Gonzalo Garcia today

[bill taylors apprentice]

It's not so much he fails to win the high balls, more he doesn't actually challenge for them seriously.

There are many kinds of CF and his two goals so far demonstrate the kind of forward he is.

We seem to be shooting more this season which is welcome but there have been many times a speculative shot should have been a neat pass into Garcia.

We have to play to his strengths.

[Jim©]

To be fair, there's been a few times (not today) when he has been open in a good scoring position and Josh has elected to take a questionable shot, rather than feed Garcia the ball.

That's a big reason IMO. King is playing well but sometimes there's an easier pass on than the shot he's taking. At least 3 instances I can think of, but let king do it. He's on fire.

[Bronaldinho]

I think I'd like to see him on the right, and give him more space and time on the ball to settle into the PL, he creates the space well but sometimes doesn't realise he has more time and space that he thinks so rushes it.

He's a great poacher, so off the right may give him more space to operate, or with another striker alongside him he wouldn't be the sole focus and the other striker JKA/Muniz could occupy the defenders and he could get in behind.

I mentioned this and more on latest Craven Corner if you fancy a read: https://thecravencorner.wordpress.com/2026/09/20/5-games-2-points-but-many-reasons-to-keep-the-faith/

[AJW48361]

Garcia looked pretty disinterested and/or lethargic today in my opinion. Hopefully he improves.

Disinterested?

[AJW48361]

In the old days Gonzalo would've played off a Centre Forward i think he would be more suited to that but nowadays this doesn't happen.

[Snibbo]

Garcia looked pretty disinterested and/or lethargic today in my opinion. Hopefully he improves.

Disinterested?

"Disinterested refers to a lack of self-interest or bias.  For example, a judge must be disinterested to ensure a fair trial.

Uninterested refers to a lack of curiosity or engagement.  For example, a student might be uninterested in a lecture they find boring. "

I think he means the latter.

[JimmyConway]

Probably weren't his best game yesterday. Thought he isolated himself at times. It is likely a case of still adjusting. The issue we might have on the Horizon is he'll need to start finding the net soon and being more involved or pressure will ramp up further considering the next few fixtures and our current position. It was always a 40-60 risk bringing in young lad to spearhead the attack. I agree with Bill Taylor that at times he is not even offering a challenge for a high ball and has been penalised a few times now for just deliberating fouls. There are encouraging signs where he does look to take centre back out of there comfort zone and run the line but until everyone's on board and know each other's strength's and game it will take time but do we have time is the question?

[fulhamfan]

why are we crossing balls in to him? hes either not there or wont win any in the air

[Ludlow Richard]

Maguire had a relatively easy game against Garcia yesterday. What would have troubled Maguire more would have been passes to Garcia on the ground and into space, to make Maguire turn (and run). Maguire is not the quickest (witness our last minute winner at United) and he can only have got slower since then. But we didn't stretch him enough which was a shame. 

[FishaPrice]

Garcia looked pretty disinterested and/or lethargic today in my opinion. Hopefully he improves.

Disinterested?

"Disinterested refers to a lack of self-interest or bias.  For example, a judge must be disinterested to ensure a fair trial.

Uninterested refers to a lack of curiosity or engagement.  For example, a student might be uninterested in a lecture they find boring. "

I think he means the latter.

Apologies and thanks for the clarification. He appeared somewhat uninterested in getting involved in play to me. Or at least not as mobile as past performances.

[C Block]

Probably weren't his best game yesterday. Thought he isolated himself at times. It is likely a case of still adjusting. The issue we might have on the Horizon is he'll need to start finding the net soon and being more involved or pressure will ramp up further considering the next few fixtures and our current position. It was always a 40-60 risk bringing in young lad to spearhead the attack. I agree with Bill Taylor that at times he is not even offering a challenge for a high ball and has been penalised a few times now for just deliberating fouls. There are encouraging signs where he does look to take centre back out of there comfort zone and run the line but until everyone's on board and know each other's strength's and game it will take time but do we have time is the question?

We're just supporters so we have all the time in the world, it's just a game of football, unfortunately though for Arbeloa time isn't his friend, and he spent a lot of money on a very young lad that he felt could score goals in the Premier League, a very high risk game indeed when there is no Plan B

[JimmyConway]

Probably weren't his best game yesterday. Thought he isolated himself at times. It is likely a case of still adjusting. The issue we might have on the Horizon is he'll need to start finding the net soon and being more involved or pressure will ramp up further considering the next few fixtures and our current position. It was always a 40-60 risk bringing in young lad to spearhead the attack. I agree with Bill Taylor that at times he is not even offering a challenge for a high ball and has been penalised a few times now for just deliberating fouls. There are encouraging signs where he does look to take centre back out of there comfort zone and run the line but until everyone's on board and know each other's strength's and game it will take time but do we have time is the question?

We're just supporters so we have all the time in the world, it's just a game of football, unfortunately though for Arbeloa time isn't his friend, and he spent a lot of money on a very young lad that he felt could score goals in the Premier League, a very high risk game indeed when there is no Plan B

Absolutely a huge gamble. On the subject of time where the manager is concerned my take is he will likely get longer than we would normally anticipate if things are going from bad to worst as the DOF has thrown all his eggs into this one basket? That could change if Khan senior looks at the revenue ramifications at risk?

[Jims Dentist]

For me Garcia offers very little threat in the box at present.

[C Block]

Probably weren't his best game yesterday. Thought he isolated himself at times. It is likely a case of still adjusting. The issue we might have on the Horizon is he'll need to start finding the net soon and being more involved or pressure will ramp up further considering the next few fixtures and our current position. It was always a 40-60 risk bringing in young lad to spearhead the attack. I agree with Bill Taylor that at times he is not even offering a challenge for a high ball and has been penalised a few times now for just deliberating fouls. There are encouraging signs where he does look to take centre back out of there comfort zone and run the line but until everyone's on board and know each other's strength's and game it will take time but do we have time is the question?

We're just supporters so we have all the time in the world, it's just a game of football, unfortunately though for Arbeloa time isn't his friend, and he spent a lot of money on a very young lad that he felt could score goals in the Premier League, a very high risk game indeed when there is no Plan B

Absolutely a huge gamble. On the subject of time where the manager is concerned my take is he will likely get longer than we would normally anticipate if things are going from bad to worst as the DOF has thrown all his eggs into this one basket? That could change if Khan senior looks at the revenue ramifications at risk?

No need for anyone to panic yet but a review of the situation will almost certainly take place at the next international break  (as it will at most clubs)
He will certainly need to be outside of the bottom 3 at the next break otherwise potential candidates will be "sounded" out, which is common practice at any club and is the right thing to do, but hopefully we're clear of the bottom 5 by then and moving in a northerly direction.

[Milo]

Were a few half chances yesterday that he could've done much better with.

However, he's young, it's early days, and the whole team is adjusting.. so can't expect him to hit Mitrovic form in a few months.

[WindyCity]

We seem to be shooting more this season which is welcome but there have been many times a speculative shot should have been a neat pass into Garcia.

I welcome the club taking more shots.  A pass through a forest of opposition legs can make a 'neat' pass quite difficult, and oft times ends up quelling the opportunity.  If you have the shot, take it!

[cwindsor]

Garcia looked pretty disinterested and/or lethargic today in my opinion. Hopefully he improves.

Disinterested?

"Disinterested refers to a lack of self-interest or bias.  For example, a judge must be disinterested to ensure a fair trial.

Uninterested refers to a lack of curiosity or engagement.  For example, a student might be uninterested in a lecture they find boring. "

I think he means the latter.

Maybe, he's disinterested in FishaPrice's opinion? 

[Cambridge Away]

Garcia looked pretty disinterested and/or lethargic today in my opinion. Hopefully he improves.

Disinterested?

"Disinterested refers to a lack of self-interest or bias.  For example, a judge must be disinterested to ensure a fair trial.

Uninterested refers to a lack of curiosity or engagement.  For example, a student might be uninterested in a lecture they find boring. "

I think he means the latter.

Apologies and thanks for the clarification. He appeared somewhat uninterested in getting involved in play to me. Or at least not as mobile as past performances.

Yes, because at 3:15 running the length of the pitch to go from centre back to striker to help the team reminds me a bit of Dimitar Berbatov too? Uninterested and immobile.   He is the player at 3:15 next to Robinson.

I actually get the impression he is trying too hard and taking on too much. I think he runs around so much his legs then don't do exactly what they're meant to at the right moment. Strikers need to be so precise. Even when he didn't clear that ball off the line against Palace (he'd ran the length of the pitch and was back before even the midfielders). Someone needs to tell him to do less, but then maybe we are a better unit because of it, even if we don't get the goals.

[Moussa Dembele the 3rd]

Garcia looked pretty disinterested and/or lethargic today in my opinion. Hopefully he improves.

Disinterested?

"Disinterested refers to a lack of self-interest or bias.  For example, a judge must be disinterested to ensure a fair trial.

Uninterested refers to a lack of curiosity or engagement.  For example, a student might be uninterested in a lecture they find boring. "

I think he means the latter.

Apologies and thanks for the clarification. He appeared somewhat uninterested in getting involved in play to me. Or at least not as mobile as past performances.

Yes, because at 3:15 running the length of the pitch to go from centre back to striker to help the team reminds me a bit of Dimitar Berbatov too? Uninterested and immobile.   He is the player at 3:15 next to Robinson.

I actually get the impression he is trying too hard and taking on too much. I think he runs around so much his legs then don't do exactly what they're meant to at the right moment. Strikers need to be so precise. Even when he didn't clear that ball off the line against Palace (he'd ran the length of the pitch and was back before even the midfielders). Someone needs to tell him to do less, but then maybe we are a better unit because of it, even if we don't get the goals.

Totally agree, he's trying too hard to do too many things. He needs guidance from a good coach.

[fulhamfever]

As much as I like Josh King and his ability twice against Liverpool he should have slipped in Garcia who was through but decided to shoot himself which was very selfish. He needs the service too.