plan to try and win the ties.

Silva and Toure are both yesterday's men though. Of that there's no doubt for me. For everything they've achieved and done at the club, both of them should be sold this summer and younger, hungrier, players brought in in their positions.

I think it's been pretty obvious that we need to move on from Yaya for quite a while but Silva's decline has been rapid and alarming. I don't know what to make of it tbh. I find it difficult to totally write him off already but it depends on whether there is any prospect of him getting some significant improvement with his ankle. The way he is playing he looks a shadow of what he was maybe only 6 months ago or so, I don't know whether there would still be room to accommodate him if we can be less reliant on him, pick and choose his matches a bit more and allow him to perhaps play in a little less pain? A summer off for him would be a start but that's not going to happen.

 

[Phil1]

And yet it seems to be reinforced somewhat by those who were there.... Listen, maybe it's the fact the guy has set himself such high standards that it comes across as 'picky', however, his ball retention is seriously on the decline, his positional sense off kilt (only really noticed if you were analysing the game in the stands)...

You're doing the same thing yaya fans have been guilty of, holding on to former high level performances and making excuses... He was shockingly bad, in my opinion, doesn't make me right, granted, however I've watched enough football over the years to see he's currently a liability...

There have been too many games this season where he could be described as shockingly bad or painful to watch.
Last night wasn't one of them. If he was a liability how many chances did they create from his side?
I was there as well so not sure where the reinforcement of being there makes a difference.

 

[schfc6]

Think you're asking the wrong person, it wasn't me who said it.

Do you not see my point though?

Inside left on one side,
Right winger on the other,
Second striker/no 10 in the middle.

Two holding midfielders in Fernando and Fernandinho.

One week Pellegrini is a clown. The next lauded for getting everything right. One week he's a clueless moron for playing Fernando and Fernandinho, the next he's brilliant.

 

[Lancet Fluke]

Do you not see my point though?

Inside left on one side,
Right winger on the other,
Second striker/no 10 in the middle.

Two holding midfielders in Fernando and Fernandinho.

One week Pellegrini is a clown. The next lauded for getting everything right. One week he's a clueless moron for playing Fernando and Fernandinho, the next he's brilliant.

You're still addressing the wrong person. FWIW I have never given Pellegrini stick for picking the two Ferns in a team (as far as I am aware). I know it hasn't always worked out when he has but it isn't something I have personally given him stick for. I am almost always happier when he is a bit more pragmatic and picks a more solid midfield. It's being too open that gets on my tits.

 

[purplenose]

The one thing that worries me about the two Ferns is they both give to many free kicks away and that could cost us....but thats nit picking. They have both improved at a steady pace and look increasingly integral to the team.