|
Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2016 10:12:53 GMT
He's certainly our stand out player of the past month or two for me.
If Bojan, Arnie, Shaq and Diouf (that's a different story) were all fit, on form and buzzing around ahead of Affellay, then I think it would look very different. As it stands things can look a little static and stale.
It looks like Imbula is going to take his CM position though, so it will be interesting to see how he fares further up the pitch. He does look fitter and stronger than he did in early season so I think he'll be an asset there too.
Whilst he was more rapid in his early years, I don't think there's much in this video as a wide/central attacking position that is beyond him these days - his pace isn't everything.
|
|
|
Post by bayernoatcake on Feb 4, 2016 10:48:37 GMT
Strange that he's been probably our best player of late in my opinion. Ah well, we all can't agree on everything! I agree but what in terms of being decisive on the pitch does he do? It isn't much. I really like him and how he plays but we need more from him or the person that plays there.
|
|
|
Post by Bojan Mackey on Feb 4, 2016 10:52:07 GMT
Afellay coming into the team after his shaky start, in the role he's being panned for here no less, coincided with us battering Man City, Man Utd, beating Everton 4-3 away amongst others in our best patch of form so far this season.
As for the sideways passing argument, which is quite frankly bollocks as he's one of the players who's always looking to move the ball forward, he's playing alongside Whelan, who as good as he's been this season, rarely ever goes forward, I'd like to see Afellay alongside Imbula, I reckon that midfield would cause any team in this league problems.
He isn't a winger, he even said in an interview when we signed him that he prefers playing centrally with the ball, so the concept of him playing in the position isn't alien to him, whilst admittedly he doesn't offer the defensive solidity that we had with N'zonzi, he makes up for that by collecting the ball, effortlessly weaving past a couple of players and looking to launch an attack, something N'zonzi could do, but did it nowhere near enough.
Admittedly when we signed him I thought injuries had finished him and that his petulance would see him get nowhere in this league, and indeed after his sending off against West Brom I thought this was going to be proven true, but since then he's shown a fine degree of professionalism, got his chance in the side after scoring against Sheffield Wednesday in the cup and hasn't looked back since.
If you can't see what a fine footballer Ibrahim Afellay is then you must be watching a completely different sport to me.
|
|
|
Post by foster on Feb 4, 2016 11:05:40 GMT
Strange that he's been probably our best player of late in my opinion. Ah well, we all can't agree on everything! I agree but what in terms of being decisive on the pitch does he do? It isn't much. I really like him and how he plays but we need more from him or the person that plays there. If we're really going to pick on players that need to do more based on where they play then look no further than Bojan, Arnie and Shaq. They're the attacking trident and they're the ones that should be creating and scoring goals. In addition to the main striker who I can't mention as we don't have one that's played consistently.
|
|
|
Post by VolvicStokie on Feb 4, 2016 11:11:09 GMT
WTF? Are you serious?
Affelay has been one of the stand out players this season.
Whelan couldn't pick his nose let alone a pass, so having Affelay bring the ball out of defence and getting things going has been crucial
Whelan is the one doing the dirty work and putting blocks etc in but I'm certain Imbula will replace him.
On another note, Affelay looked like one of the only ones vs Man Utd who actually gave a fuck. The lad is quality
|
|
|
Post by pmjh on Feb 4, 2016 11:11:45 GMT
Apart from Tuesday the best and most consistent player in the team over the last 3 months. As much as I like Glenn, his form has dipped and he is the one whose place should be under threat.
|
|
|
Post by bayernoatcake on Feb 4, 2016 11:14:46 GMT
I agree but what in terms of being decisive on the pitch does he do? It isn't much. I really like him and how he plays but we need more from him or the person that plays there. If we're really going to pick on players that need to do more based on where they play then look no further than Bojan, Arnie and Shaq. They're the attacking trident and they're the ones that should be creating and scoring goals. In addition to the main striker who I can't mention as we don't have one that's played consistently. I've been picking on Bojan for a good month now! And they should but Afellay when he played there was even more impotent, so he shouldn't be there and it's why he need moving back but in terms of drive and dynamism, defensive stuff etc, he's ok but it could be better........Imbula. I think that's entirely fair.
|
|
|
Post by bayernoatcake on Feb 4, 2016 11:17:08 GMT
Apart from Tuesday the best and most consistent player in the team over the last 3 months. As much as I like Glenn, his form has dipped and he is the one whose place should be under threat. Who's going to stuff like tackling?
|
|
|
Post by pmjh on Feb 4, 2016 11:21:05 GMT
Apart from Tuesday the best and most consistent player in the team over the last 3 months. As much as I like Glenn, his form has dipped and he is the one whose place should be under threat. Who's going to stuff like tackling? Forgive me if I'm wrong, but isn't imbula meant to be a defensive midfielder?
|
|
|
Post by Paul Spencer on Feb 4, 2016 11:22:51 GMT
Affelay looks quicker than Shaqiri to me. Granted he wasn't fantastic when deployed wide earlier in the season, but he's a different player now. Fitter, quicker, stronger and generally more confident. I thought he was excellent on the right wing v West Ham (for the first 45 minutes at least) and I forget the games, but he came on twice wide on the right and did very well. He had his worst game since coming back into the team on Tuesday night but he's a superb player who can do a job anywhere in midfield. If we used him wide, he would do a good job. I would certainly play him wide on the right ahead of Walters. He got some cracking crosses in first half against West Ham. I too would definitely play him there ahead of Walters.
|
|
|
Post by bayernoatcake on Feb 4, 2016 11:24:12 GMT
|
|
|
Post by adamsson on Feb 4, 2016 11:29:22 GMT
Strange that he's been probably our best player of late in my opinion. Ah well, we all can't agree on everything! I agree but what in terms of being decisive on the pitch does he do? It isn't much. I really like him and how he plays but we need more from him or the person that plays there.
|
|
ruarig
Youth Player
Posts: 469
|
Post by ruarig on Feb 4, 2016 11:30:12 GMT
Interestingly I think he's been asked to do exactly what he's done which is make himself available to Whelan and the defence and retain possession in the middle of the park at all costs to give Bojan, Arnie and Shaq the opportunity to do the creative work. I'm not suggesting for a moment that is right or wrong but I genuinely believe he's done a fantastic job of exactly that and was actually an integral part of the success we had in the run up to Christmas.
|
|
|
Post by foster on Feb 4, 2016 11:31:28 GMT
If we're really going to pick on players that need to do more based on where they play then look no further than Bojan, Arnie and Shaq. They're the attacking trident and they're the ones that should be creating and scoring goals. In addition to the main striker who I can't mention as we don't have one that's played consistently. I've been picking on Bojan for a good month now! And they should but Afellay when he played there was even more impotent, so he shouldn't be there and it's why he need moving back but in terms of drive and dynamism, defensive stuff etc, he's ok but it could be better........Imbula. I think that's entirely fair. Fair enough. I'm reluctant to single out any particular player so I'm picking on the attackers as a whole. They need to do more. If they helped out more in central midfield and retained possession a bit better then there'd be less pressure on Afellay and Whelan. Bojan as mention hasn't done anything of note for a good 4-5 games now. Some nifty little passes but in the main losing possession, getting knocked off the ball and offering nothing defensively. For someone who has a more 'free role' than most he HAS to do more. Anyway, I'm probably just repeating what you've said already. Edit: Just realised I singled out Bojan. What a hypocrite.
|
|
|
Post by adamsson on Feb 4, 2016 11:35:41 GMT
So what people are saying is he does what N'zonzi used to do.
keep the ball
|
|
ruarig
Youth Player
Posts: 469
|
Post by ruarig on Feb 4, 2016 11:35:56 GMT
If we're really going to pick on players that need to do more based on where they play then look no further than Bojan, Arnie and Shaq. They're the attacking trident and they're the ones that should be creating and scoring goals. In addition to the main striker who I can't mention as we don't have one that's played consistently. I've been picking on Bojan for a good month now! And they should but Afellay when he played there was even more impotent, so he shouldn't be there and it's why he need moving back but in terms of drive and dynamism, defensive stuff etc, he's ok but it could be better........Imbula. I think that's entirely fair. I know I don't often do this Bayern but I'm going to have to disagree I think when we played the Bojan in the false nine, Afellay was integral to the success of that formation pre-christmas, potentially even more integral than he is in the deep midfield role.
|
|
|
Post by Onneravineet on Feb 4, 2016 11:36:25 GMT
Imbula is Whelan's replacement in my opinion and a potentially significant one if reports are to be believed.
A midfield of Afellay + Bojan plus one of either Imbula or Whelan until he end of the season is what we will be seeing. Obviously if we Lee injury free.
|
|
|
Post by adamsson on Feb 4, 2016 11:37:08 GMT
I've been picking on Bojan for a good month now! And they should but Afellay when he played there was even more impotent, so he shouldn't be there and it's why he need moving back but in terms of drive and dynamism, defensive stuff etc, he's ok but it could be better........Imbula. I think that's entirely fair. Fair enough. I'm reluctant to single out any particular player so I'm picking on the attackers as a whole. They need to do more. If they helped out more in central midfield and retained possession a bit better then there'd be less pressure on Afellay and Whelan. Bojan as mention hasn't done anything of note for a good 4-5 games now. Some nifty little passes but in the main losing possession, getting knocked off the ball and offering nothing defensively. For someone who has a more 'free role' than most he HAS to do more. Anyway, I'm probably just repeating what you've said already. Edit: Just realised I singled out Bojan. What a hypocrite.
|
|
|
Post by adamsson on Feb 4, 2016 11:38:22 GMT
why can't I write anything when quoting another post it just disappears when I post?
|
|
|
Post by TheWiseMaster on Feb 4, 2016 11:46:08 GMT
Attacking midfielder - one of our best players this season Particularly good when he played in that front four Arnie Bojan Shakiri Affelay Now add... Whelan and Imbula That looks a formidable line up - with Whelan sitting and Imbula powering forward past Affelay Have people forgotten already that we played possibly our best football ever around Christmas with that formation???? His only weakness is not scoring but almost the same could be said of Shakiri who was brought in to score goals Long may we play that formation but we are desperate for cover up front and out wide
|
|
|
Post by foster on Feb 4, 2016 11:59:42 GMT
Fair enough. I'm reluctant to single out any particular player so I'm picking on the attackers as a whole. They need to do more. If they helped out more in central midfield and retained possession a bit better then there'd be less pressure on Afellay and Whelan. Bojan as mention hasn't done anything of note for a good 4-5 games now. Some nifty little passes but in the main losing possession, getting knocked off the ball and offering nothing defensively. For someone who has a more 'free role' than most he HAS to do more. Anyway, I'm probably just repeating what you've said already. Edit: Just realised I singled out Bojan. What a hypocrite. Good point mate.
|
|
|
Post by Old School Stokie on Feb 4, 2016 12:04:41 GMT
If you followed him around on Tuesday at Old Trafford he was a disgrace. Never tackled back, no energy going forward or tracking back. Whether he was in a trance as we signed a defensive midfielder but his was as poor a performance I've seen all season and that was when most of the other players never turned up....again. Since December - January was going to define our season - we have slumped. Good job we got some points in the bag
|
|
|
Post by silverdollar on Feb 4, 2016 12:13:36 GMT
He's not a centre midfielder, simple as that. He's basically filled in until we've signed someone like imbula, now he's here I can see afellay moving into the wing options. Yeah but he doesn't have the pace to play in the wings either. You must be watching a different player if you think that Affellay has no pace!
|
|
|
Post by Jamo on the wing on Feb 4, 2016 12:14:34 GMT
Strange that he's been probably our best player of late in my opinion. Ah well, we all can't agree on everything! I agree but what in terms of being decisive on the pitch does he do? It isn't much. I really like him and how he plays but we need more from him or the person that plays there. I think he keeps it simple and gives it to the players who can make a difference. Hardly wastes a pass and contrary to a few on here (not yourself) they definitely aren't all sideways and backwards.
|
|
|
Post by nutterpotter on Feb 4, 2016 12:17:32 GMT
Strange that he's been probably our best player of late in my opinion. Ah well, we all can't agree on everything! I agree but what in terms of being decisive on the pitch does he do? It isn't much. I really like him and how he plays but we need more from him or the person that plays there. If that's the case, then Nzonzi did fuck all too.
|
|
|
Post by lordb on Feb 4, 2016 12:22:49 GMT
He has been highly impressive.a great signing used really well by Hughes
However I would drop him for Everton & bring Ireland in
|
|
|
Post by silverdollar on Feb 4, 2016 12:25:07 GMT
If you followed him around on Tuesday at Old Trafford he was a disgrace. Never tackled back, no energy going forward or tracking back. Whether he was in a trance as we signed a defensive midfielder but his was as poor a performance I've seen all season and that was when most of the other players never turned up....again. Since December - January was going to define our season - we have slumped. Good job we got some points in the bag Even your perception of the game and the disappointment you endured has affected your mind. Don't get me wrong! I was expecting us to be more threatening but that was not forthcoming because Walters and Crouch were out of their depth and could not retain the ball. The result was a kick in the teeth but I will not start slating players. I credit United who scored three goals that were outstanding and clinical. Did they actually have another shot on goal. Butland did not make too many saves. Stoke did threaten the United goal and despite set backs continued to try and fight back. I am very excited by the squad we have and I am looking forward to better days!
|
|
|
Post by malteser68 on Feb 4, 2016 12:26:02 GMT
WTF? Are you serious? Affelay has been one of the stand out players this season. Whelan couldn't pick his nose let alone a pass, so having Affelay bring the ball out of defence and getting things going has been crucial Whelan is the one doing the dirty work and putting blocks etc in but I'm certain Imbula will replace him. On another note, Affelay looked like one of the only ones vs Man Utd who actually gave a fuck. The lad is quality I hope we haven't spent all those millions for a whelan replacement What we are in dire need of is an nzonzi replacement
|
|
|
Post by manmarking on Feb 4, 2016 12:47:27 GMT
Apart from a good range of passing, high pass completion rates, good reading of the game, good dribbling skills, surprising strength in the tackle and a high level of consistency recently, what has Afellay ever done for us?
|
|
|
Post by Bick on Feb 4, 2016 12:50:43 GMT
Genuinely shocked to see such criticism of Affelay!...
He's probably my player in the season and I would be more inclined to play him in the hole than Bojan based on performances.
Two footed, always finds a pass and is always available to take the ball.
|
|