Mathys Tel

[Dicko]

What kind of player/position could Tel become? Sometimes I see him do some good things but I still struggle to clearly see what he's best at or what his best position is. There must be some old articles out there from his time at Bayern etc that I need to check out. Whenever he plays I get this feeling that its like the first time I have seen him and dont know what to expect lol

 

[Robspur12]

It is a choice, Frank confirmed it.

And the correct one imho. Solanke is a better option than Tel currently even coming back from injury. It's tough on Tel but why managers get paid the big bucks. I also pretty much guarantee any other manager makes the same decision. Proven PL player Vs decent prospect. Unfortunately it's a no brainer.

 

[Robspur12]

I'd have let it role as things were for this game.

Then reconsider before Frankfurt once I'd fully seen how Dom was doing

I presume TF knows how Solanke is doing. I am not saying this to have a pop btw but this is the difference between being a manager and a fan. They have the data and experience.

 

[Robspur12]

Think it's a desperate move tbh

He's desperate for sure. But I don't think the decision was. It's a tough call but the right one in terms of squad management imho.

 

[Finney Is Back]

It's clear to me.
Tel has talent, and if he was playing under a manager who believed in him, I believe we'd be seeing a really good player unfolding.
Instead, we've seen a manager repeatedly treat this player poorly.
I think it's pathetic.
I also think it's madness to believe that Solanke is going to be match-fit. He won't be. It will have to be gradual.
As for people hoping he is the answer, with respects, he is not OG Ronaldo, and where do people think his service is going to come from?
Slingers from Pedro?
Long balls from the back?
Or do we think he is the more likely CF to turn those long throws into goals?
It's tinkle-poor, and if I was Tel, I'd have my agent making sure this is all somewhat academic in terms of Frank being here too much longer, otherwise I'd want out now, and we will see a talented young player enjoy their football elsewhere...

He needs Solanke for his two attacking strategies of just hoof it forward or sling a cross in.

 

[Robspur12]

I also think it's madness to believe that Solanke is going to be match-fit. He won't be. It will have to be gradual.

You surely have to trust a manager to know more than fans about the condition of a player? As for Tel, I have been impressed by him recently but he is also prone to mistakes and giving the ball away. This is a Champions League game, where you ideally want your best players. That being the case it's a stretch to say Tel gets the nod over Solanke.

He's still young, if he has the right attitude this should make him want to improve even more so he can be a regular starter. If he hasn't then he's going to sulk...or ask for a move away, where I suspect he'll be treated the same if he goes to one of the big clubs.

 

[tommysvr]

He's still young, if he has the right attitude this should make him want to improve even more so he can be a regular starter. If he hasn't then he's going to sulk...or ask for a move away, where I suspect he'll be treated the same if he goes to one of the big clubs.

This is where the problem is for me. That's exactly what Tel did...the first time this happened.

"It's clear that when you're not on a list, it definitely hurts," he said. "But I'm someone who stays pretty positive, no matter the situation, because I think I've worked a lot on the mental aspect.

"So today it's definitely a disappointment, I would have liked to be there. But the coach's choice is the coach's choice, we can only respect it and we're going to work to come back in the best possible way."

Asked how Frank informed him of the news, Tel replied: "Quite simply, with respect. He called me, he simply told me his choice and then you could see the list appear on the networks."

Then he gets put into the squad for the Slavia Prague game, where he's only used for the last 20 minutes...and played very little in the matches around it. What's the point putting through that to then take him out of the squad at the first opportunity? I'm glad he's tinkled off about it.

 

[Robspur12]

This is where the problem is for me. That's exactly what Tel did...the first time this happened.

And that's what he has to continue doing, a few months doesn't change the underlying reasons for Frank's decision. I don't think he should currently be a regular starter. That we are so poor attacking wise under TF has probably made any player who manages to have a good game look like the answer to our prayers. But honestly in terms of current squad quality, Solanke, should be starting over him when fit. As I said before, it's decent prospect Vs proven PL player. It's probably academic anyway as we are likely to lose whoever is playing.

 

[MartyFunkhouser]

I presume TF knows how Solanke is doing. I am not saying this to have a pop btw but this is the difference between being a manager and a fan. They have the data and experience.

Its now par for the course of a manager under pressure, this decision is being made as a mountain out of a molehill. Solanke despite having limitations, is a key player we spent 65m on, its stands to reason he would want him back in the side or the reckoning. Its not as cut and dried as some are making it out in terms of it being some outrage

 

[Robspur12]

Its now par for the course of a manager under pressure, this decision is being made as a mountain out of a molehill. Solanke despite having limitations, is a key player we spent 65m on, its stands to reason he would want him back in the side or the reckoning. Its not as cut and dried as some are making it out in terms of it being some outrage

I think it is cut and dried Solanke gets the nod. No one would have batted an eyelid when the decision was made at the start of the season. And it's not like Tel has been out of this world amazing that he must start.

 

[MartyFunkhouser]

I think it is cut and dried Solanke gets the nod. No one would have batted an eyelid when the decision was made at the start of the season. And it's not like Tel has been out of this world amazing that he must start.

We are not dropping Semenyo for someone, thats what the reaction is almost playing out to in levels for me. Muani is the only striker left in the squad so makes sense Solanke comes back in.

 

[tommysvr]

And that's what he has to continue doing, a few months doesn't change the underlying reasons for Frank's decision. I don't think he should currently be a regular starter. That we are so poor attacking wise under TF has probably made any player who manages to have a good game look like the answer to our prayers. But honestly in terms of current squad quality, Solanke, should be starting over him when fit. As I said before, it's decent prospect Vs proven PL player. It's probably academic anyway as we are likely to lose whoever is playing.

Right. All the more reason to not tinkle off a great young talent. He wants to leave now, for the sake of adding a player who's played 40 minutes in about 6 months.

 

[Robspur12]

Right. All the more reason to not tinkle off a great young talent. He wants to leave now, for the sake of adding a player who's played 40 minutes in about 6 months.

I love Matthys Tel btw. I was glad when we signed him permanently but it wasn't a universal feeling on this board. I actually think he's got a great attitude. He's starting to come good too which is wonderful. But we shouldn't put too much pressure on his shoulders. That's where good squad management comes in.

 

[harr1984]

I think it is cut and dried Solanke gets the nod. No one would have batted an eyelid when the decision was made at the start of the season. And it's not like Tel has been out of this world amazing that he must start.

I do feel for Frank on this one, I don't think it was a decision he would have made lightly. I do think he might have done differently if he wasn't under such pressure. If he believed he was here for the long term he would consider how this is going to impact his relationship with Tel, already having to go through this disappointment once - and all for a game that holds not a lot of significance (except personally for Frank, back to the point about pressure) and will likely lose anyway with the number we have out.

No matter what data Frank has, Solanke has done nothing of note to suggest he is anywhere near fully fit or on the cusp of putting in a match winning performance. And by doing this he would have known it was going to upset the relationship he has with Tel, I'm honestly not sure it was worth it considering the match at Burnley is of far more importance. But it's done now, only time will tell if it was the right decision - Perhaps he will score and put in a great display, or perhaps he will end up back on the treatment table ....

 

[Robspur12]

Right. All the more reason to not tinkle off a great young talent. He wants to leave now, for the sake of adding a player who's played 40 minutes in about 6 months.

*Sigh* As a manager you are taking decisions that are best for the team. Sometimes that tinkles off players. It can't be helped and you shouldn't be held to ransom. I think Tel has a great attitude actually and he will get over this.

No player wants to be on the bench. But in any profession, imho it's better to be gradual with development rather than throw people into the deep end.

 

[tommysvr]

*Sigh* As a manager you are taking decisions that are best for the team. Sometimes that tinkles off players. It can't be helped and you shouldn't be held to ransom. I think Tel has a great attitude actually and he will get over this.

No player wants to be on the bench. But in any profession, imho it's better to be gradual with development rather than throw people into the deep end.

I agree, he will get over it because the one more likely to leave this transfer window is the manager.

 

[MartyFunkhouser]

Right. All the more reason to not tinkle off a great young talent. He wants to leave now, for the sake of adding a player who's played 40 minutes in about 6 months.

I think "Great" is a stretch and before people jump on me here, I am not using any of this as a defence of Frank, but Tel wasn't any cop under Ange and I was shocked we triggered the deal as I said at the time. That aside, this move is no more than a coin flip IMO, hardly anything in it at all

 

[tommysvr]

I think "Great" is a stretch and before people jump on me here, I am not using any of this as a defence of Frank, but Tel wasn't any cop under Ange and I was shocked we triggered the deal as I said at the time. That aside, this move is no more than a coin flip IMO, hardly anything in it at all

I think he's a great young talent. Loads of potential. Whether he reaches it, who knows. But as far as technical ability goes I think he's with Gray and Bergvall as the future of the team.

 

[MartyFunkhouser]

I think he's a great young talent. Loads of potential. Whether he reaches it, who knows. But as far as technical ability goes I think he's with Gray and Bergvall as the future of the team.

I agree for the future, but other than some flashes in the two seasons I have seen him, nothing makes this decision a national scandal IMO. I suppose we all see things differently but Solanke is frankly a key player for us as he was under Ange last season.

 

[tommysvr]

I agree for the future, but other than some flashes in the two seasons I have seen him, nothing makes this decision a national scandal IMO. I suppose we all see things differently but Solanke is frankly a key player for us as he was under Ange last season.

Of course Solanke is a key player. But it's about this very specific moment in time:

- Solanke is not match fit
- The squad is already extremely thin, we're now carrying one more potential injury risk
- Tel was left out of the squad originally, added for one game that he ended up being on the bench for anyway. What the fudge was the point?
- He was taken off the other day for some reason and showed his disappointment
- The game is not must win and we are likely to lose anyway

I don't know why you intimating that I'm making it a national scandal. Simply passing my opinion on what I think is a bad decision. Solanke might end up scoring a couple of goals in the game that ends up saving Frank's job, and I will most happily eat my words.