2018/19 Bernard

LouReedwalkonthewildside · January 13, 2019

GrandOldTeam said:
If he can't add that, or at least assist a lot more - he won't be good enough.

Early days yet - more than most because of the standard of league he arrived from. Promising in parts, but I think fans aren't half over-egging him. If we had a striker, Richarlison would be wide left and he wouldn't be in the side.

This.

Could easily have been sent off today - two tackles spring to mind when he was about a yard off pace wise.

He's still got a way to go, but the issue's I had were about how he would handle the physical side of the prem, showing he can handle that side of it. Good movement off the ball (the only one today)and I've said it a fair few times about his shooting, it's dead funny at times.

Paulie · January 13, 2019

Try him in the middle were pace isn't such an issue.

MikeH72 · January 13, 2019

GrandOldTeam said:
If he can't add that, or at least assist a lot more - he won't be good enough.

Early days yet - more than most because of the standard of league he arrived from. Promising in parts, but I think fans aren't half over-egging him. If we had a striker, Richarlison would be wide left and he wouldn't be in the side.

This.

Could easily have been sent off today - two tackles spring to mind when he was about a yard off pace wise.

Richarlison is absolutely terrible on the left.

dannyboy · January 13, 2019

LouReedwalkonthewildside said:
He's still got a way to go, but the issue's I had were about how he would handle the physical side of the prem, showing he can handle that side of it. I've said it a fair few times about his shooting, it's dead funny at times.

His shooting is a funny one. I bet he absolutely pings the ball into the net over Finch Farm, just seems to snatch so much at opportunities in matches.

Think he will go onto be like Osman who could catch the odd strike sweetly every now and again. He's definitely got better shooting ability than he has shown thus far.

dannyboy · January 13, 2019

Paulie said:
Try him in the middle were pace isn't such an issue.

It's a shame because he's not slow, just missing that half a yard to leave the defender behind. Definitely potential for him to play in the middle but we really need to focus on developing the link up between the likes of him, Lookman, Richarlison etc. There's no reason why it can't be improved a lot.

PhilRegan · January 13, 2019

He must cover his boots with butter before each match, he falls and slips that much he should be doing slapstick. His final ball is absurd, no matter what it is shot or cross it's either banana sliced or massively over hit.

JobForTheMoyes · January 13, 2019

I think he would operate a lot better alongside Matthews....

Charro · January 13, 2019

He’s boss.

Paulie · January 13, 2019

PhilRegan said:
He must cover his boots with butter before each match, he falls and slips that much he should be doing slapstick. His final ball is absurd, no matter what it is shot or cross it's either banana sliced or massively over hit.

dannyboy said:
It's a shame because he's not slow, just missing that half a yard to leave the defender behind. Definitely potential for him to play in the middle but we really need to focus on developing the link up between the likes of him, Lookman, Richarlison etc. There's no reason why it can't be improved a lot.

He could learn a lot from watching how Pienaar adapted to the prem. Two very similar players with similar stature.

JobForTheMoyes · January 13, 2019

Paulie said:
He could learn a lot from watching how Pienaar adapted to the prem. Two very similar players with similar stature.

Pienaar surely had a bit more physical presence?

PhilRegan · January 13, 2019

Paulie said:
He could learn a lot from watching how Pienaar adapted to the prem. Two very similar players with similar stature.

Yes he could indeed . He has got a similar footballing sense to pienaar and he gets himself into similar positions. But he doesn't win as many free kicks and his link up play isn't quite as good. He may well develop in time but he needs more productivity in the final third.

Lanolin · January 13, 2019

GrandOldTeam said:
If he can't add that, or at least assist a lot more - he won't be good enough.

Early days yet - more than most because of the standard of league he arrived from. Promising in parts, but I think fans aren't half over-egging him. If we had a striker, Richarlison would be wide left and he wouldn't be in the side.

This.

Could easily have been sent off today - two tackles spring to mind when he was about a yard off pace wise.

Agreed. He’s a lovely footballer, there’s a lot to like. In this system though, those wide forwards absolutely must score and assist regularly, otherwise the whole thing falls down.

dannyboy · January 13, 2019

Paulie said:
He could learn a lot from watching how Pienaar adapted to the prem. Two very similar players with similar stature.

Yeah definitely. I was hoping he would have a bit more about him than Pienaar but would settle for that now. Think he is more than capable of being that player too.

dannyboy · January 13, 2019

JobForTheMoyes said:
Pienaar surely had a bit more physical presence?

If anything I'd say less.

Paulie · January 13, 2019

PhilRegan said:
Yes he could indeed . He has got a similar footballing sense to pienaar and he gets himself into similar positions. But he doesn't win as many free kicks and his link up play isn't quite as good. He may well develop in time but he needs more productivity in the final third.

Very similar football brain to Pienaar. That's what I mean about Pienaar, he won free kicks because he learned to use his small stature to his advantage and I'd hope Bernard could do the same. I remember Pienaar also being accused of being wasteful in the final 3rd. Maybe that's what separates a very good player from a world class player?