Yep, we played too many passes in the middle of the park, went wide came back to CB, it was all too pedestrian with no real threat. Sancho and VDB should be able to link up and make things happen quick.
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I know he was highly rated before we bought him but that doesn't really matter now and I still don't think we can really gauge him until he gets a good run in the side but unless there are injuries to others I cannot see it.
Their right winger, yeah, not their attacking central midfielder.
Sell ASAP. Wasting our time keeping him.
The best case scenario for Donny is that a 4-3-3 formation change will suit him more and he'll be an impact sub and a back-up to the two 8's (Bruno & Pogba) competing with McTominay.
The way we played last season, Pogba is a much better Bruno substitute and I honestly don't see much of a role for Donny there.
I disagree with the view that Bruno is some risk monster that can only play with holding midfielders behind him. He's capable of being more disciplined in my opinion, it's just that he's served us well as someone that can make things happen and the whole squad is looking at him to do so.
The way we played last season, Pogba is a much better Bruno substitute and I honestly don't see much of a role for Donny there.
Ziyech was on the wing, precisely because of his risky style. He was sometimes played as a 10 earlier on and it didn't work quite as well. He fills the RW role in a Mata kind of way and not as a traditional winger. Almost always when he had the ball, Donny was further up the pitch, already in the box or running towards it. Donny played deeper in his last season after De Jong went to Barca and it wasn't anything special.
I disagree with the view that Bruno is some risk monster that can only play with holding midfielders behind him. He's capable of being more disciplined in my opinion, it's just that he's served us well as someone that can make things happen and the whole squad is looking at him to do so.
Everything points to him not going anywhere. Hopefully a packed OT will light a fire under his arse.
Another Weasley... I know just what to do with you.
Apparently foreign players don't get better in their 2nd seasons.
Nice to see you all writing him off already!
Silly thing is he had his best performance for us in his last match. Should play the deeper CM more often.
Nice to see you all writing him off already!
Silly thing is he had his best performance for us in his last match. Should play the deeper CM more often.
He should be getting built up and getting his stamina up too. If he can do that then he can become an important squad player here. He’s never going to be first choice though I don’t think. He’d have to become double the influence to be honest.
Nice to hear that he wants to stay and fight for his place - really good attitude.
Once Pogba has departed the midfield will get a re-org and hopefully we will get to see Donny get a run in the team and I’m sure he will be up for it.
Once Pogba has departed the midfield will get a re-org and hopefully we will get to see Donny get a run in the team and I’m sure he will be up for it.
So it’s Pogba’s fault he was shite last season?
He may yet come good as he wouldn’t be the first player to kick on after a season but surely he simply needs to perform, Pogba leaving & that forcing us to play him more is more likely to backfire then suddenly transform the dross he served up last season.
That was a leap.
What on earth is going on by here
A true leap indeed. . .
Sorry - where did I say it was Pogba’s fault he didn’t get a chance last year????
Just an obvious assumption that he has more of a chance of getting played more as it’s looking fairly inevitable that Pogba is off and that Donny’s attitude to stay and fight for his place is commendable.
Just an obvious assumption that he has more of a chance of getting played more as it’s looking fairly inevitable that Pogba is off and that Donny’s attitude to stay and fight for his place is commendable.
See above.
You say Pogba leaving will give him more chances & that you believe he’ll do well, but based on what? . . . Pogba leaving giving him more chances not his own growth. If he were good enough he’d displace Pogba imo.
His attitude is indeed commendable, shame his performances haven’t matched that mentality thus far.
I am not saying I want Pogba to be sold as he can be a worldbeater on his day.
However, if we do I hope we get a specialist CDM who can play this role on his own, not a box to box or hybrid type of player. Also I want to see 2 real wingers and a 9, we got enough depth there so no more excuses to shoehorn a midfielder in.
Both McTominay and Fred are more of Box to box players who can also do a lot of defensive work, but only one of them should be played with either Bruno or Donny.
Against weaker teams it should be Bruno plus Donny.
However, if we do I hope we get a specialist CDM who can play this role on his own, not a box to box or hybrid type of player. Also I want to see 2 real wingers and a 9, we got enough depth there so no more excuses to shoehorn a midfielder in.
Both McTominay and Fred are more of Box to box players who can also do a lot of defensive work, but only one of them should be played with either Bruno or Donny.
Against weaker teams it should be Bruno plus Donny.
Ive got that classic early season optimism, and I’m hoping he can rediscover his form this year. If we do switch to a three man midfield we might see more chances for him to get game time close to the opposition penalty area. Such a pleasing player to watch at Ajax, would be a shame if he didn’t cut it.
I fancy him in midfield with Matic the next pre-season game.
Donny is going to be a success lads, Last set was not the best and on top of that not playing in regular basis could dent anyones confidence.
Playing with one of McTominay/Fred is not the best way to judge any other CM in my opinion, Put DVB next to someone like Neves / Saul then we can see the best out of him
Bruno and VanBeek with one of Neves/Saul will be an exciting midfield
Playing with one of McTominay/Fred is not the best way to judge any other CM in my opinion, Put DVB next to someone like Neves / Saul then we can see the best out of him
Bruno and VanBeek with one of Neves/Saul will be an exciting midfield
If he’s going to make it, he needs to be fitter and faster this season. Last season he didn’t have the athleticism to impact the premier league.
Back where he belongs tonight.
That is his style. He wont become a beast suddenly. I wonder what the plan was or who the feck wanted him here
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I agree. He’s a talented player and will come good.
Good player, just not sure the way we play suits him. He'd be pretty good in Pep's system I reckon.
There's a good midfielder in him. No standout attributes but his spatial awareness I like. Feels comfortable around mid circle, and much more active (on and off the ball) when playing deeper.
He can play the deeper role in midfield perfectly well. Especially against teams that want to press his awareness, great first touch and ability to play 1 touch football really helps.
I've always said I prefer him deeper. He isn't going to take Bruno's position as the way we play is too individualistic. He's not really good enough athletically to carry the ball like Bruno can, and he prefers to keep his passing simple and play it closer which is more efficient but with perhaps less risk/creativity. That style of football is ideal for us in a deeper position as we are often a bit loose in midfield, but obviously at the 10 we need Bruno's creativity.
The only thing that was really holding him back last year was his fitness and speed, but that was starting to look a lot better towards the end of the season.
I'd like to see him play alongside Fred in midfield more often.
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Everyone getting massive yeah.
I see literally no difference.
Not seeing it to be honest. Not that he needs to in the first place, mind.
Really hope he can settle this year and justify his place in the team/squad. If he can find his Ajax form then it would tick one of the final pieces of our jigsaw off.
It’s pre-season they all bulk up and when it starts to get in to the nitty gritty of the season you’ll see them lean up with the amount of high intensity running they do. Every pre season there has ever been our players come back looking hench as fook. Absolutely nothing new here that can be contributed to Ole or any manager.
I noticed he’d bulked up against wolves last year. Maguire has even made a comment about it on Instagram saying he better not stretch the armband too much 
It indicates he’s going to be playing deeper you’d think? He’s brilliant technically but I’m still not sure he has the dynamism Ole requires from his midfielders. He also needs to get involved more.
It indicates he’s going to be playing deeper you’d think? He’s brilliant technically but I’m still not sure he has the dynamism Ole requires from his midfielders. He also needs to get involved more.He's a decent player but it's like he's allergic to passing into space or playing the ball more than 10 yards. He really has to be more aggressive and ambitious with his passing if he's going to make it outside of a system that plays tiki taka.
Fingers crossed he makes it this year but if he doesn't improve he'll have to go.
Fingers crossed he makes it this year but if he doesn't improve he'll have to go.
Only if we switch formation/style
I was at the game and I remember thinking he’s bigger than I expected in real life... so maybe he has just bulked up and that explains it..
How did he play? Its his first minutes since coming from injury so I wouldn't expect fireworks
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