Naby Keita

[rudedog]

Yeah , midfield was miles better today.

[BobTheCharmer]

Agree with both of you.

[Zapater]

I think we play better when he plays regardless of the performance he turns out. Even when he's poor, things generally tick better when he's in the team. Even if he's going for free, I'd use him when fit if he can handle it. I think he's been disappointing (injuries and form) but is still a good player just the disappointment exaggerates things a bit. He's scored some great goals and made some good assists.

On worst players, I know I'm in the minority but I think Minamino is a diabolical player. Konchesky is definitely the worst so not making that argument but if you look at his technical and physical "qualities" combined he has nothing in abundance. Usually other bad players have one or two redeeming qualities. Monaco have a good team and it's no surprise he's struggling there too. Austria is probably his level.

Also, say what you want about Aquilani, he was a million times better than the players he was replaced with. Poulsen, Adam, Allen, Spearing etc. and was at least on par (better imo) with Meireles and Shelvey not really sure how he gets mentioned. New Alonso he was not but played some really good games, it was more of an availability (and apparently willingness to play injured) matter.

[little dave hedgehog]

rather give his wages to someone who can regularly give 7/10. even if his ceiling is a bit lower, which is far from ideal as i'd hope we'd make an upgrade, i would probably still be happier than the status quo. take a midfield version of dirk kuyt over naby any day.

[danperkins]

Should we play him or not?

You all know my feelings about him but at the moment you would have to play him over Henderson. At the very least he recycles the ball quicker than Hendo.

[Tribute]

Naby's like the Duracell bunny ads... starts off all intense and high energy, then fades to **** all once he's put a half-decent shift in.

Not the only Duracell battery comparison though:

* Always disappointing how little time you get from first use
* Scared of running them into the ground too quickly
* Cheaper, reliable alternatives out there
* Seems to have been around forever
* Never to hand when really needed
* Zero chance of recharging once done
* End up throwing in the bin

[Irishnev]

You all know my feelings about him but at the moment you would have to play him over Henderson. At the very least he recycles the ball.

Fixed it

[greenturnip]

Yeah pulled out of two tackles, think I called him a wimp..which unfortunately he is.

A few of our players look a bit reluctant in the challenge - like Mo Salah. When does he ever win a challenge...?

[danperkins]

Fixed it

[danperkins]

A few of our players look a bit reluctant in the challenge - like Mo Salah. When does he ever win a challenge...?

Apart from Thiago generally and when the young lads came in vs Wolves we've been very passive all season.

[Paul12]

Apart from Thiago generally and when the young lads came in vs Wolves we've been very passive all season.

Can't get close enough to the ball to even get a tackle in.

[Scratch]

Game changed for the worse when him, Bajcetic (sp?) and Thiago went off. We were well on top until those changes, then as others were introduced we slowly reverted to the team we'd been seeing over the past few weeks.

[danperkins]

He done well today out of possession, not so much in possession much like all our midfielders. Unfortunately I think it was more about the subs we brought on more so than the players we took off. Hendo & Fab were tragic as they have been for quite some time.

[Fredo]

Naby Keita

The players that were brought in midfield weren’t the problem, but the changes disrupted the formation. Again, there is more than meets the eye than just “Hendo and Fabinho are finished”. Hendo did offer something when he came on, while Fab is going through a rough patch.

[kev776]

Keita needs to stay, one of the few slightly bright points at the moment.