I was on the AC stand so saw him closely in the second half. My impression was :
Excellent player Very small Not a wingback
Would agree but he may learn the position as he goes, a few times yesterday he was completely missing at RB when he’d pushed so far forward and couldn’t get back but luckily Ramsey is a machine.
Isn’t this sort of part of the plan of the system though?
I’m sure the system isn’t designed to leave massive gaps on that side when the other team attacks and he has pushed to far forward, I’m sure he will improve though and know better when to stay or go with more experience in that role.
He’s a winger by trade. The main objective of being a winger is to get past basically their entire team so you’re in behind them and at the furthest end of the pitch so the concept of him being “too far forward” is a bit odd; the job we want him to do means by default there are going to be opposition players behind him.
The system is designed to allow him to do that with Ramsay covering as a traditional right back behind him and Apter probably only worrying about defensive positioning when we are reset out of possession/ pinned back into our half - not when they are counter attacking.
I thought it worked well yesterday, Ramsay was great and they hardly caused us a problem for the most part.
Superb player. Can cross with both feet, and gets more stuck in than I thought. Brilliant signing.
Yep for all the worries of his defensive game he's a proper little terrier of a player and still contests high balls,it's the ones on the ground I like the most from him the loose balls he's the kind of player that gets there first with a quick toe in or bit of skill to get away from his marker.
Only two games in so far too early to read much into it, but Apter and Small are both creating chances at this level going off the stats.
I think this will be one of those scenarios where both the player who moves on and their replacement have good seasons - a bit like when Semedo, Dobson and May moved on.
Only two games in so far too early to read much into it, but Apter and Small are both creating chances at this level going off the stats.
I think this will be one of those scenarios where both the player who moves on and their replacement have good seasons - a bit like when Semedo, Dobson and May moved on.
Small got an assist yesterday, I believe. I was concerned how we would replace Thierry’s pace and power and ability to get us up the pitch when penned in. It was so important to us last season that his leaving did have potential to undermine a very positive summer.
Not sure Apter entirely has replaced what Small offered but there’s no denying he’s looked good so far and the consistency of his crossing/shooting is a clear upgrade on his predecessor.
As for replacing Thierry’s running power - rather than seek a like for like replacement I think we have generally sought to add a bit more athleticism in most of our summer signings and share that load around. In particular, Olaofe, off the bench so far, but also Carey is a bit quicker and can carry the ball better than I expected, albeit not in quite the same muscular-bag-of-tricks way that Small did.
I’ve been relieved to see how well we’ve adapted to Small not being here anymore, but I also always felt he would be one who would blossom with the step up level so I hope he does well at Preston, even if only so I can say I was right about that!
Only two games in so far too early to read much into it, but Apter and Small are both creating chances at this level going off the stats.
I think this will be one of those scenarios where both the player who moves on and their replacement have good seasons - a bit like when Semedo, Dobson and May moved on.
Even more impressive when you consider Nathan Jones is allergic to the word creativity as well.
Seems like a nice lad. Thought there’d be more chat about tomorrow’s game based on the video title but it was 80% about his signing and what brought him to the club.
Seems like a nice lad. Thought there’d be more chat about tomorrow’s game based on the video title but it was 80% about his signing and what brought him to the club.
Which wouldn’t need to happen if the club had done proper interviews when players signed
Comments
Accurate passes in final third 8/9 (89%)
Ground duels won 4/6 (67%)
He’s making it clear why NJ went for a left footed winger over a genuine WB. When those goals and assists do happen it’ll only back that up even more.
Any defensive weaknesses are covered by the players behind and alongside him.
I think this will be one of those scenarios where both the player who moves on and their replacement have good seasons - a bit like when Semedo, Dobson and May moved on.
his name is Robbie apter and he’s fucking dynamite
As for replacing Thierry’s running power - rather than seek a like for like replacement I think we have generally sought to add a bit more athleticism in most of our summer signings and share that load around. In particular, Olaofe, off the bench so far, but also Carey is a bit quicker and can carry the ball better than I expected, albeit not in quite the same muscular-bag-of-tricks way that Small did.
I am hoping Tanto is similar but Jones seems reluctant to start him at the moment