Rio Ngumoah

[danperkins]

Think it is pretty obvious (with the advantage of hindsight of course).

Salah was coming off of a close to career best season in terms of return and Gakpo was coming off of a pretty good season too.

Don't think anyone saw the decline of both (to the degree it is now) coming. Sure maybe a small drop off but we would still have been expecting Salah, in the league alone, to get into double figures (high teens maybe) for goals and the same for assists and we would have been expecting maybe 10 goals and close to 10 assists from Gakpo in the league too.


Enough to make up the difference whilst new players settled anyway. No way was the sort of drop off both suffered expected imo. And similar could be said for the huge drop off seen in guys like Mac Allister and Konate (off pitch stuff notwithstanding for both).

I reckon the plan was based on Salah and Gakpo between them giving at least 75% of last season's G/A return (not an unreasonable assumption imo to expect them to do that. 75% of their own numbers that is. ) and buying a season before having to bring in someone(s) new out wide.

I meant from the point of view of not having any players that can dribble by opposition, Mo hasn't been able to do that for a few seasons.

[Doc_Piptorious]

I meant from the point of view of not having any players that can dribble by opposition, Mo hasn't been able to do that for a few seasons.

True enough though would argue Wirtz and Ekitike are both good at going by a player or two using a bit of skill and we also have Frimpong who is a decent dribbler but better at skinning someone by knocking the ball past them and switching in the afterburners (albeit he is out at present).


Though think you may more mean someone that has both great dribbling ability and also has the sort of pace that worries a back line. Think that may be where our supposed interest in guys like Yan Diomande is coming from, as those that buy the players may well be thinking the same as you in terms of what we need.

[Scratch]

I wouldn't start him but I would give him at least 30 minutes every game. Perfect running against tired legs. He should be on for salah every game regardless of the score.

That's the catch-22 tho, we are so often, at the end of a game, looking for a moment of inspiration to unlock a packed defence, and (rightly or wrongly) Slot feels that Salah could have just one moment in him, whereas Rio is an unknown and has yet to prove himself. Even yesterday, when he chipped that ball to the back stick for Hugo to balls up the header, you could see that initially Gomez was fuming cos the higher percentage play was to pass to Joe and him to put in the cross.

Plus, if he comes on and fluffs his lines, it won't help if he's got a mountain of expectation on his shoulders. He needs to come on and have no pressure on him to provide a magic moment.

[peterbread]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c62d7dxz5wwo

[Doc_Piptorious]

But Slot hates him...doesn't he?............

[frank the tank]

Going to be very exciting in the next couple of years if the stars align and the following transpires:

- Rio continues to progress, in a year to 18 months time is a starter
- Wirtz gets better and better as he adjusts further to the league and continues to build his physique
- Hugo does the same
- Isak starts his lfc career properly and finds some form
- We add another wide attacker - maybe someone like Yan Diomande who I've never seen play but is obviously going to be a worldie. Or Nico Williams maybe yes please.

I still think we are a top central midfielder and a few defenders away from being a brilliant team after that but there is definitely unreal potential there.

[peterbread]

Add in the two young CB’s in Leoni and Jacquet. Plus Kerkez at LB. Plenty of the future team is already at the club. I’d expect another big window in the summer to try and get as much as possible. The future is definitely looking good squad wise.

[vlahka]

And of course replacing the manager.

[Paul12]

I think the thought probably was that we'd sorted out the keeper, defence and midfield for years to come, - apart for some squad players - and that we just needed a winger/offensive ball carrier. The fitness issues at right-back, the lack of physicality in midfield, the poor form of Mo and Cody, and the fitness issues of Isak, Bajcetic and Danns rather change that picture.

[peterbread]

So unlucky not to score. Created the opportunity and nearly got his goal.

Looked really creative when he came on. You can see how well he’s developing and looks like such a talent. A rare exciting part of the team’s performances right now.

[Exiled_red]

So unlucky not to score. Created the opportunity and nearly got his goal.

Looked really creative when he came on. You can see how well he’s developing and looks like such a talent. A rare exciting part of the team’s performances right now.

Unlucky not to come away with a goal and an assist (VVD header)

[SB]

https://fb.watch/FHfdnOZRMz/?fs=e

[SB]

Rio Ngumoha against Wolves in the FA Cup:

�� 91% passing accuracy
�� 9 touches in opposition box
�� 6 ground duels won
��*♂️ 3 dribbles completed
�� 3 fouls earned
�� 1 chance created

An impressive performance from the 17-year-old ��

[SB]

MOTM. Trying to remember the last time Cody Gakpo got an award? I think Gakpo is better suited down the middle as back up for Hugo.


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[Slinky Skills]

****ing start this lad on the left going forward. **** Gakpo off, Ekitike on the right, Salah up front where he can actually do some damage and Wirtz just behind.