27 Sep 2015 20:01:26
Not sure what everyone else thinks, but I think Martial is perfect for the system we use: he brings it to life.
Some of his play yesterday was of the highest order. His intelligence and general reading of the game has impressed me just as much as his skills with the ball at his feet. He has, IMO, brought our game to another level because he has allowed the "philosophy" to work.
He is going to terrorise defences this season and far beyond.
What a player.
:)
27 Sep 2015 20:28:13
If he brings the system to life then Valencia tries his hardest to put it 6 feet under. I honestly have no idea how he is still at our club. He's not a winger and he's not a right back and the fact that his left foot is just for standing makes me wonder how he's even made it as a footballer?! He's not been good enough for 4 years now and he seems to get worse as each season passes.
Nothing personal against Valencia, I think he has a fantastic attitude, willing to play wherever the manager decides and always gives his all but everytime the ball is anywhere near him it's painful to watch.
27 Sep 2015 20:37:18
I don't like to build up a young player too much, he's going to have ups and downs but he really has brought our play to a different level .
And now I realise I've just contradicted myself :)
27 Sep 2015 20:38:48
I thought Valencia played well yesterday. He was always making good runs behind the Sunderland defence. I agree that his final ball is more often than not poor. He needs to work on that.
27 Sep 2015 20:41:14
I agree mate, he does suit the system. The main thing he adds is pace and directness, something we have been lacking. I think to see the absolute best from him, he would benefit from a regular partner up front, someone to form a real partnership with and help take the pressure and expectation off his young shoulders. I think he will be perfect to play off a typical no.9 ( yes, I know he wears 9 himself ). Not sure this will happen though because, at the moment, we don't have that player. Obviously Rooney will play up there with him, but it is clear he will continue to drop deeper.
Please let me make it clear this is not a Rooney bashing post. Just giving my opinion on Martial. The fact that Rooney is not what I would call a typical no.9 is not his fault, nor a criticism.
27 Sep 2015 20:44:45
That's a bit harsh Ozzy, he may not be a world beater but he has pace and gets forward. The concern is his position sense defensively.
27 Sep 2015 20:49:48
Sam, attacks always stop when the ball comes to him but I must admit, he does make good runs for a one legged person.
27 Sep 2015 20:57:27
AJH, you're right, he does have pace and he does get forward but that means nothing when he can't meaningfully contribute to anything going forward. I haven't even mentioned his positioning defensively but that's for another day.
27 Sep 2015 21:30:37
Martial is showing that Depay needs an attitude adjustment in my eyes.
27 Sep 2015 21:56:59
Sam
Martial has had a great start but please don't go making him the messiah. We will know how good we are in the next 4 to 5 weeks as these are games, which will test the quality of our players and our system.
Valencia going forward has almost no end product, when was the last time he and an assist.His weight of cross is so bad its an accident if he finds someone in the box.
27 Sep 2015 22:07:11
Beast, spot on. When CTR uploads the podcast you will hear me say that Martial is delivering what we expected from Depay (unless he cuts it in the edit).
28 Sep 2015 00:06:37
Betty - Agree entirely. Personally think Harry Kane is the man for the job and the obvious long term successor to Rooney.
28 Sep 2015 09:47:12
Betty and Redseven,
Martial is a number 9 Kane might well replace Rooney in the future but Kane is a number 10 just look at the positions he was taking up against City at the weekend. Martial normally picks up the ball within the width of the penalty box and is happy to occupy defenders when he doesn't have the ball and his hold up play is fantastic i cannot believe how strong he is, changing this would be risky, there aren't many class number 9's available and he could end up being one.
28 Sep 2015 11:53:05
GCU,
I am judging the guy on what I see. You're being dramatic.