Adam Matthews

Forrest, imo, lacks the footballing intelligence to become a more centralized player in the Celtic team.

His whole game is about using his pace to go by people with a burst, and occasionally coming inside on his left.

If it weren't for his speed, he'd be no better than the likes of someone playing for Cowdenbeath.

 

I quite like that idea actually. He always runs inside, doesn't seem to like going wide too much.

The problem is (in my opinion) Forrest, Mathews and Lustig are all class players and should all be starting, but it could be difficult to fit them all in. Mathews is definitely capable of playing in midfield and Forrest definitely capable of playing in a Commons type roll so could be a good shout.

Lustig has been absolutely fantastic since Mathews has been out. Our best player along with Van Dijk, but before Mathews went out I'd have played him before Lustig. He's a serious talent and definitely needs to be played when he gets back.

 

You never know though. Niall McGinn has surprised a lot of people with his goal scoring form at Aberdeen. He played out wide for us for the majority of his time here. It's probably wishful thinking suggesting Forrest could do the same but I just don't see him as a winger. I don't see why Neil Lennon is so excited about him in that position.

 

I never had McGinn down as the type of player who'd go on to become a 20-goal a season man being played as a striker. I never thought he was much of a winger though mind you.

Forrest for me is the opposite of McGinn, he definitely is better on the wings than in central positions. If he were to utilize his pace a bit more and just stick to what he is best at - hitting the byline and putting in a decent first time cross, then happy days. Like I say, I don't think he has the footballing intelligence to link up play centrally with his team mates - his passing is generally nothing more than decent, and he certainly doesn't have the greatest of positional sense either.

 

Name me 5 EPL RBs better than Matthews without lying. I bet you can't.. You have 3 minutes.

 

Zabaleta, Ivanovic, Coleman, Johnson, Walker, Rafael, Debuchy, Sagna, Azpilicueta.

It isn't even that. 'Way' better than Kyle Walker ?

 

Sorry McManus4, you failed in your challenge.
[ame="http://vimeo.com/75050713"]Matthews Run v AC Milan on Vimeo[/ame]

Kyle Walker is * *. Zabaleta, Johnson and Coleman are the only 3, like I said earlier, who can be considered.
I like Ivanovic but Matthews is fitter, faster, just as strong and better at attacking. We have two of the best RBs in Europe along side two very competent CBs, don't let our performance vs Milan fool you into abject negativity.

If we had a decent striker we would be a force this season.

 

I can't tell if you're being serious. I think my favourite part was Matthews being as strong as Ivanovic.

Indeed I am not being negative. I think we have a squad with fantastic potential, and I'm one of a few who think we did OK in the CL this season, and are just missing a couple of attacking players.

Just as a note, I think Matthews is a great wee player. Not as good as Lustig but he's younger and he'll just get better. He does however have a long way to go.

 

Matthews is easily as strong as Ivanovic, when was the last time you saw him shoved off a ball? Lustig as well for that matter.
I'm not 100% in favour of our gym policy as I think we bulk people up too much but look at Matthews' upper body now - he's * built. A little white, right wing Wanyama.

I am utterly convinced Matthews would go toe to toe with any of the players you mentioned and beat them or at least not look out of place. Especially when you consider the likes of Steven Whittaker and Gary Caldwell have gone down south and claimed starting places.

Matthews has gone up against, and beaten, Messi in a one-on-one duel. I'd like to see Kyle "calamity" * Walker do the same. And if Sagna tried a dribble like Matthews pulled off in the San Siro his braids would fall out and he'd * himself to sleep.

 

Yeah, he's good ... still, though, I think people sometimes forget that he's only 5 weeks shy of his 22nd birthday. 5 years younger than Lustig. He's really young, with boatloads of potential and promise.

If he stays healthy, I have no doubt he could become one of the best RB's in British football.

When healthy, he's already a force.

 

He's a strong boy but he is nowhere near as strong as Ivanovic.

 

You're making Ivanovic out to be Bobo Balde ffs, he's not that hard.
Like I said i've seen Matthews on probably 100 occasions now and genuinely can't remember him being knocked off the ball or outmuscled once.

And he's played in Old Firm games where the opposition tactics are 1) hurt fenians, 2) hurt fenians! Yet I gleefully remember him skipping past the big bruisers like McCulloch, Davis, Bougherra et al like they weren't even there. That vid I posted shows him making a * of big units including Balotelli, Mexes and De Jong.

Matthews may be young but he's incredibly strong, it's one of his biggest plusses. That allied to his pace means, if we develop him right, he could genuinely be the next Bale. He's already shown glimpses of being able to play on both sides, Lennon's moved him from RB to right mid and right wing, he's got more assists and goals in his last couple seasons.

I'm not saying he'll ever be as good as Bale but the comparison is definitely there for me, and not just because they're Welsh.

 

Anyone know why he doesn't get a game for Wales? He's twice the right-back that Gunter is

 

Size of the *, he's huge :smiley-laughing002:

I take your point though; Matthews is very strong. I also agree about the comparison with Bale. Christ, Wales would be doing well if Matthews every reached Bale's level!

 

Sorry but Ivanovic is a bear and one of the best right backs in the world. Love the big *:smiley-laughing002:

 

Ivanović is several years older than Matthews.

Give Matthews time, folks.

Comparisions, at this time, are unfair, in my opinion.

 

I think he is genuinely one of the best young fullbacks in Europe but Caz is talking out of his *.

 

He's certainly a better wing back than a full back.

He's not as good at both aspect of the games compared to Lustig.

 

Ivanovic is nowhere near one of the best right backs in the world..

He's very competent there and solid and always gives 100% but one of the best in the world,no chance..

Matthews isn't one of the best young right backs in Europe but I believe he's one of the best in Britain with a big future..
I like him at right wing,if he can improve in the final third we have some player,I think most will agree with that..
At left back,right wing or right back he's very good..

 

Think Matthews defensive side is excellent, slide tackling is brilliant, he allows people an extra yard go the byline because he knows he's fast enough to knick it off them.

When he is up against people faster than him, whether it was Sanchez, Messi or that rapid boy from Motherwell he closes the angle and shifts them towards the corner flag. He has an excellent footballing brain for a young player. Very comfortable on the ball.

Can't wait to see him back.