Joël Matip

[CJ]

I know this forum can be demanding but expectations might be a slight bit high if we are expecting a defender or any human being for that matter to never make a mistake!! For what it's worth a few of my lids were speaking to people in Munich before we played Augsburg and they all rated him. It seems to only be Skrtel fans on internet forums that are his biggest critics.

Lids?

[Red_Polo]

Lids?

Bin lid = kid

[CJ]

I know

[Cormack74]

Just caught up with Schalke's game v E. Frankfurt which ended 0-0.

Matip played on the right side of a back four again and on the negative side a couple of his defensive clearances left a bit to be desired and early on he committed himself when there wasn't any need to which could have been costly but for an offside.

Those apart his defending was pretty sound. He made good ground to snuff out a threat when his CB partner was caught out and later hooked the ball out of the yard box in timely manner with an EF forward waiting to pounce. There were few chances to produce any offensive headers but he was very assured on the ball and within the space of a few minutes put decent balls through the inside left, centre and inside right channels. The pass through inside right was particularly good and indicative of a decent touch and composure.

Actually he was a bit over composed at one stage and had a clearance blocked when he was closed down despite having had the chance to get the ball away.

The other thing I noticed tonight is that he's quite vocal. He gave it both barrels to team mates on a couple of occasions. I could quite easily see him making Mig cry.

[Tribute]

I could quite easily see him making Mig cry.

...beats Mig making 45,000 inside Anfield regularly cry

[redmike65]

Just watched most of the Koln v Schalke game. Ended 1-3 win. Matip was dealing with Modeste who is a big quick unit and did pretty well, he went up for the dead balls and nearly got on the end of a couple, while he made some nice passes out of the back. They looked a bit dodge at the back but most of the weakness was on the left side of defence - Neustädter and Højbjerg were poor at times. Max Meyer on the other hand looks a prospect - a bit small though.

[Cormack74]

Well done Mike: saved me a job this week

[Irishnev]

Just watched most of the Koln v Schalke game. Ended 1-3 win. Matip was dealing with Modeste who is a big quick unit and did pretty well, he went up for the dead balls and nearly got on the end of a couple, while he made some nice passes out of the back. They looked a bit dodge at the back but most of the weakness was on the left side of defence - Neustädter and Højbjerg were poor at times. Max Meyer on the other hand looks a prospect - a bit small though.

Schalke are the flavour of the month but could be the German Southampton for us as we are linked to so many of their players!

How are Leon Gorexzka & Sane playing? Højbjerg also highly rated but he is on Bayern's books!

[redmike65]

Sane, who came on at 60 mins was lively enough down the right flank - though not so much as to make me want to see him brought at huge expense. Leon Goretzka was'nt in the squad, he dislocated a shoulder in the EL last week.

[Irishnev]

Sane, who came on at 60 mins was lively enough down the right flank - though not so much as to make me want to see him brought at huge expense. Leon Goretzka was'nt in the squad, he dislocated a shoulder in the EL last week.

Thanks - missed that about Goretzka, haven't seen much sports this week!

[Cormack74]

Just got round to watching him play v Hertha (lost 2-0).

Couple of defensive headers, couple of blocks, sold himself too easily to allow Kalou to almost set up an opening goal and possibly could have tried to clear with his left foot rather than his right which might have prevented the actual opening goal.

Not much more to report and probably only 5 out of 10 this week.

[BigChief]

Sheesh, sounding like we're getting what we paid for!

[Cormack74]

Actually he looks like he's got something - assurance on the ball certainly and he appears to be trying to organise so he's not without hope. Maybe more of a DM although TBF I've only watched him about 4 times

[Cormack74]

Didn't catch the Schalke game last weekend. Did anyone else see how he got on?

[redmike65]

Sorry.