1928 replies to this topic

[Sleeping Dave]

bert19, on 22 February 2012 - 04:40 PM, said:

I've been thinking of that exact idea for a while now. Gives us discipline and work-rate down that right hand side and allows Mata the stability required behind him for him to be more expressive in the middle. Plus Sturridge could tear it up down that left side and will be playing on his stronger foot alot more.

Would also mean having pace on both flanks. Imagine that!

Salv, on 22 February 2012 - 04:35 PM, said:

Not trying to pick at the finer details but I do think Sturridge's potency is curbed on the left side. I mean, he can make some great passes and high balls if he puts his mind to it but I don't see that as the reason he is very much a part of the starting XI now. The right with Sturridge/Ramires and Malouda/Kalou on the left offers more balance.

I think that Sturridge more often then not would make the right decision if he played at LW. When he is at RW he always tries to cut in and go for glory. Lately he is so easy to read because his right foot isn't really up to it. In any case, that formation would be very interesting and I for one would love to see it, regardless of whether we see Danny on LW or RW. Either case I actually think there is a case for putting him on the bench for a while.

Not very likely to happen though. It offers far too much stability for his (AVBs) taste I guess.

[Blue_In_Every_Way]

chiswickblue, on 22 February 2012 - 09:37 AM, said:

What to do about Ramires? Fantastic pace and stamina, excellent when counterattackinging. But such poor ball retention in tight spaces, really can't be risked in any role with defensive responsibility. It seems to me that playing him on the right is the best way to use his assets without letting his weaknesses affect the team's solidity.

Yes, I've long advocated this as well. It hasn't happened though - atleast not on any long term basis. He was posted there under Carlo and excelled, then got shifted back into midfield, and AVB posted him there as well when Sturridge got injured this year, but mysteriously he was once again brought back into midfield.

I've grown fond of Ramires. I was highly critical of us signing him, then when he started out I couldn't appreciate him one bit, but he's grown on me definitely. Maybe its because of the dearth of talent we have now at our disposal - I'd prefer not to look at it that way though.

As opposed to thinking that Carlo and AVB are both idiots, or that my assessment of players is better than theirs, I can only assume that he's showing something in training that I dont see him produce on the pitch very often. However I look at it though, the fact remains that our midfield has been utter garbage for 2 seasons running.

Atleast AVB recognizes that he can play RW though. He just apparently thinks that Sturridge is the superior option. Sturridge has definitely produced the goods too in support of that argument as well.

[ish]

supposedly he is one of the leading dribblers in the league in terms of dribbles completed

[chiswickblue]

People on this forum have said he shouldn't play on the wing because of his lack of quality in delivery. To me this is far more important to a central midfielder. I'd rather he had a low pass completion rate around the opposition's box than around the centre-circle.

As has been said, he is a 442 right sided midfielder. Similar, but superior to SWP.

[0liver]

He has had a good season but he is never going to be a world beater. Its more down to how crap the other midfielders have been that he is standing out.
I see him as a very good squad player for the future but ultimately we should be looking to bring in someone with more quality. And I hope people don't get me wrong, he still has a big part to play here. Because of his pace he is a good impact player and he can slot into many positions when there are injuries

[BluesMata8]

Fans are really just weird and funny. Just gone through 2-3 poor games and suddenly people are having doubts on or back tracking their comments on Ramires out of a sudden.

[Sleeping Dave]

0liver, on 23 February 2012 - 01:03 PM, said:

He has had a good season but he is never going to be a world beater. Its more down to how crap the other midfielders have been that he is standing out.
I see him as a very good squad player for the future but ultimately we should be looking to bring in someone with more quality. And I hope people don't get me wrong, he still has a big part to play here. Because of his pace he is a good impact player and he can slot into many positions when there are injuries

That sums up my thoughts about him perfectly. Good player with some excellent qualities.

However, if we want him a 3 man midfield he needs to be surrounded by 1) a great ball player and 2) a great DM. Then he can take on the "destroyer" role and break up play, while the ball player and the DM takes care of the recycling part. I think this was AVBs initial plan, to have a midfield consisting of:

DM: Mikel/Romeu
RM: Ramires/Essien
LM: Modric/Lampard

To be fair on AVB, had he got his man I think it could have made a lot of difference.

Either that or stick him on the right of a four man midfield or as a RW in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1.

[thevelourfog]

0liver, on 23 February 2012 - 01:03 PM, said:

He has had a good season but he is never going to be a world beater. Its more down to how crap the other midfielders have been that he is standing out.
I see him as a very good squad player for the future but ultimately we should be looking to bring in someone with more quality. And I hope people don't get me wrong, he still has a big part to play here. Because of his pace he is a good impact player and he can slot into many positions when there are injuries

I disagree entirely. He already is a world beater. Name three other players with the same skillset at his level, because I couldn't. His pace and stamina are virtually unrivalled.

He's never going to be Messi, of course. But that's something different entirely.

[Leo91]

People are fickle

[Kinol]

thevelourfog, on 23 February 2012 - 06:04 PM, said:

I disagree entirely. He already is a world beater. Name three other players with the same skillset at his level, because I couldn't. His pace and stamina are virtually unrivalled.

He's never going to be Messi, of course. But that's something different entirely.

We can't foreget that Ramires is a midfielder and for a midfielder he lacks a lot of stuff, like passing, tackling and so on. He just doesnt deliver anything special to the game in terms of creativity and good passing. I know his energy and pace contribiutes alot but thats only because no1 else in our team takes any runs or does things like "give and goes".
I can't see us becoming a really good passing team with him on the midfield. I really doubt that Ramires would fit in any other big clubs around europe as he lacks in those areas.

I really dont want to bash this guy as he is a good footballer and important for us right now, but for the future of our team and for the rebuilding of the squad that will happend soon I just can't see him be a player that we will be able to win titles like champions league and games over teams like Barca and Madrid.

[chelsea_matt]

As someone who's backed Rambo from the beginning, I think he's terrific. And he's just come back from a knee injury so he's not going to be 100% just yet, espesh in a struggling midfield like ours. I'd add that he's not the type of player to hold the midfield together like an in-prime Ballack or Lampard. Rambo's all about his engine, his power and of course his skills, which we've seen in some of his goals (the one home to Citeh last season springs to mind).

At 24, I hope that the rumours of him signing a new contract are true, I think he's got a lot more to come :D

Go Ramires!! :D

[kennypaul]

Kinol, on 23 February 2012 - 10:10 PM, said:

We can't foreget that Ramires is a midfielder and for a midfielder he lacks a lot of stuff, like passing, tackling and so on. He just doesnt deliver anything special to the game in terms of creativity and good passing. I know his energy and pace contribiutes alot but thats only because no1 else in our team takes any runs or does things like "give and goes".
I can't see us becoming a really good passing team with him on the midfield. I really doubt that Ramires would fit in any other big clubs around europe as he lacks in those areas.

I really dont want to bash this guy as he is a good footballer and important for us right now, but for the future of our team and for the rebuilding of the squad that will happend soon I just can't see him be a player that we will be able to win titles like champions league and games over teams like Barca and Madrid.

so what are you suggesting that we sell him? and when you say he lacks a lot of stuff why can't you be more specific.imo little give and goes are a lot more than what some of our midfield are trying at present.

[Sleeping Dave]

Wow. No one is suggesting we sell him. We merely point out he has big flaws but the qualities he possess still has a big role to play.

Jeez, we're not insulting your sister here. We are merely giving our thoughts on a player.

[The Bouncy]

ish, on 23 February 2012 - 01:52 AM, said:

supposedly he is one of the leading dribblers in the league in terms of dribbles completed

Doesn't surprise me at all. His runs through the middle with the ball have become something of a trademark. His like Lampard except he takes the ball with him rather than getting into the right position and waiting for the pass.

Great player who's struggled a bit since his injury. People need to get off his back.

[Mata's Left Foot]

I love this guy. unbelievable stamina and pace. but I just can't find out where to play him, because he can't pass nor has any technical abilities. but for me, he has to start every game, he wins so many balls back and breaks up play. I'd just stick him wide, he's not technical enough to play a central role.