AO has been a revelation for me. Knew absolutely nothing about him before he came but he’s settled in extremely quickly and (injuries permitting) will be crucial for us in getting autos👍

The Termanaka .... just goes in and breaks up the opposition.

Revelation the right word.

Cracking player? Hardly ever gives the ball away and sees a pass. His defending is great as well.

I think the discipline that is instilled in Japan has a lot to do with how these guys play. They are lovely people. I’ve never seen a race that are so tidy and respectful to others. My wife always pulls my leg now when I clear the table in a cafe or coffee shop (as long as I can see somewhere to put things). She says I’m channelling my inner Japanese. It does rub off on you for sure.

Must admit when we went earlier this year I never got the feeling they were small people - not like I often do when we go to Portugal.

I just hope we go up or we will lose him for sure.

Full credit to the scouting team for finding this gem.

We've been a much more positive team since he made his debut as he always looks to play to the forward pass and has formed a great partnership with Rothwell.

Be interesting to see who plays when the midfielders are all fit and available.

comment by Stoopo (U4707)
posted 4 minutes ago
Cracking player? Hardly ever gives the ball away and sees a pass. His defending is great as well.




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I think he's almost like a chess player, the game is more in his head than any player since Pablo, was watching yesterday, the ball was with Rodon and Tanaka had already planned what he was going to do with it. He's assessing the space around him, where he can go with the ball and who he can pass it to. You cannot teach that kind of football intelligence.

To have a player as technically accomplished as he is in the championship is like golddust. Shows what value is out there in the market with the right recruiting.

Note that Yu Hirakawa had a touch of the Paddy Bamford's yesterday.

100% Agree.

AO is cemented as our number 1 midfielder now.
Even when everyone's fit, down the line, he's easily
our best player there. Iwata & Pain at Birmingham
City are tearing it up. Which proves OP's point
further. Kim Min-jae one of the best CBs in the world.

*Paik

Just looked a player from his first sub appearance

When everyone's back surely Aaronson sits on the bench.

Looks brilliant. As it stands, I wouldn’t bring Ampadu back in and definitely not Gruev. Rothwell looks great too, as a pairing they bring more to the table.
Good position to be in, especially with Guilavogui there for a few cameos.

comment by montleeds (U18330)
posted 21 minutes ago
When everyone's back surely Aaronson sits on the bench.
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Not sure. He brings a lot to the team - great fitness, links up well and getting goals. It’s good to have options but I can see Farke really trusting him. Crazy to think that as good as Rutter was, Aaronson only needs 3 more goals to match his return last season

Reminds me of Kante. Love him and can see how useful he will be when we are in the Premier league next season.

Madness for anyone to say we don’t get Ampadu back in the side though. He’s too good for this level and a fully fit Ampadu cannot sit on the bench.

Madness for anyone to say we don’t get Ampadu back in the side though. He’s too good for this level and a fully fit Ampadu cannot sit on the bench.

^^^

Agree with that. I've wanted to see Amps and AO
from the off. I think Rothwell's doing a great job.
But, looking forward to seeing Ethan & Tanaka.

Good position to be in, especially with Guilavogui there for a few cameos.

^^^

The club showed real intent by signing Guilavogui.
It shows they're not keen on risking our chance again.
This has to be our season. Has to be.

When everyone's back surely Aaronson sits on the bench.

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What a nob

Funny that the two most maligned players Piroe and Aaronson are the top scorers for us.

Piroe and Aaronson have been very good this season.

Besides, squads win championships/promotion.
We need everyone of ours to keep contributing the
way they are all the way to May.

comment by montleeds (U18330)
posted 1 hour, 30 minutes ago
When everyone's back surely Aaronson sits on the bench.
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Who would you replace him with.


Been good this season

Good to see Burnley getting beat but we have to be wary at Millwall.

Having said that I watched the last 15 and the quality was dire. Both teams giving the ball away at every opportunity.

Burnley work hard and don’t take any prisoners (dirty actually) but they met their match today.

Millwall three wins on the bounce so it’s coming together for them it seems.

Could Tanaka play 10?

Good thread, Tanaka is gold for us. To think we sold Archie, Rutter and Cree, and we are without Ramazani and Ampadu, and we have lost only one in thirteen, you wonder how much better we can get. Recrutiment and sales have been excellent since the 49'ers came in. We look much more balanced than last season. If we could get Borja-Sainz from Norwich in January, that would be promotion all but guaranteed.

comment by salonika73 (U4688)
posted 59 minutes ago
Could Tanaka play 10?


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I don't want to see him as a ten.

I think we have plenty of good options in our front four and due to the fact most teams are going to go heavily defensive against us I'd rather he be sat a bit further back as his football intelligence and his passing are such that he can be the one we use to set that passes up that start our attacks.

I could easily see him not having lots of direct assistant instead it's his pass that leads to the assist.

Direct assists*