UEFA Champions & Europa League Football Thread ** spoilers ** [11th - 13th March 2025]

Very happy with Zirkzee too but yeah, quite a mystery about what he is. Not really pacey, and his final ball is mainly questionable and isn't a natural goal scorer. Great at holding the ball up through and has quick feet so seems like quite a luxury player in terms of just being there to link up play.

It's like a cricketer that can't bat, or bowl but is just in the team because he's good at catching.
 
Never felt like we were particularly in danger of losing and as the game went on that just increased. I don't think Dalot scores that unless the game was already put to bed. You can see how much we rely on momentum in games. Its a bit mad really.
 
Mekrel said:
Very happy with Zirkzee too but yeah, quite a mystery about what he is. Not really pacey, and his final ball is mainly questionable and isn't a natural goal scorer. Great at holding the ball up through and has quick feet so seems like quite a luxury player in terms of just being there to link up play.

It's like a cricketer that can't bat, or bowl but is just in the team because he's good at catching.
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He's one of those mates you have thats a stoner who just gets by in life, stuff always happens for him, always falls on his feet, the mate who has a good aura.

Thats what I get from Zirkzee.

Clearly improved a ton over the last month or so. Exciting player. Berbatov without the goals?
 
Droolinggimp said:
He's one of those mates you have thats a stoner who just gets by in life, stuff always happens for him, always falls on his feet, the mate who has a good aura.

Thats what I get from Zirkzee.

Clearly improved a ton over the last month or so. Exciting player. Berbatov without the goals?
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Funny I was just saying that tonight - Zirkzee reminds me massively of Berbatov.... Skillful for a "big man", nice touches, nice pass, plays well, but lacking pace overall and probably goals.....
 
Robbo said:
That felt a significant performance in terms of team building - but of course we've been here before and it doesn't mean much in isolation.

Dorgu was everywhere, brilliant runner, end product not great but he makes things happen.

Heaven looks a very good buy when you consider what we paid for Yoro...

Hojlund looks lively so just needs to get a goal.

Casemiro rolled back the years a bit.

Zirkzee is improving, unusual sort of player!

Bruno is the man. Nothing new there.
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100% agreed - Looked way better tonight than we have in weeks. Dorgu looks very decent, confident etc.

Heaven whilst not a lot to do tonight coped well. Much prefer that sort of back 3 than bringing back McGuire/Lindlof etc

Bruno looks superb at the moment.... And again I thought Hojland was very good without scoring... Great runs, getting into the right areas etc....

Not a great Real Soc team but still a solid result, 4 goals and a decent team performance for a change.
 
booyaka said:
Funny I was just saying that tonight - Zirkzee reminds me massively of Berbatov.... Skillful for a "big man", nice touches, nice pass, plays well, but lacking pace overall and probably goals.....
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I was thinking of Berbatov too!
 
Mekrel said:
Very happy with Zirkzee too but yeah, quite a mystery about what he is. Not really pacey, and his final ball is mainly questionable and isn't a natural goal scorer. Great at holding the ball up through and has quick feet so seems like quite a luxury player in terms of just being there to link up play.

It's like a cricketer that can't bat, or bowl but is just in the team because he's good at catching.
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He reminds me of Felani.
 
Didn't catch the match live so had to watch recording.
Here's my thoughts having watched it all.
- Socciedad were pretty poor, I don't think they looked like scoring but for a penalty
- Good full debut for Heaven - he looks solid and certainly more confident than Yoro.
- Hojlund worked hard but still doesn't look like scoring even if he had an open goal from 9 inches.
- Zirkzee, mercurial talent but needs more telling impact
- Casemiro and Fernandes is a horrible midfield pairing and against anyone half decent it will be horribly exposed.
- Garnacho worked hard but he's just not good enough , at least at the moment
- Dalot getting a goal doesn't cover up the fact that he's pretty awful as a wing back

Overall, great result but vs 10 men and still so sloppy at the start of the match. I won't be getting carried away with this result.
 
Mekrel said:
Very happy with Zirkzee too but yeah, quite a mystery about what he is. Not really pacey, and his final ball is mainly questionable and isn't a natural goal scorer. Great at holding the ball up through and has quick feet so seems like quite a luxury player in terms of just being there to link up play.

It's like a cricketer that can't bat, or bowl but is just in the team because he's good at catching.
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From what I read that's his preference, to play a bit deeper and be the link up player but some on here were adamant that he's a striker and that's what we bought him as. Pretty sure I read that finishing is one of this weak points.

Happy to hear he's improving/adapting because he was looking quite poor for a while.
 
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Calpol said:
Overall, great result but vs 10 men and still so sloppy at the start of the match. I won't be getting carried away with this result.
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100% - But at the moment - will take "decent" victories and performances as a huge positive as there has been very little to enjoy recently.
 
The issue with performances like last night is that they aren't really representative of actual improvement. Poor opposition, against 10 men for part of the game and 2 penalties padded the score a little. You can only beat whats in front of you but we will rarely have an easier game than that in the PL. When we can start to demonstrate some progress in the league, even against the weaker sides I will be happier.
 
fez said:
The issue with performances like last night is that they aren't really representative of actual improvement. Poor opposition, against 10 men for part of the game and 2 penalties padded the score a little. You can only beat whats in front of you but we will rarely have an easier game than that in the PL. When we can start to demonstrate some progress in the league, even against the weaker sides I will be happier.
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Confidence. Thats what they will get from last night. Hope its something that will continue in the league. Like you said, you can only beat wants in front of you, beat them well, you will feel good. Hojlund, once he gets that goal, everyone, players, fans, Amorim, will be all over him. boost his confidence and hopefully another goal soon after, whether it be same game or next game.
 
You would expect a United vs Tottenham final but lets be honest, both teams are well capable of losing to anyone.
 
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