MC11

Wouldn't sell him but definitely need a younger like for like replacement. When he's on form he's one of the top players in the side.

It's not a ridiculous comment. I stand by it. I don't think Lukaku's movement is very good. Compared to Naismiths it's bang average.

I'm not suggesting Naismith is the man to lead the line either. I think there is a time and place for him. But he does seem to unlock defences with his movement.

You can't evaluate his goals on opposition either. He can only score past those who he plays against. He scored against Chelsea at the start of the season. Liverpool last season.

Just stop the service defence because it doesn't really stand up. In 21 games Lukaku has had 58 shots.

Personally on his day he's our top performer. However I keep raising the fact that in "big" games he fails to show up "sometimes"

That 300k will include his imaging rights.

Tax on that will be £120,000 a week.

£180,000 take home.

Bloody hell if that's a genuine update on his fitness that's not bad at all.

I watched him in Scotland playing like this week in week out through the middle. He was never given the opportunity to show his real attributes until now.

Even on the wing he put a full shift in. He isnt technically gifted enough to play out there but he done a job. People were expecting too much.

Mirallas is a wide player, Naismith is better through the middle than Mirallas. Btw I think Mirallas is easily the best player in the squad now.

Enough said? That has no relevance to what I wrote...

You referred to Lukaku not getting service. Naismith has 4 goals in 5 appearances upfront. 3 of those Substitutions. His movement is second to none. His finishing is brilliant.

Have you not thought that maybe Naismith is finding the space and positions better than Lukaku. I keep referring to movement. It's key to getting chances. For me Lukaku is too static and you can't keep bumping excuse of service when there is a player in the squad who is getting opportunities and finishing them.

Naismith hasnt really though has he, at least not against Premiership opposition.

 

He scored the goal against Villa which helped create with good build up play but in that game he also had Mirallas play up top with him. Other than that, I cant think of a chance where he got in behind and on goal from our own play.

Played upfront 5 times scored 4 goals. Enough said.

Pienaar lost his man but let's not forget the players who let the cross come in?

He's a very good player. I've always rated him.

However in big games away from home (especially Anfield) he has had some terrible performances. It's more noted because we rely on him to make us tick. He's still got it like!

The Straq was a god Damn hero!

The guy could step on a mine and he would brush it off as just a flesh wound.

Yeh cannon fodder.

I have seen Lukaku in plenty of good positions to score but the balls not been played to him, especially when its come from the right and one of Coleman/Mirallas.

 

Naismith makes cleverer runs, not denying that (especially the Villa goal) but to suggest Lukaku doesnt is a joke.

He doesn't make enough decent runs behind. Very evident. Naismith has had loads of late and bagged them all. Nothing to do with service proved by Naisy.

You can predict, for sure, but wouldn't you be just a little pleased on this occasion to be proved wrong?

I'd be made up if he turned out a good player. But it's very evident he's not very good. I can only compare him to The Straq.

Lukaku is an excellent finisher, his problem at the moment is that he is creating or having chances created for him.

So why is Naismith getting these chances?.... Simple, he's looking for them. Lukaku's movement is like a HGV. He's static.

What game did you watch? Arsenal controlled the game and liverpool only had a couple chances (which Sturbridge fluffed). Suarez was non existent other than his dives, and Gerrard was doing his best Jason impression hacking and slashing everyone. They did not play well, Arsenal were the better side and it showed with the win.

Liverpool were the much better side.

I fancied us more at Anfield, big score to settle there. Emirates is a horrible stadium to go to. If I'm completely honest I'd take a draw there and bring them back to our place. Hopefully we'll get the win but it's going to be a big ask. The top players need to perform.

Always said he should only be played as a forward player. Knows where to be at the right time and can put the ball in the back of the net. In fact, I honestly believe he's the best finisher at the club. His goal yesterday was taken so coolly.

Spot on Rom,

So comfortable in front of goal. Great finisher.

Genuinely believe he'd score lots of goals with a partne who links play with his back to goal with Naismith getting in behind.

"I 'ate you, Butler!"

 

Not sure how many will remember this, but it seems that Blakey's personality has suddenly affected these forums. People were not so negative when Deulofeu had a questionable first few games, so why pick on this guy? Why all the moaning - is it the weather? It's just plain ridiculous! Traore scored inside of five minutes, and still some believe he's pure crap. And I don't give a flying fig that someone wrote "can't wait for some to claim it was his first game in a new league". Yes, it was? New team, new teammates, new league, new atmosphere, new language, new style of play, and just back from injury. Give the man a break.

I can wholeheartedly say in his 6 months here he will be very disappointing. He may grab the odd goal but other than that I truly hope Lukaku is back ASAP

Bit embarrasing this. Its like people need a new whipping boy now that Naismith seems to have sorted himself out, or because he had a good game.

 

He wasnt as bad as some of you are making out. I cant remember him being beaten in the air all that much because we never hit a cross to him in the entire game. Of course he was off the pace because yes i am going to bring up the new league, new country, coming back from injury, hasnt played in over a month...because guess what...thats the reality of it. I dont know what some of you were expecting?

 

Messi looked shite when he came back for Barca a month or so a go, dont think people were saying he was shite then.

 

He's going to take a few games to get to show what he is about. I dont even particulary rate the lad but i know he's better than what he showed. He scored on his debut, tracked back well a few times yes he lost the ball a fair few times because his touch was off but i dont get the complaints about his airial ability...when did he have chance to show it? we play it on the ground and when we did get in positions to cross yesterday for whatever reason they were always low and hard or cut-backs.

Naismith was always played out of position! Nothing even close to a Naismith scenario.

The lad is just not very good. When you see a good player you see a good player and for me it's quite easy to see the lad needs a "huge" amount of work to even come close to being a top end premier league player.

He was shockingly bad.

Barry by a fuckin mile. The only player who was available every time and he starts our play every time. I'm astounded people didnt see that

Is that you sharpy lad?

I know it's very early days but looks to me like traore is not good enough for the prem.

Spot on, take yourself into his thread

I was expecting someone heavily involved with the game holding the ball up, Linking the midfield players in, turning defenders etc etc. He wasnt even half the player I expected.

I thought he'd be a little bit like Jo but more arsed!

Everyone who sits around me all agreed. Shocking!

. Lukaku never got concussed, he was the player who gave Loris concussion.

Naismiths didn't look like concussion to me, a bit of a knock and he was groggy. He subbed him as soon as he indicated he hadn't recovered.

Meant to give you a like there! Not a neg

Our main threat is Coleman..........JUST GIVE HIM THE BALL !

Yes he certainly is a threat. But last couple of games he hasn't been.

We just aren't clicking at the moment. Didn't think I'd say it but I can't wait for Lukaku to be back in contention.

We have been shite for weeks! Since the turn of the year. It's all gone sour. I'm not even putting any hopes into anything. We're playing at half the tempo of the first half of the season.

Mirallas and Naismith only threat at the moment.