2017/18 Nikola Vlasic

[fitzyefc]

He was 10x better than Bolasie. But will never be seen again and we will have to watch Bolasie every week. He should of been moved inside if anything and Bolasie on. Only one first half who done anything and was predictably withdraw

 

[bring the ghost on]

He was 10x better than Bolasie.

Not sure what game you were watching mate.

 

[fitzyefc]

The same as every match Bolasie plays were he runs until he gives it away either trying a trick passing it to no1 or skying a shot

 

[Papa Shango]

The same as every match Bolasie plays were he runs until he gives it away either trying a trick passing it to no1 or skying a shot

How can he pick a pass when there is nobody to pass to?

 

[ToffeeTim]

He did very little. But what he did do every single time was cut back onto his right and give a square ball to the opposition

 

[LiamG]

Let's be honest his passing was a little loose and that needs to change but he does have something about him.

I think he needs to be playing for a team which plays a different style. Big Sam relies on individuals to unlock teams and I'm not sure Vlasic is the kind of player that suits that.

 

[LocalNative]

Please, please don't leave Nikola. This oaf will be gone soon.

Must be hard sitting in the reserves watching Bolasie do nothing and not even get an opportunity.

 

[riddick]

Imagine being told by the manager you aren't as good as Bolasie. Might s well retire if that's the case.

 

[Petarpanj]

I wonder if Vlasic is still in squad because of the fact that he already played for two teams this season ( guess he can not go on loan) or Everton are happy with him and hopefully getting more minutes till the end of the season ?

 

[Azza]

His sister says "he's good".



He probably doesn't eat enough steak and kidney pies for Sams liking.

 

[Mercedes]

Where is he these days?

Chilling out with our Dutch overlord somewhere?

 

[toffee-boy]

I would be gutted if I was him, he hasn't done anything wrong we just have too many players I guess

 

[scratchnsurf]

I would be gutted if I was him, he hasn't done anything wrong we just have too many players I guess

Watch him closely when we don't have the ball and that might give you an idea of why he isn't in the squad.

 

[LocalNative]

Poor kid probably isn't going to make it to the World Cup due to Sam's absolute reluctance to gave him even a seat on the bench. Don't understand why he ain't playing for the U23's even - he has major talent.

Sam's comments on Vlasic's last performance (vs Man Utd on New Years Day): “Nikola Vlasic was a positive. If we can get him in the top third of the pitch with the ball at his feet, he can create a lot of tricks and movement and some good opportunities.

“But we have to get him up there, where he likes to be, and get him possession as often we can. I was pleased with him."

 

[TraffordBlue]

Watch him closely when we don't have the ball and that might give you an idea of why he isn't in the squad.

To be honest, whilst I appreciate that this is something he will have to improve on, I think it's a bit of a flawed reason to not have him near the starting line up when his other attributes are valuable in an attacking sense. Vlasic was one of the highlights of the poor Koeman regime this season and one of the only players to come out with any sort of credit.

In the games where he didn't play, our so called better players in terms of not switching off did so anyway which contributed to hammerings all season. So how could it have been any worse to play him against the likes of Spurs and Arsenal when we were getting battered by 4 or 5 anyway? What Allardyce and even Unsworth have failed to realise/acknowledge is that quite often taking the game to the opposition through attacking them, can change things in your favour and put the other team on the back foot. Vlasic is one of those players who carries the ball forward and worries defenders.

I think some of our younger players have been badly handled this season. Lookman by all 3 managers, and Vlasic by Unsworth and Allardyce*.