Player Watch Player Watch: Cristian Romero

[PCozzie]

If we see a rashness in Romero, and it's not without foundation, it's a function of our whole defensive structure being on the edge. If he feels he needs to make three or four last ditch, high risk, challenges every game it's because we cede so much control to the opposition. Whoever they are, they're always probing. No wonder it always feels like he's one mistimed tackle away from a red!

He's a quality player and will look more so when we get on the front foot as a team, press higher, and don't require him to jump in so much.

 

[Japhet]

If we see a rashness in Romero, and it's not without foundation, it's a function of our whole defensive structure being on the edge. If he feels he needs to make three or four last ditch, high risk, challenges every game it's because we cede so much control to the opposition. Whoever they are, they're always probing. No wonder it always feels like he's one mistimed tackle away from a red!

He's a quality player and will look more so when we get on the front foot as a team, press higher, and don't require him to jump in so much.

I think it's just the way he plays. I don't see him making many 'last ditch' tackles, but more like he is aggressive going for the ball right from the first whistle. Of course, opposition players make an absolute meal of his tackles but he doesn't get penalised very often when you consider how 'front foot' he is. He just seems to enjoy letting his opponents know that he's around and that it won't be an easy afternoon for them when he's on the pitch. He's also been pretty good at moderating his play once he's on a yellow. If I was Conte I'd have seriously considered hooking him yesterday, but he saw the match out.

 

[PCozzie]

I think it's just the way he plays. I don't see him making many 'last ditch' tackles, but more like he is aggressive going for the ball right from the first whistle. Of course, opposition players make an absolute meal of his tackles but he doesn't get penalised very often when you consider how 'front foot' he is. He just seems to enjoy letting his opponents know that he's around and that it won't be an easy afternoon for them when he's on the pitch. He's also been pretty good at moderating his play once he's on a yellow. If I was Conte I'd have seriously considered hooking him yesterday, but he saw the match out.

That's fair. Maybe 'last ditch' isn't the right way to describe it. I think what I'm getting at is that to see him at his best we need to create conditions where he can step in and make the tackle or intercept on his terms. So often the opposition midfield play with little to no pressure and so Romero is trying to to what he does best, but always half a second behind the player he's marking. Sometimes that leaves him getting there just too late and he's then in yellow card territory.

If we can get the midfield player's head down and make them rush the pass then Romero can anticipate and get there first. I'd love to see what he could have done in that Year 2/3 Poch pressing team.

 

[Japhet]

That's fair. Maybe 'last ditch' isn't the right way to describe it. I think what I'm getting at is that to see him at his best we need to create conditions where he can step in and make the tackle or intercept on his terms. So often the opposition midfield play with little to no pressure and so Romero is trying to to what he does best, but always half a second behind the player he's marking. Sometimes that leaves him getting there just too late and he's then in yellow card territory.

If we can get the midfield player's head down and make them rush the pass then Romero can anticipate and get there first. I'd love to see what he could have done in that Year 2/3 Poch pressing team.

Very difficult to do when we have 2 CMs against 3 every game. We win nothing contestable in midfield and never get any pressure on the ball.

 

[HildoSpur]

With better defenders around him he will be top class, I have no doubts about that.

 

[PCozzie]

Very difficult to do when we have 2 CMs against 3 every game. We win nothing contestable in midfield and never get any pressure on the ball.

Precisely. We're not blessed with the greatest defensive talent as a group, but my God we don't half play to their weaknesses.

 

[sparx100]

Out of all our players, someone who likes to show a bit of passion and get a foot in is probably the least of our problems.

 

[juste5boys]

he visited year 4 at my son's primary school today. Apparently he was very friendly and bought his world cup medal in to show the children.
Unfortunately my son didn't get to meet him as he is only in year 3 but as the year 3 and 4's have got people from Tottenham coming in for their pe sessions over this half term he is hoping for Harry Kane when it's his turn ?

 

[Dougal]

I don’t even care that he got sent off. He just clocked off early after a good shift. I only wish Levy’s pockets were as deep as Romero’s to fit Haaland in them.

 

[chrissivad]

I know some won't be happy with the early yellow (and then the red) but he hit Halland hard and early and didn't let him get the ball all game.

 

[Karol]

Can't beat some good old fashioned Argentinian shit housery

Never change Cuti

 

[mabolsa_ritchey]

I for one am very happy with him today ?

 

[Tucker]

He’s a bit thick sometimes, but the yellows and reds are just the price we have to pay for the aggression he brings. We need to price that in I think because if you take that out of his game he’s not the same player.

As others have said his early aggression helped keep Haaaaaland quiet.

 

[Timberwolf]

To be fair there are about 5 games he easily could've been sent off before and only just got away with it so this has been long coming.

Best thing is that it happened late in the game, didn't cost us and our next game isn't one where we'll absolutely desperately need him (though he's always a big loss).

 

[Trent Crimm]

I don’t think it’s red mist. He’s just really f..cking thick.

 

[murichej]

Great defenders do get red cards. They always have.

He did destroy Haaland early on, and pulled an emergency break against Grealish. 2 vital moments that helped us win.

 

[chrissivad]

Great defenders do get red cards. They always have.

He did destroy Haaland early on, and pulled an emergency break against Grealish. 2 vital moments that helped us win.

Unless your Ledley King!

 

[djhotspur]

He was excellent red card aside

 

[jurgen]

Ok maybe he shouldn’t have been on that yellow already but he was done a little dirty by Davies and Hojbjerg for the red.

 

[mdharris]

Soft second yellow I felt. Grealish trailed his legs to catch some contact.