2021/22 James Rodriguez

[jazzy]

So it seems some lads here like to hammer James but can’t take It when someone hammers back and take it personal because that’s exactly what has happened with @R.Reddington as he decided to PM the message below but he seems to be too coward to post his sentiments in the open.

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But since I’m such a pity of a woman and have no shame let me respond to you here. There is no need to feel sorry for my family, they are loved and cared for. So keep your concerns for your own family I don’t need your concerns for mine.

That's totally unfair ,unacceptable and lacking in grace @R.Reddington . I think an apology is called for amigo.

 

[davek]

Tommy D it is then mate.

I think we might see Gray relied on a lot more to provide a pass or two.

 

[Spadge Vernacular]

Yeah it was a funny season long injury wasn't it...... Which one was it again. Tiredness? "James was a little bit tired" was Ancellottis words as to why he didn't play against Wolves.

The dreaded muscle fatigue. His calf looked strong in those high-cut shorts at the weekend and he was certainly in control of those stairs. What a guy.

 

[Spadge Vernacular]

Yes indeed. Its such a pity Everton fields 11 goalkeepers.

And with a further two on the bench. It's not the way to be great IMO.

 

[blulouie]

I think we might see Gray relied on a lot more to provide a pass or two.

I hope you're right.

Cos there's nowhere else them passes are coming from.

 

[davek]

We're not going down lol

I kind of agreed that we should move James before the window shut. Now that we can't and haven't brought anyone in I'd rather we didn't. But the justification being we desperately need 40 points ruins the whole argument.

It doesn't.

A house divided against itself...

I'd rather not take a chance of going deep into this season with a player in the ranks who is getting a lot of attention for the wrong reasons. That can be toxic for morale.

 

[coollino]

The amount of drama one player has caused by doing nothing is incredible lol lol

Imagine thinking football was better in the 80's

 

[davek]

I hope you're right.

Cos there's nowhere else them passes are coming from.

It's a shambles and reflects badly on Brands.

Gomes should have been the one who we could rely on if he was half decent pace-wise and in his positioning; but he's a sloth and constantly gets caught napping. £30M wasted on him alone.

 

[Charlie Sweet]

So it seems some lads here like to hammer James but can’t take It when someone hammers back and take it personal because that’s exactly what has happened with @R.Reddington as he decided to PM the message below but he seems to be too coward to post his sentiments in the open.

View attachment 138308

But since I’m such a pity of a woman and have no shame let me respond to you here. There is no need to feel sorry for my family, they are loved and cared for. So keep your concerns for your own family I don’t need your concerns for mine.

Ignore that horrible creature. It's the international break after a rubbish transfer window. Blues are a bit anxious so chatting bubbles.

That's totally unfair ,unacceptable and lacking in grace @R.Reddington . I think an apology is called for amigo.

An apology? Are you mad?! That's abusive misogyny and the guy should be permanently banned.

 

[blulouie]

It's a shambles and reflects badly on Brands.

Gomes should have been the one who we could rely on if he was half decent pace-wise and in his positioning; but he's a sloth and constantly gets caught napping. £30M wasted on him alone.

Anyone else to delivery defence splitting pass'es ?

 

[COYBL25]

It doesn't.

A house divided against itself...

I'd rather not take a chance of going deep into this season with a player in the ranks who is getting a lot of attention for the wrong reasons. That can be toxic for morale.

It’s not so long ago that you were advocating the return of Ross Barkley.

Now there really is a player who gets attention for the wrong reasons.

 

[BlueToff]

I never said we lost because of James did I....
But you can't deny that there were periods in games where we struggled due to teams targeting his side if the pitch....
That's not solely down to him as apart from individual errors it's a team effort...
But ancelotti set up to rely on James being the match winner more often than not, which meant we struggled when he was off it

When he played on the right, there was the Liverpool and Man Utd game, definitely, where that happened.

He didn't play right after the United game really. We never played 4-3-3 again. We played 3-4-3 a few times and then when James did come in it was central in either a diamond or a 4-4-2ish kind of thing like we played at Anfield.

Now sometimes I think he got way too bogged down, especially in that diamond. That's a bit on him but also was a symptom of not having any others running from deep, playing CBs at FB etc, and even then, he still scored some great goals playing in that role and created some fantastic chances.

It's why I'd want him there to be able to drop in and out of the team while he's here, because I actually think Benitez can get a system working whereas Carlo didn't

 

[d34noj]

Agree, he is talented, but Benitez has to have a reason for leaving him out, it certainly isn’t to do with that he just doesn’t like him.

And how do you know?


That's right, you don't.

 

[BlueToff]

Benitez knows we have to alternate from time to time - even in-game - and I think he was trying to get a creative player in behind the attackers during the window, to no avail. But that creative has also to get their head down and work. Therein lies the dilemma with James.

100% agree there Dave

Ideal world Diaz comes in and James goes and it solves the issue. Wouldn't say he's 'creative' like James is but he'd have brought dynamism and another option.

That didn't happen, so now both James and Benitez have to make something of a compromise. James has to show he wants to work for the team, which I think he will if motivated correctly, and as a manager, part of the skill is surely to find ways to motivate players.

 

[BlueToff]

Sorry to just dive in but for me this is the nub of this debate - nobody is disputing he'll offer positives in terms of chances, assists and goals.

But the issue is whether he'll also open up weaknesses in the new manager's system given the way he plays.

I'd love him to play. He could be that extra special ingredient. It's just a gamble isn't it?!

It is but it doesn't have to be every game or start every game.