Florian and the (Slot) Machine

[rurikbird]

He looked good, but Frankfurt's level makes it hard to draw any conclusions

He generally looked good whenever he played deeper this season though. It seems to suit him.

For one thing, I was pleasantly surprised by his range of long passing - we didn’t see much of it when he played as a #10. More and more it looks like he’s been misprofiled.

 

[Frogfish]

I think he's due a cheap assist given the amount of times his teammates have butchered other opportunities...

No no we don't talk about those - they don't count because there were no goals involved. But we can rightly discount ones that don't suit the agenda (though I do get the point, I've said it before so I can't be hypocritical - even though I'm being hypocritical).

 

[Frogfish]

On a related topic - how does everyone like Szobo in a deeper role? Seems like him and Jones gave Wirtz a better platform to express himself than in many other games.

He's looked great there - his range of passing and creativity to say nothing of his energy and ability to get around the pitch in an area that it's required to shut down opposition midfielders. This also allows him to get to the edge of the box later, a little unnoticed, for his long range shooting.

It's good that our midfielders have that flexibility to be able to look good in a number of positions. Gives us options.

 

[MomoWASright]

Missed a sitter and looked poor and weak. He just can’t be one of our middle three.

 

[tomasjj]

Up front, starting position wide left pocket?

 

[MomoWASright]

He looked better midweek being in that forward right position. But Slot had to put Salah there.

 

[binomial]

Missed a sitter and looked poor and weak. He just can’t be one of our middle three.

He could, but not with the lack of defensive discipline behind him, which neither Jones nor Szobo have the natural instincts for.

If he was playing as the most advanced in Arsenal or Chelsea’s side, then you’d see the real Wirtz.

We’re in the bottom 5 for sides with the most tackles/interceptions, it’s embarrassing.

 

[MomoWASright]

So he can’t be one of our three then?

 

[tomasjj]

No

So he can’t be one of our three then?

not in midfield
Makes us too weak. And we already have issues there in protecting the back four

 

[King Binny]

View: https://x.com/FlorianFocus/status/1982823104687522135

View: https://x.com/RioMeets/status/1983217201294508182

 

[King Binny]

View: https://x.com/michael_reid11/status/1985829929448030324

View: https://x.com/OptaAnalyst/status/1985813576968462675

View: https://x.com/empireofthekop/status/1985889475415732681

View: https://x.com/AnfieldAgenda/status/1985848010228838678

 

[MomoWASright]

He was decent tonight. I absolutely fucking hated it when he was lying on the floor holding his face. I hate it when I see any of our players stay down and pretend to be hurt. Get up and show them you’re not a fucking wimp.

But yea, decent la.

 

[binomial]

There's no way Gakpo should retain his spot in the XI, Flo is the far superior player.

 

[Stevesquash]

He was decent tonight. I absolutely fucking hated it when he was lying on the floor holding his face. I hate it when I see any of our players stay down and pretend to be hurt. Get up and show them you’re not a fucking wimp.

But yea, decent la.

It wasnt a flick to the face though was it. It was a proper forearm smash.

But yeah, he could've not been quite so dramatic about it.

 

[The Nomad]

He was decent tonight. I absolutely fucking hated it when he was lying on the floor holding his face. I hate it when I see any of our players stay down and pretend to be hurt. Get up and show them you’re not a fucking wimp.

But yea, decent la.

He was elbowed (unintentionally) in the face. It fucking hurts.

Vini Jr however. Fuck off. That was a cheeky finger at best.

 

[Dreambeliever]

He was decent tonight. I absolutely fucking hated it when he was lying on the floor holding his face. I hate it when I see any of our players stay down and pretend to be hurt. Get up and show them you’re not a fucking wimp.

But yea, decent la.

Eh? He got a full elbow to the face no?

 

[mom]

He was decent tonight. I absolutely fucking hated it when he was lying on the floor holding his face. I hate it when I see any of our players stay down and pretend to be hurt. Get up and show them you’re not a fucking wimp.

But yea, decent la.

He was elbowed mate.

 

[Dreambeliever]

he was brilliant btw. Should start instead of Gakpo.

 

[MomoWASright]

He was elbowed mate.

He wasn’t punched by Mike Tyson.

 

[Mamma Mia]

He wasn’t punched by Mike Tyson.

yet you're calling him a mediocre actress!

 

[Markeh]

He wasn’t punched by Mike Tyson.

lol i’ve been referring to him as the german harvey elliott but even i think this is harsh.

 

[MomoWASright]

It’s endemic across football. Unless you have broken something there is no reason to lie down for a few minutes especially when the opponent has the ball.

I’ve played enough of the game to get hit like that and would be laughed at if I went/stayed down.

 

[Red Mullet]

It’s endemic across football. Unless you have broken something there is no reason to lie down for a few minutes especially when the opponent has the ball.

I’ve played enough of the game to get hit like that and would be laughed at if I went/stayed down.

Nah

We need a few c*nts in the team to get opponents sent off

 

[MomoWASright]

As if any Real player was getting sent off. Look at the way they weaseled out of the penalty.

 

[LarryHagman]

There's no way Gakpo should retain his spot in the XI, Flo is the far superior player.

That was Wirtz best game for us last night, 100%.

Gakpo has averaged 17 goals a season in the 2 full seasons he's played for us.

2 facts that may or may not be related.

 

[Holle]

It’s endemic across football. Unless you have broken something there is no reason to lie down for a few minutes especially when the opponent has the ball.

I’ve played enough of the game to get hit like that and would be laughed at if I went/stayed down.

Yup. I've never seen a rugby or ice hockey player do it.

 

[jan]

Me neither cos I don't watch bent sports

 

[Holle]

What?