Player Watch: Cristian Romero

[Ghost Hardware]

His head is in Madrid, his feet and brain seem to be also most games.

Part of me almost wonders if Gio leaving had some effect. They seemed awfully close last season and super close during every international. I know I’m reaching here and no doubts it’s more than any one thing but he doesn’t seem as focused in general.

That said I do think today he wasn’t fully fit.

 

[theShiznit]

Not a leader.

Our leadership group is sadly lacking in them...

Seems so timid.

His leadership seems to begin and end at being overly aggressive in tackles.

 

[Impspur1]

Not a leader.

Our leadership group is sadly lacking in them...

Seems so timid.

His leadership seems to begin and end at being overly aggressive in tackles.

We seem to be really lacking in leadership/natural captains. I love Sonny but I’m a bit tired of seeing his interviews, 1) we’re sorry 2) need to do better 3) we’ll keep working hard.
someone needs to put a shuttle sized rocket up them both on and off the pitch

 

[jezz]

But surely where the full backs are SHOULD be the job of the DM?

Do we have a DM?

 

[Donki]

Do we have a DM?

I think we have Sarr and Biss who could do it, I just have not seem ether being instructed to be that sitting player. Which is why I think we have lost most of the games we have lost this season. In the PL you simply cannot leave 2 centre backs exposed as much as we have. If we had a prime Kante we would be in the title race, sadly we don’t.

 

[GutBucket]

I think we have Sarr and Biss who could do it, I just have not seem ether being instructed to be that sitting player. Which is why I think we have lost most of the games we have lost this season. In the PL you simply cannot leave 2 centre backs exposed as much as we have. If we had a prime Kante we would be in the title race, sadly we don’t.

Plus our 2 wingers aren't exactly great defensively either to help out our FBs. We are lucky that Solanke and Kulusevski are monsters at pressing, plus Sarr is everywhere. But that's not enough.

 

[Cavehillspur]

When was the last time we had a proper leader on the pitch to galvanise our players, it must be an absolute age because I cant think of one.

 

[bubble07]

When was the last time we had a proper leader on the pitch to galvanise our players, it must be an absolute age because I cant think of one.

Davids? Mabbutt?

 

[Rout-Ledge]

He’s more trouble than he’s worth imo. Reckless, much more focussed on Argentina than us, seems to be angling for a move, and doesn’t turn up and deliver on the pitch consistently. I’ve never warmed to him.

 

[zykos]

He’s been world-class for most of his time with us, bar those reckless reds he garnered. This season though, he doesn’t seem to show the desire or gumption of his front-foot defending anymore, coupled with bad decision-making and out of character passivity in challenges and dire marking.

He’s been at fault for a large number of our goals. I don’t know whether his head isn’t in the right place anymore, or if it’s fitness issues, but he needs to be dropped, sent a message.

A certain standard must be expected of our players game in game out.

I’d play Radu and vdv together when vdv comes back, even though radu hasn’t exactly been pulling up trees, but he’s at least direct n strong in the air. Let Romero stew on the bench a bit and see whether he fights for his place or throws his toys out of the pram.

it’s bad enough that his defending has been below par, but what really gets me is his insistence on holding the ball at his feet sooo long.

I get it that part of the notion is to draw players into his half/zone to open up spaces in midfield/flanks, but there has to be a certain zippiness when the opportunity is there or opponents are out of position.. ye, we play a certain way, but mix it up sometimes n be less one-dimensional. We could get through teams with low-blocks when they’re out of position some times, but his dalliance on the ball often allows them to fall back and close up those pockets of opportunities.

So, ye, a bit of a rant, but he needs a stint on the bench.

 

[Cel]

Davids? Mabbutt?

Parker.

 

[theShiznit]

Collectively when we defend we seem so ball watchy.
any sort of movement in the box when the ball is out wide and players are left baffled.

Ball watching has been a problem for us for 4-5+ years now and it doesn't appear to be improving.

I don't see any of our defenders anticipating danger, purely reactive, which is fine if you have Micky pace but the others don't. Midfield also ball watch when defending.

 

[VoteMe4Prez]

Don't know if it's his head being turned or he just can't be bothered anymore but it's been like playing with 10 men playing him so far this season. If he doesn't want to be here, I don't want him here and we should look at selling him

 

[hughy]

When was the last time we had a proper leader on the pitch to galvanise our players, it must be an absolute age because I cant think of one.

Problem is it's hard to find good leaders who are also top class footballers at a price we are willing to pay. I'm not convinced any captains we've had since King have been particularly good leaders. Maybe Daws, but as much as we adored him, he was a limited footballer. Even Lloris was massively lacking at times.

I'm really at a loss for who we could have signed in the last few windows who A) guaranteed to provide leadership, and B) guaranteed to improve our squad and fit in to Ange's way of playing. I bet there aren't many out there who we could realistically get.

Edit: Forgot Rafa, who technically wasn't club captain but was a World Class leader, and World Class footballer. Besides Ledley he's the last I can think of who fits in to both categories.

 

[Mr Pink]

Never thought Id say this and havent once yet, but Id be tempted to sell if we got a huge offer.

He's really talented but whats the point if you dont give youre all every week.

I suspect he's a big part of our complacency as a team, and he's a vice captain ffs.

Terrible, terrible move that was and one Ange has got very wrong imo.

Go and get the young lad Branthwaite or Guehi, who will give their all every week. Two good English CBs.

 

[alfie103]

Problem is it's hard to find good leaders who are also top class footballers at a price we are willing to pay. I'm not convinced any captains we've had since King have been particularly good leaders. Maybe Daws, but as much as we adored him, he was a limited footballer. Even Lloris was massively lacking at times.

I'm really at a loss for who we could have signed in the last few windows who A) guaranteed to provide leadership, and B) guaranteed to improve our squad and fit in to Ange's way of playing. I bet there aren't many out there who we could realistically get.

Edit: Forgot Rafa, who technically wasn't club captain but was a World Class leader, and World Class footballer. Besides Ledley he's the last I can think of who fits in to both categories.

That's why we need to change the prices we pay. Sometimes you can get a bargain or be ripped off but you generally get what you pay for.

 

[Rout-Ledge]

I suspect he's a big part of our complacency as a team, and he's a vice captain ffs.

Terrible, terrible move that was and one Ange has got very wrong imo.

It was a gamble that he would become more of a leader if he was openly trusted to be one. Clearly that hasn’t worked out, but it’s effectively terminating the relationship between Ange and Romero to withdraw the vice captaincy now. He seems like a character nobody is willing to challenge but equally one who doesn’t put his money where his mouth is. I don’t like him.

 

[muppetman]

Seems a lot less aggressive than he was previously, maybe trying to avoid cards has had a negative effect on him?

Dele was never the same when he lost that bit of niggle and nasty and this feels similar.

 

[Mr Pink]

Seems a lot less aggressive than he was previously, maybe trying to avoid cards has had a negative effect on him?

Dele was never the same when he lost that bit of niggle and nasty and this feels similar.

Yeah thats probably true. I just dont think he's giving his all and thats so damaging for the rest of the team.

 

[Trix]

Seems a lot less aggressive than he was previously, maybe trying to avoid cards has had a negative effect on him?

Dele was never the same when he lost that bit of niggle and nasty and this feels similar.

I think he's had his head turned personally, and lost a bit of interest in what we are doing.

We've forever been a team that holds on to these players for too long and for me we need to sell at a premium if we can.