[ghaliboy]

Decent performance, but one thing that is glaring about his game. He has three speeds. General movement, charging up and top speed. The time between general movement, charging up and top speed takes an age and he absolutely cannot move laterally at all when he's in either of these modes. It was actually pretty scary today seeing that for the first time. I'm not sure how well he's going to fare playing at the absolute top level for us over the next couple of seasons but it will be something to watch.

 

[Devil may care]

Solid game, the triumvirate with Rashford and Martial either side looked promising, made me think of what it could be if we had a prime #9 there like Haaland in the long term.

 

[Name Changed]

I thought he was very good. He may be getting old, but the touch and brain are still there. He works hard also. A great player to have in the squad. And it was between him and Martial at this moment in time, I would play him. Martial needs a kick up the hole.

 

[kouroux]

Did you not see the chance when he should have shot with his left and had his right foot effort blocked on the 6 yard line ?
And the 40 yarder when the goalie was out the penalty area - that's 2
Class player

I wouldn't call that a proper chance tbh

 

[Web of Bissaka]

Natural and for once "we have a CF" <-- if you get what I meant. That's what matters.

Nice to see constant presence at the centre. Martial is far better and has more consistent presence on the left wing, as we already know.

 

[MetoTTT]

I'll be amazed if he gets 10 goals in all competitions this season, let alone the league.

You're maybe right but he can have the effect as Giroud at France NT. Never been a Zlatan fan. If Cavani can stay fit he could have a great impact on this team (pressing, work rate, movement, attitude, holding, link up play). We don't need walking players (we have enough of this).

 

[Sultan]

Judging from his work-rate, movement and show of enthusiasm it doesn't seem he's just here for his last payday. He's not also a washed-up player like a lot of posters thought we signed — a massive upgrade on the very likeable Ighalo.

 

[simplyared]

Looks the part but well past his heyday I'm afraid.

 

[joedirt87]

I thought he played well. Good link up play, stayed central and made runs in the box.

 

[Chesterlestreet]

He looks pretty sharp. Looks fit enough too. Which is great.

Grab a few goals in the upcoming matches - and the ball is really rolling (not that he absolutely needs to score in order to make an impact - he isn't a sheer poacher - but it would be nice, and probably good for his confidence).

 

[TrustInOle]

His link up play was a joy to watch. Excited to see more of him with Rashford and Martial coming of the wings.

 

[EireRed_GS]

He looked sharp and fit. He provided a focal point to the team we have not had yet this season. If he keeps that up, Martial needs to moved aside from the no9 position and play Cavani there. We just look more fluid and productive.

 

[romufc]

Even with the success he has had, his desire is still there. I saw him chase all the way to DM at one point. Absolute class.

This is what this team needs, leaders like him and Bruno who set the tone, the rest all look bad if they dont follow.

 

[MAME DIOUF 32]

Certainly looks like a big upgrade on Ighalo.

 

[Redplane]

Even with the success he has had, his desire is still there. I saw him chase all the way to DM at one point. Absolute class.

This is what this team needs, leaders like him and Bruno who set the tone, the rest all look bad if they dont follow.

Yup I came here to say that as well. We haven't seen that kind of aggressive chasing the ball down deep into our side of the pitch since RvP imho. Made me all giddy when he did that. I have no doubt the goals will come soon.

 

[KennyBurner]

You mean to tell me its possible for a number 9 to play well without scoring a goal??? The Cafe have been telling me something different the past few weeks.

 

[kidbob]

I seen a very good performance from what is a back up striker. Better than Ighalo (but at times Ighalo had the same type of performance) but nothing to suggest that we should deviate from Martial at CF with Mason and Rashford either side. It hasn't been firing yet (especially Martial) but no point forgetting what they did last season in favour of starting a 33 year old who hasn't outperformed this years underperforming Martial. Happy with him as a very good sub option.

 

[Bastian]

I just enjoy having a striker play as a striker.

 

[TheRedHearted]

In all honesty, I thought he looked like he was lacking an edge, but we look a far better side with an actual number 9 playing for us rather than a perma-sulking statue.

Hopefully he's still shaking the rustiness off, but a proper, long term no 9 is an absolute priority.

Martial s off form and suddenly everyone forgets what he did for us last season. Quite silly.
Do agree the guy needs some serious man management. He’s an emotional guy and needs to lead a little more with his heart imo. Seems to be stuck in his head at the moment.

 

[RUCK4444]

The key will be whether Bruno links better with Cavani than Martial. If he does (seemed to in that last game) then I think Ole makes the change to let Cavani be this season's first choice number 9.

I'd back that as well. If it brings Bruno into play even more and brings more balance to the attack then it needs to happen.

 

[bond19821982]

I would start him ,Martial and Mason. Southampton will press high up and his movement would cause a lot of problem. We also get a target man to aim for.

Rashford can start against PSG.

 

[antohan]

Even with the success he has had, his desire is still there. I saw him chase all the way to DM at one point. Absolute class.

As I said when he signed, he has spent a decade playing for the Uruguayan NT (which requires that as a qualifying attribute) and he wasn't a mercenary looking for a last fat contract sitting on the bench but a club that would challenge him and make him stay fit and firing on all cylinders for Qatar.

The day he stops doing that it will be because his legs are gone.

 

[antohan]

The key will be whether Bruno links better with Cavani than Martial. If he does (seemed to in that last game) then I think Ole makes the change to let Cavani be this season's first choice number 9.

I'd back that as well. If it brings Bruno into play even more and brings more balance to the attack then it needs to happen.

His first few cameos it was clear nobody could anticipate or read his runs. Getting better but a long way to go. At the risk of everyone losing their minds, I would actually like to see him and Mata at some point (against low block sides) instead of him subbing Mata. Pretty sure they would hit it off straight away.

 

[MileStolar]

You mean to tell me its possible for a number 9 to play well without scoring a goal??? The Cafe have been telling me something different the past few weeks.

It's called the silent domination, look it up.

 

[RUCK4444]

His first few cameos it was clear nobody could anticipate or read his runs. Getting better but a long way to go. At the risk of everyone losing their minds, I would actually like to see him and Mata at some point (against low block sides) instead of him subbing Mata. Pretty sure they would hit it off straight away.

His movement is better than any forward in our squad, by a big distance.

Mata being one of the more intelligent in the side would probably do well with him, I agree.

 

[WR10]

Judging from his work-rate, movement and show of enthusiasm it doesn't seem he's just here for his last payday. He's not also a washed-up player like a lot of posters thought we signed — a massive upgrade on the very likeable Ighalo.

This.

 

[The Boy]

His first few cameos it was clear nobody could anticipate or read his runs. Getting better but a long way to go. At the risk of everyone losing their minds, I would actually like to see him and Mata at some point (against low block sides) instead of him subbing Mata. Pretty sure they would hit it off straight away.

Absolutely agree with this and am glad someone else had the courage to say it out loud! They could work really well together against lower half prem teams for you, keeping your speed merchant forward line fresh for Europe where fast incisive breaks are much more effective.

 

[Volumiza]

Judging from his work-rate, movement and show of enthusiasm it doesn't seem he's just here for his last payday. He's not also a washed-up player like a lot of posters thought we signed — a massive upgrade on the very likeable Ighalo.

Absolutely, I wasn’t expecting him to come here and be terrible by any means, I thought he’d be a quality option off the bench but judging by his efforts so far he’s going to be pushing to be a regular starter.

 

[Volumiza]

I would actually like to see him and Mata at some point (against low block sides) instead of him subbing Mata. Pretty sure they would hit it off straight away.

Yes, agreed, Mata and Cavani could be a great combo for unpicking difficult defences.

 

[Volumiza]

I seen a very good performance from what is a back up striker. Better than Ighalo (but at times Ighalo had the same type of performance) but nothing to suggest that we should deviate from Martial at CF with Mason and Rashford either side. It hasn't been firing yet (especially Martial) but no point forgetting what they did last season in favour of starting a 33 year old who hasn't outperformed this years underperforming Martial. Happy with him as a very good sub option.

You saw that while I saw a proper CF display. While Cavani is fit, on what I’ve seen so far, I’d be starting him in as many games as he can manage. His movement and work rate is very good.

 

[mu4c_20le]

Remember when people were laughing when we signed him??

 

[Haddock]

Edinson the lionhearted. Take a bow!

 

[NinjaFletch]

Well, he's our new no 9.

 

[Regulus Arcturus Black]

I'll be amazed if he gets 10 goals in all competitions this season, let alone the league.

Oh God, you never go full @Wumminator!

This kind of posting cost the poor lad his lovely Twigginator username.

I as said, get this man @11101 a new username.

“10 goals”, they never learn do they @Wumminator?

 

[Santos J]

What a man

 

[Idxomer]

That was amazing 2nd half, shades of Van Persie in the 2012/2013 comeback.

 

[CM]

Massive impact. I was losing faith in our player's ability in front of goal, thank feck for Cavani!

 

[TMDaines]

Struggling to see any evidence that he’d even be ready to have an impact on Soccer Aid match. Utterly anonymous.

Ighalo will have had a greater positive impact at the club and will seem to have been underused in comparison.

Yep, this was me.

 

[spiriticon]

Club legend.

 

[el3mel]

Cavaniiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!

Fecking class!! Never in doubt about him. Knew he would surprise everyone here.

Top class striker banging them on for us !! Get the feck in!!