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Florian and the (Slot) Machine

I said in game that he needs to add more zip to his passing. I can see what hes trying to do, but you ain't got the time for the passes to trundle over.

Yeah but I think he did better with that against Arsenal. The problem ones in that second half were slightly overhit actually.

I dunno, he obviously CAN do it. I guess he's just adjusting, which is totally fine.
 
Maybe the problem isn't Wirtz but the language being used. Perhaps we all need to converge around an accepted tier of descriptions and adjectives for a performance.

If Wirtz is excellent now, what are we saying when he starts performing as we hope / expect (Leverkusen levels) and is delivering goals and assists?

Super excellent? Phenomenal? Transcendent?
 
Indeed. People are mostly looking for flaws and what players aren't doing, sadly.
Misplaced 4 passes.. Boink.

He was excellent in that 2nd half. Nearly scored a goal and created a few chances for Salah.
The thing that was mostly impressive and what had been lacking was the defensive contribution.
He won 5/6 ground duels and 2/2 tackles while completing the most dribbles 3/3 in the game. Taking out Gabriel on defensive set pieces. It was a clear indication that adapting to the intensity is closer.
Always running, most sprints and covered ground next to Szobo.

The technical part of his game is world class so the attacking returns will come.

Big improvement and he's on the right path. He will sadly be some sort scapegoat regardless of the amount of goals/assists he achieves I reckon.
There will always be people that will beat him with the transfer fee stick.

You just don't like hearing valid, reasonable criticism of anything the club or any of our players do.

He didn't create any chances for Salah. There was one good pass into the box for him in a non-scoring position, which Salah then fucked up. Then there was the opportunity to create a chance for Salah when he'd come inside after the good touch, but he messed it up by playing it slightly behind Salah (who then compounded it by fucking up his touch yet again).
 
If I remember correctly, several bone fide superstars started their careers in England fairly slowly after making the move from the continent... I'm not the slightest bit worried about him, after only three matches here, two of which were in our top 5 or 6 toughest of the season.
 
Maybe the problem isn't Wirtz but the language being used. Perhaps we all need to converge around an accepted tier of descriptions and adjectives for a performance.

If Wirtz is excellent now, what are we saying when he starts performing as we hope / expect (Leverkusen levels) and is delivering goals and assists?

Super excellent? Phenomenal? Transcendent?

I remember Martin Tyler described a particular Darren Huckerby performance as "cum-splatteringly orgasmic" so that could be reserved for Wirtz's first assist, say.
 
I can't believe we are actually pouring over the stats for this. Again, not only are we watching the games, of course we are watching him in particular.

He was always going to disappoint based on his hype in the short term, he was lauded as the second coming when he's a very exciting young player in a lesser league. That's just gravity.

He obviously has technique, he obviously doesn't have a great understanding of our attack, and that makes sense because I don't either and I'm watching from above on my couch. It just hasn't come together yet. Individually he is confident, isn't hiding, has good touches, that's all good.

His use of the ball hasn't been great yet. It needs to improve a lot. I think Isak will help with that as his runs are about as traditional as you would think and he will take two cbs out sometimes. That will take time too though.

One thing that will help is... Having the ball more.
 
You just don't like hearing valid, reasonable criticism of anything the club or any of our players do.

He didn't create any chances for Salah. There was one good pass into the box for him in a non-scoring position, which Salah then fucked up. Then there was the opportunity to create a chance for Salah when he'd come inside after the good touch, but he messed it up by playing it slightly behind Salah (who then compounded it by fucking up his touch yet again).

Well, that’s just not true, and is a statement on par with your views in regards to Wirtz.
Which in turn is why it shouldn’t be taken seriously.
 
He's definitely improving. That Arsenal performance was better, and he made some lovely through passes, but our lad's first touch was the problem. Nice press as well at one point. But expectations are higher for him to be a game changer, and that's why people are being critical.

He's not been brutal. He's not had an immediately explosive impact. But he is improving.
 
Well, that’s just not true, and is a statement on par with your views in regards to Wirtz.
Which in turn is why it shouldn’t be taken seriously.

It is true. It's always just OTT defences followed by claims that anyone dissenting in any way has some kind of agenda. Nobody who's posted in this thread today thinks anything worse than that he's underwhelmed so far but will probably be brilliant in time.
 
It is true. It's always just OTT defences followed by claims that anyone dissenting in any way has some kind of agenda. Nobody who's posted in this thread today thinks anything worse than that he's underwhelmed so far but will probably be brilliant in time.
I have an agenda ... just let me work out what it is, then I'll come in all guns blazing.
 
The main thing is his performance trajectory is upwards. Let’s hope he finds some more mojo for Germany before returning to be super excellent against Burnley
 
Maybe the problem isn't Wirtz but the language being used. Perhaps we all need to converge around an accepted tier of descriptions and adjectives for a performance.

If Wirtz is excellent now, what are we saying when he starts performing as we hope / expect (Leverkusen levels) and is delivering goals and assists?

Super excellent? Phenomenal? Transcendent?

Generational?
 
It is true. It's always just OTT defences followed by claims that anyone dissenting in any way has some kind of agenda. Nobody who's posted in this thread today thinks anything worse than that he's underwhelmed so far but will probably be brilliant in time.

Again, not true. But carry on and look like a cunt.
 
Again, not true. But carry on and look like a cunt.

I must've imagined that post where you lamented how sad it is that people are desperate to find flaws with Wirtz and how he's bound to be a scapegoat forever because of his fee and people just love sticking the knife in etc.

Seems to me that taking people's legit criticisms and trying to paint them as deliberate smears is pretty much the definition of cuntish behaviour.
 
I must've imagined that post where you lamented how sad it is that people are desperate to find flaws with Wirtz and how he's bound to be a scapegoat forever because of his fee and people just love sticking the knife in etc.

Seems to me that taking people's legit criticisms and trying to paint them as deliberate smears is pretty much the definition of cuntish behaviour.

If you read through this thread and the match threads so far you will probably see why its a valid point. Its not only Wirtz but also Kerkez to some extent. But each to their own.
Saying he's shit isn't, and has never been any form of legit criticism.
 
This thread is like buying a six year investment plan where everyone else can see it’s going to yield a ton of goodness. But the share price gets ever so slightly shaky for a couple of weeks out of that six year plan. So people get nervy and think of bailing and calling it a flop. Pan out and take a slightly longer term view. He clearly has serious skill, an immense work rate and solid mentality. Can’t believe it’s even a concern so early on in his career here.
 
This thread is like buying a six year investment plan where everyone else can see it’s going to yield a ton of goodness. But the share price gets ever so slightly shaky for a couple of weeks out of that six year plan. So people get nervy and think of bailing and calling it a flop. Pan out and take a slightly longer term view. He clearly has serious skill, an immense work rate and solid mentality. Can’t believe it’s even a concern so early on in his career here.

Of course it's a concern.

He could be nowhere near worth what we paid for him. That's always a risk. Acknowledging that isn't controversial, nor does it require even watching him the few times he's played so far.
 
Of course it's a concern.

He could be nowhere near worth what we paid for him. That's always a risk. Acknowledging that isn't controversial, nor does it require even watching him the few times he's played so far.
Dunno mate. It’s way way too early for any judgement from me. If he’s still failing to pull up trees by Xmas, that’s different.
 
Dunno mate. It’s way way too early for any judgement from me. If he’s still failing to pull up trees by Xmas, that’s different.

I agree, it's too early.

That is why it remains an unknown risk that we've undertaken, like every single purchase we make. The idea that he couldn't flop because he's so brilliant was always bullshit hype. The idea that he will flop because he isn't so brilliant that he instantly adapted to the league is also bullshit.

Ive only seen one of those premises advanced on here. The "he will obviously just work out" one.
 
This thread is like buying a six year investment plan where everyone else can see it’s going to yield a ton of goodness. But the share price gets ever so slightly shaky for a couple of weeks out of that six year plan. So people get nervy and think of bailing and calling it a flop. Pan out and take a slightly longer term view. He clearly has serious skill, an immense work rate and solid mentality. Can’t believe it’s even a concern so early on in his career here.

Two words.

Naby. Keita.
 
Usually with attack-minded players I can reach my final judgement quite quickly (20 minutes in Šeško’s case but that’s my record). I reckon I’ll be ready to make my judgement against Burnley or Atletico.

He was shit against Bournemouth and Newcastle (both 4/10 efforts) and his obvious struggle was with the speed/intensity of English football. Against Arsenal he was 4/10 in the first half but markedly improved in the second half so maybe 6/10 overall.

For the money we paid I expect to see a speedy improvement and am hopeful that Burnley will be his “break out” game.
 
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