Mehdi Abeid

I am quietly excited about this lad after pre season. He looks a real talent who is ready to make the step this season and I think might starting pushing hard for a starting spot once we get deeper into the season. Certainly in terms of additional options for the Europa he is a shoe in. His passing looks first class and he is starting to show an eye for goal.

Definetly more a Cabaye than a Tiote as suspected. Him and young Gael provide us with excellent cover for those two.

 

Amalfitano has really got me excited. An attacking mid with flair and good vision. Looks like the sort of player we really need, because the only central attacking quality we have at the moment is Cabaye. We have plenty of potential defensive mids, but not much creativity in the center.

 

Thought from the first time I saw him that he looked a clever talented player. Nothing's happened to make me change my mind.

 

I must admit I am excited about him too but Abeid has been the stand out performer for me. Abeid is attack minded also so we are starting to get options in that region with him and Amalfitano. I know there was a bit of debate about Abeid last year, some thought he was more a Tiote type. I think we now know for sure he is more attack minded than that (which stands to reason as he was an attacking midfielder at Lens). Supposedly scored a screamer the other night and his pass for Amalfitano's goal was lovely.

I was a bit concerned about the likes of Guthrie going. I think when we now look and see Tiote, Cabaye, Abeid, Gael B, Amalfitano, Gosling, Perch, we have a few options. The fact that Cabaye, Amalfitano and Abeid although all more progressive midfielders can play a few different midfield roles is really helpful too.

 

Havn't seen much of Abeid,whats is strengths?

 

Bigirimani is the one I'm looking forward to see on Tuesday at Hartlepool. Mind, Him, Amalfitano and Abeid all look good prospects. Vucick seems to have lost his way a bit lately. Hope I'm proved wrong.

 

welcome on board BTW fella.

 

Cheers m8

 

Abeid perhaps could surpass Vuckic this year according to most people... Me? I need to Mehdi-tate on this a bit longer... Looks good though!

T.P. I shall owe you some rep sir!

 

He certainly looks a prospect, hope he can make some contributions in Europe and cups, and possibly in Jan when Tiote is off with Les Elephants

 

I read this in a whisper

 

No-one else answered so I thought I would...Abeid is billed as a defensive midfielder, but for me he is far more rounded than that. His passing is top notch, offers a wide range of passing, is accurate and see's more space than many of our homegrown academy players. He's not afraid of getting stuck in, but I wouldn't say he was a rough player, he reads the game well and that allows him to break down attacks with his positioning as opposed to a big tackle. Finally for a CDM his shooting is really impressive, obviously all this only applies to the reserve/pre-season games I've seen, but he has scored some decent goals in the past year, some long rangers, and the recent one against Olympiakos with a neat turn and finish.

 

Great thing for Abeid is he should see plenty of action. He's comfortable as a CM, DM, RM, AM. I dare say he could even do a job on the left. He reminds me a lot of Jenas when he came to us, just very good all round. Lets hope the goldfish bowl doesn't depress him eh

 

I've had a look and read some opinion on both... Could be two big players for you lot!

Everything's rosy up North right now isn't it!

 

Well, our side of it at least. The other side are starting the season with last years team plus Carlos Cuellar...

 

Think that's called the 'MON affect'.

The media call him a world-class manager while he frantically searches his phone-book for ex-players.

 

I can't wait for the Llorente 'Plan B' to be Heskey!

 

Heard it was Emile Ford.

 

not the only one,

it looks like there are a number of players doing well this pre-season who were not involved last season, both new signings and others,

it is looking more promising than the simple summer signing count / value / age etc. might suggest

 

I think he's playing a violin outside Emile's window right this very moment.