Except Forster could see that he’s been given a tricky pass and sprint towards the ball and hoof it?The first was a back pass which was going into the net so FF had to take a touch to prevent the OG. The backpass should never have happened because Zirkzee had already bent his run to attack the keeper. Having sold out Fraser, Gray did nothing to track the run of Zirkzee.
The second was an under-hit back pass which invited Diallo to chase it. Instead of tracking Diallo, Gray let him run past and actually ran away from the incident. See the shot below, Diallo was chasing the ball and Gray was running in the direction of the corner flag.
I realise that Gray has a great future, but he needs to hold his hand up and learn from mistakes like yesterday.
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this is probably a strange shout but the player he reminds me of when i see him there is mats hummels, i think if you can get a player with his ability on the ball at cb and without giving much up defensively then you really are laughing. tbh even pre-season when he played there i never felt like i was watching a midfielder playing cb. everyone has him pegged as the future "6" and bergvall the "8" but i'm not entirely sure that's right. i think a really dominant team would look to push each of them one step back so you really have that ball-playing ability right from the base of the side. need to see him in midfield at some point to really judge but him at cb long-term isn't that outlandish imo.I get that he looks like a midfielder, but I’m still unsure of that’s where he’ll end up
He could be a CB in time I think - not sure
Talented though
Not his mistakes. FF at fault for both (he wont make the same mistakes again). He gave FF plenty of time to pit his foot through it!The first was a back pass which was going into the net so FF had to take a touch to prevent the OG. The backpass should never have happened because Zirkzee had already bent his run to attack the keeper. Having sold out Fraser, Gray did nothing to track the run of Zirkzee.
The second was an under-hit back pass which invited Diallo to chase it. Instead of tracking Diallo, Gray let him run past and actually ran away from the incident. See the shot below, Diallo was chasing the ball and Gray was running in the direction of the corner flag.
I realise that Gray has a great future, but he needs to hold his hand up and learn from mistakes like yesterday.
View attachment 149173
With any 2 of healthy Romero, VDV, Dragusin, and even Davies, I refuse to accept that he shouldn’t be starting week in and week out as the DM anchor to our midfield. He is quality here and now and only getting better. Scary for the league and Europe. We’ve seen everything we need to know he would make us so solid defensively and help us control games.
Alternatively as when prime Dier was on it, that DM who can easily drop into defence as a nearly natural CB, helped make us rock solid. Gray’s much better on the ball too.this is probably a strange shout but the player he reminds me of when i see him there is mats hummels, i think if you can get a player with his ability on the ball at cb and without giving much up defensively then you really are laughing. tbh even pre-season when he played there i never felt like i was watching a midfielder playing cb. everyone has him pegged as the future "6" and bergvall the "8" but i'm not entirely sure that's right. i think a really dominant team would look to push each of them one step back so you really have that ball-playing ability right from the base of the side. need to see him in midfield at some point to really judge but him at cb long-term isn't that outlandish imo.
Have we not seen enough of Biss and Bentancur and then to see Archie’s quality? I know who I’d be most comfortable withYou've never seen play in that position for us though? Not saying he won't be the best in the world as a 6 at some point in his career but right now not sure you can make such assertions. Playing as a number 6 in an Ange team is probably the most demanding of all the positions on the pitch.
Have we not seen enough of Biss and Bentancur and then to see Archie’s quality? I know who I’d be most comfortable with
Fair points and probably the right ones at this point. A bit harsh perhaps to judge him for a performance in pre-season. It is evidence but certainly the lowest level evidence possible. Remember the more relevant evidence in his domination of Chelsea’s midfield last year.Both of those are seasoned pros that have performed to a good level in Ange's team. We just don't know if an 18 year old can do the same in one of the most demanding positions in the team.
I've seen Gray play 6 for us once, against Bayern in pre season, and he looked totally overwhelmed and lost possession numerous times. On that evidence - the only evidence we have at this point - I wouldn't count him as a starting DMC just yet.
He's become the new Lennon.Funny isn't it, all this talk of buying for the here and now yet Gray is exactly that
Wow, that still picture explains everything!The first was a back pass which was going into the net so FF had to take a touch to prevent the OG. The backpass should never have happened because Zirkzee had already bent his run to attack the keeper. Having sold out Fraser, Gray did nothing to track the run of Zirkzee.
The second was an under-hit back pass which invited Diallo to chase it. Instead of tracking Diallo, Gray let him run past and actually ran away from the incident. See the shot below, Diallo was chasing the ball and Gray was running in the direction of the corner flag.
I realise that Gray has a great future, but he needs to hold his hand up and learn from mistakes like yesterday.
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Fraser had ample time to clear that ball. He is the experienced player. Why try and blame an 18 yr old who is playing out of position.Wow, that still picture explains everything!
Exactly, it's probably not the best pass from Gray but his team mates need to recognise that he's pretty right footed, so balls like that to him aren't easy for him to play out wide with his left, he'll naturally play it with his right, which means back to the keeper.Fraser had ample time to clear that ball. He is the experienced player. Why try and blame an 18 yr old who is playing out of position.
Jesus fucking Christ I've seen some awful takes in my 15 or so years on here, and I'm pretty sure this is in the top 5 worst.The first was a back pass which was going into the net so FF had to take a touch to prevent the OG. The backpass should never have happened because Zirkzee had already bent his run to attack the keeper. Having sold out Fraser, Gray did nothing to track the run of Zirkzee.
The second was an under-hit back pass which invited Diallo to chase it. Instead of tracking Diallo, Gray let him run past and actually ran away from the incident. See the shot below, Diallo was chasing the ball and Gray was running in the direction of the corner flag.
I realise that Gray has a great future, but he needs to hold his hand up and learn from mistakes like yesterday.
View attachment 149173
Alternatively as when prime Dier was on it, that DM who can easily drop into defence as a nearly natural CB, helped make us rock solid. Gray’s much better on the ball too.
I’d say we got Solanke 100% right as well. Bergvall also looks a talent and Odobert could be.The only thing we got right 100% last summer.
In fact, him, Moore and Bergvall are driving any optimism I have and why I'm not worried about the future. (Plus Deki - but more immediate)
This is the point. On neither of the first two goals was Forster forced to try to play out. He only came under pressure because of the decision to take a touch or play a risky pass. We don't have to jettison our whole ethos to recognise that once or twice in a match the keeper just has to thump it back over half-way with his first touch. We can do that. It's allowed.Fraser had ample time to clear that ball. He is the experienced player. Why try and blame an 18 yr old who is playing out of position.
I’d say we got Solanke 100% right as well. Bergvall also looks a talent and Odobert could be.
The issue was just on top of that we should’ve also added a least 2 top quality ready to go 1st team players as too many of the signings were young with potential and going to take time to develop, but Gray has incredible potential.