2020/21 James Rodriguez

[UptheTofees]

I hate to sound like a broken record

But people ignore his situation and lack perspective

The man did not play for over 2 years nor did he get a proper offseason due to covid

As someone who knows a thing or 2 about fitness and conditioning, you can't understate how damaging that is for his conditioning and for his structural health.

The fact that he has looked so good is an absolute win for us. Next season is where we should see him be better and hopefully close to his best form

 

[Mkjjones]

Have we played him as a number 10 in front of Doucs and Allan? Not sure we have, but that would be the aim for me.

Where does Davies go?

 

[roy vernon]

There have been a few players down the years that I would have happily paid to watch even though they played for other teams, George Best, Dennis Law Ronaldo, Cantona and Bobby Charlton at Utd. Jimmy Greaves and John White at Spurs, Charlie Cooke and Peter Osgood at Chelsea. Thierry Henry and Denis Bergcamp at arsenal. If I was a fan of a team other than Everton I would happily pay to see James, he is a football God.

 

[paulbefc]

Shame him and Allan are both not 2-3 years younger.

Vital we achieve something as a club in terms of silverware whilst they have something in the tank to give.

I'm not as concerned about James' age as I was when he signed (and I wasn't that concerned then). I can't see how he'd lose much between now and 32 in terms of speed or running. He's done a full game for us without registering a single sprint. He already runs like he's 35.

What's been frustrating at times is that we've struggled when we haven't had the players available to do his running and his physical imperfections have been exposed. I know people don't want to hear it, but he is a player we need to "carry" in that sense. He will then return the favour by doing the things his team mates can't, such as the assist last night. If we build the team around him with the lack of running in mind, this marriage can really work.

Granted, this is easier said than done (understatement), but that's why we have Brands.

 

[Dougie]

Where does Davies go?

It’s nice to have this headache tho. Last month we wouldn’t want Davies anywhere near the team now he can’t be dropped as long as he plays like that. Carlo has more options, could try 433 with Davies covering the left side and Allan the right when fullbacks got forward. Let James move from the right to behind striker during the game as a free role. For me tho we need James behind the striker. Not just for his passing and vision he also has goal in him. I also feel that teams would sit a lot deeper being worried about leaving To much space in behind for James to do his magic. But that then makes it easier for us to progress up the pitch and get more crossing options because that’s dcl main weapon. We also need to start having more shots on goal from outside the box we have players with the ability.

 

[Saint Domingo]

That through ball is probably the best moment of quality in a derby for years.

 

[MACCA75]

Where does Davies go?

The bench. Let’s not get carried away, he’s not as good as the other 3

 

[Tel001]

3 players away IMO.. that’s all it’ll take and we are right there.. that and some self belief

need first choice RB, 2 more decent CM and one that is effective in the final third , and two wide players to take us to regular top 4 contenders imo.

 

[UptheTofees]

I'd like a 4312

Holgate Mina/God Keane Digne

----Doucs Allan Davies

---------James---------

------DCL------Richy----

We'd lack a little width, but it puts Richy in a better situation and also allows for our best midfield and support to James

 

[arbok]

He has an excellent brain on him. He has a great shot, he has a great worldy pass and reads the game well knowing what players are making runs and knowing what blade of grass to pinpoint the pass to. What we can expect is quality in abundance but very little quality in tracking back. Ask yourself what you would rather have....Quality or work rate. James does have work rate but it is not great. Would people rather not play him because he doesn't run around as much as others? Quality players need the work rate around them to be able to thrive. We have already seen enough of him this season to know we are blessed to have him. Doucoure, Allan and Davies are his work horses. All the front players have to make a yard of space for him and then all the quality comes out. If no one covers for him and if no one makes a yard of space for him then James will be ineffective but not through his own fault.

He already has the pass in mind before he gets the ball. That already sets him apart. He'll get it and give it off, but its so quick, that doesn't give time for the receiving player to think about his pass and what he wants to do with it. But if you played at Real Madrid, you'd be constantly training with that mentality of being one step ahead in drills and stuff and training with the world's best.

The second thing is that he has a 2nd and 3rd option in his mind as well. And that's while dodging 2 or 3 opposition players.

Some people might think that was an easy pass to make last night. If it was that easy, why don't we see it that often?

 

[PhilM]

The bench. Let’s not get carried away, he’s not as good as the other 3

He's not. Nevertheless, he's been very good for the past few games and, bar some questionable performances, I think he' improved over the past few months.

Right now, he shouldn't be demoted to the bench because he's playing well; the likes of Allan need to prove on the training pitch that he should be dislodged.

And I'm someone who has openly had doubts over Tom's influence for a few years now.

 

[Paul Rideout]

He's not. Nevertheless, he's been very good for the past few games and, bar some questionable performances, I think he' improved over the past few months.

Right now, he shouldn't be demoted to the bench because he's playing well; the likes of Allan need to prove on the training pitch that he should be dislodged.

And I'm someone who has openly had doubts over Tom's influence for a few years now.

One thing is for certain... no more hauling him off and putting Iceland in that role.

James is a luxury player. A luxury I'm happy to have as his positives far outweigh the negatives.

 

[maccavennie]

I hate to sound like a broken record

But people ignore his situation and lack perspective

The man did not play for over 2 years nor did he get a proper offseason due to covid

As someone who knows a thing or 2 about fitness and conditioning, you can't understate how damaging that is for his conditioning and for his structural health.

The fact that he has looked so good is an absolute win for us. Next season is where we should see him be better and hopefully close to his best form

Excellent point my Colombian friend. He hit the ground running (probably a mix of natural fitness and adrenalin) but without a proper pre season and a complete lack of football, this kind of slightly indifferent indifferent and niggles should be expected.

For the goal, that's exactly what he's capable. Get him up the pitch and in and around the strikers and magic happens.

 

[arbok]

For me watching Rodriguez make passes like that is like watching Tiger Woods in his prime.

I know what it's like to hit a perfectly executed golf shot that feels and flies the way I wanted it too..... It's happened about 10 times in 1000s of attempts and I'm actually ok at golf. Watching someone execute something so difficult at a specific moment and to do it time after time makes you appreciate how talented some people are. He doesn't need a few chances at them.... If the opportunity arises he delivers.

I've said in another post, I've made passes like James does but they are littered with failed attempts where you give the ball away. You can actually take consolation that you seen the pass and just overhit it, underhit it or you never timed it right. But on the few times you do execute it - you get a pure feeling that it's what football is meant to be.

When the actual goal itself feels like an anti climax cos the pass was that good, that's when you know you've witnessed brilliance. Like Pele's pass for Jairzinho, the finish is secondary.

Exactly - its not easy. Even James and Richarlison were excited, i mean I'm sure even players at that level dream of perfecting moments like that. James's first touch, then pass, then Richarlison's touch and strike.... can we have more of that please?

 

[Lapeno77]

Think if we treat as one of a front two, rotating between DCL, Richarlison and possibly Kean, we'll keep him fresh and fit throughout the season.
Hes not going to play a full season, so use him sparingly