[Jeffthered]

He was way off it tonight. Looked like a child. V poor, could hardly move, no spark, couldn't hold onto it.

But we didn't create much for him, that I must say...

 

[Dominos]

A quality striker would have dragged the ball away from the defender onto his left foot and shot at target with no chance of the defender making a challenge.
It looked like he didn't fancy taking it on his left so he brought it back inside onto his right into the defender and fluffed the shot.

How footballers are so unwilling to take the ball on their weaker side is shocking. What do they do in training every day?

 

[UnitedRepublic]

Made me miss an injured Martial during ETH the sevilla game, the first half vs city what a beautiful player he was. In regards to Sesko he's a 1/3 striker and i don't really see what he excels at. I don't mind a 1 goal for three shoots striker but you got to bring something else to the table aswell.

 

[Danny]

Did you not watch it? He was trying to set hismelf for an instep shot, but the defender pinched in reading it and the defender's contact made Sesko's shot extremely weak. He probably should have tried to shift the ball more and not make it so obvious he was looking to bend one. But it was pretty obvious what he was trying to do, its the same thing Rooney used to do

He was clear of the defender though and should have gone direct to goal, but instead he slowed down and gave the defender opportunity to get back. Really poor decision making- drive and finish.

And he's not of the ability of Rooney.

 

[Dominos]

The fact he's getting chances is a positive, he did well to beat the defender to create the 1v1 against the keeper early 2nd half, and the aerial threat is still there when the delivery is good as seen by his 2nd half header. Keep doing that every game and he'll score plenty.

He really needs to hold the ball up better when it's played to his feet though, he's losing it too often.

We could be making more use of his flick ons from long balls. There's only Mbeumo who gambles by making runs behind him for when he wins the aerial.

 

[NotoriousISSY]

He was poor, but the service to him tonight was diabolical. Pre and post red card.

 

[Klean]

Best legitimate striker prospect we have had in years.

The team doesn't create enough and won't create under Carrick.

 

[Zico1982]

The first chance was really bad from him. The header was placed at the keeper. He did not have a good game, but he has scored a lot and been good in the last couple of months. One sub par game does not change that. We did not create much for him yesterday and he was isolated with little support from a stiff midfield in attack. Don´t overreact now. Sesko is good enough, and he will get better.

 

[Mike Smalling]

Not a good performance, but still managed to get on the end of a few things. Never really got a good replay of that chance he created for himself, but I think it might have been a really good save from their keeper.

Once again we don’t make it easy for our strikers. Don’t think we really tried to cross it to him in the first half at all.

The Chelsea game is probably a good one to revert to Mbeumo up front.

 

[flameinthesun]

I think as a backup striker he is a good option. The problem is that he cost a fair amount and we likely need to buy another striker if he isn't good enough to start.

 

[Godfather]

I wonder what his issue is when he has time on the ball and I hope it's not something to do with a lack off ability.
Also with the pace and body he has he should do better in 1 vs 1 situations with defenders.
Still a fan of him but he does seem very raw in quite a few aspects

 

[Jeffthered]

Best legitimate striker prospect we have had in years.

The team doesn't create enough and won't create under Carrick.

Sesko is decent, but not sure he is more than that. He is also far too timid.

 

[Poborsky's hair]

You say nicked some goals but a lot of them were very high quality for a new young striker in the Premier League.

Being striker in the Prem is not about the goals themselves. someof them were nice yes, but he also missed many easy chances. He doesnt have the top composure. On the other hand he shoul dbring more to the team than goals. Be available for a pass, hold the ball up, win headers for his teammates, play a simple one two without being dispossesed. EVen his first touch is still hit and miss. He's young so we should be patient but then he needs to work his way from the bench working harder than other players.

 

[ron86]

While not being a top quality striker he is still an upgrade on Rasmus and has potential to kick on. I think people who only watched his highlights on YouTube thought he was better than he actually is, that happens a lot though

 

[ron86]

Didn't play well, but it's generally a good sign when you see your CF getting chances even when not playing well.

Exactly. I was sick of arguing with people who said it wasnt Rasmus' fault he never got any chances, any half decent pl striker gets themselves chances whatever team they're in

 

[Gregawa]

He's got an uncanny knack of heading it directly at the keeper. A few adjustments are needed and he's got the potential to make them, so I still expect him to come good.

 

[Foolsgold21]

Surprised at the level of criticism directed at him.

Missed a couple good chances last night, just wasn’t meant to be.

Has bailed us out with a fair few late goals in recent months - such a fine line

 

[Donut]

Jesus Christ, the overreactions in here.

 

[Ekeke]

He was clear of the defender though and should have gone direct to goal, but instead he slowed down and gave the defender opportunity to get back. Really poor decision making- drive and finish.

And he's not of the ability of Rooney.

He wasnt clear of the defender, the defender was one on one with him as the final stop before goal.

 

[El-Manos]

Surprised at the level of criticism directed at him.

Missed a couple good chances last night, just wasn’t meant to be.

Has bailed us out with a fair few late goals in recent months - such a fine line

Agreed. Nobody is claiming he’s the finished article but he’s a talented striker, he’s the least of my concerns. Yoro had a much worse game unfortunately

 

[Lash]

Jesus Christ, the overreactions in here.

I don't think it's an overreaction to say he was poor last night. He simply has to be better on the ball if we want him to lead the line, or he just has to score more. We were playing a side, at home, in a relegation battle. It's not a big ask to either be better on the ball or score from a circa £70m striker.

 

[Ekeke]

I don't think it's an overreaction to say he was poor last night. He simply has to be better on the ball if we want him to lead the line, or he just has to score more. We were playing a side, at home, in a relegation battle. It's not a big ask to either be better on the ball or score from a circa £70m striker.

He has our best goals to mins ratio. He scores more than enough

 

[Lash]

He has our best goals to mins ratio. He scores more than enough

Not when he starts he doesn't. He's currently best as a bench player.

 

[Ekeke]

Not when he starts he doesn't. He's currently best as a bench player.

He barely starts since he was in his goalscoring form. 2 times. So its hard to draw any conclusions

 

[Jericho]

It does seem like we do better when he's comes off the bench. For now just go back to what has worked the majority of the time for Carrick.

 

[Abhinav]

Needs to improve the hold up play. Immediately after the red card, had 3-4 instances where we desperately needed him to hold the ball so that we could move up the pitch and he was weak.
He still looks very lethargic in everything he does. I miss the intensity of players such as Rooney & Tevez.

 

[Judas]

This place is just too reactionary, the vicious swings from praise to hammering of players is hilarious.

 

[Lash]

He barely starts since he was in his goalscoring form. 2 times. So its hard to draw any conclusions

Up to you if you want to narrow the scope to align with his form - which coincides with him not starting. I know he can still be a threat when on the pitch, but he also lacks in his all round game. He can't really press or hold up the ball to the standard required, so he really needs to be scoring more to warrant starting.

 

[golden_blunder]

We have a young CF and one of his best strengths is heading the ball. Yet we rarely supply crosses

 

[Lash]

We have a young CF and one of his best strengths is heading the ball. Yet we rarely supply crosses

We do, they're just not really of the requisite quality, because we don't have the players. Cunha, Amad and Mbuemo are not crossers. It's only Bruno that can put a decent cross in and Dorgu started to do it.

 

[Trigestis]

We do, they're just not really of the requisite quality, because we don't have the players. Cunha, Amad and Mbuemo are not crossers. It's only Bruno that can put a decent cross in and Dorgu started to do it.

Mbeumo is a fantastic crosser, one of his strengths. 3rd for successful crosses in the league last season. He should absolutely play on the right when we play Sesko in the middle.

 

[golden_blunder]

We do, they're just not really of the requisite quality, because we don't have the players. Cunha, Amad and Mbuemo are not crossers. It's only Bruno that can put a decent cross in and Dorgu started to do it.

So we either purchased the wrong widemen or the wrong CF.

 

[buckooo1978]

Calvert Lewin an example of how he should be putting himself about

thought he was weak and we needed much more with 10 men..

 

[Lash]

Mbeumo is a fantastic crosser, one of his strengths. 3rd for successful crosses in the league last season. He should absolutely play on the right when we play Sesko in the middle.

Fair enough, I'm probably marred by how bad he's been recently, I struggle to remember a good cross from him.

So we either purchased the wrong widemen or the wrong CF.

I think we suffer from the full backs being bad crossers and overlappers. Our wingers play with the stronger foot on the inside, so always have to cut in to cross. In order for that to work you need someone overlapping constantly. Also if a FB could hit a first time cross, that would be very handy. I've been very impressed with Gudmunsson at Leeds whenever I've seen him and could really do with someone like him on either flank.

 

[Foolsgold21]

It does seem like we do better when he's comes off the bench. For now just go back to what has worked the majority of the time for Carrick.

Yeah I think he will go back to this for the Chelsea game.

Need an Arsenal / city level of performance on Saturday

 

[golden_blunder]

Fair enough, I'm probably marred by how bad he's been recently, I struggle to remember a good cross from him.

I think we suffer from the full backs being bad crossers and overlappers. Our wingers play with the stronger foot on the inside, so always have to cut in to cross. In order for that to work you need someone overlapping constantly. Also if a FB could hit a first time cross, that would be very handy. I've been very impressed with Gudmunsson at Leeds whenever I've seen him and could really do with someone like him on either flank.

He’s got some engine on him that fella

 

[Lash]

He’s got some engine on him that fella

Fast as well, regularly keeps up with some of the best in the league.

 

[Ekeke]

Up to you if you want to narrow the scope to align with his form - which coincides with him not starting. I know he can still be a threat when on the pitch, but he also lacks in his all round game. He can't really press or hold up the ball to the standard required, so he really needs to be scoring more to warrant starting.

I dont disagree completely. There are obvious areas he could improve. However the alternatives we have, Cunha up front with Mbeumo supporting well Mbeumo is no better at those things and Cunha is worse as a striker because hes never in the box. Zirkzee is worse at most things. So given that context it seems silly to bemoan those things when hes clearly better than the alternatives. But they are areas that he will hopefully improve since hes only 22

 

[Lash]

I dont disagree completely. There are obvious areas he could improve. However the alternatives we have, Cunha up front with Mbeumo supporting well Mbeumo is no better at those things and Cunha is worse as a striker because hes never in the box. Zirkzee is worse at most things. So given that context it seems silly to bemoan those things when hes clearly better than the alternatives. But they are areas that he will hopefully improve since hes only 22

I think we're a better team with Mbuemo through the middle to be honest and then a bigger threat when Sesko comes off the bench. I bemoan those things because we don't feel like a very cohesive attacking unit with him up top and basically need to turn into a crossing team to get the best out of him - which we haven't been set up to do. I think long term he is a good signing, because regardless of him becoming our undisputed no 9, he will be a good player for us. It's just a little frustrating we don't seem to be able to put together a complimentary side and we're always missing a particular profile.

 

[Ekeke]

I think we're a better team with Mbuemo through the middle to be honest and then a bigger threat when Sesko comes off the bench. I bemoan those things because we don't feel like a very cohesive attacking unit with him up top and basically need to turn into a crossing team to get the best out of him - which we haven't been set up to do. I think long term he is a good signing, because regardless of him becoming our undisputed no 9, he will be a good player for us. It's just a little frustrating we don't seem to be able to put together a complimentary side and we're always missing a particular profile.

I feel like we never look like scoring with Cunha up front and Mbeumo supporting him. Its statistically not true, Mbeumo has scored plenty of his goals like that. However all our attacks look blunt because none of our players are in the box and we just pass the ball around the outside of the box trying to tee up shots, and teams can just defend that area and not worry about defending the box. It looks and feels awful as we make progress down the wing only to look up for a cross and nobody is in there. Sometimes the ball goes in anyway because someone should be in there. And the defenders calmly clear it away under no challenge.

There are ways to make a no striker system work, but it doesnt work for us.

However Sesko coming off the bench and now suddenly we do have a target in the box has obviously caught teams out as they now have to play differently. But shouldnt it work the other way also? If we start with Sesko as a threat in the box that you need to mark, shouldnt finishing the game with Cunha up top and Mbeumo off him in a no striker system also catch teams off guard and get the goals? Or are they just not as good?