Xavi Simons

[SteveAWOL]

Might have been dreaming last night but I’m sure I saw some crazy stat that said we are 19 points from 9 when Xavi starts, and 2 points from 8 games where he doesn’t start.

FWIW…

Simons started in the wins away to Wet Spam, Leeds and Everton plus our home draws with Wolves and ManU plus the loss to Villa.

So 11 points from 6 PL starts but mostly in away games against teams battling relegation.

 

[Muttley]

The thing Xavi did differently to our other players last night was switch play. When we were expected to bring the ball in from the left hand side and then feed that side again, he would go the other way and bring the right wing into play. A couple of his slide balls about 10 yards out from their 18 yard box were exactly the sort of thing we would see from an Eriksen. It created panic in their defensive ranks.

 

[Bedfordspurs]

The thing Xavi did differently to our other players last night was switch play. When we were expected to bring the ball in from the left hand side and then feed that side again, he would go the other way and bring the right wing into play. A couple of his slide balls about 10 yards out from their 18 yard box were exactly the sort of thing we would see from an Eriksen. It created panic in their defensive ranks.

He moves the ball more in the area that hurts

 

[Finney Is Back]

The thing Xavi did differently to our other players last night was switch play. When we were expected to bring the ball in from the left hand side and then feed that side again, he would go the other way and bring the right wing into play. A couple of his slide balls about 10 yards out from their 18 yard box were exactly the sort of thing we would see from an Eriksen. It created panic in their defensive ranks.

Wonder if this is why Frank doesn't seem to fancy playing him? Does he consider those passes 'too risky' and with the potential for us to be counter attacked perhaps?

 

[Bedfordspurs]

Wonder if this is why Frank doesn't seem to fancy playing him? Does he consider those passes 'too risky' and with the potential for us to be counter attacked perhaps?

Counter attacked instead of just attacked

 

[Lemonade Money]

If Xavi Simons had played in that Arsenal game against us in Eze position, he would have looked world class.

You have to laugh when someone tries to prove a point with something that will never happen.

 

[Bullet]

Xavi is a really skilful operator; he needs players on his wavelength.
I think Les Trois Baguettes (Odobert, Tel et Muani) are on his wavelength.

I think Richie and Johnson are tuned into Samba FM.


Madders also would enjoy his little give and go's, his neat and sweet dancing feet.



Kudus plays with tunnel vision, he doesn't see his team mates. Like a horse with blinkers on.
Deki was accused of that a lot at times, trying to beat 5 men and dribbling with extreme skill down a dead end.

 

[thfcsteff]

Wonder if this is why Frank doesn't seem to fancy playing him? Does he consider those passes 'too risky' and with the potential for us to be counter attacked perhaps?

I think this is absolutely the case. Everything I have seen from the manager appears to revolve around this supposed 'safety first' however we do not appear to be any better defending AND with this approach, continue to neuter our creativity - to the extent we have people on here who claim we don't have 'those players'!!!

I said it before and I'll say it again; his treatment of Xavi is awful.

 

[Lemonade Money]

I said it before and I'll say it again; his treatment of Xavi is awful.

How so? Is this one of your hypotheses or based on facts? He's been given plenty of minutes in different positions, and looks a bit out of his depth at the moment. If I was being unkind, I'd say we've bought the Dutch Brian Gil.
Do you think your treatment of Frank is awful, based on the tendency to slag him off in every post?

 

[kb 1984]

I think this is absolutely the case. Everything I have seen from the manager appears to revolve around this supposed 'safety first' however we do not appear to be any better defending AND with this approach, continue to neuter our creativity - to the extent we have people on here who claim we don't have 'those players'!!!

I said it before and I'll say it again; his treatment of Xavi is awful.

I just don't think he is as good as some are making out. Doesn't mean he won't improve I hope he does but Frank is right to drop him based on performances

 

[thfcsteff]

I'll take it in spirit and not insult...

How so? Is this one of your hypotheses or based on facts?

I suppose that depends on your perspective. I think the facts show that we are repeatedly using a player with some unique skills in a fashion which does not bring out the best in him...a bit like buying a Ferrari and using it to tow a motorhome or trailer. So it is both opinion and (from my perspective) a fact. If we wanted a body to charge up the wing and sling a cross in, or simply recycle backwards via the horseshoe when the crossing option isn't on, we might as well have spent 25 mil on Traore from Fulham!!! Have you seen any evidence that Frank wanted him?

He's been given plenty of minutes in different positions,

Which is only half the problem. Can you honestly tell me that we are currently set up to exploit the skillset of a player who works well with others in tight spaces, and who loves drifting in half spaces to find quick passes? We've spent half the time using him as though he was Neto and the other half bunging him on to try and rescue situations against two lines of four. I will agree that he has also had a couple of poor games too; nothing is linear.

and looks a bit out of his depth at the moment. If I was being unkind, I'd say we've bought the Dutch Brian Gil.

If I were being unkind, I'd say that if you really cannot tell the difference between Xavi Simons and Bryan Gil, there lies the problem.

Do you think your treatment of Frank is awful, based on the tendency to slag him off in every post?

No, I don't, albeit if I'm honest I am uncomfortable feeling this way about Frank because he seems to be a great guy, is obviously very smart, and is someone I really really want to see succeed with us. My tendency is to 'believe' but even idealists like me need some evidence, and thus far I have not seen any to suggest that we are being built to play the football I want us to play. Still, it isn't all about me (obviously)...

I think it's a 'tad' unfair to say I have a tendency to 'slag him off in every post'.
I am, admittedly, robustly critical of his current approach to how we play football. I have seen that on this forum in the past to be honest.
I personally 'think' I'm playing the ball not the man, albeit I'll accept I could stay on my feet a bit more and quietly jockey him wide a little more often!

I am aware I can get under some people's skins due to the fact I do sometimes post frequently (I'm a writer, what can I tell you, it's in the blood!)...however what I won't do is sit by idly when people refuse to acknowledge what is going on stylistically with the football at our club.

It is what it is.

Personally, I don't care for it, but here we are, TF is our manager, and on matchdays he gets my support. But let's not kid ourselves; what we are seeing is what he wants us to be. The notion that 'when he gets Deki and Solanke back it'll be stylistically different' is fanciful.

 

[thfcsteff]

I just don't think he is as good as some are making out. Doesn't mean he won't improve I hope he does but Frank is right to drop him based on performances

I am not sure because I have yet to see him used in a way which exploits his best skillset.
I think there's a lot of that right now. You surely set people up for success. I do not believe that right now, we are setting up our players for success with regards to allowing them to be their best selves.

 

[harr1984]

I just don't think he is as good as some are making out. Doesn't mean he won't improve I hope he does but Frank is right to drop him based on performances

No, he is very good - I don't know how much you've seen of him previously but technically he is very good.

What he's not suited to is the way Frank has us playing, he's a forward thinking player and every time he gets the ball he looks up he has naff all options. He does have to get used to elements of the PL for sure, but our slow ponderous movement, slow passing, just get it out wide and chuck it in the box tactics is not utilising him and playing to his strengths in any way shape or form and it's such a shame because he can be such an asset....