Pace and running ability, Mitro and Tom Cairney v Cav and RLC

[70sPimlico]

Please before you comment on players and tactics actually watch the games.

Cav is not "doing a number of things well"  He presses high OK  but never ever manages to win tackles or make interceptions, regaining ownership of the ball is never on with Cav, he never ever closes down crosses properly, he frequently gives away stupid free kicks and is a liability near his own box, he virtually always loses possession.He falls over far too often. He never tries to beat a man on the outside, always cuts infield and closes down other players' space, he can not produce a final ball...ever.

Just watch if he ever is counter attacking and actually up with the attack, He will make the wrong run, and if he gets a chance of crossing to Lookman for a certain chance, he will fluff it.

His decision making is erratic (to be kind), he can't take a corner or free kick, he is not fast.He is a medium paced, unaggressive, lo motivated utility player who would not get into any other Prem side. We should not have him near the team.Check the stats, very disappointing. His market value has gone from a transfer in fee of £15m plus to a current valuation of half that. Again check it if you doubt that.

I would sell him for £5m and be delighted at getting rid.There are at least three players in the squad who would fill his role better.

His finishing is legendary, it is so awful. He has not scored in open play, or seriously threatened getting a shot on target, ALL YEAR ! Not once since 2019.His penalty miss was embarassing. At least he hit the target with the next one, but no more please.

Just watch the games.Keep a Cav contribution sheet, it will be virtually empty at the end of the game.Why he plays is a mystery.Opponents sigh with relief when they see his name on the team sheet.Other than that, great addition to the squad, except his banter is poor too and miserable dress sense.

In all that huff and blunder 6 words jump out. "Why he plays is a mystery"

It was clear from the rest of the what you typed that you had no idea.

[colinwhite]

Or putting it another way ........  Press is not necessarily about winnng the ball back, its being part of a defensive shape and can be aggressive (high ) or lower ( limiting the space and shutting opponents down ) which Cav has done very well in never standing still or missing his job,  . He hasnt been great offensively  and isnt getting picked for his goal scoring,but for his role  in our first line of press,and his pace on the break. He has also held the ball up at times in a different set up and been important in the chances we have created, even if he has not put them away his pace has meant that we got into those positions.
Clarkey,Your opinion is fine but your annalysis oversimplifies the situation ,showing you are very keen to write off his inclusion in the team  without really understanding the tactical reasons for it. 
Im not a great fan of cavaleiro but without him in the games against Leicester and Liverpool we would have been less likely to achieve those outstanding results quickly forgotten by a few.

[70sPimlico]

Or putting it another way ........  Press is not necessarily about winnng the ball back, its being part of a defensive shape and can be aggressive (high ) or lower ( limiting the space and shutting opponents down ) which Cav has done very will in never standing still or missing his job,  . He hasnt been great offensively  and isnt getting picked for his goal scoring,but for his role  in our first line of press,and his pace on the break. He has also held the ball up at times in a different set up and been important in the chances we have created, even if he has not put them away his pace has meant that we got into those positions.
Clarkey,Your opinion is fine but your annalysis oversimplifies the situation ,showing you are very keen to write off his inclusion in the team  without really understanding the tactical reasons for it. 
Im not a great fan of cavaleiro but without him in the games against Leicester and Liverpool we would have been less likely to achieve those outstanding results quickly forgotten by a few.

Very well put

[filham]

Right now  nine team places are automatic, the two places Parker has to deliberate on are those occupied by Cav. and RLC. It will be interesting  to see his choice for the next match. After failing to notch a goal for the last two games the pressure to bring Mitro back must be high. The Cairney or RLC choice is more difficult to predict.

[colinwhite]

Also it could just be that Scott Parker doesnt think that Cavaleiro is the answer to our attacking game either. Try and see this more as a judgement of the place that MItro is in, than how prolific he thinks Cavaleiro can be.