2020/21 James Rodriguez

Zatara · February 11, 2021

collymcd said:
I don't see it that way. James is one of our only players (along with Allan) who can easily beat a press. Gomes, Davies and DCL are others but it depends on the day. For me, if James is fit he plays. If he's not 100% then don't risk him.

Defensively, I don't see why we'd match a pressing team with a high press ourselves. We should stick to our strengths. We're too sluggy to open ourselves up. Limit space, stay compact, and let our seven centre halves boot people in to orbit.

Mkjjones said:
they play like Southampton, they always try and win the 2nd ball, we will definitely ship some goals but we will definitely score some too.

Fulham need to go for 3pts every game now. Will be interesting to see how we setup after the spurs energy drain.

Id definitely have James on the bench but we shouldnt need him for this one if we play well...

We do need him in the next two games though.

bcblue1878 · February 11, 2021

Zatara said:
City or the RS we could have a free kick or a corner where hes the difference...or a ball drops to James (like Sigurdsson last night) and he slots.

Couple of games away yet I know but if he plays against klippety’s mob it’s an absolute certainty that he’ll send them out to try to kick James out of the game very early on - that game is going to need a strong referee me thinks!

BlueToff · February 11, 2021

Mkjjones said:
To be fair, fulham play at one of the fasted pace in the league, only behind leeds, city and liverpool, they beat liverpool at their own pressing game at the cottage.

that's true, I mean more that it's a game we really want to be controlling.

We'll see, Dom's probably gonna be the big miss. Hopefully Richarlison steps up.

thirdmantackle · February 11, 2021

Would prefer to see him brought on around the 55 mins in games, when opposition are more fatigued and he can exploit space

UptheTofees · February 11, 2021

thirdmantackle said:
Would prefer to see him brought on around the 55 mins in games, when opposition are more fatigued and he can exploit space

James usually takes time to read the game. Not really suited for the bench role. He also doesn't come in with the energy that one would like off the bench.

And also, James is our most talented player. Why would we bench him consistently?

When fit, he will play

Deco · February 11, 2021

If he’s fit he must start. He’s our best player.

bicycleheader · February 11, 2021

James Rodriguez FC is off to wemberlee

maccavennie · February 12, 2021

bicycleheader said:
James Rodriguez FC is off to wemberlee

I would imagine it would be a great deal even for someone like Rodriguez who has won everything, to get to Wembley and win an FA Cup.

It was interesting listening to Lescott when he was asked if the fa cup feels devalued to players and he said not a chance, its still a massive deal.

One game away from Wembley, what an incentive that is for Rodriguez to drag this team single handedly into the semi finals!

RomanReigns · February 12, 2021

Hope j rods calf is ok

Dublin blue 75 · February 12, 2021

bcblue1878 said:
Couple of games away yet I know but if he plays against klippety’s mob it’s an absolute certainty that he’ll send them out to try to kick James out of the game very early on - that game is going to need a strong referee me thinks!

Nailed on. Retribution for Saint Virgil.

banno · February 12, 2021

If fit he has to start. We need him especially against Fulham. We cannot under estimate any team in this league and think we are good enough to rest our better players for these games. Potential banana skins and we shouldn't think we are good enough to put weakened sides out against them purposely.