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March 28 2024 11.13pm

How well is Wilf playing? time to bite the bullet?

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View ex hibitionist's Profile ex hibitionist Flag Hastings 25 Oct 22 2.34pm Send a Private Message to ex hibitionist Add ex hibitionist as a friend

He got all the plaudits for his second half display v Wolves, but he was in the full back's pocket first half, as he was v Chelsea and Leeds for much of the game - seems better playing more centrally these days. And he has shown a tendency to hang on to the ball too long and lose possession - infuriatingly so first half v Wolves. Our squad isn't deep enough to lose him in January, if Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs or Newcastle want him in the summer he's gone most likely. If we could cash in in Jan to fund the midfielder we desperately need after losing Kouyate and Gallagher or get a swap over the line I think we should consider it - I know Zaha going does make the drop more likely, but so does not ensuring our midfield can function properly.

 

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View taylors lovechild's Profile taylors lovechild Flag 25 Oct 22 2.51pm Send a Private Message to taylors lovechild Add taylors lovechild as a friend

We currently have three right-wingers (Ayew, Olise and Ebiowei) and one left-winger in Wilf. I would argue the second-half against Wolves was his only good performance since the transfer window closed, but as it stands he still carries more threat than most if not all of the rest of the squad. He normally scores against Southampton, so we can probably look forward to the Wilf/JWP pantomime this weekend.

 

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View PatrickA's Profile PatrickA Flag London 25 Oct 22 7.38pm Send a Private Message to PatrickA Add PatrickA as a friend

Zaha has been one of our all time great players, but I have to confess that I sometimes wonder if we would have a better balanced team if we play players in their best and natural positions.
For example Olise seems happiest wide right midfield and Schlupp wide left midfield.
We occasionally look vulnerable down our left with Mitchell left 2 on 1 having to deal with overloads. Schlupp should offer more protection while also providing attacking thrust on his more natural left hand side.
Zaha is neither a traditional left winger nor striker for all his brilliance.
He is arguably the first name on the team sheet but it does mean others have to compromise their natural positions to accommodate him.
Some feel Eze doesn’t have the defensive qualities to play in a 3 man midfield.
However, he could play as a number 10 behind a striker with two more defensive minded midfielders behind him.
There’s no guarantee that this would work and it would entail having a reliable striker, but we could create more opportunities with Olise on the right, Schlupp on the left and Eze floating across the attacking third.

 

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View sprites's Profile sprites Flag Auckland 26 Oct 22 4.01am Send a Private Message to sprites Add sprites as a friend

He has nor the pace or the inclination to be a winger anymore, I don't believe. However I do think he could make a decent central striker. Always have. Personally, I'd play him centrally.

 

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View dreamwaverider's Profile dreamwaverider Flag London 26 Oct 22 6.41am Send a Private Message to dreamwaverider Add dreamwaverider as a friend

Originally posted by PatrickA

Zaha has been one of our all time great players, but I have to confess that I sometimes wonder if we would have a better balanced team if we play players in their best and natural positions.
For example Olise seems happiest wide right midfield and Schlupp wide left midfield.
We occasionally look vulnerable down our left with Mitchell left 2 on 1 having to deal with overloads. Schlupp should offer more protection while also providing attacking thrust on his more natural left hand side.
Zaha is neither a traditional left winger nor striker for all his brilliance.
He is arguably the first name on the team sheet but it does mean others have to compromise their natural positions to accommodate him.
Some feel Eze doesn’t have the defensive qualities to play in a 3 man midfield.
However, he could play as a number 10 behind a striker with two more defensive minded midfielders behind him.
There’s no guarantee that this would work and it would entail having a reliable striker, but we could create more opportunities with Olise on the right, Schlupp on the left and Eze floating across the attacking third.

In other words play like PSG do. And look how they perform. 7-2 last night champions league

 

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View VinceHilaire's Profile VinceHilaire Flag London 26 Oct 22 7.29am Send a Private Message to VinceHilaire Add VinceHilaire as a friend

My view on Zaha…
1. Consistency- can’t perform to the same level every game.
2. Age - younger full backs use their speed to ensure he sees less of the ball.
3. Adaptability - being tactically aware that if he is not getting the ball, how he positions himself so he could receive the ball.
4. Temperament - not allow himself to be easily wound up.

Tend to agree with other..perhaps time to use others on the wings and move Wilf more central - he is not a great header of the ball - so perhaps with JP? 4-4-2

 

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View taylors lovechild's Profile taylors lovechild Flag 26 Oct 22 8.03am Send a Private Message to taylors lovechild Add taylors lovechild as a friend

I agree about him playing more centrally, but he has said he doesn't like playing there and you get the feeling you don't really tell Wilf what to do. Going back to what someone else said, I think we are vulnerable down the left because Wilf doesn't seem to be tracking back as much and defence is the weakest side of Eze's game.

 

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View NEILLO's Profile NEILLO Flag Shoreham-by-Sea 26 Oct 22 9.32am Send a Private Message to NEILLO Add NEILLO as a friend

Those that speculate about the team without Wilf in it will probably get the answer next season.

In the meantime he is still capable of individual brilliance that can turn a game.

 


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View Nicholas91's Profile Nicholas91 Flag The Democratic Republic of Kent 26 Oct 22 9.37am Send a Private Message to Nicholas91 Add Nicholas91 as a friend

Originally posted by NEILLO

Those that speculate about the team without Wilf in it will probably get the answer next season.

In the meantime he is still capable of individual brilliance that can turn a game.

I get the point I really do and often ask the question myself.

A team without Wilf however really does fall into a 'fear of the unknown' for me and I live in fear that we will see a 'Would we be in the relegation zone if Wilf had stayed' thread in the near future.

 


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

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View NEILLO's Profile NEILLO Flag Shoreham-by-Sea 26 Oct 22 9.40am Send a Private Message to NEILLO Add NEILLO as a friend

Originally posted by Nicholas91

I get the point I really do and often ask the question myself.

A team without Wilf however really does fall into a 'fear of the unknown' for me and I live in fear that we will see a 'Would we be in the relegation zone if Wilf had stayed' thread in the near future.

Yes, we need to move on one day !

But while we have him, appreciate him !

 


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View Uphill's Profile Uphill Flag Bedford 26 Oct 22 10.14am Send a Private Message to Uphill Add Uphill as a friend

Originally posted by NEILLO

Yes, we need to move on one day !

But while we have him, appreciate him !

Entirely agree.

You don't appreciate what you've got until you don't have him anymore.

 

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View Phil’s Barber's Profile Phil’s Barber Flag Crowborough 26 Oct 22 10.15am Send a Private Message to Phil’s Barber Add Phil’s Barber as a friend

Originally posted by NEILLO

Those that speculate about the team without Wilf in it will probably get the answer next season.

In the meantime he is still capable of individual brilliance that can turn a game.

True but these moments are few and far between and his ineffective ‘gone missing / not interested’ performances far out weigh these. He has been great for our team but he rarely beats his man anymore and gives away possession far too often. He occupies a team place that could be filled by someone who would contribute just as many goals (but more assists). A good percentage of Wilfs recent goals have also been penalties, yet he should be nowhere near them, as his conversion rate is very poor.

Wilf is now more effective up top through the middle as he has lost his pace and fullbacks have him in their pocket when he plays out wide. On the plus side I think his finishing has improved and is the best it’s ever been and I believe he does track back and defend (certainly way more effectively than Eze or Olise when they play in midfield).

Ultimately I reckon it’s the same situation as when all the members on here said Hodgson was the only manager capable of keeping us in the Premier League each year and dreaded the thought of him leaving.

Edited by Phil’s Barber (26 Oct 2022 10.17am)

 

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