Raul Meireles

[danperkins]

Had my observations about him when we signed him but was more than happy to be proved wrong, he really needs to do more, at the moment he shows he has good technique and decent work ethic but he isn't really doing much else if i'm honest, IMO we didn't need him with the current players we have, personally i'd have preferred if we had addressed other areas.

As regards judging him, well everyone has judged Poulsen, some after one or two games. Not defending Poulsen as he's been completely gash but bit of balance. Anyways i'd like to think Merieles can be a good player for us, my reservation was of him was coping with the premier league, seems alot better than Aqua thus far even though he hasn't been great and hopefully he will improve.

[GTi]

Had my observations about him when we signed him but was more than happy to be proved wrong, he really needs to do more, at the moment he shows he has good technique and decent work ethic but he isn't really doing much else if i'm honest, IMO we didn't need him with the current players we have, personally i'd have preferred if we had addressed other areas.

As regards judging him, well everyone has judged Poulsen, some after one or two games. Not defending Poulsen as he's been completely gash but bit of balance. Anyways i'd like to think Merieles can be a good player for us, my reservation was of him was coping with the premier league, seems alot better than Aqua thus far even though he hasn't been great and hopefully he will improve.

What did you see?

[danperkins]

Cole, despite some flashes of inspiration, has generally been terrible.

he has been woeful although Cole playing wide left reminds me of when Benny/Babel/Reira etc played there cutting inside all the time and closing off the space, predictable and easy to defend against.

Would love to see Cole played behind Torres, IMO we get much more out of him there.

[dww]

I think it (the left of midfield) is Cole's best position, but he is hopeless as deep as we often play and has all the tactical nous of a sandwich. Without a manager in his ear all the time he seems to be a bit lost.

[danperkins]

What did you see?

Gives away possession to much and doesn't impose himself on games. Much more space playing in Portugal and in many internationals, premier league different kettle of fish, higher tempo, no time to dwell on the ball and little space to go on.

I do like him and he hasn't been terrible or anything just ok, but IMO simply put he has to do more in games can't just make up the numbers.

[alunevans]

I like him. He's a good player in my view.

[alunevans]

I like him. He's a good player in my view.

Meireles I meant.

[danperkins]

I think it (the left of midfield) is Cole's best position, but he is hopeless as deep as we often play and has all the tactical nous of a sandwich. Without a manager in his ear all the time he seems to be a bit lost.

I get what your saying mate. IMO he is not naturally left footed and doesn't have electric pace to get down the line and get balls across. I know his ball to Torres was lovely with left peg last week, but he looks awkward when trying to cross ball with his left foot.

He just seems to similar to me as when Babel/Benny,Reira,Kewell, etc played in the same position, cutting inside every time. We desperately need a natural wide man who runs at players and can get down the line to get some balls into the box. In saying that Cole is prob our best option there at the moment, i do like Cole as a player i know some don't. I think he has the guile and craft that we desperately need, unfortunately he is just horribly out of form at the moment.

Gutted he won't be playing against Chelsea though, could have been the game to turn his bad form around

[GTi]

Gives away possession to much and doesn't impose himself on games. Much more space playing in Portugal and in many internationals, premier league different kettle of fish, higher tempo, no time to dwell on the ball and little space to go on.

I do like him and he hasn't been terrible or anything just ok, but IMO simply put he has to do more in games can't just make up the numbers.

agreed

I'm hoping he will come good. Confidence is everything.

[red g]

Ancelotti changed his system to suit the players when he took charge. Diamond shape midfield now. He didn't use that at Milan.

Roy is trying to get the players to suit his 1000 year old system instead of doing what Ancelotti dit. Change his system to suit the players.

Malouda didn't deliver in his first season because the system didn't suit him. Now it does.

yep very true......that left hand side of zhirkov, Malouda and Cole is frightening!!!


and Roy is very much square pegs, round holes.

[danperkins]

agreed

I'm hoping he will come good. Confidence is everything.

very true mate. Hope he can adapt and push on.

[Fredo]

Had my observations about him when we signed him but was more than happy to be proved wrong, he really needs to do more, at the moment he shows he has good technique and decent work ethic but he isn't really doing much else if i'm honest, IMO we didn't need him with the current players we have, personally i'd have preferred if we had addressed other areas.

As regards judging him, well everyone has judged Poulsen, some after one or two games. Not defending Poulsen as he's been completely gash but bit of balance. Anyways i'd like to think Merieles can be a good player for us, my reservation was of him was coping with the premier league, seems alot better than Aqua thus far even though he hasn't been great and hopefully he will improve.

Everyone has judged Poulsen because he's ****ing ****, it's a no brainer. Everyone has judgded Hodgson because he's ****ing ****, he's got **** tactics and he's an arrogant prick. No brainer again.

As for Meireles, he's shown far more to suggest that he can be a success here, whilst not being overly impressive but it's less of a no brainer when you compare him to Poulsen and Hodgson, for example. That's why people should reserve judgement on him.

I personally think that he will be a good player. I'd also like to see Aquilani here with a better manager in charge and I'd equally like to see Poulsen and Konchesky being shipped out alongside their beloved Hodgson.

Sorry for ranting like this but I think you should try to think before talking mate. No offence, I'm just a little bit irritated.

[danperkins]

Everyone has judged Poulsen because he's ****ing ****, it's a no brainer. Everyone has judgded Hodgson because he's ****ing ****, he's got **** tactics and he's an arrogant prick. No brainer again.

As for Meireles, he's shown far more to suggest that he can be a success here, whilst not being overly impressive but it's less of a no brainer when you compare him to Poulsen and Hodgson, for example. That's why people should reserve judgement on him.

I personally think that he will be a good player. I'd also like to see Aquilani here with a better manager in charge and I'd equally like to see Poulsen and Konchesky being shipped out alongside their beloved Hodgson.

Sorry for ranting like this but I think you should try to think before talking mate. No offence, I'm just a little bit irritated.

I suggest you do the same yourself before you put those fingers on that keyboard. Take and deeeeeeep breath and relax its all good Nig.

And no offense meant either

[Exiled_red]

I think Miereles has the potential to be a good player for us. He is IMO undoubtedly Roys best signing based on perfromances so far (not saying much). He's been much better since he's been played in his real position. I just wish we'd get some proper wingers or wide players and get them involved in the game, that could help him and the team alot.

[danperkins]

I think Miereles has the potential to be a good player for us. He is IMO undoubtedly Roys best signing based on perfromances so far (not saying much). He's been much better since he's been played in his real position. I just wish we'd get some proper wingers or wide players and get them involved in the game, that could help him and the team alot.

its actually ridiculous how glaring it is, to see how much we lack width and 2 out and out wide men.