Olivier Ntcham

Broony doesn't need to start the vast majority of games he does BUT we've been here before with Oli a few times. However, with what we've seen recently think he deserves a run and hopefully some consistency will come.

 

Give us a clue!!!

 

Thought he played well last night, although he should have done much better when Taylor found his at the edge of the box.I thought he would let it run into his right and then let rip.

 

Thought we may have seen a bit more from him, considering he must have been choking for a start.

 

He was our best midfielder, in fairness to him.

 

Between Oli and Christie.

Both seemed most likely to find that opening.

 

He did OK in his first start of the season, but for me our 10 has to create much more. Still unsure what his best midfield position is.

 

He hasn't done anywhere near enough to deserve a continued run in the first eleven for me. He always seems to want too much time on the ball or take an extra touch. He had a chance on Saturday to smash it first time nut he took a touch and was closed down. I'm not doubting he is probably the best technical midfielder we have but I think he could do a lot more and be more consistent.

 

Brown created a chance in the 2nd half. I don't recall any of the other CMs creating much. Christie put in an amazing shift and tested the keeper though.

 

Ntcham zipped a lovely ball across the box from the left wing, it was dying to be attacked and no-one went to it.

Christie was at least having a pop from distance, which is something we need to do more against these teams that sit in deep. But for 2 fantastic saves from their GK he would've had a double, although the 2nd was the one that led to the stramash and Ajeti's goal.

Overall I'd say Christie shaded it as best midfielder (even though he had a few poor misses) then Oli.

 

Yeah, thought you might struggle for an example of Ntcham creating anything! Agree with Christie though.

 

Talk of Ntcham being our best midfielder on Saturday are wide of the mark for me. It is all about opinions but most of the time when I watch Ntcham, I feel like I am waiting on him to really take a hold of a game and make a driving run through the midfield or play a great pass in to Eddy or be instrumental in starting attacking moves but for me too often it just doesn’t happen.

He needs a run of games to see what he can deliver, as being in then out of the team cannot be easy either. We seen a better player when he got that post New Year but we really need him to step up if he is to remain in the team.

At the moment if someone offered me the quoted £20m and we have some targets identified as replacements I wouldn’t be against taking it. If he does stay then great and I hope he kicks on.

 

I gave an example. He put in a cross that took their low-lying defence out the equation and that the keeper couldn't come out for; it was crying out for a penalty box striker or midfielder making a late run to tap it in.

Other than that he kept the game flowing well, moved it on quickly and retained it well against their high press.

 

He’s never a 10.

Play him as a shuttler in a 433 and he’ll be at his best.

Rogic is the only natural 10 at the club. Although I’d like to see Ely there.