Raul Meireles

[Shaggy]

Thoughts so far?

Up until now he'd been difficult to assess. Out of position most of the time - whether it's off a striker or on the right, but his application and attitude impressed. Busy, an air of authority about him, an assured first touch, strong, takes no ****.

But it's become increasing apparently that he can't pass a football. His passing had been erratic at best until tonight, when it was an absolute horror show. I'd like to see his stats because he had a sequence that lasted right to the end of the 1st half (and the end of his game) when he gave the ball away what must've been a dozen times on the trot.

I'm not gonna hang him out to dry though, cos I think he's an authoritative, good quality box to box central midfielder, and to misuse him as Hodgson does is criminal. Play him in the middle and then we can judge him, and I think he'll be a good player for us, but so far it's been pretty ****.

[Icon]

Generally a little above mediocre, but today woeful.

And all that fuss when he signed...

Edit - granted he's in the wrong place ROY!

[Drago]

Play him in the middle and give him at least a year to get used to the league. Pointless really judging him at this stage for all the reasons you've pointed out.

[Fredo]

I don't know to be fair. I think Hodgson isn't helping in playing him on the right. It's just not his game.

[Rudo]

http://www.est1892.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=71783

As i say, meh

[SB]

Never a good time to discuss a player after a poor team showing IMO.

He's been good for us so far and had a bad day today IMO.

[Exiled_red]

He was poor today, I don't want to lay into he because I think he's shown some promising signs previously and he needs time to get used to the Premier League. It doesn't help that he's being shifted from position to position, he doesn't have a role to get used to. I think he'd be better if we played in him in his best position.

[Chris]

Disgustingly used so far. He was excellent at home to Blackburn in central midfield yet has barely set foot in that position again.

Astonishing.

[JohnDoe]

Meh-reiles. He's a good player but I question the judgment of signing him.

[dww]

I think he looks like a possession footballer lost with our slightly daft tactics. It's true of a lot of our players really - don't suit the tactics we are employing and don't make natural units in defence, midfield or attack.

I've quite liked the look of him in general but it is very difficult to judge as you say. I've said elsewhere I would have liked to have seen him play with Aquilani rather than replace him.

[Rudo]

meh-reiles. He's a good player but i question the judgment of signing him.

lol.

[danperkins]

http://www.est1892.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=71783

As i say, meh

said similar myself about his distribution, wasn't fussed when we signed him either, didn' t understand why we signed him with the way we set up we really didn't need him. Terrible distribution, big difference between having time and space in Portugal and at international level, different story in the premier league.

Said as much in the initial Meireles thread about being worried about him adapting to the pace and tempo of the league. Thus far it ain't happening. Roy is not doing him any favours playing him out wide though, baffling!!!??

[little dave hedgehog]

been thinking a lot about this, and still can't make up my mind. could just be waiting for one big performance where he carries the side by himself, a la xabi in the absence of gerrard against...juve was it?

not that i think raul is capable of that sort of performance, but let him score a couple and play one blinder and see how he goes. not our immediate savior, and roy's tactics certainly aren't helping. put in some reinforcements and maybe there's a pool player in there. kind of unfair to judge our players, esp the new ones we can't make our minds up about with all the **** dragging them down atm moment.

[Arn]

Play him in the middle and give him at least a year to get used to the league. Pointless really judging him at this stage for all the reasons you've pointed out.

[JohnDoe]

I think he looks like a possession footballer lost with our slightly daft tactics. It's true of a lot of our players really - don't suit the tactics we are employing and don't make natural units in defence, midfield or attack.

I agree but my problem with signing Meireles is that he's not a creative player. He plays well in possession and flows within the offence but he's not an initiator. I don't understand why we never went for Van der Vaart who would have been a much better fit and that has nothing to do with hindsight. We clearly needed a playmaker next to Gerrard, whether it's a deep lying one or an attacking midfielder. Instead we bought a grafter with a nice touch and played him out wide.