Fabinho

[Paul12]

Seems like puntong Morton out on loan was a mistake. He is doing really well by all accounts. ....

So if next summer the Club points to his return from loan as "one of the additions we needed to the midfield"...

[kev776]

Was hardly a geriatric midfield on Saturday?

He’s been poor, why do you give him a pass?

Jones and Elliot either side of him against Forrest. Last season he had Thiago and Hendo either side, a huge difference.

[Mark79]

Seems like puntong Morton out on loan was a mistake. He is doing really well by all accounts. Not that having a load of kids is the answer, but in terms of having better bespoke cover for positions he looks a prospect.

As per every season we have struggled, you just cannot legislate for this level of injury, which asks a bigger question.

Sounds like it’s paying off then.

I doubt he’d have many minutes here this season so far. We’ve always had at least 1 of Fab, Hendo, Milner available. They’d have still played ahead of Morton, regardless of form.

He’s better off having a season of development, maybe next year he can be an option for us. Hopefully with at lest a couple of other midfield additions brought in.

[danperkins]

I would rather have Milner in there instead of him. The drop in his level of performance is mind blowing.

[Irishnev]

I would rather have Milner in there instead of him. The drop in his level of performance is mind blowing.

Nothing is that bad…… he’s just physically done, run into the ground for 5 years. I actually think we need an entire new midfield 4/5 new players

[Exiled_red]

I would say he needs to be dropped and have some time out of the side to get refreshed and rediscover his form but there is no-one to come in

[Fredo]

Nothing is that bad…… he’s just physically done, run into the ground for 5 years. I actually think we need an entire new midfield 4/5 new players

How can you run someone into the ground? It’s a fallacy. Might be mentally exhausted but he’s been rested a few games.

If you’re playing games you become fitter. Doesn’t help a player when he plays the odd games.

For sure we need better options and a list of players who are able and fit to come in, rather than half fit and not ready players who break down because they can’t repeat games. At least Fab isn’t injured.

[Irishnev]

How can you run someone into the ground? It’s a fallacy. Might be mentally exhausted but he’s been rested a few games.

If you’re playing games you become fitter. Doesn’t help a player when he plays the odd games.

For sure we need better options and a list of players who are able and fit to come in, rather than half fit and not ready players who break down because they can’t repeat games. At least Fab isn’t injured.

You see the games the same as I do Fredo - look at Fab and compare him to what we expect based on his past form. He can’t cover the ground as well, maybe it’s systematic with bigger holes to plug? He is losing physical battles which he never did in the past. Maybe his body just can’t do it at that intensity (love that word!) anymore

Milner is the fittest guy at the club but I wouldn’t have him near our starting 11 - just because you can run slowly for a long time means f all.

[Norbs]

Even with the ball Fabinho has dropped way beyond his standard. He was dreadful yesterday, can't just be tiredness but if it is then that lies squarely with the coaching and management, not the player

[Fredo]

Fabinho

You see the games the same as I do Fredo - look at Fab and compare him to what we expect based on his past form. He can’t cover the ground as well, maybe it’s systematic with bigger holes to plug? He is losing physical battles which he never did in the past. Maybe his body just can’t do it at that intensity (love that word!) anymore

Milner is the fittest guy at the club but I wouldn’t have him near our starting 11 - just because you can run slowly for a long time means f all.

What I’m saying is I don’t think it’s down to Fab’s fitness that he’s not playing consistently well. We don’t consistently play compact as a team anymore now, this causes a drop in rhythm and direction in games and the team stops functioning. Players form is symptomatic of the team not functioning well.

[S-RED]

Was better last night (IMO)

[Irishnev]

What I’m saying is I don’t think it’s down to Fab’s fitness that he’s not playing consistently well. We don’t consistently play compact as a team anymore now, this causes a drop in rhythm and direction in games and the team stops functioning. Players form is symptomatic of the team not functioning well.

But I also feel the level of certain players dropped, Fab being one of the most notable

Anyway let’s move on

[Fredo]

Was better last night (IMO)

Maybe because we played better and more compact? If things fall apart around you, it doesn't necessarily exhibit his strengths?

He's not an athletic type of midfielder per se, his strength for me is his anticipation and reading of the game, seeing potential danger and nipping it in the bud. When nothing functions around, he seems lost.

Anyway.

[Buzzo]

Was better last night (IMO)

[Doc_Piptorious]

Maybe because we played better and more compact? If things fall apart around you, it doesn't necessarily exhibit his strengths?

He's not an athletic type of midfielder per se, his strength for me is his anticipation and reading of the game, seeing potential danger and nipping it in the bud. When nothing functions around, he seems lost.

Anyway.

Think there might be more than a little bit of truth in this post tbh. He thrives in a midfield where everyone is more often than not taking up the correct positions and reacting to the same triggers.

He sweeps up behind the other two, nipping things in the bud as you said.

Put him into a midfield where at least one player is constantly out of position and/or not reacting to triggers, not tracking back and so on, and that leads to Fabinho having to try and cover the other guys area as well as his own.