Luis Palma

This entirely, he's so dangerous and plays so high it pins Tavernier back and does defensive work for us. It was noticeable Tavernier only offered anything once he came off.

 

Thought he was very quiet/poor.

Still managed to put the odd dangerous cross in though.

 

His defensive shift was * brilliant but, and he made sure Tavernier was pinned far down the pitch.

Look at the difference when MJ came on instead, and we had 11 men to their 10 by then.

Said it a couple times today, one bright spot from just how shocking MJ done was how much it also highlights what Palma was doing.

Taverniers the only danger they have. For 80 mins he was nowhere because the way Palma was playing and making sure he stayed pinned back. Moi was the last guy I can remember who done that effortlessly, kills any threat they have.

 

100% true but I wanted him to pin him back by doing great attacking work.

I felt Palma was awful in their half when attacking as he was just too quiet. I wanted more from him. When he did put the ball in like we know he can, he caused trouble. I just wanted more of it.

 

He kept skinning the * then no releasing the ball. I don’t know if it just looked like nothing was on to hit properly and not bothering to fire it in when its no pinpoint. Kyogo was on his own in there a lot.

 

Maybe I'm being over critical. I felt he gave the ball away. I'd rather him lose it by firing the ball across the goal and seeing what happens.

Completely night and day when MJ came on, mind.

That guy needs punted ASAP.

 

I’m probably being overly lenient as well tbf, think he’s earned that right off us. And I’ve always said if you’re a bit off it on the ball, make sure that your making a big impact off the ball. Palma today was that.

Maeda’s that everyday now I think about it

 

100%

I'd rather they do that then * all.

 

Aye, sums up my thoughts.

Not blown away by him at all. Good numbers, albeit no goals from open play in the last 12 matches is poor.

Loads of ability but incredibly frustrating.

 

I wish he'd stop literally trying to score from corners..

It's so obvious he's trying it..

 

Honduran Tony Stokes.

 

I thought the first half an hour he was really good the cross he put on Bernardo’s head was inch perfect and should have been a goal. Also the ball into Taylor around the half hour mark needed him to hit it but he tried to find Kyogo.

He worked hard to defend too which became really evident when Johnston came on and just left Tavernier himself. In hindsight if Palma had tired, Maeda should have come to the left and Abada on the right. As Maeda doesn’t do tired, he also doesn’t really control the ball but at 2-0 up he would have been excellent at shutting down Tavernier and having him chasing backwards.

 

100%

 

His stats are going to be excellent because he's excellent with the ball at his feet. It's funny how football works. We all know, or we should all know, that he's a downgrade on Jota but he's going to absolutely smash the goals/assists that Jota had in a single season.

I still think we get the absolute best out of him with a midfield runner, like Hatate and an overlapping fullback, like Araujo. Watch this space. After the winter break, with Hatate and a new LB coming in, we will start to see him motor.

 

Terrifying thought I hadn't given much time to.

 

20MT fan too I see.

They read out your questions a fair bit on phone in, no ?

 

I think there’s a lot to come from him. Good coaching and he can go on and be a good player for us.

 

One of our best players this season and gets some amount of stick. Don’t get it at all