Oleks Zinchenko - 2018/19 Performances

[mosssideblue]

The lad is a makeshift defender. He might not be the world's tenth best makeshift defender but he's my kind of player, and yesterday was not the first time he's floated one into the area that resulted in a goal. He's one of those players who can drop a bollock and then rectify with some outstanding play!

That is true of all top players I guess but I cannot see him forcing a starting place when all are fit.

 

[Bozzie]

We all know he's not a left back, we all know he's not blessed with outstanding pace and we all know that, on occasions, that results in him being out of position or making an errant pass when under pressure. Given that 'we' all recognise that, maybe Laporte should have just played the safe ball down the line instead of playing it, fairly hard, into Zinchenko's feet, whilst he was facing his own goal and in a position where he was easily and quickly closed down. Certainly, when Laporte passed the ball, Fernandinho was pointing that way, whether that was to Laporte or Zinchenko isn't clear but logic says it would have been for the original clearance. I know that's not the preferred City style, but sometimes we maybe need to recognise our weaknesses and deal with them better.

 

[mosssideblue]

We all know he's not a left back, we all know he's not blessed with outstanding pace and we all know that, on occasions, that results in him being out of position or making an errant pass when under pressure. Given that 'we' all recognise that, maybe Laporte should have just played the safe ball down the line instead of playing it, fairly hard, into Zinchenko's feet, whilst he was facing his own goal and in a position where he was easily and quickly closed down. Certainly, when Laporte passed the ball, Fernandinho was pointing that way, whether that was to Laporte or Zinchenko isn't clear but logic says it would have been for the original clearance. I know that's not the preferred City style, but sometimes we maybe need to recognise our weaknesses and deal with them better.

I think that is just making an excuse for a very poor first touch - he had plenty of space which he conceded by a bad touch

 

[Bozzie]

I think that is just making an excuse for a very poor first touch - he had plenty of space which he conceded by a bad touch

As anyone I ever played with will confirm, I've had a certain amount of practice at making excuses for a "poor first touch" (and a poor second touch for that matter) however Fernandinho is clearly pointing down the line and maybe we could help ourselves a bit by being a bit more pragmatic. That said, the passage of play involving Ederson, when Mahrez should have scored was breathtaking.

 

[Dax777]

The thing that's pissing me off most about this situation at the moment is the lack of protection for Zinch, take that ball over the top to Ward Prowse which led to the penalty shout, that pass was clearly telegraphed by the passer who had acres of time and space to put it where he wanted, where's the press to put pressure on the passer?

I used to point this out, but I stopped coz it is always taken as a defense of Zee as opposed to an expression of what happened.

 

[Saddleworth2]

I think that is just making an excuse for a very poor first touch - he had plenty of space which he conceded by a bad touch

I agree with you. The guy is a midfield specialist and as such has to rely on his touch, reading of the game and spatial awareness. All of those let him down in that instance. Look at how they were pinging the ball about in their own penalty area, so we know he can do it. The players have to be able to trust each other. He made a mistake. Not the first and wont be the last.

 

[super_city_si]

I used to point this out, but I stopped coz it is always taken as a defense of Zee as opposed to an expression of what happened.

If it was a telegraphed pass he should have read it better. We should do better at stopping the cross but he did himself no favours.

 

[Rolee]

If it was a telegraphed pass he should have read it better. We should do better at stopping the cross but he did himself no favours.

He has to do better but we should know he'll be targeted and have to protect him.

 

[CityInWashingtonState]

He has to do better but we should know he'll be targeted and have to protect him.

I think he's playing about as well as he can. We absolutely need to provide cover for him against attacking sides. Ideally he'd either transfer or play only as a last resort against teams where we need defensive prowess.

Zinchenko is very gifted; seems to have a great team ethic; but, ultimately, isn't talented enough to start/challenge to start at a side vying for the best side in world football.

 

[Franknorgrovesnephew]

Let's face it if Mendy hadn't been injured so much he wouldn't be at city anymore in his preferred position there's to many great players in front of him and I'm sorry at LB he's a liability, yes not his position but true.