I'll tell you what, Wirtz and Ekitike are unreal. They are going to be an unbelievable partnership for years to come.
In the pre-match build up it was mentioned that we had been tracking Ekitike for 6 years until we finally got him.
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He’s an exceptionally gifted player we didn’t need, we had last seasons best midfield three our full backs and CBs at times making the play
Not the worst in terms of ability, in terms that his presence and Slot’s seeming insistence everyone else plays through him and everything is played short is really damaging us and inhibiting other plays performance
Szobo and Macca were both arriving in the 10 position from the midfield 3 to brilliant efffect for 1 thing it’s our paid to and why Macca especially isn’t at the same levels
Also moving into the space into the ball is always more effective than standing in a line between defenders motionless expecting a perfect pass or cross
Wirtz presence also means we’re constantly a forward short and why we’re struggling to create Ekitike made our goal v Burnley by beating 2 players you’d expect our LFWD to be doing
I’ve seen Van Gaal try this system and fail at Barca sexing time and the filthy I’ve seen Guardiola the master of it give it up in the Prem 6 years ago - I’ve seen Ten Haag try and import his Ajax system and several players and fail
That’s why I’m so vehement it’s a non starter
It’s not that I don’t appreciate Wirtz is a special talent, we didn’t need him, playing through him and always short by instruction will obviously give him far more opportunities to impress while stifling Macca Szobo Grav and the lone wide forward and full backs
He’s a great player in another league, no-one’s playing this system anymore with good reason and he was bought for it
I'll tell you what, Wirtz and Ekitike are unreal. They are going to be an unbelievable partnership for years to come.
In the pre-match build up it was mentioned that we had been tracking Ekitike for 6 years until we finally got him.
VOTE JOCKY tae fix this fiasco.
"Wirtz he ain’t gonna make it here." - miller0863, 21st December 2025
Wirtz was better tonight bar his woeful missed opportunity, through being less involved Szobo released Ekitike too with Wirtz and Ekitike it seems to be Ekitike setting Wirtz up more than the other way around
A big difference for me was the mids and full backs picking up counter pressing positions in their first line leaving themselves space to run into and join attacks
On the Marseille game Carra and Henry did a bit on the brilliance of Wirtz. You should dig it out and watch it.
VOTE JOCKY tae fix this fiasco.
"Wirtz he ain’t gonna make it here." - miller0863, 21st December 2025
Another poor performance from him, he gives the ball away far too often. His only hope is a run in the champions league were he seems to play alot better.
It's just not happening in the Premier league when we need him.
Terrible 2nd half, but the guys behind him not helping either.
Poor all round. that's me not defending him but VVD cost us bigtime today, Gakpo and salah useless, Maca has a coke addiction .... I could go on
He does concede possession - but the creative attempts are absolutely there for me - there were 2 or 3 passes today where, if they're read properly by the fella he's supplying, we're absolutely through on goal.
His biggest crime for me today amongst much of the good he tried to create was an opportunity where he needs to bend it into the bottom corner using the Bournemouth defender as a shield (so the keeper sees it late) and instead he passed to.....I believe it was Jones.
Oh well - next game and all that.
Yep, his footballing brain is 3 steps ahead of the players in front and often plays a pass expecting more intelligent runs.
He’d be better suited at Bayern, Madrid or Barca.
Ekitike seems to be able to read his game ok. Don't think the problem is Wirtz.
VOTE JOCKY tae fix this fiasco.
"Wirtz he ain’t gonna make it here." - miller0863, 21st December 2025