| Luongooo 21:47 - Mar 7 with 7638 views | RBlock |
Luongo absolutely fantastic tonight. My Motm. Used the ball intelligently, carried it forward really well. Strong in the tackle. Class. |  | | |  |
| Luongooo on 09:51 - Mar 8 with 2068 views | Hunterhoop |
| Luongooo on 09:39 - Mar 8 by robith |
After the thread the other day I decided to watch him closely as I like him, but decided I really wanted to see what he did.
This are obviously my counts so they're probably wrong - indicative rather than exact let's say.
He was brushed off the ball three times - but in two of these he had won the ball back before play had continued forward. Only once was he completely and cleanly dispossessed.
On the contrary I made it around 9 possession steals, he made 3 huge crunching tackles, and made 3 really neat slide rule passes down the touchline, one of which didn't come off. I had him mispassing 3 times overall.
In the first half he sat deep in a "quarter back" style position which allowed Freeman to play much further up the pitch. He would win possession and carry the ball forward well, allowing us to keep the ball on the floor. Clearly Olly had instructed the players to use their feet to counter Barnsley's pressing as Freeman and Luongo both neatly used changes of direction and leading foot to create space and forward momentum. Mass also took a lot of hurried ball from Ned and Hall and calmed it, rotated it, and got us going forward again.
In the second half, especially in that period prior to the second goal where we were really in control he rotated more with Manning - he was very effective at driving forward then feeding Pav. This kept the Barnsley defence honest as they needed to cover all options. He also doubled up on the right wing allowing Pav and Furlong to have someone to cycle the ball with to get into better positions.
In the latter part of the game he like the rest of the team dropped too deep for my money. Re: which - Freeman can really kick a ball very hard can't he.
Overall, I thought he was absolutely intrinsic to how we played last night - though Freeman was more eye catching. I personally thought Manning looked tired and made a lot of lazy fouls late on which put us under pressure (not a slight, love the kid, only constructive criticism as he develops). However the combination really worked for Mass I thought, as he and Manning worked well together as a pressing unit, penning players in real well as a pack.
Overall - I thought he was tops |
Spot on, Rob. Exactly how I saw it, although you've expressed it more eloquently than I would have done and you've used some stats to back it up. Bravo.
I recall the audible groans when he lost possession on the edge of their box when I chance might been coming, but far fewer fans seemed to applaud when he chased his tackler down and won it back 5 seconds later.
When off balance he can get brushed off it, but he is the best tackler we have in midfield (he has by far the most tackles in the squad this season on Opta stats) and he does get stuck in.
Thought he had an excellent game. |  | | |
| Luongooo on 10:03 - Mar 8 with 2039 views | BazzaInTheLoft |
| Luongooo on 09:39 - Mar 8 by robith |
After the thread the other day I decided to watch him closely as I like him, but decided I really wanted to see what he did.
This are obviously my counts so they're probably wrong - indicative rather than exact let's say.
He was brushed off the ball three times - but in two of these he had won the ball back before play had continued forward. Only once was he completely and cleanly dispossessed.
On the contrary I made it around 9 possession steals, he made 3 huge crunching tackles, and made 3 really neat slide rule passes down the touchline, one of which didn't come off. I had him mispassing 3 times overall.
In the first half he sat deep in a "quarter back" style position which allowed Freeman to play much further up the pitch. He would win possession and carry the ball forward well, allowing us to keep the ball on the floor. Clearly Olly had instructed the players to use their feet to counter Barnsley's pressing as Freeman and Luongo both neatly used changes of direction and leading foot to create space and forward momentum. Mass also took a lot of hurried ball from Ned and Hall and calmed it, rotated it, and got us going forward again.
In the second half, especially in that period prior to the second goal where we were really in control he rotated more with Manning - he was very effective at driving forward then feeding Pav. This kept the Barnsley defence honest as they needed to cover all options. He also doubled up on the right wing allowing Pav and Furlong to have someone to cycle the ball with to get into better positions.
In the latter part of the game he like the rest of the team dropped too deep for my money. Re: which - Freeman can really kick a ball very hard can't he.
Overall, I thought he was absolutely intrinsic to how we played last night - though Freeman was more eye catching. I personally thought Manning looked tired and made a lot of lazy fouls late on which put us under pressure (not a slight, love the kid, only constructive criticism as he develops). However the combination really worked for Mass I thought, as he and Manning worked well together as a pressing unit, penning players in real well as a pack.
Overall - I thought he was tops |
: )
 |  | | |
| Luongooo on 10:05 - Mar 8 with 2027 views | robith |
Where did you find that picture of me? Delete it plz |  | | |
| Luongooo on 10:16 - Mar 8 with 1940 views | PlanetHonneywood |
| Luongooo on 22:53 - Mar 7 by Lblock |
I'm not his biggest fan
He played well enough tonight with a couple of good passes
Still weak for me brushed off the ball like he weren't there three times at least
Manning and Freeman stronger |
Yup, I agree with this assessment.
Certainly the best I've seen him play, although I thought he had a great first half, but faded a bit as the game went on. Which is the total opposite to what one poster thought above.
Barnsley and their very open style of play helped him. Let's aim play as well against better sides, then we can talk. Now like any decent porn star, he needs to keep it up! |  |
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| Luongooo on 10:20 - Mar 8 with 1921 views | Mick_S |
Them colours would make a nice kit. |  |
| Did I ever mention that I was in Minder? |
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| Luongooo on 10:31 - Mar 8 with 1894 views | Lblock |
@Robith
Thanks for that - I read it with interest and it's made me think
I'm not a big Mass fan (damn those priests) but that's more because I think he could / should offer more and on a regular basis.
I'm by my own admission glass half empty a lot of the time and I've focused more on my percieved weakness Luongo gas. You've redressed the balance there though in respect of his three times he was brushed off the ball versus times he won it.
He played well and I hope he steps up but needs a run of games doing it |  |
| Cherish and enjoy life.... this ain't no dress rehearsal |
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| Luongooo on 10:58 - Mar 8 with 1838 views | robith |
| Luongooo on 10:31 - Mar 8 by Lblock |
@Robith
Thanks for that - I read it with interest and it's made me think
I'm not a big Mass fan (damn those priests) but that's more because I think he could / should offer more and on a regular basis.
I'm by my own admission glass half empty a lot of the time and I've focused more on my percieved weakness Luongo gas. You've redressed the balance there though in respect of his three times he was brushed off the ball versus times he won it.
He played well and I hope he steps up but needs a run of games doing it |
Happy to provide some food for thought - I likewise get frustrated with Mass because I can see there's a corking player in there that doesn't always show, but feel that some of the negatives back are way over the top.
That said, I don't have any problem with constructive criticism that comes from wanting a player to be the best they can be. That's what any right thinking fan wants | | | |
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