Naby Keita

[danperkins]

Doesn't look right in that position.

[Shaggy]

Doesn't look in that position.

It worked at Bournemouth but agree we really could do with finding a way of getting him into the middle of the park. It's probably the only minor gripe any of us could have this season. There's an unbelievable player in there somewhere and it's ****ing mouthwatering to imagine getting him at his best in the middle of this team.

[Rigadon]

Still very effective and quite different to the other midfielders. The problem is finding a way for Keita and Firmino to play through the middle (their best positions). There was a point, tonight, where Keita was running through the middle, with the ball, and Firmino had dropped deep - looked 'squeezed'. The team and the formation(s) will continue to evolve, especially as I think we'll sign at least one top-class attacker in the summer.

[danperkins]

It worked at Bournemouth but agree we really could do with finding a way of getting him into the middle of the park. It's probably the only minor gripe any of us could have this season. There's an unbelievable player in there somewhere and it's ****ing mouthwatering to imagine getting him at his best in the middle of this team.

completely agree, tough for Naby too as the team is flying. Gini has been class central and fab is starting to look the business, Hendo and Milly there too. Would love to see what he could do in a central role. Cup would a perfect opportunity to try this?

[danperkins]

Still very effective and quite different to the other midfielders. The problem is finding a way for Keita and Firmino to play through the middle (their best positions). There was a point, tonight, where Keita was running through the middle, with the ball, and Firmino had dropped deep - looked 'squeezed'. The team and the formation(s) will continue to evolve, especially as I think we'll sign at least one top-class attacker in the summer.

[BobTheCharmer]

Maybe second half of season or next season but I think he will get better and better.

Just think he needs to toughen up a bit. Goes down all the time easily. If he could get a goal it would do him the power of good.

[danperkins]

He does seem to be a bit fragile alright, gets pushed off ball a bit too easy. I think he is much better when he releases the ball earlier. Has a habit of hanging on to it for too long and getting dispossessed.

[Rich]

What I really like about him though he’s not afraid to receive the ball in tight spaces which really helps us when space is tight.

Sure he’s not made the impact we probably thought he would but he’s still done well enough.

[memzey]

What I really like about him though he’s not afraid to receive the ball in tight spaces which really helps us when space is tight.

Sure he’s not made the impact we probably thought he would but he’s still done well enough.

I disagree with that. He seems nervous and unsure and certainly hasn’t done well enough to dispel the doubts. It’s early days for him and he might turn out to be a corker (I hope so) but if he does, we'll remember him as player who made a poor start and turned it around. We’ve seen little more than glimpses so far. He needs that breakthrough game that Fabinho had against the mancs.

[danperkins]

Yeah he does seem unsure on the ball. He has a lovely first touch and nice weight on his passes, imo he just needs to do the simple things and at the moment he's taking too much time on the ball. Not worried about him though.

[Rigadon]

I disagree with that. He seems nervous and unsure and certainly hasn’t done well enough to dispel the doubts. It’s early days for him and he might turn out to be a corker (I hope so) but if he does, we'll remember him as player who made a poor start and turned it around. We’ve seen little more than glimpses so far. He needs that breakthrough game that Fabinho had against the mancs.

I must be watching a different player. IMO, our midfield is better with him in it.

[memzey]

I must be watching a different player. IMO, our midfield is better with him in it.

As opposed to who? Wij? Fabinho? Milner? With who else in midfield? It’s a tricky one. He has looked very tentative to me and scared of his own shadow at times, although he has shown glimpses here and there. Like I say, I think he needs a breakthrough game to really kick on. One where he dominates by getting past people like he did in Germany to set things up or shoot. There is a player in there, he just hasn’t come to the fore yet. Hopefully he will soon.

[RedReet]

He had a good start before getting injured. Although he wasn't at his best when he returned, we still have a 100% record in the league with him starting. Poor isn't a word I think I'll be using to describe him.

I've also no doubt whatsoever that he'll be dominating this league in no time.

[Doc_Piptorious]

He had a good start before getting injured. Although he wasn't at his best when he returned, we still have a 100% record in the league with him starting. Poor isn't a word I think I'll be using to describe him.

I've also no doubt whatsoever that he'll be dominating this league in no time.

Think what will help him to no end is a sustained run in a central position. Left of centre is not a position he has much experience in and does not, imo, play to his strengths.


But what playing him in that wider slot does do in the here and now is give him some minutes on the pitch to help him get to know his teammates in competitive circumstances, and helps get him further up to speed with the EPL.

Have no worries about him as a player though. Think I said earlier in the season that I expected Fabinho's worth to the team to take some time to become noticed and I feel the same about Keita. My feeling is that come the end of the season we will be raving about both and looking forward to starting next season with both being nailed on starters for most games.

[RedReet]

Think what will help him to no end is a sustained run in a central position. Left of centre is not a position he has much experience in and does not, imo, play to his strengths.


But what playing him in that wider slot does do in the here and now is give him some minutes on the pitch to help him get to know his teammates in competitive circumstances, and helps get him further up to speed with the EPL.

Have no worries about him as a player though. Think I said earlier in the season that I expected Fabinho's worth to the team to take some time to become noticed and I feel the same about Keita. My feeling is that come the end of the season we will be raving about both and looking forward to starting next season with both being nailed on starters for most games.