2018/19 Bernard

[messymascot]

I like Sigurdsson and along with Gomes offers the most creation in the team. However Bernard offers a different threat as a number 10. The idea of a squad is you can use different players to change the needs of a game. Think of our recent number 10s Cahill, Fellaini, Barkley, Sigurdsson, Osman and Naismith. They all offered completely different threats but were effective in their own ways. Bernard is a familiar type to a Coutinho or a Messi his skills are when he's on the ball whereas Sigurdsson he is more about what he's going to do with the ball.

 

[Lanolin]

So Siggy is not a midfielder ?
We fail to break teams down who sit deep at Goodison
We need more creativity in and around the box
As I said it may fail spectacularly but when Silva signed Bernard he said he was competition for Siggy , so he obviously feels he can play there
?

I wouldn't say he was a midfielder in that sense, no. When Silva said he was competition for Sigurdsson I would assume he meant in the position Sigurdsson actually plays for us, behind the striker, rather than competition for if we ever decided we wanted to play him in central midfield.

We do struggle to break teams down but just filling the team with more attacking players doesn't necessarily solve that. It often makes it worse. One of the main reasons we have managed to break teams down eventually is Gana. His ability to win the ball back every time teams try to break, and to press high up the pitch, has allowed us to put on relentless pressure until teams crack. Losing that means you become much easier to play against, and means players like Gomes and Sigurdsson end up wasting themselves doing defensive work instead of being able to concentrate on what they're good at. Football isn't just about getting 11 skilful players on the pitch, the team has to work as a whole. It's one of the reasons why I think Walcott - or someone like him - has to be in the side. If Lookman plays it should be instead of Bernard not Walcott (he shouldn't by the way, I just mean he's more that type of player).

 

[BlueToff]

A wide player with the skills to play the 10
When Silva signed him he said he was competing with Siggy for a place
He’s hardly a chalk on your boots speedy winger

It's all about how we set up.

Bernard can't play the 10/second striker role in the way that Siggy can. He doesn't have the physicality.

He can drop in between the lines and stuff, but it showed last night against a packed, organised defence with big players, he had little joy.

 

[BlueToff]

I wouldn't say he was a midfielder in that sense, no. When Silva said he was competition for Sigurdsson I would assume he meant in the position Sigurdsson actually plays for us, behind the striker, rather than competition for if we ever decided we wanted to play him in central midfield.

We do struggle to break teams down but just filling the team with more attacking players doesn't necessarily solve that. It often makes it worse. One of the main reasons we have managed to break teams down eventually is Gana. His ability to win the ball back every time teams try to break, and to press high up the pitch, has allowed us to put on relentless pressure until teams crack. Losing that means you become much easier to play against, and means players like Gomes and Sigurdsson end up wasting themselves doing defensive work instead of being able to concentrate on what they're good at. Football isn't just about getting 11 skilful players on the pitch, the team has to work as a whole. It's one of the reasons why I think Walcott - or someone like him - has to be in the side. If Lookman plays it should be instead of Bernard not Walcott (he shouldn't by the way, I just mean he's more that type of player).

Spot on.

And the bit in bold hits the nail on the head.

We lacked a balance yesterday. I do keep repeating it but a huge part of it for me was Richarlison back on the left.

I said before the game I'd be happy for Tosun/DCL to get a go but after last night I think it's clear Richarlison needs to start up top, at least until Jan if we can get a striker in (and said striker has to be the right fit for what Silva wants).

It's all about a system and having a system that works. I'm not saying that we'd have definitely had won had Richarlison played up front, because at the end of the day we were poor, but it would have meant Newcastle's defence would be a bit more stretched and therefore the players behind him had the space.

Bernard is a crafty little player but he isn't the same type of player that Gyfli is. I look at Gylfi and the role he currently plays for us (i.e. a second striker) and there's just no way that Bernard could play it in the same way, so it would mean a change in system if Bernard is moved central for a game (which is no bad thing, we just have to ensure there is balance).

It's interesting that I think Ramsey at Arsenal has been used in a very similar fashion to how Silva has used Gylfi as well. Basically as a second striker to push teams back, win the ball high up the pitch on the counter. When in possession/the team is building from the back, both players either drop deep or wide.

 

[wandyr79]

Yet he's created the most chances from open play barring David Silva this season so far..

Has he, I know that was Sigurdsson as the stats were shown on one of our games and on here?

 

[Kure]

He needs to stop slipping!

 

[lungo]

Have we got 2 Bambis now. Im confused.

Big Bambi and small Bambi thats all folks!

 

[LouReedwalkonthewildside]

Have we got 2 Bambis now. Im confused.

The other one is on loan at Villa mate.

 

[Brisan123]

I wouldn't say he was a midfielder in that sense, no. When Silva said he was competition for Sigurdsson I would assume he meant in the position Sigurdsson actually plays for us, behind the striker, rather than competition for if we ever decided we wanted to play him in central midfield.

We do struggle to break teams down but just filling the team with more attacking players doesn't necessarily solve that. It often makes it worse. One of the main reasons we have managed to break teams down eventually is Gana. His ability to win the ball back every time teams try to break, and to press high up the pitch, has allowed us to put on relentless pressure until teams crack. Losing that means you become much easier to play against, and means players like Gomes and Sigurdsson end up wasting themselves doing defensive work instead of being able to concentrate on what they're good at. Football isn't just about getting 11 skilful players on the pitch, the team has to work as a whole. It's one of the reasons why I think Walcott - or someone like him - has to be in the side. If Lookman plays it should be instead of Bernard not Walcott (he shouldn't by the way, I just mean he's more that type of player).

We play 4/3/3/
3 midfielders in Gomes , Gana and Siggy
So jogging them around to suit Bernard coming in is not a major problem
Gomes deep , Siggy as ACM and Bernard as the 10
Not saying it will work but it’s worth a try
I rate Gana by the way , I think k he’s exceptional at what he does and he allows Gomes more freedom to do what he does best
However we have scored 2 goals in 4 games ( granted 2 were away ) but we need to find a way to score against teams that park the bus

 

[Lanolin]

We play 4/3/3/
3 midfielders in Gomes , Gana and Siggy
So jogging them around to suit Bernard coming in is not a major problem
Gomes deep , Siggy as ACM and Bernard as the 10
Not saying it will work but it’s worth a try
I rate Gana by the way , I think k he’s exceptional at what he does and he allows Gomes more freedom to do what he does best
However we have scored 2 goals in 4 games ( granted 2 were away ) but we need to find a way to score against teams that park the bus

I think that would affect our balance a hell of a lot more than you're suggesting to be honest. Gomes has been great getting on the ball and driving us forward, but you want to shackle him with defensive responsibilities. Sigurdsson has been probably our best player with a lot of goals and assists, and you want to take him further away from the oppositions box. Bernard has done well flitting in and out of games but hasn't had a great end product and has frankly looked absolutely appalling in front of goal, and you want him to take over the position most of our goals are coming from. I understand what you mean about needing to find a way to be more creative, but I just can't see why we would do those things.

 

[TheBigIguana]

I like Sigurdsson and along with Gomes offers the most creation in the team. However Bernard offers a different threat as a number 10. The idea of a squad is you can use different players to change the needs of a game. Think of our recent number 10s Cahill, Fellaini, Barkley, Sigurdsson, Osman and Naismith. They all offered completely different threats but were effective in their own ways. Bernard is a familiar type to a Coutinho or a Messi his skills are when he's on the ball whereas Sigurdsson he is more about what he's going to do with the ball.

On last nights evidence that different threat would be no threat. Gylfi is an automatic starter right now

 

[messymascot]

On last nights evidence that different threat would be no threat. Gylfi is an automatic starter right now

Last 2 games Sigurdsson has been quiet and possibly needs a rest. It's not a question of ability Barcelona rest Messi sometimes. I would rather rest him for an odd game here and there where he can still come on if needed than lose him for a month because he's picked up an injury thru fatigue. In my opinion Bernard is best player to replace him. This is not a criticism of Sigurdsson. I also think we need to rest Richarlison and to do that i would play DCL up front and Lookman not Bernard on the LW.

 

[TheBigIguana]

Last 2 games Sigurdsson has been quiet and possibly needs a rest. It's not a question of ability Barcelona rest Messi sometimes. I would rather rest him for an odd game here and there where he can still come on if needed than lose him for a month because he's picked up an injury thru fatigue. In my opinion Bernard is best player to replace him. This is not a criticism of Sigurdsson. I also think we need to rest Richarlison and to do that i would play DCL up front and Lookman not Bernard on the LW.

When Messi gets rested Malcom or Dembele plays. Our drop off is steeper. Gylfi can't be rested atm.

 

[messymascot]

When Messi gets rested Malcom or Dembele plays. Our drop off is steeper. Gylfi can't be rested atm.

I disagree. I think Sigurdsson is our best number 10 but if Bernard gets going i think he'll be a more than adequate back up. Would you rather just run Sigurdsson until he breaks down? We would be even less creative with him in the treatment table. Squad game these days.

 

[scratchnsurf]

Has he, I know that was Sigurdsson as the stats were shown on one of our games and on here?

No, he hasn't. He has the best ratio of chances created to minutes played.