First clean sheet in ages, Cech in goal.
Makes you think.
Not really, consider who we were playing.
First clean sheet in ages, Cech in goal.
Makes you think.
Terrible opinionNketiah was absolutely rubbish, the new Jay Simpson.
:rofl:
He faded a bit later in the game but I thought when he was involved he did well. Maybe I'm just biased, I just like the way he plays. Pretty composed and intelligent. Definitely not a head down and run kind of guy
Maitland-Niles and Iwobi already part of the team and hopefully they can improve even further towards the end of season. Still holes in their games, and sometimes you feel like Iwobi is on the verge of being sold but it has been on the way up for him lately so hopefully he can find another level or two!
Nketiah and Willock played very well today and they are getting to the level they can start seeing some PL minutes. Willock is coming in at senior level and scoring goals, which wasn't maybe biggest thing about his game last year with u23 so Ljunberg has done hell of a job with him in that regard. Visa versa Nketiah is coming in with great overall game but lacking in goals which is rare but I'm not worried a bit, a player who get chances like he did today wont miss them infinitely. Only a matter of time he start banging them in.
That is four academy products that can be involved until end of next season and become big part of the squad next season. That is some amazing work the staff have done, and there are even more players to come!
Movement between the front four in the first half was superb. Nketiah just needs that one goal then they'll start coming from him, should've scored his chances but I think the attacking instinct and movement he has shown is even more important. Pace and his ability to hold the ball up is also deceptively good. People acting like they won't get anymore chances are deluded, just look at how many games Iwobi has had. Europa league and hopefully more FA cup matches should provide a great platform for our youngsters to make the step up required to first team level.Maitland-Niles and Iwobi already part of the team and hopefully they can improve even further towards the end of season. Still holes in their games, and sometimes you feel like Iwobi is on the verge of being sold but it has been on the way up for him lately so hopefully he can find another level or two!
Nketiah and Willock played very well today and they are getting to the level they can start seeing some PL minutes. Willock is coming in at senior level and scoring goals, which wasn't maybe biggest thing about his game last year with u23 so Ljunberg has done hell of a job with him in that regard. Visa versa Nketiah is coming in with great overall game but lacking in goals which is rare but I'm not worried a bit, a player who get chances like he did today wont miss them infinitely. Only a matter of time he start banging them in.
That is four academy products that can be involved until end of next season and become big part of the squad next season. That is some amazing work the staff have done, and there are even more players to come!
Maybe it is from being a bit rusty but I'd imagine its a big step up mentally to put them away in senior matches as opposed to U23s or practice. If he sorts the mental side he was all the skill he needs to be a proper threat.Nketiah needs a loan or to drop back to the u23s if he isn't going to play. He has to be playing games regularly. A fully match fit Eddie would have finished those in his sleep.
Emery on Willock and Nketiah
We need every player to have commitment and so when the team needs, they can help us.
Opportunities come in some matches like today.. Young players like Willock and Nketiah. They can show us their progress.
I am very happy with Willock but also with Eddie. He had three good chances but the most important he created the chances.
Emery on Koscielny
I hope it is not a lot. We have one week before the next match. I hope he will be OK.
Before the match he felt some pain in his back and we decided he should not play.
True but it should inspire every player we have to make it with us. Nobody wants to end up in the lower leagues. Hopefully Ramsey's hard work and a move to a bigger club is the path our youth take minus the move away of course.As an aside, it's been good to see Marc Bola playing for B'pool. Even if they don't make it here, happy to see us producing professional league quality players.
Reminds me of Sanogo. There are tools there but nothing that makes me think he's going to be a starter here. He created chances against a very poor side. He had to score today.Excellent game by the team, especially the young lads who impressed when given a chance at a cameo. Willock was impressive.
A bit disappointed for NKetiah, whose all round game I like but feel his wastefulness in front of goal will now be used as ammunition by @rich 1990 against him
And me.Job done with minimum effort. Willock will get the headlines, would have liked to see Saka on much earlier.