Riyad Mahrez - 2018/2019 performances

[Ardwick Green Blue]

I don't think anyone can make a case that Mahrez has been anything other than disappointing since he joined us. Some make the point that he is adapting to a new system and that he is learning a new style of play. That's fair enough but what you can then say is that he is an extremely slow learner as he is arguably worse now than when he joined.

Slow, predictable play allied with a shocking lack of work rate means that after half a season he is no more suited to the team than he was in August. Does he ever track back and help the defence out or is he contributing to fast attacking play (or even slow attacking play)? He doesn't just need to improve a bit but instead he needs a total transformation in order to make it with us.

 

[blue b4 the moon]

Wouldn't get back more than half of what we paid for hiim.

Not a team player and not good enough not to be.

 

[mosssideblue]

The problem is unlike the other attackers he is not multi-functional.

At what he does he is very good and for Leicester when he was the main man he starred immensely because everything and everyone worked for him.

At City he is just another forward. And his game is a bit too predictable without the space given to him by others doing the leg work. He has to work a bit harder for his own space and to dovetail with the others.

So what you are saying is we should give Pep some time to develop Mahrez as he has others

 

[sir baconface]

Worst thing I’ve seen him do since signing was not passing to Sterling after that tremendous team move in the first half today.

Pass, Riyad... pass the fucking ball you greedy bastard!

This isn’t singles tennis or boxing, this is an XI-a-side team game of association football and we play under Pep Guardiola who is the greatest passing coach of all time.

PASS!

If this was the move on 18:30, after the Eddie/Fern passage, he was right to shoot. However, he should have buried it.

 

[mosssideblue]

Oh don't be such a drama queen, plenty of people just aren't convinced, especially considering his price tag. We're all still going to support him, but fans are allowed to voice their thoughts and concerns on a football forum.

Of course fans can and should discuss player performances but what is noticeable is that for example Gundog and Mahrez, the tone and language used is vastly different from other player threads, even if those other players have had a mare.

I read earlier and @karen7 has just posted, that many will never forgive him for missing that pen, which is rather sad

 

[mosssideblue]

Not blaming him for anything but we are stronger when he's on the bench. No ifs or buts about it. Sterling and Sane is our strongest team, Mahrez is still learning how we play, he'll get better, but for Liverpool, he's on the bench.

How does this work then?

 

[mosssideblue]

I don't think he should be starting any big games, until he finds form.

I'm not blaming him for anything, I just think we are more fluid and cohesive without him on Sané's and Sterling's current form.

I would agree, but would just like fans to cut him some slack whilst Pep develops him

 

[mosssideblue]

I like Mahrez, he is a terrific player who is still finding his way with us. He’ll be struggling to adapt to a new team/system/level of expectations/being in and out of the team etc. I hope and think he will come good.

Your post hits the nail on the head, Sane and Sterling are 99.9% of fans choice in our strongest team and rightly so. What is their current market value?

Both of them would command £100 million plus. Therefore the £60m spent on Mahrez is to allow us to rotate without much drop off in performance, I don’t think anyone expected him to be a nailed on starter. Similar to when Bernardo (after a tough first season) has stepped in so well this season minimising the pain of losing KDB or Merlin. Last season people were having doubts about Bernardo, that’s evaporated this season.

I hope that happens for Mahrez going into the second half of the season / next season (without any injuries to Leroy or Raheem!)

Spot on

 

[mosssideblue]

Worst thing I’ve seen him do since signing was not passing to Sterling after that tremendous team move in the first half today.

Pass, Riyad... pass the fucking ball you greedy bastard!

This isn’t singles tennis or boxing, this is an XI-a-side team game of association football and we play under Pep Guardiola who is the greatest passing coach of all time.

PASS!

He couldn't win so no point crying over it. Had he passed and Sterling missed, then he would be getting shit for not shooting himself. Others are as guilty for this and sometimes they score and sometimes they dont. He had an opportunity to shoot and took it - no biggy for me

 

[mosssideblue]

I don't think anyone can make a case that Mahrez has been anything other than disappointing since he joined us. Some make the point that he is adapting to a new system and that he is learning a new style of play. That's fair enough but what you can then say is that he is an extremely slow learner as he is arguably worse now than when he joined.

Slow, predictable play allied with a shocking lack of work rate means that after half a season he is no more suited to the team than he was in August. Does he ever track back and help the defence out or is he contributing to fast attacking play (or even slow attacking play)? He doesn't just need to improve a bit but instead he needs a total transformation in order to make it with us.

So, in your mind, a few games here and there and you should be good to go - OK
Stones, Silva x 2, Zaba, Sane etc etc all beg to differ

Lets just wait and give him a fair crack of the whip before writing him off is all I'm saying