twosips wrote:It was an interesting game that. By interesting i mean largely frustrating of course as Schalke were a bunch of bastards.
I was sat on my tod absolutely freezing my arse off so i was totally focused on the game as it was the only thing that was helping me ignore the wind and you could definitely tell that this was a physically strong Schalke. I thought we were a little disappointing to be honest. I'd expect more from most of our players.
We definitely miss Maffeo when he's at right back but you can tell they play him there cos the alternative is basically playing Bossaerts at CB, where he's infinitely more damaging potentially. I thought all things considering Maffeo and Tosin (fuck spelling that last name) were good. Tosin's seventeen - he's a kid and he's totally new to this level and i think he was good today. Not perfect, no, but good. Likewise, considering he's clearly no centre-back Maffeo basically did a very good impression of Mascherano today. He out-muscled some blokes a stone or two heavier than him through sheer determiation and its great to see. Both are very good footballers.
Ambrose looked exactly like a player does when they come back from a 3/4 week injury. Barker was disappointing, as was Pozo. Both have looked quite out of form in the past few games to me, but there was one small moment where Pozo skipped past a challenge and drilled the ball out to Barker who then smashed the cross bar that showed exactly what they're capable of.
I find Pozo's physicality, or lack of it, a little worrying if im being honest. I'm beginning to worry that he doesn't have the bottle for the physical challenges that he'll get at higher levels. He doesn't look like he's ever gonna be a big lad and he gets knocked down really easily. It could simply be that his confidence has been knocked by being used as basically cannon fodder in his first team appearances, either way it'll be interesting to see if he turns it around.
Bryan was neat and tidy, but not exceptional. Ntcham was poor by his standards - did enjoy the fact that he managed to clear the stadium roof, at both ends, with two long range shots. Impressive feat that. Byrne i thought just flitted in and out. Angelino battled as ever and had some good moments.
I was gutted for Kelechi. I don't think its a bottle thing as he looked well up for coming on and his first touch was sublime - two defenders around him and controlled it perfectly and looked incredibly confident. His first bit of football in ages and it was great. He's quick, has exceptional control and a lot of upper body strength; there's just something about him and it stands out. He tried to stay on and he looked fed up when he came off so i wouldn't worry about his attitude. I thought Smith-Brown had a tidy game and Celina was nice and bright when he came on, without really affecting the game.
Really enjoyed the penalty shoot-out. Piss funny listening to the standing fans behind the goal giving the german lads a hard time, especially the young lad in the gimp mask. He properly shit himself and the crowd definitely definitely had an impact there. I actually really like Gunn too. He's fucking massive.
I thought Bryan was exceptional. Amongst all those talented passers, I thought they all went a bit like the first team v Barca; picking the wrong options & under/overhitting passes, but Bryan cleaned up & also kept the ball moving beautifully. Best game I've seen him play i think.
Barker has looked fatigued to me over about the last 4 or 5 games. In fact since the last game before he went to Abu Dhabi. But he put a proper shift in, & I really like that.
Pozo has not one cat in hell's chance of making it in the position he is currently playing imo. He either plays off a striker, attacking mid (wide or wide striker at a pinch) or moves to Spain, Italy, Holland imo. When Iheanacho came on, I thought Pozo looked better immediately, then it went pear shaped when Kelechi went off.
I hope Kelechi doesn't have glass ankles or a bottle problem, because imo, he is the biggest potential £100 mil player in the bunch. I think a lot of these lads will make it. Some to be better than those in the first team now. But he is the most likely candidate for potential absolute top 3 world type player imo.