Naby Keita

[Mark79]

I think that is a more damning criticism of our midfield than a credit to him, and a mark of how far they have fallen, he wasn't able to get into the side regularly when he was fit last year, he may be better than our ageing midfield in the last 20 mins of games now, but I don't think that's a reason to keep him, we need a massive overhaul of the midfield. Giving him a new contract would be madness.

That was to maximise the minutes we could get out of both him and Thiago.
We know we’re not getting a full season out of either of them, so we used Keita in alternation with Thiago at LCM, in an effort to keep them both as available as much as possible across the season.

Agree though that he is a big part of the availability issues in midfield, so time to let him go.

[Rich]

He has been a disappointment and he hasn't been fit enough BUT he's had plenty of really positive contributions in games so I wouldn't put him down in our rogues' gallery.

Off the top of my head:

- Markovic
- Balotelli
- Aquilani
- Carroll
- Benteke
- Downing

All contributed much, much less to the cause than Keita has. OK the expectation was higher with Keita but he shouldn't be lumped in with the above...

[Exiled_red]

He has been a disappointment and he hasn't been fit enough BUT he's had plenty of really positive contributions in games so I wouldn't put him down in our rogues' gallery.

Off the top of my head:

- Markovic
- Balotelli
- Aquilani
- Carroll
- Benteke
- Downing

All contributed much, much less to the cause than Keita has. OK the expectation was higher with Keita but he shouldn't be lumped in with the above...

I don't think he's a terrible player he just hasn't been fit, maybe if he had stayed fit and had a regular run of games it would have been different, but he's been here for 5 years and has never established himself because of the injuries, perhaps if he had put in some stellar performances when he did play we might be more inclined to keep him, but it is time to move him on.

If I were attempting to draw parallels with someone I would probably compare him to Joe Allen, someone who should have established themselves as a regular but never made it, limited to being a squad player, didn't particularly let the side down but never fulfilled his potential. At least Keita leaves with a set of medals.

[BobTheCharmer]

Played well. Not spectacular but was part of a hard working midfield that were able to move the ball quickly.

[danperkins]

Done ok tonight I thought

[BootRoom]

He did OK but there should be no reversal of the decision to let him go on a free; he's had his chances. Can't be relied on.

[BobTheCharmer]

He did OK but there should be no reversal of the decision to let him go on a free; he's had his chances. Can't be relied on.

Fully agree. There's a player in there, we just haven't seen enough of it and he's far too injury prone. Shame really.

[Norbs]

**** himself out of a few challenges 2nd half

[BobTheCharmer]

**** himself out of a few challenges 2nd half

He's made of glass, I don't blame him. He's playing for his next contract with a new club, so he needs to stay fit.

[Le Chef]

**** himself out of a few challenges 2nd half

Yep, was thinking of summer

[frank the tank]

He is going to look half decent for the next few months because he is in the shop window now. Put his name on a contract and he will be out again with an ingrown toenail and a cubic foot.

**** him.

[Rafa Justice]

He is going to look half decent for the next few months because he is in the shop window now. Put his name on a contract and he will be out again with an ingrown toenail and a cubic foot.

**** him.

[danperkins]

**** himself out of a few challenges 2nd half

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

[BobTheCharmer]

Should we play him or not?

[Mark79]

Yes. Naby returns and so does our pressing.

Play him while we can.