| Chair 19:02 - Dec 7 with 7609 views | Logman |
Going to have to work hard to get back in the side.
Not going to get in ahead of Saito or Smyth for work-rate, and potentially productivity. By the time he is back might not get in ahead of Kolli for final product.
Nice dilemma to have ! [Post edited 7 Dec 19:08]
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| Chair on 17:17 - Dec 8 with 2409 views | lassel |
The club needs to sell him so of course he walks back in.
Tricky one though as he is clearly the most talented player at the club but his need to slow everything down is at odds with how we have had our limited success under Cifuentes. | | | |
| Chair on 17:34 - Dec 8 with 2317 views | BushRanger82 |
Saito for me, is our most technically gifted player. A must have in the starting line up every time.
I much prefer watching him on the ball than I do Chair, because I know Saito isn't going to run up a blind alley 9 times out of 10.
Kolli, on the strength of Saturday's performance has to be nailed on as a starter against Oxford on Wednesday night. |  | | |
| Chair on 21:44 - Dec 8 with 2139 views | Jigsore |
Chair is industrious but not that fast. If he isn't fit then he doesn't get in over Smyth for me. Smyth's mere presence worries full backs because it certainly isn't his end product.
A Chair firing on all cylinders is a different matter, but we do have players with pretty reasonable technical ability across the squad at the moment. |  |
| “The thing about football - the important thing about football - is that it is not just about football.†|
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| Chair on 22:08 - Dec 8 with 2088 views | ParkRoyalR |
| Chair on 14:24 - Dec 8 by LazyFan |
Chair does something that none of the others can do.
When you give him the ball again and again, he gets you out from the press, which means you can get the ball up to the final third.
In the past we just gave it to Chair and Willock and this got into the final third and out from balls being flung back at our defence for 90 mins. Problem was they both took too long to do anything with it and the oppo defence got back quick.
Over time Chair started playing in balls fast in attack, even Willock would take on his man and cross quicker by the end.
Saito is starting to do this, he's not quite there yet. But he's proving a possible outlet on the left compared to our right side of Dunne's header on or Cooks ball over the top for Smyth to run onto, which is aspirational in its effectiveness.
I quite like the idea of Saito at LB when Chair comes back. He would need help in that position, but attacking wise it would cause major problems for the oppo.
Or, Chair is in the middle, with Saito on the left and Smyth (Dembele) on the right. This means Madsen would be dropped, but I can live with that for the upside of a more creative attack (which we still need). Then these three can rotate across the pitch, creating even more havoc for the oppo. Dembele draws the oppo LB infield, creating space for the Chair to nip in behind, or even the Chair goes left, and Saito does the same. That should create the spaces we need. |
...'Over time Chair started playing in balls fast in attack'....
I know we're all on a high after first home win in a while but let's keep it half honest.
Could be down to fitness but his average of 5 first touches went up to 7 and 8 earlier this season...
Yet I'd still prefer him to Madsen in the central position as will be the outfall we need in the absence of a target man. | | | |
| Chair on 22:31 - Dec 8 with 1991 views | T_Block |
Chair has less pace than Saito and Smyth ,Chairs strengths are different.He receives and turns well has 5-10m of pace before he needs to pass.He is a Madsen replacement .
He needs to add to his game though…..
Maybe best at getting an attack going in the club,his finishing is predictable though | | | |
| Chair on 19:39 - Dec 9 with 1781 views | Spaceman_P |
Obviously a big Chair fan here, but I would like him to change his attitude a bit. Seemed to come back from his last injury with a bit of a chip on his shoulder and an attitude problem.
Hopefully he returns like the Chair we all know and love. |  | | |
| Chair on 19:53 - Dec 9 with 1677 views | stainrods_elbow |
| Chair on 19:39 - Dec 9 by Spaceman_P |
Obviously a big Chair fan here, but I would like him to change his attitude a bit. Seemed to come back from his last injury with a bit of a chip on his shoulder and an attitude problem.
Hopefully he returns like the Chair we all know and love. |
Didn't notice that - to me, he just seemed to be physically struggling a bit and not up to speed, unsurprisingly. Otherwise, we can all echo your last sentiment of course, though I worry about his likely lack of match fitness. |  |
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| Chair on 20:21 - Dec 9 with 1629 views | hubble |
| Chair on 19:16 - Dec 7 by numptydumpty |
Am not 100 % he gets an automatic place and in particular with having little match practice for a long time.
Hopefully though he adds team player to his box of tricks because this is what prevents him from being a much better performer than he otherwise should be, with his talent. [Post edited 7 Dec 23:35]
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Do I remember correctly that in a game (or maybe two) last season, where Marti played him as a sub, he was brilliant and turned the game/s? And maybe it was also the moment we turned the corner. |  |
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| Chair on 20:26 - Dec 9 with 1617 views | simmo |
Some incredibly short memories on this thread...
Chair is still our best player, and was staring to show signs of fitness and regaining his sharpness before he was re-injured. It's great we can perform and win without him, but once available he walks back into this team.
The only problem to solve is more around where he and Saito fit, as both play in the same position. I'd like to see Chair take up the 8/10 position instead of Madsen personally, he tends to drop into midfield to collect the ball anyway, can press well, and is always best when he can move around and play off others. Get him close to Kolli/Frey and have Field and Varane give him the license to drift and find space.
Smyth also needs to return to an impact sub role, but until we find/sign a better option, we need his pace. |  |
| ask Beavis I get nothing Butthead |
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| Chair on 20:32 - Dec 9 with 1551 views | stainrods_elbow |
Agree with that. Madsen gives way, who still isn't doing well enough to start imo, just like Smyth. Hopefully Chair as our best 10 forms the same kind of nifty partnership with Saito he had with Willock. Though I've got this gnawing feeling he (Ilias) may not like playing with him as much and may even be a little envious of how well he's been doing. Hope my hunch is wrong. [Post edited 9 Dec 20:34]
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| Chair on 22:56 - Dec 9 with 1465 views | digswellhoop |
sell him in January | | | |
| Chair on 23:00 - Dec 9 with 1469 views | SydneyRs |
| Chair on 21:44 - Dec 8 by Jigsore |
Chair is industrious but not that fast. If he isn't fit then he doesn't get in over Smyth for me. Smyth's mere presence worries full backs because it certainly isn't his end product.
A Chair firing on all cylinders is a different matter, but we do have players with pretty reasonable technical ability across the squad at the moment. |
Interestingly I watched a Norwich match review on youtube yesterday and the guy called out Smyth as being impressive for us, along with Kolli. Overall he was pretty fair and commented that we have quality in our team. A change from the usual "worst performance of the season" stuff you seem to get from the oppo whenever we beat anyone. | | | |
| Chair on 11:51 - Dec 10 with 1330 views | GaryHaddock |
Kolli v Chair.
Winner gets Western Sahara |  | | |
| Chair on 12:01 - Dec 10 with 1250 views | robith |
| Chair on 17:34 - Dec 8 by BushRanger82 |
Saito for me, is our most technically gifted player. A must have in the starting line up every time.
I much prefer watching him on the ball than I do Chair, because I know Saito isn't going to run up a blind alley 9 times out of 10.
Kolli, on the strength of Saturday's performance has to be nailed on as a starter against Oxford on Wednesday night. |
Not to dimish his contribution, but he starts up front by default, no? |  | | |
| Chair on 13:03 - Dec 10 with 1118 views | Stainrod |
| Chair on 21:44 - Dec 8 by Jigsore |
Chair is industrious but not that fast. If he isn't fit then he doesn't get in over Smyth for me. Smyth's mere presence worries full backs because it certainly isn't his end product.
A Chair firing on all cylinders is a different matter, but we do have players with pretty reasonable technical ability across the squad at the moment. |
Genuinely baffled that anyone would play Smyth over Chair. To a lesser extent am also surprised by other comments saying they would play Saito over Chair (and I really like and rate Saito).
Agree Chair was very poor when he played this season, and should only come back when he is genuinely match-fit, but last season pre-injury he scored (from memory) 7 goals and got 7 assists. How many goals and assists has Smyth got despite being first choice for most of this season so far?
Even the beloved Saito has only actually got about one assist and no goals all season - so its a bit much to use the "no end product" stick to beat Chair with.
Smyth has looked better the last two or three games so deserves credit. His work rate is certainly admirable. And his pace does seem to worry defenders. But where is the end product? Other than the penalty he "earned" the previous game, how many of those great runs result in anything? That penalty award served to remind me what he SHOULD be achieving on a regular basis, but its more like once or twice a season.
The familiar Smyth play is battle, run well, lose possession or sky ball over the bar and slap his thigh in frustration like he can't believe he has just wasted that opportunity. Surely you are a bit used to it by now son?
He gets in the team currently because of injuries but I would be disappointed and surprised if he were anywhere near the starting 11 with Chair, Dembele and Saito all fit and in form.
When properly fit Chair is easily our best offensive player. Yes he is frustrating, but "frustrating" could be the middle name of Paul Smyth.
Look at it this way: what would be their respective transfer values?
Totally accept Chair was way below his usual high standards when he has played this season. But my hunch (no proof I accept) is that this has more to do with the cluster-f*ck that has become our fitness/ conditioning programme this season. He looked absolutely way off the pace, with one injury quickly following another - when he has previously hardly missed a game through injury in several years. | | | |
| Chair on 13:20 - Dec 10 with 1054 views | TheChef |
| Chair on 13:03 - Dec 10 by Stainrod |
Genuinely baffled that anyone would play Smyth over Chair. To a lesser extent am also surprised by other comments saying they would play Saito over Chair (and I really like and rate Saito).
Agree Chair was very poor when he played this season, and should only come back when he is genuinely match-fit, but last season pre-injury he scored (from memory) 7 goals and got 7 assists. How many goals and assists has Smyth got despite being first choice for most of this season so far?
Even the beloved Saito has only actually got about one assist and no goals all season - so its a bit much to use the "no end product" stick to beat Chair with.
Smyth has looked better the last two or three games so deserves credit. His work rate is certainly admirable. And his pace does seem to worry defenders. But where is the end product? Other than the penalty he "earned" the previous game, how many of those great runs result in anything? That penalty award served to remind me what he SHOULD be achieving on a regular basis, but its more like once or twice a season.
The familiar Smyth play is battle, run well, lose possession or sky ball over the bar and slap his thigh in frustration like he can't believe he has just wasted that opportunity. Surely you are a bit used to it by now son?
He gets in the team currently because of injuries but I would be disappointed and surprised if he were anywhere near the starting 11 with Chair, Dembele and Saito all fit and in form.
When properly fit Chair is easily our best offensive player. Yes he is frustrating, but "frustrating" could be the middle name of Paul Smyth.
Look at it this way: what would be their respective transfer values?
Totally accept Chair was way below his usual high standards when he has played this season. But my hunch (no proof I accept) is that this has more to do with the cluster-f*ck that has become our fitness/ conditioning programme this season. He looked absolutely way off the pace, with one injury quickly following another - when he has previously hardly missed a game through injury in several years. |
Agreed, Chair ahead of Smyth is a no brainer.
Smyth much more effective off the bench. |  |
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| Chair on 13:44 - Dec 10 with 975 views | numptydumpty |
| Chair on 23:14 - Dec 7 by FrankRightguard |
When fully fit he absolutely walks into the team. Why wouldn’t your best player be an automatic pick? |
Won't be automatic pick for starting eleven currently as been unfit for extended period. Expect him to be on bench for first couple of games back.
But do think often needs an out ball and yes is a great player, however sometimes his consistent desire to do.everything himself, can have a negative impact on our overall performance and result.
If he learns more to involve his team mates at times, not everytime though, clearly always first name on teamsheet. |  |
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| Chair on 14:46 - Dec 10 with 858 views | daveB |
over a busy period of games it will be good to rotate between Saito and Chair on the left and have one om the bench to have an impact last 20 minutes when defences tire |  | | |
| Chair on 15:21 - Dec 10 with 773 views | TK1 |
If we're rotating Chair with Saito while picking Paul Smyth every week then we deserve L1 next season.
Chair is the best attacking footballer at the club, proven, acknowledged in our dressing room and opposition dressing rooms as such. One of maybe three players coveted by any other team higher up the pyramid. When he's fit, he plays. Marti knows this.
He's also capable of playing on the right, in the centre or obviously on the left. In a team where Ashby plays left back with only a right foot and Dunne plays right back, Chair can play wherever he's picked.
Probably starts on the bench initially, but he must play when fit - not least so we can sell him in the last-chance window of this summer. I'd say Madsen is most vulnerable, but I'm not a coach. | | | |
| Chair on 15:53 - Dec 10 with 693 views | kensalriser |
I'm not seeing how Smyth and Chair are really interchangeable at all, they're very different players who play in different positions.
Chair will only get match fit by playing, so he'll be straight back in the team asap, probably eased in with 30 then 60 mins for the first couple of games. |  |
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| Chair on 15:54 - Dec 10 with 688 views | daveB |
| Chair on 15:21 - Dec 10 by TK1 |
If we're rotating Chair with Saito while picking Paul Smyth every week then we deserve L1 next season.
Chair is the best attacking footballer at the club, proven, acknowledged in our dressing room and opposition dressing rooms as such. One of maybe three players coveted by any other team higher up the pyramid. When he's fit, he plays. Marti knows this.
He's also capable of playing on the right, in the centre or obviously on the left. In a team where Ashby plays left back with only a right foot and Dunne plays right back, Chair can play wherever he's picked.
Probably starts on the bench initially, but he must play when fit - not least so we can sell him in the last-chance window of this summer. I'd say Madsen is most vulnerable, but I'm not a coach. |
not sure Chair would play on the right and be effective, Smyth is playing by default at the moment | | | |
| Chair on 16:01 - Dec 10 with 663 views | QPunkR |
A fair amount of recency bias on display here methinks. Chair's been the best player at this Club for how many years now? Without him we would've been relegated in any of the seasons we've skirted close imo.
Like I said, very glad the rest of the team is starting to step up and has put points on the board to lift us out of the relegation zone, it gives us the leeway to ease Chair in a bit more than we did earlier in the season, where he was obviously rushed back prematurely |  |
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| Chair on 16:12 - Dec 10 with 626 views | TK1 |
| Chair on 15:54 - Dec 10 by daveB |
not sure Chair would play on the right and be effective, Smyth is playing by default at the moment |
Chair's right footed. He's played there before and he's 10x the player Smyth is. Smyth has one assist and zero goals playing wide in a front three from eleven games. I reckon Chair can manage that.
There's a role for Smyth. But come on. Anyway, I'd play Chair in the middle instead of Madsen, working and swapping with Saito as he did best with Willock. Not sure Smyth will get away with overhitting passes to Chair and blaming him quite so often. | | | |
| Chair on 16:57 - Dec 10 with 545 views | terryb |
| Chair on 15:54 - Dec 10 by daveB |
not sure Chair would play on the right and be effective, Smyth is playing by default at the moment |
Why would a right footed player not be effective playing on the right? I accept that he wouldn't be able to cut inside & shoot as he often does, but other options would be available for him. Surely he is capable of varying his game.
Having said that, my preference would be for him to play centrally in front of Field & Varane. | | | |
| Chair on 17:11 - Dec 10 with 502 views | Benny_the_Ball |
Let's not get carried away by a couple of wins. With all things being equal a fully fit and firing Ilias Chair gets into this team. The conundrum for the manager is where to play him, the system to deploy, and who drops out.
On a side note, both Paal and Chair's contracts expire in the summer of 2025. In the absence of new deals, one would think that the club would look to sell at least one of them in January. Chair would fetch the better money and we have a ready made replacement in Dembele. Conversely, Saito has equipped himself well at LB so could cover there should Paal depart. Decisions, decisions... |  | | |
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