Florian Wirtz

[Steveo]

Either of you think we could Swap Cody for either one..?

We all love Cody - he will post some decent numbers getting on the end of things and posting questionable assists after largely slowing down our attacks and being a springboard for opposition breaks - he’s really nice fella but anyone who can’t see that we need a better, more dynamic and more tricky winder - you’d have to question their ability to see

[miller0863]

Was just pointing out the familiarity breeds contempt aspect of much of our own players’ critique. We would all say Doku has looked better than Cody and would surely have been more productive, but it appears he hasn’t.

Now while Cody has been far from stellar and has obvious flaws to his game, despite not being at his best, he has still contributed.

Look at Saka, first League assist in a year, yet everyone says he’s one of the best in the country.

Stuart Downing went a whole season without either a goal or an assist, now that’s utter shite. We could upgrade on Cody but he’s worth keeping around if we do. But this shows how you need stats AND the eye test to judge a player, one or the other isn’t enough.

[Steveo]

Oh I know miller… You were highlighting the ridiculous and fickle nature of the media narrative… Saka has become a darling of the media for sure regardless of his form.

I am just highlighting how these stats say almost nothing. They can be viewed by some who don’t know the game to believe a player like Cody is better than Saka - when we all know - if we’re honest - he isn’t in that class.

Cody defo worth keeping around BUT that’s mostly because we don’t have anything like the level needed in that position - not a senior anyway. Good squad player, but he’s been as much a hindrance as a help this season.

[jozza800]

Saka I would definitely swap. Doku, I'm not so sure.

Samaneyo would be a big upgrade.

[Steveo]

Yep - but then you have to ask yourself… Have you ever seen Cody do this..?

He ruins us in the deep areas..

And much of it doesn’t show on the major stats - but the damage this does to defences is incalculable. It’s what we miss with Luis. Doing this is what favours others in improving their own stats. If you follow?

[miller0863]

Never seen Cody do it but I saw Diaz do it, to City for a start.

[justme]

Lets not get carried away. we were playing West-ham who have NO attacking players other than Bowen.. Wirzt needs to get a goal or an assist at least. that would help for an 100+ million player

[miller0863]

Should have done much better with the chance he had, still got a long way to go to warrant starting every game never mind the price tag.

Was watching TAW last night and they all had him down as the reincarnation of Peter Beardsley and Kenny Dalglish.

Better performance but come on, he’s not there yet.

[Ravo19]

Better performance from wirtz as the 10 as well.
Not sure what that means moving forward with talk of a new midfielder,if sticking to 4 2 3 1 we would have new player,mac,dom,gravenberch,jones-6 players fighting for 2 midfield places,maybe 4 4 2 diamond?

[miller0863]

Oh and Carra has him down as De Bruyne


Jesus wept

[justme]

Some (not us here) but some are going over the top and acting like Man-united fans when their team beats someone shit.
Sunderland will mix it more physically. Lets see if Wirzt can play under that kinda pressure.

[Steveo]

Oh and Carra has him down as De Bruyne


Jesus wept

Yep he’s starting to become a genuine problem is Carra. Wish he’d refrain from getting emotional about us. But his loyalty is to the media these days. ingratiates himself to the club’s hierarchy for access but is putting it on our players with much of what he says. Wirtz just had a very good game - the last thing he needs it KDB comparisons from a lad who must have been close to the back of the queue when talent was being handed out,

[Insidious]

maybe 4 4 2 diamond?

Been wanting to see us trial that for a little while now.

Not for every game necessarily, but I think it has huge potential for accommodating a number of our players and could be used in prep for the post-Salah era.

[JockStrap]

Class player. You watch.

[JockStrap]

Showed his quality tonight. He and Bradley changed the game. Terrific player.