Aye, it's something I picked up on when we were linked. Bamford scored 12 in 47 apps for Boro the season before he came to us. That's comparable to Rodrigo but obviously at a lower level. As for Roberts..... he is nowhere near.
I got pasted for saying Gotts couldn't cut it at the highest level. Someone likened him to the new Billy. I saw him vs Arsenal in the cup and said he looked way off it. Thing with kids is that they sometimes show glimpses of talent. Roberts does some good things but its once every 10 games. That's what separates those at the top from those at the bottom. The ones at the top do it week in week out.
Just to cheer some of you upMan Utd were supposed to be buying this kid, but from what I hear they are not due to them bringing in a young Atalanta player instead. There is a story that Victor Orta has been in touch with his agent as Bielsa knows of this kid and his club need cash and he will only cist £5m. 19yo Equador Wonder Kid and a Bielsaball player
Correct. He still plays at 9 for Spain. The last season he played up top for Valencia was 2017/18 season where he scored 19 goals in 44 appearances. He has mainly been played out wide at club level recently.
Re meslier discussion - I think he’s a talent and considering he’s been chucked in the deep end I think he’s largely swum. But, he’s not the finished article by a long way. His decision making is iffy, and these slaps at the ball on crosses are asking for trouble. He rode his luck with where some of them dropped today. His distribution seems to have gone backwards from his early games. For an inexperienced 20 year old, he’s doing well. I like the lad. He’s made some really good saves... but he’s let some soft ones in too. He’s a work in progress, which is all you can expect at this stage of his career. But sometimes I read fan comments on him and he sounds like he’s been superman. I’m not seeing that.
If I had a choice it would be Brighton, Burnley and Blunts but with big Sam at WBA they would make a good option too. So so glad Dyche and him are nowhere near our side
Re bamford, I’m not sure how they categorise ‘big chance’ but I think xg is a reasonable guide. Last year his goals v xg was terrible. This year it’s miles better. He’s not a ‘natural’ poacher but he’s delivering as expected in front of goal. Add in his around play and he’s done really well in my opinion. I thought he’d be way out his depth and I’m delighted he’s proved me wrong. Hope he continues to do so. Would I like competition for him in case he loses firm or gets crocked? Of course I would but he’s been a real bonus this season.
For me the following illustrate the issues we have. We are doing OK going forward but having issues stopping the opposition. Perhaps when we have our defenders back it will get better but Meslier is having more practice than most goalkeepers and Bamford is doing OK but could do with some others stepping up as well. We need to stop the other teams getting as many shots in on target.
Couple of ex-'keepers reviewing Meslier & giving him the thumbs up. Think I'll stick with my opinion & theirs over some of the remarks on here. https://tbrfootball.com/david-james-and-nigel-martyn-laud-illan-mesliers-leeds-united-display/
No longer having a forum goalkeeping expert I suppose they'll have to do. I sometimes wonder what LL would make of Kalvin Philips now. Does anyone know?
I think Meslier is doing a great job given his age, the amount he has to deal with and the changing personnel in front of him. I think Bamford will continue to improve this year. He now looks our most composed in front of goal. Rodrigo doesn't look like a natural finisher but, then again, neither does Roberts for the 1st team. I hope we get a few more of the good kids through. I know it's a big step up but I'd like to see us building rather than buying although that kid Doc showed looks like a Peter Lorimer "of colour". He looks like UST what we need because, apart from the odd one that goes straight, the shooting is bloody terrible. Just today Klich had 2 horrors, Dallas leaned back as he skied it and Alioski shanked it from a narrow angle when he should have pinged it across. But we won!! Happy days, 7 more wins from 23 games.
The lad has been great for us, given his age and inexperience hes doing very well. Id rather have him in goal than the clown. Saying that, id rather Bielsa be in goal than Coco