Yellow Fever Nga Wana Kowhai · Supporters of the Wellington Phoenix

Unknown editor edited January 17, 2019 02:31

theprof wrote:

Nelfoos wrote:

theprof wrote:

Nelfoos wrote:

djtim3000 wrote:

ballane wrote:

So who are you putting to the bench to play him.Not for me im afraid not convinced he would be a good fit for what we are trying to build. If he does come and it works out more than happy to say i was wrong.

14 games left with Rufer and Mandi our only real mids in that position (Kopa at a pinch, but he's better defensive cover). That's a huge risk. Having a player like Essien to either come off the bench or to fill in during injury or suspension is massive.

Kopa's preferred position is midfield, he can cover CB in a pinch but he's very much a real mid.

Midfield maybe his preferred position but I think we can all agree he ahs been more effectinve as a CB.

I actually disagree and think he's suffering from the same sort of reputation that made people significantly underrate Brown/Rodriguez/Lia. He's certainly more visible at CB but I think overall he's been more than good enough in CM. I think people are also low on him at CM because of the original "he's not good enough" that was widely reported when he arrived, and that was where he was playing at that time.

He's impressed me in CM and I wouldn't be upset about him starting over one of Mandi/Rufer this weekend.

interesting, especially considering the massive change in form and possession football we were able to play when he moved to CB from CM. I think his passing ability form the back was a massive part of that change. Certainly been noticeable with Doyle in his place - heaps more hoof-ball from Doyle.

I agree he should be starting LCB over Doyle as well, and our strongest XI overall probably has him there and Mandi and Rufer in midfield. Doyle looks nailed on at LCB there though and I don't see Rudan changing a winning backline. Just think people are being a little disrespectful of his ability by saying we have no CM depth when we have one of our 5 imports who is naturally a defensive minded CM sitting on the bench.

His flexibility is definitely a big plus though and we definitely still need more midfield cover. Wouldn't say no to Essien but would be a little concerned about the mobility of a Mandi/Essien midfield.

Unknown editor edited January 17, 2019 02:30

theprof wrote:

Nelfoos wrote:

theprof wrote:

Nelfoos wrote:

djtim3000 wrote:

ballane wrote:

So who are you putting to the bench to play him.Not for me im afraid not convinced he would be a good fit for what we are trying to build. If he does come and it works out more than happy to say i was wrong.

14 games left with Rufer and Mandi our only real mids in that position (Kopa at a pinch, but he's better defensive cover). That's a huge risk. Having a player like Essien to either come off the bench or to fill in during injury or suspension is massive.

Kopa's preferred position is midfield, he can cover CB in a pinch but he's very much a real mid.

Midfield maybe his preferred position but I think we can all agree he ahs been more effectinve as a CB.

I actually disagree and think he's suffering from the same sort of reputation that made people significantly underrate Brown/Rodriguez/Lia. He's certainly more visible at CB but I think overall he's been more than good enough in CM. I think people are also low on him at CM because of the original "he's not good enough" that was widely reported when he arrived, and that was where he was playing at that time.

He's impressed me in CM and I wouldn't be upset about him starting over one of Mandi/Rufer this weekend.

interesting, especially considering the massive change in form and possession football we were able to play when he moved to CB from CM. I think his passing ability form the back was a massive part of that change. Certainly been noticeable with Doyle in his place - heaps more hoof-ball from Doyle.

I agree he should be starting LCB over Doyle as well, and our strongest XI overall probably has him there and Mandi and Rufer in midfield. Doyle looks nailed on at LCB there though and I don't see Rudan changing a winning backline. Just think people are being a little disrespectful of his ability by saying we have no CM depth when we have one of our 5 imports who is a CM sitting on the bench.