| Saito slide 10:03 - Nov 9 with 13184 views | WestbourneR |
As some may remember I was a huge advocate of Saito’s resigning. And I still obviously believe he is a highly skilled player at this level with a great engine.
But a few players have arrived at the club this season brimming with confidence - and now their form has just collapsed.
Kone is one.
But Saito is really worrying. Ipswich game was his third solid poor poor performance in a row. The guy is just a shadow of himself. Not only is he tripping over his feet suddenly and pretty anonymous off the ball as well - but for the first time ever (even when we were hopeless last year) his smile has gone. He’s grimacing and looks to struggling physically and mentally.
One of the things I liked about him is he seems to have indefatigable morale. That is now clearly not the case.
Dunne looks miserable too. Smyth is flouncing for the first time ever. Dembele looks permanently like someone has pissed down his leg.
I’m starting to feel it isn’t a very happy camp under Stephan. That’s my fear. |  |
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| Saito slide on 17:50 - Dec 10 with 1477 views | 7374Ranger |
| Saito slide on 07:07 - Dec 10 by Rsole |
That part of the game was really good - tracking back and supporting the FBs.
Add in the mobility and the threat of beating players and you have a much more balanced team.
Burrell lost half a yard as the game progressed but Smyth and Saito were still causing issues going forwards. Hoping Smyth’s problems were just cramp or something simple to fix. He had large ice bags on his calves once subbed.
How I wished that the Saito to Smith header assist had gone in - from a Dunne cross, would have been great. |
I think many fans overlook the defensive work that Saito, Smyth and Chair do when they play and only take note of goals scored and created. Those 3 help the side to win games through their work rate as much as their goal contributions. They stop a lot of the opponents attacks down the flanks.
I'd rather Saito starting than Dembele or Vale and really haven't seen enough of Poku to know what he can do. |  | | |
| Saito slide on 20:32 - Dec 13 with 1007 views | PhilmyRs |
What’s happened to this guy? His first game back he looked the part. I reckon my 7 year old would come out on top with a shoulder barge against him at the mo. On current form Smyth on the left and Dembele or Poko on the right | | | |
| Saito slide on 20:48 - Dec 13 with 941 views | VancouverHoop |
I'm wondering if something — maybe not football related (?) — happened while he was in Japan. His form has taken a dive since then. It surely can't be as simple as fatigue. | | | |
| Saito slide on 22:47 - Dec 13 with 776 views | stainrods_elbow |
His form is a bit up and down, but I think Dembele (as he did today vs Boro in the second half) is looking livelier right now - without necessarily giving us enough end product. [Post edited 13 Dec 22:50]
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| Saito slide on 22:49 - Dec 13 with 770 views | stainrods_elbow |
| Saito slide on 22:27 - Nov 12 by Benny_the_Ball |
I think the preference for inverted wingers doesn't help. I'm growing tired of wingers regularly cutting inside looking to shoot. No wonder Kone isn't scoring, he's not getting enough service. Given the options we have in wide positions I'd like to see Stephan mix it up with traditional wingers who stay wide to cross the ball. [Post edited 12 Nov 22:27]
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Unless I'm hallucinating, isn't that exactly what Saito did for Dunne's opening goal vs Birmingham? | |
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| Saito slide on 11:16 - Dec 14 with 614 views | 1JD |
| Saito slide on 20:32 - Dec 13 by PhilmyRs |
What’s happened to this guy? His first game back he looked the part. I reckon my 7 year old would come out on top with a shoulder barge against him at the mo. On current form Smyth on the left and Dembele or Poko on the right |
Appears to play 1 good game in 4, and then is pretty poor for the other 3. Dates all the way back into last season so this is not something new. At 3m, I expect a lot more.
Kone is also a concern for me. Not so much his lack of goal scoring, but just his all round game. Loses the ball with alarming regularity. He needs to get it under control and find a team mate with a pass more often that not. I’m seeing the opposite and it’s been happening for some time. Also just looks heavy / slow / sluggish. | | | |
| Saito slide on 13:29 - Dec 14 with 508 views | numptydumpty |
| Saito slide on 20:32 - Dec 13 by PhilmyRs |
What’s happened to this guy? His first game back he looked the part. I reckon my 7 year old would come out on top with a shoulder barge against him at the mo. On current form Smyth on the left and Dembele or Poko on the right |
On current form, Saito put in a fantastic run and cross and was on a plate for a determined Dunne to power home - game before last.
Has Dembele had any assists or goals all season ?
Selective recall - perhaps.. [Post edited 14 Dec 13:30]
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| Saito slide on 13:49 - Dec 14 with 475 views | francisbowles |
| Saito slide on 11:16 - Dec 14 by 1JD |
Appears to play 1 good game in 4, and then is pretty poor for the other 3. Dates all the way back into last season so this is not something new. At 3m, I expect a lot more.
Kone is also a concern for me. Not so much his lack of goal scoring, but just his all round game. Loses the ball with alarming regularity. He needs to get it under control and find a team mate with a pass more often that not. I’m seeing the opposite and it’s been happening for some time. Also just looks heavy / slow / sluggish. |
Kone and Burrell are being overplayed. They look leggy in the latter stages of game 2 and 3 in the multi match weeks. Problem is we are short of options, up front. Kolli seems to be injured a lot, (or there are other issues) and there is Frey who is really struggling to have any impact on his brief appearances.
Difficult to find another option without a heavy expenditure but we need to do something.. Bennie has been on the bench recently, maybe he needs to get on the pitch. Fortunately, for the club, Kone isn't going to AFCON, or the scenario would be accentuated. The Christmas period will be difficult enough without that. | | | |
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| Saito slide on 14:29 - Dec 14 with 418 views | baz_qpr |
| Saito slide on 20:48 - Dec 13 by VancouverHoop |
I'm wondering if something — maybe not football related (?) — happened while he was in Japan. His form has taken a dive since then. It surely can't be as simple as fatigue. |
From what I read at the time he had a bit of a disastrous debut, he was very down about it in the interviews and his confidence seems to have taken a hit |  | | |
| Saito slide on 16:57 - Dec 14 with 320 views | bosh67 |
I agree that Saito hasn't been at full tilt but we know what he can do. I still think he could possibly play a more central role aka Chair. |  |
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| Saito slide on 16:59 - Dec 14 with 320 views | VancouverHoop |
| Saito slide on 14:29 - Dec 14 by baz_qpr |
From what I read at the time he had a bit of a disastrous debut, he was very down about it in the interviews and his confidence seems to have taken a hit |
Ah! Yes, that could well explain his change in attitude and form. | | | |
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