Jordon Ibe

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

I do wonder whether having opportunities to play/develop him and Sterling will prove to be a much better move than a panic striker purchase. Certainly I think it will benefit the players in the long term.

Definitely. I hope the club organise itself better going forward, I've had enough of going around in circles wasting money when its not necessary.

We do need a striker but currently Borini/Balotelli/Lambert are sitting on the bench watching Sterling play in a fairly new role. Unless we can bring someone in ready made to play or challenge for game time on merit then we shouldn't rush.

Other examples are Johnson and Lovren, highly paid players sitting on the bench whilst 20 year olds playing out of position show them up. We have plenty to move on before we bloat the squad further and sometimes experienced and established players are just eating away at finances.

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

He has that skilful steamroller effect in the way he drives into space that Suarez also had (albeit to a much higher level).

That's a good point, as good as Sterling/Coutinho/Lallana are they create space rather than exploit it. Ibe/Sturridge are the killers, when the players get dragged out of position by the creative lot they can exploit it and thats something we've lacked so bad.

[Doc_Piptorious]

Would have been a great goal.

What I liked most about it is he looked completely different to what we have.

From what I have seen, he and Origi are similar in that respect. Both unafraid to drive on when in the box and run at the defenders.



Got me thinking though that if Ibe does well between now and the end of the season, next season he could find himself taking the wide forward/back up striker slot that Origi was signed to fill.

[baitman]

He has that skilful steamroller effect in the way he drives into space that Suarez also had (albeit to a much higher level).

ibe looks to have that power and balance that reminds me of john barnes in full flow.

[I, Ravel Morrison]

I hope Ibe comes into his own now, in a similar way as Sterling did in the second half of last season. I think he can play in the wingback and attacking positions, possibly even forward. I can imagine him and Sterling interchanging upfront to lethal effect.

[Mike]

Expect him to get some game time tonight

[Rich]

Expect him to get some game time tonight

Cup-tied I believe?!

[Exiled_red]

Cup-tied I believe?!

Yeah, otherwise it would have been an ideal game for him to start.

[rodo]

Cup-tied I believe?!

yep cant play

[Mike]

Oh yeah, totally forgot

[Rich]

Oh yeah, totally forgot :smack:

Hope Brendan hasn't otherwise we'll be thrown out of the competition for fielding an ineligible player

[BigChief]

Any news on Markovics injury? Surely Ibe has to start RWB on Saturday?

[Chazza]

Sore back so should be alright.

Johnson will get the nod over Ibe anyway.

[Chazza]

Thought he was very good today.

For a 19 year old lad to play in an unfamilar position in a derby and look composed and more importantly want the ball to take people on speaks volumes.

That shot off the post was a beauty but rather than put his his hands behind his head he was watching the rebound to see if someone could notch.

Ibe

[Exiled_red]

I thought he did really well today, deserves to start again in the next game.