...the inclusion of Sigurdsson was the key factor in ‘getting us up the pitch’. Rodriguez tried to orchestrate play from much too deep against Newcastle. I know he’s not a favourite on here, but Sigurdsson playing in that void behind DCL gives the team more balance.
Sigurdsson, for all his faults is actually a very effective "presser" in the number 10 role. There's all sorts of jargon associated with these things now "passing lanes, high press, compact block" etc which puts people off but the core principles remain and the ideas are not bad ones.
Essentially without the ball he is really good in a number 10 in a way he isn't when playing deeper. It requires a very different skillset, you have to be bigger, stronger and win the ball back more in a deeper role, whereas in the 10 role it's about shepherding play in particular direction and buying time for the team. He's an intelligent player and knows how to do it. I thought he nullifed Chelsea effectively.
James is our best player, but I do see sense in Ancelotti choosing the games to use him. It will keep him fresh, hopefully avoid injury and also help the team in games. In fairness to Sigurdsson, that was a wonderful goal yesterday- shades of Tim Cahill arriving late. James doesn't score that goal.
