Arne Engels

I felt the Falkirk game was the first time in ages that he looked hungry and knew he had a point to prove. He was constantly showing for the ball, driving on, getting into dangerous positions.

Today he was back to what has disappointingly become the norm; lack of urgency, passive, hiding, anonymous.

 

Another half arsed display, continues to give away silly fouls. I reckon he gets targeted by opponents who know they can easily get inside his head.

 

He's involved plenty , and it often involves missing chances , misplacing passes and fouling . Think saying he's not involved enough absolves him of the fact he's been playing poorly from a strictly technical footballing perspective . He needs to be better on the ball . Trying to make it about his attitude or involvement is sidestepping the inconvenient evidence on show with his football. Wanting him to be the best midfielder on the park today (Livi at home without Cal and Reo) shouldn't be unrealistic by any measure either.

 

Aye he’s been really poor.

He’s got good attributes that I like but just fails to impose himself on games.

I don’t really care about the fee. That’s not really his problem.

I’d be disappointed in his performances if we paid 800k for him.

 

Spot on about the fee, his performances are his performances .

 

He's a dud, lacks quality on the ball and doesn't impose himself enough. Been here for 12 months now, so you would have expected some improvement by now.

Nygren has already scored more outfield goals than him. That's an astonishing stat, but there will still be excuses made.

 

Looks like a great footballer, then the game starts

 

I said he needs to get involved more, thats not me absolving him of anything thats me saying he needs to be more commanding in games. I agree that he does miss some chances and commit fouls but that's areas that he can improve. His movement is good and and he gets about the pitch really well. And as for today between him, Bernardo and McCowan I thought Bernardo edged it but Engels put in a good shift. Thought McCowan was the only one who was poor.

 

His confidence remains very low - if he can get that crucial first touch and not rush everything he could be brilliant.
Energy and effort are excellent, just not yet well controlled
Question is, can he? Is the jersey just too heavy?

I think we need to be patient here, I keep seeing some very positive things along with the admittedly very poor.
Still 21 remember, younger than majority of the others youngsters we are more patient with (Kenny, Murray, Yang, Sinisalo, Bernardo etc etc)
Stick with him.

 

Is what was being said last season.

 

Looks like his head's gone to be honest. When he first came he had a bit of arrogance about him and was more physically imposing. Looks so nervous now and unsure how or if he can impact games.

 

Anyone else think his age needs to be forgotten about?
All the time we’re seeing younger and younger players come in and look like they’ve been playing for years at the top level. I don’t think age is as important as it once was. I think a lot of lads now mature a lot quicker so I don’t think age now can be used as an excuse for him.
He needs to do a * of a lot more it’s simple as that.

 

Not normally my thing but we should really look to recoup as much as we can this window.

Although who's going to take corners

 

Not many midfielders who boss games consistently at 21.

Engles needs to do more, but I'm more concerned about people bashing him because of his price tag, than I am about those defending him due to his age.

He showed last year in the CL that he's got the ability. He just needs time and support to reach his potential. There will be ups and downs along the way, but I think he could end up being one of our best players.

 

This is one of the most ridiculous takes I've ever seen. How on earth can you dismiss a players age and claim its no longer relevant? Not counting our youth players that sometimes make the bench the only younger players than him in our entire squad are Osmand and Simpson-Pusey.

 

McStay was 17 when he made his debut. Pretty much bossed it from there.

Putting that to the side what is Engels offering that we need? It's a failed Rodgers project for me. Even Rodgers isn't playing him. Will suit other teams but hard to see how he can ever suit us.

 

Not really a good comparison is it. McStay is an all time great he's not exactly an achievable bar for every young midfielder we sign is he?

 

Engels like it or not is our most expensive midfielder.

He's also 21. So 4 years older. He should absolutely be making an impression on games.

 

Engels looks like a player totally shorn of all confidence. It's like the bottom has fallen out of his game.

Maybe Brendan should try and get the club's sports shrink to get him back on track.?