Momo ??

[gwdy]

This is not a "momo is crap" thread before I start.

I have always liked Momo for his energy and tackling ability (well stopping people withthe ball) but can Rafa really justify playing him in a 4 man midfield. I say thisd because he's not really a defensive midfielder in the sense of Masch who holds his position, cleans up the play and finds a simple pass whether he's under pressure or not, this gives a proper attacking midfileder (gerrard) the freedom to go forward in the knowledge that someone will always be there. He also isn't good enough going forward with a defensive mid behind him as he has proved of late due to his poor shooting and distribution (I can't believe he was bought by Valencia as a striker ??!!) .
With Momo playing in a 4 man midfield he does chase and harrie people but is often out of position and and his touch and passing isn't great which obviously in turn affects other players who have to work harder and come from their positions.
In a 5 man midfield he is outstanding because you have a player who hassles and tackles everything , just remember Barca when he was outstanding.

Does anyone agree or am i going to be slated on my first post ?

[red g]

This is not a "momo is crap" thread before I start.

I have always liked Momo for his energy and tackling ability (well stopping people withthe ball) but can Rafa really justify playing him in a 4 man midfield. I say thisd because he's not really a defensive midfielder in the sense of Masch who holds his position, cleans up the play and finds a simple pass whether he's under pressure or not, this gives a proper attacking midfileder (gerrard) the freedom to go forward in the knowledge that someone will always be there. He also isn't good enough going forward with a defensive mid behind him as he has proved of late due to his poor shooting and distribution (I can't believe he was bought by Valencia as a striker ??!!) .
With Momo playing in a 4 man midfield he does chase and harrie people but is often out of position and and his touch and passing isn't great which obviously in turn affects other players who have to work harder and come from their positions.
In a 5 man midfield he is outstanding because you have a player who hassles and tackles everything , just remember Barca when he was outstanding.

Does anyone agree or am i going to be slated on my first post ?

welcome mate not sure Valencia bought him as a striker, but he has played there before!

But Momo is a vital cog in our assault on number 19 and has done excellently enough in 4 man midfields on plenty of occasions!!

[desertscouser]

This is not a "momo is crap" thread before I start.

I have always liked Momo for his energy and tackling ability (well stopping people withthe ball) but can Rafa really justify playing him in a 4 man midfield. I say thisd because he's not really a defensive midfielder in the sense of Masch who holds his position, cleans up the play and finds a simple pass whether he's under pressure or not, this gives a proper attacking midfileder (gerrard) the freedom to go forward in the knowledge that someone will always be there. He also isn't good enough going forward with a defensive mid behind him as he has proved of late due to his poor shooting and distribution (I can't believe he was bought by Valencia as a striker ??!!) .
With Momo playing in a 4 man midfield he does chase and harrie people but is often out of position and and his touch and passing isn't great which obviously in turn affects other players who have to work harder and come from their positions.
In a 5 man midfield he is outstanding because you have a player who hassles and tackles everything , just remember Barca when he was outstanding.

Does anyone agree or am i going to be slated on my first post ?

Good first post and I agree with you. Momo was very poor yesterday and he hasn't played well since returning back from injury. For a central midfielder it's amazing how often he misplaces passes. Moves continually breakdown when the ball gets to Momo. Even a simple pass seems too difficult for him at times. I think his deficiencies are especially highlighted these days with Mascherano playing alongside him.

You mention not playing Momo in a 4 man midfield but I don't reckon Momo should play in any kind of midfield when we are at home. The lad clearly has potential and I like him but unless his passing improves he's not going to become the player we all want him to be.

[Jazzmaster]

I think the arrival of Mascherano has highlighed momo's shortcomings to a great extent. Before Masch arrived we were quite happy with a battling midfielder even though his distribution was poor. However, Masch can clearly do both and in this regard, momo's first-on-the-team-sheet days are somewhat numbered.

Its a pity cos if he could pass, he'd be immense.

[Johnny H]

I wonder if he could be re-trained as a defender?
We need a gangly injury-prone can't-pass-for-toffee bambi on ice to replace Djimi Traore!

[ronan]

depends what you mean by retrained
i recall ged once telling us that igor was now a centre back as well as his unrelenting array of other talents

[Gaz]

I agree to an extent about him not playing in home games, there will obviously be times when he's needed but only against the top few teams if we're being put under a bit of pressure.

I've got a mental image of what i think his goal celebration would be like if he ever scores for us, i can't wait for that day to come and he'd better not disappoint.

[KK07]

welcome mate not sure Valencia bought him as a striker, but he has played there before!

But Momo is a vital cog in our assault on number 19 and has done excellently enough in 4 man midfields on plenty of occasions!!

Momo started out as a striker,whether or not Rafa bought him as a striker for Valencia I'm not sure but I think he did.

I remember hearing that Momo was forced to play in midfield due to injuries during a pre season friendly and Rafa was amazed by his work rate in the center and converted him after that.

I could be wrong but that what I'm sure I heard/read somewhere.

Oh and welcome gwdy.

[Red_Polo]

I agree to an extent about him not playing in home games, there will obviously be times when he's needed but only against the top few teams if we're being put under a bit of pressure.

I've got a mental image of what i think his goal celebration would be like if he ever scores for us, i can't wait for that day to come and he'd better not disappoint.

Ahhhrhrgh! Look at your post count! Make another post, quick!

[DeeGame]

Momo started out as a striker,whether or not Rafa bought him as a striker for Valencia I'm not sure but I think he did.

I remember hearing that Momo was forced to play in midfield due to injuries during a pre season friendly and Rafa was amazed by his work rate in the center and converted him after that.

I could be wrong but that what I'm sure I heard/read somewhere.

Oh and welcome gwdy.

wheres the joke?

[KK07]

wheres the joke?

You're here now aren't you.

[DeeGame]

You're here no aren't you.

thats better

[Parm]

I think the arrival of Mascherano has highlighed momo's shortcomings to a great extent. Before Masch arrived we were quite happy with a battling midfielder even though his distribution was poor. However, Masch can clearly do both and in this regard, momo's first-on-the-team-sheet days are somewhat numbered.

Its a pity cos if he could pass, he'd be immense.

[AFII]

The problem is that when we play Sissoko then our opponents uses that to their advantage. They give Momo a lot of space so he will have a lot of the ball and close down the other central midfielder(s).

[Chiccada]

Ahhhrhrgh! Look at your post count! Make another post, quick!

The fax number of the beast.