2020/21 James Rodriguez

[luuk_deventer]

His Job isn't to defend though, mad how people can have a go at Rodriquez for not defending when we are starting games with 5 defenders and two defensive miss as it is

Most modern teams defend from the front. It takes all 10 outfield players to defend and sometimes all 10 outfield players to contribute to the attack.

I am not saying that James is lazy, but if any team has just one passenger, it becomes immediately obvious. It also means that the rest of the team have to work harder.

 

[GrandOldTeam]

He didnt want to sign permanently with Byren because of how cold it was, is it a coincidence he played well when the weather was warmer?!

He mentioned he struggled in -20 degrees. World away, that.

 

[Tramps_mate]

He's tired. That's all. He needs a good break.

 

[LocalNative]

He's fine. Much bigger problems in this team than James. Absolutely mad that there are some doing their best to hound him out of the club.

 

[Carloblues]

He didnt want to sign permanently with Byren because of how cold it was, is it a coincidence he played well when the weather was warmer?!

Hahahahahahaha he's not playing in the north pole mate.

Surely if he was cold he wouldn't just stand around getting colder he would run around more?

Can't have anything nice can we

 

[micknick]

He mentioned he struggled in -20 degrees. World away, that.

Was pretty cold in Burnley on Saturday.

 

[DaChunk]

Niasse would have tracked back.

 

[UptheTofees]

He is obviously the problem here apparently.

Sell him and watch the wins and titles roll in

 

[Saint Domingo]

One game on from laying two on a plate for Digne to assist against Fulham. Yeah but he had a quiet game so let’s get the knives out. Would have assisted the winner as well if Sigurdsson could play football. But yeah, lets question one of the few players we have who can actually link play and play football.

 

[Simon Buttle]

Most modern teams defend from the front. It takes all 10 outfield players to defend and sometimes all 10 outfield players to contribute to the attack.

I am not saying that James is lazy, but if any team has just one passenger, it becomes immediately obvious. It also means that the rest of the team have to work harder.

That is only the case with the teams who press high up the pitch, we don't play like that though, we don't have anywhere near enough pace in the team or the fitness levels required to play a pressing game. There are some issues with James game no doubt but he is easily our most skilled player (i think Digne is our most vital asset) but i think it's more to do with if we actually setup in a half decent formation where the players know their roles then others can cover for his lack of pace and the such like.

 

[Cameron Manning]

He's fine. Much bigger problems in this team than James. Absolutely mad that there are some doing their best to hound him out of the club.

“Hound him out of the club”? Some fans are telling the truth, we’re you happy with his performance on Saturday and the week before, and the week before that? He made a marvellous pass and had a good shot saved, he also passed the ball out of play twice, was caught in possession too often, gave up the ball too easy and his attempted tackles were an embarrassment, it’s Carlo’s job to fit him into this team, squad, he brought him here, at the moment he is a luxury this poor team can’t afford, his very poor moments far outweigh his good ones.

 

[ToffeeTim]

He did fine, he created chances and worked reasonably hard. He needs to get in the box though when we need a goal. There were one or two times he made no effort to get into a goalscoring position and that's a bit frustrating.

 

[catcherintherye]

It is about tactical discipline and each players' role within the team unit. Salah and Vardy become the out ball for when their team regain possession. To facilitate that their teammates drop off and get behind the ball.

DCL is our out ball and James not tracking back just means we are a player short, and we have a huge hole on the right-hand side. Our full backs push on, so we end up wide open on the counter-attack.

Ok so lets look at some stats, rather tha opinions or perceptions.

Tackles won per game this season;
James: 1.4
Salah: 0.6
Vardy: 0.5

Interceptions:
James: 0.9
Salah: 0
Vardy: 0

The reality is, that James is tackling back 2-3 times more than Vardy/Salah and is intercepting the ball infinitely more. Combined he's about 4-5 times the amount of tackles and intercepts than the above two players.

Yet nobody in their right mind would consider dropping Salah or Vardy, for their relatively (compared to James) poor defensive contribution. I would have no idea, why would would drop someone for lack of defensive contribution who does substantially more defensive work than other players with similar roles for other teams.

James's defensive contribution looks worse, because his attacking work is so good.

 

[catcherintherye]

James tracking back against Leeds was way too late though. He should have been back in position much earlier. Our midfield gets sucked out to the left flank because of Ancelotti's man orientated press and James is just watching on as Leeds have a ridiculous amount of space.

View attachment 110397

But he takes this position because Ancelotti had changed the system and put him in the 10, which is probably his best position.

 

[kenada_blue]

It is what it is with him, 29 by age but carries himself like a 34 year old. Attacking wise brilliant but leaves us exposed at the back.

It's the reason he is here and not in a cl team.

There's an entire midfield that leaves us exposed at the back.