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El Scorchio 2:52 Tue Feb 21
Who is actually our best player?

Prior to December, it was not even a question- at least to most.

Now, is it clear cut? I know it's not quite like for like comparing defenders to strikers etc.

For me it's probably Lanzini. Really liking how he's having more of an influence in games as the main man pulling the strings. Getting a share of goals too.

Antonio and Reid right up there for me as well. Snodders has potential to be in the conversation.

the exile 1:01 Sat Feb 25
Re: Who is actually our best player?

Interesting how inconclusive this debate is. We used to have an undisputed best player but since he fucked off we have been playing much better as a team, which is what it's all about.

grasshopper 12:23 Sat Feb 25
Re: Who is actually our best player?

Antonio - hence why chelsea want him for benchwarming duties

gph 12:14 Sat Feb 25
Re: Who is actually our best player?

Heskey isn't the antithesis of Messi.

People get blinded by his one great deficiency as a striker...

ivan 10:27 Sat Feb 25
Re: Who is actually our best player?

Don't forget Cheik! Big part of the team spirit as well

13 Brentford Rd 8:22 Thu Feb 23
Re: Who is actually our best player?

Ah you didn't actually say that so apologies but he is "nearer" to Messi than Heskey.

13 Brentford Rd 8:05 Thu Feb 23
Re: Who is actually our best player?

"Not as good as Messi with his feet"
What a ridiculous statement V, even for you.

Fivetide 4:46 Thu Feb 23
Re: Who is actually our best player?

...nd expect both to flourish. They are fundamentally at odds with each other in how they want to play."

I guess it depends on whether you see having differently skilled players in your team as a problem or an opportunity. I doubt this is the only time that a manager has had skillsets available to him that didn't immediately chime and yet he somehow managed to get a good tune out of them.

Or perhaps you're right, and it's a hopeless situation.

Texas Iron 2:23 Thu Feb 23
Re: Who is actually our best player?

Antonio needs to start scoring again...we need more goals...

Lee Trundle 1:51 Thu Feb 23
Re: Who is actually our best player?

"Carroll is much better with his feet (or one of them, at least) than he is given credit for."

I agree. It's hardly surprising V thinks otherwise though. It adds substance to that statement if he's on the other side, I find.

Alex V 1:48 Thu Feb 23
Re: Who is actually our best player?

Fivetide 1:44 Thu Feb 23

Do you actually have a view on the issue though? I see you cherry picked a quote from my post with the key part of the sentence left off - well played.

Fivetide 1:44 Thu Feb 23
Re: Who is actually our best player?

Alex V 1:04 Thu Feb 23
"I don't really see how you can have a side with Lanzini and Carroll in it at the same time"


It's statements like this that make me wonder is Alex really is the world-class club manager that his other posts clearly insist he is.

Alex V 1:41 Thu Feb 23
Re: Who is actually our best player?

He's much much nearer to Heskey than Messi though, let's be honest. He's okay with layoffs etc, but very limited - you wouldn't ever want to see him on the ball too much.

tnb 1:35 Thu Feb 23
Re: Who is actually our best player?

Carroll is much better with his feet (or one of them, at least) than he is given credit for. No, he's not Messi - but he's not Emile Heskey either.

When he's properly fit, and perhaps the confidence of knowing he's properly fit comes into that too, he shows that side more for whatever reason - some of his lay offs on the floor are excellent and he can pick a pass too, plus he often starts attacks off well from deep when he's come back to help out defending.

Honestly, I wonder if people who think he's just a lamp-post route one striker actually watch him very closely. Unfortunately when he plays he's more often than not coming back to fitness and then he usually takes a few games to get up to speed and reverts to type a lot. But look at the Palace goal plus the goal at Swansea a couple of years ago and tell me he's just a big lump. When fit - yes I know - he is an excellent footballer.

But yes, of course I am also talking largely about the specific skills for the position he plays, and that's perfectly logical. Otherwise it's like saying well De Gea is a good keeper but a lot of the time all he does is catch the ball. I say it again though, a fit Carroll actually has more than that about him.

Alex V 1:04 Thu Feb 23
Re: Who is actually our best player?

I suppose talking about technique with Carroll you are talking about in the air? He's pretty basic with the ball at his feet obviously. That's the whole trouble with Carroll as I see it - you can only use his qualities if the ball is in the air a lot, which is a very old-fashioned and maybe outdated approach in football terms.

I don't really see how you can have a side with Lanzini and Carroll in it at the same time and expect both to flourish. They are fundamentally at odds with each other in how they want to play.

Carroll can have all the aerial technique in the world, he is just not a good player for us.

tnb 8:10 Wed Feb 22
Re: Who is actually our best player?

In terms of technique, Lanzini. As Stewie says, by a long way too. But for me he's still got to improve his consistency - and a bit more physical presence wouldn't go amiss either. Then again, if he was significantly better in both those departments right now he'd not be playing for us. But he's dtill the best in terms of technique and potential for me, but not necessarily a shoe- in for our 'best player' at this very moment. I really hope the extra responsibility now helps him grow as a player and the signs are good so far.

Some people are going to think I've gone mad, but in terms of the technique necessary for the job he does I reckon Carroll is probably our next best player as far as skill goes. We've all seen what he can do when he's properly fit, but obviously there lies the problem. In a different way, he probably also falls into the category of 'not consistent enough right now'.

Best and most consistently performing players right now? For me, Antonio and Obiang.

Reid probably does aldo deserve a mention, as others have said, but I'm still not convinced he's quite top drawer save for the odd game.

Cresswell is an excellent full back but one who won't ever be the best player in any top level team. I thought at the time that the Man City/ Liverpool/ England hype was over the top and I still do. I like the chap and I'm pleased he is with us, but like Noble up to a couple of years ago when he started to tail off from his previous level, I sense our Aaron is one of those reliable and at times classy players but with an innate glass ceiling.

The rest of the first team regulars fall into the next tier, for me. Good enough in many cases, but not part of a 'best player' debate. And yes, I am including Kouyate in that group. I wish I could think he's as brilliant as some people do, as it must be fun. But I just don't see it. He's not a bad player at all, but he doesn't belong in a debate with Lanzini, Carroll, Antonio, and Obiang. And Reid and Cresswell make up the rest of the top six.

icwhs 7:04 Wed Feb 22
Re: Who is actually our best player?

*r*

icwhs 7:03 Wed Feb 22
Re: Who is actually our best player?

Obiang
Lanzini
Reid
Antonio. In that orde

Hermit Road 6:54 Wed Feb 22
Re: Who is actually our best player?

Obiang and Lanzini with a nod to Antonio for effectiveness.

Charoo 6:47 Wed Feb 22
Re: Who is actually our best player?

I'm gonna buck the WHO trend and agree with Texas on this.

stewie griffin 6:44 Wed Feb 22
Re: Who is actually our best player?

Lanzini by a long, long way for me.

Have a suspicion that OBIANG will be most sought after and will fetch a very tidy sum though.

Russ of the BML 6:31 Wed Feb 22
Re: Who is actually our best player?

We'd be massively in the shit this year if it wasn't for Antonio so for me it's him.

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