Successfully weathered the storm, dug deep to grind that one out...Hard-fought closing stages. Luton don't make it easy for any side (see Liverpool, City, Arsenal as pertinent case studies). Blimey.
Caicedo & Nico strongest performers by a country mile, tasked with a great deal of responsibility.
In short...one did a two-man job in midfield (Gallagher was off the pace) and the other was combating being scythed down his achilles, snapping and hacking at his heels, officials doing zilch to protect him...no repercussions for the marker that couldn't get close all day long.
Nico retained possession with the opposition either bouncing off him or proceeding to strong-arm them (rode the challenges), instrumental in advancing possession up the field, linking play from deeper areas, running the channels, deft touches on the half-turn, heavily involved in two of the goals and input a defensive shift to boot.
Played various roles to a monstrous standard, testament to his high footballing IQ. Textbook CF play at some points.
Dead on his feet by the hour or so mark (bear in mind this was his third full match within 6 days), running purely on adrenaline, enormous shift throughout.
https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1741423281612156928/pu/vid/avc1/1280x720/vkWi4NeqIFZB0og-.mp4?tag=12
https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1740707796033691648/vid/avc1/1280x720/vIc1VASjXv98puHY.mp4?tag=14
Struck Gold.
"Highest conversion rate by players with 15+ non-penalty league goals in Europe's top seven divisions in 2023:
29.2% - Simon Banza
27.4% - Serhou Guirassy
25.5% - Vangelis Pavlidis
24.8% - Harry Kane
24.6% - Wissam Ben Yedder
24.3% - Nicolas Jackson
23.8% - Santiago Giménez
23.6% - Jude Bellingham
22.5% - Alexandre Lacazette
22.0% - Lautaro Martínez"
The "worst striker ever", "no technical ability", "league two quality", "backup option", "not good enough" and other such vacuous words to that effect...I hear from the irrational flocking disparagers missing their frontal lobes. Requires Cognitive ability to understand the levels and calibre of player at hand.
Caicedo my player of the month - https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1741404602228998144/vid/avc1/720x720/EoAND96XwIPZ6fqv.mp4?tag=14
https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1741183853811617792/pu/vid/avc1/1280x720/xTGWukjjR9CfjNkj.mp4?tag=12
Coming along nicely.
______________________________________________
Goals -
https://drive.google.com/file/d/12r0II9puabTeg9YSfZgLz82_gZhd5VIe/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hIE8wZ7ob0lMD1ClMbdr-zBu0lXXl9N8/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C_tstsnPvAZG2ftMP0xUVp6U9B5P68t4/view?usp=sharing
File that under "Take the points & run"
posted on 1/1/24
Speaking of Tammy, will have to make a decision on his future soon....coming back from injury.
Lukaku is Roma' undisputed first-choice and as long as he doesn't burn bridges signs for them.
Could use Tammy sale to fund that move, Roma sell for knockdown price now.
Any top side will be lucky to have Tammy and firing on all cylinders. Pound for Pound the most cost-effective CF available mid-season.
Only concern is the length of time it takes to get up to speed and if they are willing to wait until next-season or tail-end of this season maybe, post cruciate ligament injury and potential litany of injuries incurred as a result of the ACL thereafter.
Worth the gamble for fees in the region of 30m, the rumourmill will be in overdrive for that price.
For the avoidance of doubt...this is not me advocating Chelsea re-sign Tammy in the upcoming window.
Too many injuries to deal as it is.
posted on 1/1/24
*Too many injuries to deal with as it is.
posted on 1/1/24
Would be a brilliant mid season signing for a PL team at 30mil tbf. Someone like Brentford, if Toney goes, should be all over him at that price.
posted on 1/1/24
I take it this is the pre-injury striker you're referring to?
£30M is a lot of money to pizz up the wall on someone who might not even be able to run properly.
posted on 1/1/24
Risk worth taking if you were a Brentford (for example) who need goals & would be receiving a fee for his predecessor you'd assume would be double that. Wages would be the issue more than the transfer fee.
For someone with his experience 30mil (as a striker) is effectively nothing these days. We bought Jackson for that who'd had about 50 professional appearances in a foreign league.
posted on 1/1/24
30M is much more for Brentford than for any established PL club, and more importantly is still a lot of money for clubs across the continent. There absolutely have to be in-form and up-and-coming strikers out there capable of doing the job for that price, without all the question marks surrounding their fitness.
posted on 2/1/24
The going rate for strikers is at a premium. More so when one is English, which Tammy is.
Brentford quoting upwards of £80m+ (one reliable source claiming 100m!) for Ivan Toney is prima-facie evidence of that premium.
Bear in mind Toney hasn't played competitive football for the best part of eight months, into his final year of contract and comes with conplications such as a history of chronic back pain, suffering from underlying scoliosis condition (which can flare up at any moment, ticking time-bomb).
Absurd price, but the demand is there.
posted on 2/1/24
Scoliosis, he should address his Alkaline/ acid balance ( PH) it would help him
posted on 2/1/24
Doubt Brentford will be getting that kind of money for Toney either. The £50M-£60M-odd I think they might fetch will still be crazy money, albeit more of a reflection of where the market is right now. Either way Toney will be coming back from a ban, not a ruptured ACL.
As for the acid-alkaline stuff regarding body pH, I'd imagine the club has fully qualified nutritionists who will be able to advise on whether there's any dietary angle to help with his ailments.
posted on 2/1/24
Yes, you would expect that to be the case, providing the player adheres!