Welcome to this weekends Loanees Watch – Young Guns’ analysis, reports and updates on the progress of the young starlets currently plying their trade away from the Emirates Stadium. You can read all the latest reports below.
In The Premier League, Jack Wilshere was an unused substitute for Bolton Wanderers as they lost 2-0 to Liverpool. Wilshere did go and warm up shortly after half time but Owen Coyle opted for Man City loanee Vladimir Weiss to come on out wide. Jack will wear the number 32 whilst with the Trotters. Loanee Rating – 0.
In the Championship, Jay Simpson played the full game for Queens Park Rangers as they lost 1-0 to Scunthorpe United. Simpson started alongside Rowan Vine and struggled to get involved in the first half in an end-to-end fixture. The second half brought chances for the powerful hitman and it took a superb reaction save from United’s Joe Murphy to keep things level. Moments later he had a further chance, but yet again Murphy was on hand to block. Loanee Rating – 6.
Kerrea Gilbert racked up another 90 minutes for Peterborough United at right back in a 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace. Gilbert turned in a typically bullish shift but United struggled to really create anything in a difficult game. Loanee Rating – 6
In League One, Mark Randall played the final 19 minutes for MK Dons as they drew 1-1 with Exeter. The central midfielder is yet to impose himself on the Dons team but he turned in a decent shift despite being subjected to a handful of poor tackles. Loanee Rating – 5
Elsewhere, Henri Lansbury‘s Watford had their game called off due to an icy pitch, while Håvard Nordtveit was a substitute for Nuremberg but he didn’t get off the bench.
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Article By – J.Sanderson
Randall and Gilbert need to be sold asap, have wasted numerous opportunities for arsenal. One other point how do you give them a rating? Surely you cant listen/watch all the games at the same time.
The ratings are devised by statistics. Minutes played, tackles won/lost, shots taken etc then they’re given an overall ranking. Thanks for bringing it up because I don’t think I’ve fully explained how it’s calculated for a couple of other people who asked.
Great work JS.
I’m pretty sure Jack will get a chance vs Fulham next weekend at the Reebok Stadium. But i’m not really sure which position he’ll occupy. Not at the right hand side, with the excellent Lee Chung Yong being there. It’s either next to Muamba, or as a sub on the right.
Nurnberg won 3-1 away to Hannover 96, no ratings for Nordveit :) ?
Ahh & what about Bazarite, is he injured or something?
Obviously Nordtveit isn’t going to make it at Arsenal, unless some miracle happens. What a shame..
Jay, rate nordveit against ayling and bartley.
I think Jack has got his work cut out. Weiss and Elmander are both attacking midfielders ahead of him and neither of them even made the starting 11. I think he’ll get a couple of chances coming on late in matches and he’ll really have to impress immediately, otherwise he’s going to struggle to get game time.
Also i haven’t seen any of Nordveit in the Bundesliga. Is he actually improving at all with all the games he’s played in the top division? I know that they’ve been playing him in all sorts of positions. Will his lack of pace limit his potential ultimately?
Actually Nordtveit is better suited to be a DMC, than DC. He lacks strength but he is a good reader of the game so his positioning is very good. Anyway I think we’ll sell him this summer.
Nordveit came of the bench in the 90th minute for hattrick scoring Alban Banjuku.
I hope Wenger and Wilshere made the right decision about his loan destination. He had other choices and I was surprised they still chose Bolton after they (Bolton) signed Weiss on loan as well. Wouldn’t it be hard trying to develop two players who are similar but are the property of two different teams?? While trying to win on top of that?? Either Arsenal or Man City aren’t going to be happy at the end of this. Obviously I hope it works out for Arsenal. The competition can’t hurt him either. Well hopefully Ahmed is right and he will get the chance to start or play against Fulham.
well, after all how many 19 year olds are centre halves for top flight clubs? so still got plenty of years
Heard that Victor moses is on his way to wigan. Pity Arsenal didnt go for him.
@sebjob, well there’s Sakho, Tomkins, Smalling and etc. :) and he most definitely doesn’t play at a top club. In Nurnberg he should surely be the first choice.
Well considering his strength seems to be the problem and he is only 19, wouldn’t you add 1 + 1 and realise he will gain strength when he grows into a MAN? You know, like one in every one million people actually get stronger as they grow up… funny that.
Unbelievabloe, armchair hansens writing off our players as if they have a clue…
And comparing them to the likes of Smalling? Hilarious!
Havard has all the attributes to make it and will come back a better player for his experiences in Germany.
Jimmy, Elmander is not an attacking midfielder at all, he is a center forward
@Gunnersince…, No we should probably worship our players, make some ritual sacrifices for them…and we should all become “Arsenalists” like a new religion where our players mustn’t hear a sign of critic even if they’re lousy.
Yeah, that’ll work…
Or you could just keep the clueless bollocks to a minimum, if you can, that is…
Nordtveit is a great player. Have you guys seen he’s passing skills? Better than Denilson, Ramsey and Randall(:D).
I agree with the guy with the long nickname. I love the blog, but fuckw*t lowlifes trashing teenage Gunners is one of the most unedifying sights you can find on the Arsenal blogosphere.
Nordtveit will not play much for the reminder of the season, Nuremberg play with two defensive midfielders, one is Andreas Ottl, loaned from Bayern Munich and the new signing Mickael Tavares, also loaned from Hamburger SV.
Both played well yesterday and Nuremberg won 3-1, it looks like, that found their team now, So, I don’t think he will get much more games, only as a sub.
May be he could get a chance as a centre back, but it’s unlikely.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wt_3GcKhtbY&feature=related
Ok, we could argue for days, but we’ll just see what happens with him. Believe me I would love to see him become a great player for Arsenal, but it’s not going to happen.
I am sure you felt the same about Kieran Gibbs, or Craig Eastmond, or any number of young Arsenal players.
This need by some “fans” to write off young players is disturbing and shows a real lack of class and support. The fact that this assumptions and judgements are based on nothing more than youtube clips, pundits jaundiced opinions and how a player does on Football Manager 2010 makes it all the more laughable.
But I am so happy you want Arsenal players to succeed.
wilshere was never gome play this match as he s got only few day training with them.Bolton will give first 10-15 mn next few matches and unlished him later in the starting 11
Agree with gunnersince….:) too long name lol ,some people psss their day on arsenal blog critisizing all our young players .After a bad match ,it s alway he is rubbish,championship level at best,sell him.Like Song last year when some idiot was asking to sell him because he was not good enough.Same with Denilson,few good match no praise,but one or two and they saying he is rubbish blablabla.
Sunday it s the day of day ,we are Arsenal.come oooon youuuuuur goooooooooner!
Man, this Articles comment section has been one of the worst I have seen on here. The funny thing is that people are writng off players they havent even been watching and suggesting future positions with out even seeing them play.
Yes, it is true that Nordveit isnt exactly playing very well in Germany. Also the guy that suggest he is a better passer than Ramsey…lol, was that a joke. But look, he is 19 playing defensive mid. Isnt exactly the easiest position to play as a youngster because the 2 biggest qualities you need for that position are the ability to read the game. You have to cover alot of ground so you need to be in the right positions to break up an attack or you will just always be a step behind the pace of the game. The 2nd thing is to have the physical tools because you really have alot of physical duals in that position. These are both things he lacks, and both things that come with experience. In attacking positions, you can get by with raw skills and flair but in the holding mid position, you really need to develope in to thew total package or you just look off pace.
Now to the Jack Wilshire comments. He just showed up. That is why he didnt play. You dont just show up and a couple hours later they throw you in verse liverpool on a new team. Also the Weiss comment. Wilshere and Weiss are no where near the same type of player. Wilshere is in the Iniesta mold while Weiss is the Ronaldo type flair winger. I wouldnt be suprise if Wilshere played in the Bergkamp role for them.
For the last time for people that love to bring up the Alex Song point. The truth is, he was never going to be a quality def mid in a 4-4-2. You need to be more of the energetic, quick player that is able to cover alot of ground. Song was never going to be that. If we still played a 4-4-2, people would still be yelling he isnt good enough. He was a quality centerback tho. Now in the 4-3-3, he is built perfect for it. He is asked to dominate a much a smaller area of the pitch behind the other 2 centermids but he doesnt have to cover as much ground because he has 2 other center mids that help close down both central and wide area. He is perfect for it because of his strngth,calmness , ball control and distribution.
Agree with Shane there.
I’m not going to lie – I haven’t seen Nordtveit play either but with all the fuss and hype when we signed it, that suggests he’s one big talent. Don’t forget he’s actually playing at a top tier team, unlike Simpson, Lansbury, Hoyte, Murphy and even Szczesney.
Before Nurnberg signed two new defensive mids, Nordtveit was a regular starter. Just because he didn’t come off the bench this weekend doesn’t mean he has no future.
Lay off him until we actually see him pull on an Arsenal match.
@Gunnersince…well, the most important thing is you got your facts straight. Those that I rate Nordtveit by seeing youtube videos and reading match reports. As I said earlier we’ll see. As for Gibbs and Eastmond I think they could be valuable squad players but nothing more than that, not world class. But we can’t have a team made entirely of world-class players so it’s not a big deal.
I think Gibbs definetly has the qualities to become a top class left back.
Andreas Ottl is the lamest player ever. I have many friends that are Bayern Munich fans, and they all would like to see him stay in Nurnberg forever. I have seen him play a lot last season and he was dreadful so it’s a shame that he replaced Nordtveit. On the other hand I watched Havard playing for Lillestrom at RB and he did a very good job, though not in attack, but was tidy.
Me, how about you just shut up and stop passing judgement on players? There’s a reason you’re sitting on the internet putting players down and judging them based on their FM ratings and we have real managers and scouts up there doing the proper job. So keep quiet and stop acting like an armchair expert.
Me, Smalling had just played two games until recently. This Tomlinson I honestly dont know who he is, while Sakho is an exceptional talent who has been playing a lot on the right back and the german league is better than the french. In the french league teams can be brilliantly inconsistent. When I have seen Nordtveit his reading of the game has been brilliant, the one thing I do feel he lacks is a bit of the physical ability as Shane mentions.
I wonder what the solution will be on right back now, our cover there is not the best behind Sagna and Eboue. Maybe one of the defensive midfielders Henderson or Eastmond. I have not taken so much notice on how Hoyte has been developing recently
@Gooner, yeah I’ll shut up just because we don’t have similar opinions, what a reason. And I’m not “putting players down”, they won’t read this that’s for sure, and I most certainly do have the right to say what I think. I watched Havard at least 10 times and there’s no progress in his game, so before you tell someone to shut up go and watch a game or two and form an opinion, not an automatic contradiction when arsenal players are mentioned
@sebjob, Sakho has mostly played at CB, and rarely at DMC, but the point was he’s at PSG, James Tomkins is at West Ham and Smalling is playing regularly at Fulham. Nurnberg is far below these clubs in quality.
Me, yes I checked it up and I am mistaken. I was absolutely sure I had seen him play at right back, but now I see he is a left back if on the sideback. Smalling is a year older than Nordtveit, played two games before this transfer hysteria, but the Premier League is a bit harder than the Bundesliga. Crossing fingers for the game now!
More talking about players you have even seen play. Last year Sakho played a little leftback and a little centerback. This year he is their starting cb.
Just want us to beat Manu!
I dont care if we spend millions anymore, just wanna win
Everyone still think it was a good idea to give up on the FA cup? What a joke, it is pretty bad when they sell a 131 million dollar player and we still cant beat them.
3-0, another trophyless season i reckon. It’s the same story all over again, AW decide to take some risk by deciding not to buy anyone during the winter break to strengthen our squad. I mean, if he really want to push up our title challenge, he should have bought at least a CF & a GK (a quality one that is) because IMO those 2 positions is obviously the most vulnerable position in our team considering all the injuries we have and the quality of ALUMUNIUM!!! (never rated this guy, not even once)
Good luck to us, coz that’s all we can hope for now…
COME ON ARSENAL!!!!!
3-1, I almost forgot Vermaelen’s goal… SIGHH…
Almunia needs to be replaced he just isn’t good enough. Can Wenger not see this
Get rid of Almunia nd bring in a decent goalie nd a top striker.Realy disapointed at the way arsenal played. I just cant see them betain chelsea without van persie………..
almunia,denilson and bendtner are below average
shane, Sakho is a centre back and only a centre back. He is awful at left back.
bad technique, great physique, he could replace Gallas when he retires. Lots of mistakes right now though
Shane you actually didn’t write that he was a good left back my mistake.
and Sebjob, I think the french league is stronger than the german league. every time a french team plays a german one in Europe it’s an easy win for the french team. Most of the german teams are very naive tactically.
Cn any 1 tel me if Rhys Murphy is injured o nt coz sum tym bak I read he myt even hav 2 retire only 4 da offical AFC site 2 claim he signed a long term deal. So wich story do I bliv.
I’ve been meaning to ask this for a while, so here goes…Does anyone know, or remember why we switched from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3?? I know it helps Fabregas and Song and all, but it might be easier to defend the flanks if we had 4 guys in there instead of 3 central players. When Wenger came to England almost every team played 4-4-2 and he managed to sort of revolutionize that formation with the wingers like Pires and Ljunberg cutting in. And it was pretty attractive lol. In fact I think the year we were the closest to winning the league and Europe, which was 2007/08 we used 4-4-2 and sometimes 4-5-1. That was the year we played the most attractive football of the wenger era barring the 2003/04 invincables. I don’t know…Barca uses 4-3-3 religeously, but they are a truly special squad. Two forwards might be better than just Arshavin or Eduardo or even Bendtner up there all alone. I know he won’t revert back to 4-4-2 but I was just wondering why we changed. I probably heard but I just forgot. And Shane is right about Weiss being a winger. I saw the Bolton match against Liverpool on tape delay and he played out wide. Do you think Coyle will throw Wilshere in the centre to start though?? That was my concern. Hardly any team plays with a Bergkamp like player. Fabregas isn’t quite and neither is anyone for Chelsea(although they try) or Liverpool or MU. Do you think Wenger will use him like that?? You almost need to play him as a striker if so. Kinda like a 4-4-2…
Hugo Lloris, Mamadou Sakho, and Moussa Sissoko, maybe Hulk would be some good signings, I reckon 15, 15, 15, 15 … 15 mil each, and I wouldnt care … coz wenger would of FINALLY bougt somewon
Milo; I think the 433 or 451 formation has been adopted by Wenger in recent years to (a) match oppositions who continuously packed the midfield against us (b) without the likes of petit,viera and gilberto we need 3 rather than 2 to dominate, hence allowing for weaker players to feature more often!
Personally I feel our range of midfield options currently suit the system in place, the problem is we don’t have a Henry or, and when I use or I do not use in an equal manor, Adebayor to be that vital front man. Though a superb player VP is, I also do not think he is the ideal man. And even if others do – with his injury record we can’t just depend upon him.
Milo; I think the 433 or 451 formation has been adopted by Wenger in recent years to (a) match oppositions who continuously packed the midfield against us (b) without the likes of petit,viera and gilberto we need 3 rather than 2 to dominate, hence allowing for weaker players to feature more often!
Personally I feel our range of midfield options currently suit the system in place, the problem is we don’t have a Henry or, and when I use or I do not use in an equal manor, Adebayor to be that vital front man. Though a superb player VP is, I also do not think he is the ideal man. And even if others do – with his injury record we can’t just depend upon him.
But I have totally had enough of moaning and complaining how we need a decent keeper, how we need a better CB cover, how we need some competition for Song and vitally a Striker…we all see it, Wenger surely knows it, I just guess these problems are a bit harder to fix than we think.
Let’s just pray for some fortune at the bridge next week and get back in this title race!!! Come on arsenal
You are right GG. Diaby doesn’t want to fill the holding role and isn’t suited for it. And Song doesn’t quite have the pace to play like Vieira either. BUT if we let one stay back exclusively and pair him with Cesc, that couldn’t work?? We tried it last year I know, BUT Song and Diaby are totally different players now than they were last season. I think it would suit Walcott and maybe even Wilshere better when he develops, is we used a 4-4-2. And it would take some of the enormous amount of pressure that RVP feels to produce and stay fit, if we had a support striker. But like I said before: I don’t think Wenger will change it again. So I was kinda stupid to bring this up but you answered my question about why we switched in the first place lol.
Denilson messed up like he always does, and when Jimbo and I mentioned it you were ready to crucify us. So fuck you all, and fuck Denilson, I don’t hope we sell him, I hope we fucking release him.
and Shane, is Clichy the best left back in the world in your opinion?? I just saw him got raped by an average player
We just need to sign a few decent players.
A new starting 11 might B nice, JK
@Beduero said, I would go with one RB, one LB (not talents but proven players), one holding midfielder, one striker, one AGGRESSIVE winger (complete opposite of Rosicky) and that should do it. Oh, and I’d put Wojciech Szczesny on goal.
… Or get Lloris/Akinfeev/Mandanda/Green lol,
Me, Clichy has just came back from being out for how long? People think these players are machines and just can walk out there from 2 months out and be on top form. It doesnt work like that. Also suggesting we need a new rb and lb is just dumb. We have top 5 talents in the world at both spots, not to mention our 2 backs ups in Gibbs and Eboue are very good 2nd string players. Lets not start complaining about issues that arent the problem.
A goalkeeper is a must. Watching Almunia is starting to make me sick. A top class striker cf. There is only one out there not on a top level team yet, Edin Dzeko. These are often the 2 differences in the games verse the big teams.
Then a winger that takes players on at pace but can also link up and is random in the final third (Walcott). You saw how Nani made something out of nothing. We have to simply pass teams to death. I would chose Hazard. Then a quality back up CDM/CB. We are 4 players off of being true contenders and I am not a person that has just start complaining because we lost. I have been saying the same thing for a while.
The 4-3-3 is a much better formation and works if you have the right players. A must is a top class striker and a top class winger tho. Add Hazard and Dzeko. GK Sagna Gallas Vermaelen Clichy Song Fabregas Diaby Arshavin Dzeko Hazard.
Sebjob.. The German league is the third strongest league in uerope now and is the deepest and probally the most entertaining as far as the title race. The league is about 9 teams deap. Plus if Bayern keep Ribery and get Toni Kroos back next year watch out. That will be a great team.
I don’t want to start a debate about the german league, but it really makes me laugh to read that the german league is the third strongest in Europe. When I look at the top goal scorers of recent years, like Pantelic, or Ibizevic, players that couldn’t even make the bench in France. Or Marcelinho, biggest joke of the french league a couple of years ago, best bundelisga player before Ribery got there.
Bordeaux played Bayern in champions league, they drew away and won in Bordeaux.
What the french league doesn’t have is a really big team with a great budget that can afford, like Bayern, players like Robben. But the average level is way better.
I can’t remember the last time a french team was beaten by a german one in Europe
Im not arguing 1 team. I said the league overall is better. By the way even tho I like Gourcuff, by your arguements, he was a bench player at Milan and now is the best in France. By the way the Best player in France in 2006 left for Germany. Also if you have seen Bayern Leverkusen this year, undefeated season right now. Not to mention, their youth national teams won every ueropean title from the u17s to the u21s. Where do you think those players play. Also has have the u17 tournement best player 2 years ago in Toni Kroos. I could keep going but I dont feel like it anymore.
Nordveidt has been terrible all season for Nürnberg. He doesnt get into tackles and cant pick out a pass. He will never be a dm for us, at rb he maybe quite solid but not our type of rb. At cb he got totally destroyed by stajner a total average striker. Believe me even Djourou is to times the defender he is.
We play the formation now because we have no effective wide-men. All our recent championship winning teams had wingers who would create 30 gls a season –
1989 : Brian Marwood
1991 : Anders Limpar
1998 : Marc Overmars
2002/2004 : Robert Pires & Freddie Ljungberg
Now : Theo Walcott ?
Someone’s having a laugh.
(Plus championship winning sides need a championship winning keeper. Oh, & a solid central defensive pairing.)
@Shane, can you name me those top 5 talents at fullback position. Sagna doesn’t know how to play when he’s got the ball in attack, can’t cross, and the thing that bothers me the most about Sagna and Clichy is that they cross very often (and wide off the mark) when Eduardo and Arshavin play upfront, wtf..
Clichy’s been out of form the whole last season (even before his injury), Sagna always the same, somewhat reliable in defense but dreadful in attack.
We done okay today but we were terrible on the transitions [when we lost the ball, plus over-committing when we still had time], Denilson still cant do basic like track runners, however Almunia needs to communicate better with his teammates that Rooney was coming plus his footwork was still poor for the 1st goal.
Porto coach will be licking his lips because Porto’s biggest weapon is on the counter. Lets hope Denilson isnt fit for both legs
http://arsenalcolumn.wordpress.com/2010/02/01/united-show-the-best-form-of-attack-is-to-counter/
Cn any giv me any info on Rhys Murphy concernin his injury coz I read on dis site dat he was croked en myt even hav 2 retire only 4 Da official site 2 say he had signed a new long term contract. So J if u cn, xplain 2 me xactly wats going on
ME…Sagna isnt top 5 fullbacks to me because of his crossing, however he is top 5 right backs. Maicon, Dani Alves, Lahm, Sagna, Sergio Ramos. Top 5 left backs are Clichy, Cole, Evra, Felipe (Deportivo la coruna), Lahm (top 5 on both sides). We are so quick to forget all the good things that a player does but harp on every mistake. That is probally why it is so hard to be a top player for a long time any more.
Kanu25– We play the new formation because we have no effective wingers? Last time I checked both formations play with 2 wingers and the 4-3-3 actually requires more from the wingers in the final third because you only have 1 striker for goals. In a 4-4-2, the winger crosses alot more because there are 2 strikers in the box. I agree we do need a top class more direct winger which I hope it is Eden Hazard.
The most interesting thing is, as i watched the match yesterday, i raged at the complete ineptitude of Denilson, Clichy and Almunia (and these three have NEVER been good enough. Gael had one good season where Rosicky and Gilberto would help him out a LOT defensively, bailing him out on many occasions). Now, after watching the match and drowning in my sorrow for a bit, i decided to have a look on the net at the Arsenal blogs and see what my fellow Gooners’ thoughts were on the complete and utter bollocks i had witnessed earlier on and to my astonishment (NOT) they were all on the cases of the afore-mentioned lemons.
I’ve said this to all my peoples before (can’t remember if i’ve ever said it on here) but Denilson is a passenger in this side. He does absolutely nothing! People point at his stats and how he intercepts so much. What fuckin good is that when you can’t have the decency to track runs? Or use your bodyweight to shield the ball? Or drive past/stay with someone with your pace? Or help out in defence and attack with your aerial prowess? I laugh, i swear down, i laugh at how this guy is currently representing the club i love with all my heart. Playing in the position i have played in my whole life (albeit, on a more amateur level of course). It’s beyond a joke and i’m not surprised many Arsenal fans are lamblasting such a poor player. He may turn good in a few years but he is absolutely nowhere near ready to play on a regular basis right now. I’m sure Eastmond would have played better yesterday. I’m sure of that. You can’t really get worse than what Denny produced yesterday.
I won’t even go there on Almunia because everything that needs to be said on him has already been said a thousand times before by ALL Gooners and still there is no change. I watched a re-run of the Arsenal/Man Utd game from 2004/05 the other day on ESPN Classic where they beat us 4-2 at Highbury. We had a much better team then, as you should all know. CR scored twice for them, one being almost identical to the Almunia own goal yesterday except this time he ran out of his box to meet Giggs in the Nani position from yesterday, Giggs simply skipped past him and looped a cross to the back stick with his weaker right foot where the greaseball just tapped into an empty net. In fact they should have only scored their first goal in that game (a deflected Giggs effort which he could do nothing about). We dominated the game but ended up losing simply because our ‘keeper is a joke.
This is all they deserve from yesterday IMHO:
Almunia – 4
Sagna – 5
Gallas – 6
Vermaelen – 7
Clichy – 4
Song – 7
Denilson – 3
Fabregas – 7
Rosicky – 6
Nasri – 5
Arshavin – 5
It’s also worth noting that when NB was brought on, although he didn’t do much and clearly needs some match fitness, we instantly looked more likely to score and for once, not to mention, the bollocks idea of getting it out wide and throwing in high crosses was actually justified for the first time in about 3 months.
Almunia – 1
Sagna – 5
Gallas – 6
Vermaelen – 7
Clichy – 4
Song – 7
Denilson – 3
Fabregas – 7
Rosicky – 6
Nasri – 5
Arshavin – 5
Who ever is stating Gael Clichy is not good enough is a coupleate moron. Man I am starting to get annoyed at some of these comments.
I know Shane. Clichy has just come back from injury and when he is fully fit, there isn’t a winger who can beat him for pace. Well there might be the VERY ODD exception but I have more than full confidence in him when he is fit. IMO I think he’s just fine. He’ll get back to his high standard of play.
agree Milo. Sharpovic, when commenting that the french league is below the german it is personal reflection as I have been following the brilliantly inconsistent Marseille when I have had a tv close, the channel and the time…not passionately in other words. I definitely prefer the french league to the german, but the frustrating thing about following the french lague is that the teams can be brilliant one game and crap the next. Which I feel is with most of the teams I have seen from there…the most hilarious mistakes and the most brilliant play can come fom the same player or the same team. Point being though, seeing Nortveit playing in Norway for both Haugesund and Lillestrøm I think he has got a brilliant reading of the game for his age…not my teams though
and actually I was surprised how tough he was when playing for Lillestrøm, he was a true fighter. Have not watched the german league for years, seen the german teams in Europe, so I can hardly say the domestic level…and true at times they have been exposed tactically strange enough and the french have done better with Lyon but not with others for years since PSG and Marseilles glory days. Bordeaux are doing good now
your argument on Gourcuff is by far your worst Shane! there’s nothing to be ashamed to warm the bench in Milan, specially when you’re 19 years old, look at Vieira, Flamini.
The german league is not bad, but in a way they are like the english league in the 90’S, tons of space, slow and naive defenders.
the average level is strong in France, as I said, they just need one big team with great financial power to keep the players. instead every year, they lose Nasri, Ribery (who played together at Marseille), Drogba, Essien, Benzema etc. but still they produce so many players that the level is quite high.
The germans are definitely improving at producing players, but don’t fool yourself France is still number one in Europe for young players