Were you at the Etihad? I was there and thought he helped change the game when he came on with his direct play against the Citeh defence and his vision to pick out a wonderful cross field pass to Olise which enabled us to keep Citeh under pressure.

As for last night, I thought he was basically ignored by his team mates in the first 25 minutes when, on a number of occasions, he was in acres of space with the ball instead going to the other wing and quickly then lost. It's hardly encouraging for a player in his first start if your team mates won't give you the ball.

Yes he made some poor decisions but he also showed he had good close ball skills. I am sure he will improve - and quickly, as he is (according to Hodgson) a quick learner.

Agree, as with DB above.

Now Zaha's got a bit of green grass ahead of him here... and finds Ambrose... not a bad effort!!!!

I never feel the need to explain myself to a Roy apologist as you amongst a couple of others on here won’t hear a bad word against him. Where did I say that the medical team told him to sub Olise? Roy was told to take care in his use of him. Oh and finally, do your own research I don’t make stuff up, I just quote what I’ve read online.

All I know is that we are a premier club severely limited by lack of shareholder funds.
Last summer we spent virtually £50m on three players none of whom started the season in the first team, and only one who has subsequently come in through injury (Henderson).

As a comparison, Fulham secured Adam Traore on a free transfer last summer age 26.
There are many others out there who we could have got for sub £10m who would have been instant starters. Ok, their salaries would have been more but they would have shored up our holes.

I dont get what we are doing. We are constantly buying in junior injured players in the hope they get fit and eventually make the first eleven. It just seems a very strange strategy.

I remain hopeful that Franca will learn and improve. But I am at odds to question what he is being taught right now. The boy showed a few nice touches and raw talent last night in a dire game of negativity. Maybe he has a future in the top leagues of football but as yet the jury is out. Is that grounds for us to spend nearly half our annual budget on? Not in my book.

I guess his natural ball playing ability was the skill which Freedman must have identified as being his major asset. If that is the case then training in this area for him is likely to be less needed. Roy’s vast experience particularly in the art of adding system play and modern defensive awareness to his game will be vital for his development and he should soak up all he is being shown in order to give him a chance of succeeding in this part of the football world. He has potential but currently is nowhere near a starter.We all hope he grows physically and learns to add to his natural ability.COYP

Just remember Olise’s first few games. No one would have thought how he would turn out. Impossible to know how it will turn out with Franca but I feel hopeful.