2024/25 Charly Alcaraz

[SuperKev91]

Thats fair.

I see a player who was our best attacking midfielder weve seen the season when central.

Perhaps thats not a huge acolade but hes then moved out wide off the bench!

Now either:

A: Moyes loves Doucoures style and prefers that type of player.

-- Then you question the manager.

B: He wants to prove to TFG that he needs more money and control of transfers as the players are almost all crap -- so is making bizarre choices on purpose.

-- This again you question the manager.

C: Hes trying to get a reaction out of Alcaraz to prove he can play wide.

-- We have Ndiaye there as well as McNeil who can play there. Its not his best position either so why not use him off the right if thats the thinking, we have no right sided players

I think it’s as simple as we’ve had incredibly tough fixtures and he trusts Doucoure to do the dirty work a lot more. At times yesterday he was left side of a three, moments later back pressing with Broja. Alcaraz simply doesn’t do that, despite his obvious higher ceiling.

You can disagree with the decision and logic but it’s not because anything weird is going on. Alcaraz isn’t a James or anything to be viable carrying if he isn’t going to work off the ball, the rest of our team isnt good enough.

I’d personally be inclined to sign him with the massive rebuild we need, but I think it’s up in the air with how he applies himself. Thought we had a Cahill/Richy type first few games but I can see why he’s had the career he has now.

 

[Zatara]

I think it’s as simple as we’ve had incredibly tough fixtures and he trusts Doucoure to do the dirty work a lot more. At times yesterday he was left side of a three, moments later back pressing with Broja. Alcaraz simply doesn’t do that, despite his obvious higher ceiling.

You can disagree with the decision and logic but it’s not because anything weird is going on. Alcaraz isn’t a James or anything to be viable carrying if he isn’t going to work off the ball, the rest of our team isnt good enough.

I’d personally be inclined to sign him with the massive rebuild we need, but I think it’s up in the air with how he applies himself. Thought we had a Cahill/Richy type first few games but I can see why he’s had the career he has now.

You thought "we had a Cahill/Richy type first few games" when he was central.

Interesting.

 

[SuperKev91]

You thought "we had a Cahill/Richy type first few games" when he was central.

Interesting.

With his work rate/press, even off the left. It’s been non existent since really.

Clearly why he’s had a journeyman career already at 22.

He’s not a sure thing mate, not sure why you’re so set on him. Wouldn’t oppose signing him but I suspect he’ll bounce around Europe and pop up against us in 3/4 years for Olympiakos or someone.

 

[Zatara]

With his work rate/press, even off the left. It’s been non existent since really.

Clearly why he’s had a journeyman career already at 22.

He’s not a sure thing mate, not sure why you’re so set on him. Wouldn’t oppose signing him but I suspect he’ll bounce around Europe and pop up against us in 3/4 years for Olympiakos or someone.

Im not saying he will be a superstar.

What ive said is:

Used central hes looked our best central attacker all season.

Hes €15mil.

He should be used in tandem with Ndiaye to see how they combine.

Ive mostly ranted about Moyes utter incompetence regarding him and a couple of others.

 

[SuperKev91]

Im not saying he will be a superstar.

What ive said is:

Used central hes looked our best central attacker all season.

Hes €15mil.

He should be used in tandem with Ndiaye to see how they combine.

Ive mostly ranted about Moyes utter incompetence regarding him and a couple of others.

In what sample size? If we play the Palace game again I think we lose 7/8 out of 10. Compare that with Forest for example.

Yes doucoure limits us, but he makes up for a lot of other deficiencies across the team. I don’t think we can afford to carry someone like Alcaraz against better sides or away from home yet. Ideally we strengthen massively and someone like that can fit into the team better. Currently though needs must.

I’d rather we finish as high as possible than Alcaraz get a handful of games, he’s not really blown me away to be honest.

 

[kenada_blue]

I really dont see what you see on him.

Just not involved enough.

Theres enough skill and talent at that price to fit into our threadbare summer squad and improve us.

 

[Charles Hawtrey]

I am not sure Moist needs to see anymore of him - he is good enough for our team and only 15M

 

[davek]

Theres enough skill and talent at that price to fit into our threadbare summer squad and improve us.

I happen to believe we can move on from Pound Shop Riquelme's.

 

[Lanolin]

Theres enough skill and talent at that price to fit into our threadbare summer squad and improve us.

I am not sure Moist needs to see anymore of him - he is good enough for our team and only 15M

Clearly a lot of it depends on our budget. Him being the best player we can sign for £15m doesn’t mean signing him for £15m is the best use of that money.

 

[Eggs]

Thats fair.

I see a player who was our best attacking midfielder weve seen the season when central.

Perhaps thats not a huge acolade but hes then moved out wide off the bench!

Now either:

A: Moyes loves Doucoures style and prefers that type of player.

-- Then you question the manager.

B: He wants to prove to TFG that he needs more money and control of transfers as the players are almost all crap -- so is making bizarre choices on purpose.

-- This again you question the manager.

C: Hes trying to get a reaction out of Alcaraz to prove he can play wide.

-- We have Ndiaye there as well as McNeil who can play there. Its not his best position either so why not use him off the right if thats the thinking, we have no right sided players

….you really shouldn’t get hung up on Doucoure v Alcaraz as a no10 because Doucoure isn’t a no10, especially under Moyes. There’s absolutely no doubt Alcaraz is the better no10, but Moyes has hit on a system with this group of players where Doucoure is vital to the balance of the team.

You say Moyes is employing ‘wonderful tactics’, yet fail to understand that is dependent on selection. One goes with the other.

Also, Ndiaye isn’t a conventional left winger in this system just as Alcaraz isn’t when he replaces him. Saying he’s playing out wide is just wrong but it suits your agenda.

Moyes might well want a conventional no10 but the re-build will need a balance and blend that allows that. It looks like Doucoure will be gone, Moyes will make a decision on Alcaraz based on whether he or somebody more effective will fit into his team. Thats how a transfer strategy works.

 

[Lanolin]

….you really shouldn’t get hung up on Doucoure v Alcaraz as a no10 because Doucoure isn’t a no10, especially under Moyes. There’s absolutely no doubt Alcaraz is the better no10, but Moyes has hit on a system with this group of players where Doucoure is vital to the balance of the team.

You say Moyes is employing ‘wonderful tactics’, yet fail to understand that is dependent on selection. One goes with the other.

Also, Ndiaye isn’t a conventional left winger in this system just as Alcaraz isn’t when he replaces him. Saying he’s playing out wide is just wrong but it suits your agenda.

Moyes might well want a conventional no10 but the re-build will need a balance and blend that allows that.

I don’t agree about playing wide. He’s not asked to play as an old fashioned winger but there’s a fairly obvious difference between what he’s asked to do as a wide player and what he does as a 10, it’s disingenuous to suggest otherwise.

 

[YMJ]

I said before would take the punt but If Alcaraz is only capable of playing effectively as a central, orthodox 10 and cannot/ will not play anywhere else as his biggest supporters suggest then he is probably not worth buying as we already have McNeil and Ndiaye who can play that role if we want them to.

I am also not convinced that McNeil, Ndiaye and Alcaraz can be played together behind any of our strikers as we would get overrun in midfield unless we can sign Gana Mark 2 (the upgrade.) to play with the original

Yesterday I think we got weaker when Harrison and Ndiaye were replaced by McNeil and Alcaraz.Their wingers and full backs came much more strongly into the game against less effective tracking back.

 

[Eggs]

I don’t agree about playing wide. He’s not asked to play as an old fashioned winger but there’s a fairly obvious difference between what he’s asked to do as a wide player and what he does as a 10, it’s disingenuous to suggest otherwise.

….there’s definitely a difference, it’s certainly a hybrid role but it allows Ndiaye to get in more threatening positions and support the central striker.

We’re not playing with a conventional no10, only Moyes knows how he wants his team set-up next season. Maybe Moyes doesn’t want a conventional no10 in his team, if he doesn’t then it would be odd to build your side around Alcaraz. If he can’t adapt to the playing strategy then it’s pointless signing him.

Time will tell.

 

[Lanolin]

….there’s definitely a difference, it’s certainly a hybrid role but it allows Ndiaye to get in more threatening positions and support the central striker.

We’re not playing with a conventional no10, only Moyes knows how he wants his team set-up next season.

But the point it’s nothing to do with an agenda - playing wide just doesn’t appear to suit Alcaraz and it’s ok to say that. It does suit ndiaye and I said as much when people advocated moving him earlier in the season but Alcaraz just looks lost out there and much better in the middle.

 

[preposterousvelios]

Yes doucoure limits us, but he makes up for a lot of other deficiencies across the team.

Moyes has hit on a system with this group of players where Doucoure is vital to the balance of the team.

Genuinely can someone explain to me what Doucoure brings to the team that is so essential to how we play, because I just don't see it.

He runs around a lot and has scored some crucial goals for us, but other than that? Poor on the ball, and for all his running off it he's really not very clever with his positioning and timing while pressing high.

Personally don't think that we would start shipping goals and losing control of games if he was replaced by Alcaraz.