Tom Davies

[jceverton]

...sad that Barry gets stick, he's been our best player for much of the transition from Martinez to Koeman. He'll naturally get less game time now and that's how it should be but be thankful he was here during some difficult times.

Fair point and unnecessary really, but I think he's struggled with the high energy game that Koeman wants us to play (I think!) and unfortunately the managers been very slow to realise this. As a signing overall he's been a massive plus and he's clearly a model pro.

Hopefully we can use his experience and knowledge to help develop younger lads like Davies because in my opinion this is the best group of youngsters we've had in forty odd years of watching the blues.

 

[johnnydawg68]

Forget his ability for a moment. He plays balls out all the time and this side needs that energy.

 

[jceverton]

Forget his ability for a moment. He plays balls out all the time and this side needs that energy.

Absolutely, like to see Dowell, Walsh and Kenny get some game time for the same reason.

 

[Eggs]

Fair point and unnecessary really, but I think he's struggled with the high energy game that Koeman wants us to play (I think!) and unfortunately the managers been very slow to realise this. As a signing overall he's been a massive plus and he's clearly a model pro.

Hopefully we can use his experience and knowledge to help develop younger lads like Davies because in my opinion this is the best group of youngsters we've had in forty odd years of watching the blues.

....I agree about the high energy game but I wouldn't blame Barry. Let's not forget that McCarthy didn't grasp his opportunity and Besic got injured. Barry and Gueye axis has been ok but the performance of McCarthy against Arsenal provided the extra dimension and that has been continued by Davies.

 

[Bagpuss]

The biggest compliment I can give him is that he made Barkley look a better player than he has all season. Barkley had more space to try things and play balls due to Davies and gueye squeezing the play and passing it on quickly. Think I saw more thoughballs today in the second half than all of the other home games this season!! Great first time ball to Rom, little bursts of pace to get out of trouble, very impressed. Seems to win a lot of headers as well for his relative size although a lot of the headers seemed to go astray. Very solid and allows us to play at a quicker tempo.
Really was an ideal game though as was saints 3rd game in six days. Hope that he isn't going to be the next victim ruined by the burden of expectation at Goodison!!

 

[Shipped]

Composure on the ball and the fact he's barking orders to veterans is something I've not seen in a youngster in a while

I saw him telling Baines and Mirallas where to be to defend a throw in. It's like he's taken how he played at youth levels, where he's a leader, and not skipped a beat.

Did well today, kept it simple and ticking over and was harrying their midfield at every opportunity.

I like how when the opposition have the ball he's constantly slow running to adjust his positioning.
Means he's mobile and can react fast to what's happening.
A lot of our players run until they're comfortable with their position, then just take walking steps there, then react and run to a new position. If that makes sense.

 

[Zezti]

Effort.

 

[andy4efc]

Thought he was fantastic today, absolutely fantastic. Sharp on the ball, ran his arse off, fought for every ball. Made a real difference.

 

[Goat]

We have 3 games in 9 days coming up here, think theres a good chance he will get some serious game time.

Oracle.

 

[Scilachi]

He's excellent just needs to tighten his defensive play and we have another diamond

 

[Prevenger17]

Will be doing Gana's job while he's at the ACON I would imagine

 

[DanEFC92]

What a player. What a man.

 

[Goat]

Will be doing Gana's job while he's at the ACON I would imagine

Yep, hence Ronny K bringing him in the last few games, to get him up to speed, as Ronny said, he doesnt wanna be bringing young players in for 1 or 2 games, he wants them to get a run when they get a chance.

The mans just a managerial marvel.

6m a year?

Give him a pay rise I say.

 

[duncs pigeon]

His biggest impact today was helping Barkley. His movement off the ball created space for Ross to run into, thus allowing RB to have more impact on the game. Both played well imo

 

[Prevenger17]

Yep, hence Ronny K bringing him in the last few games, to get him up to speed, as Ronny said, he doesnt wanna be bringing young players in for 1 or 2 games, he wants them to get a run when they get a chance.

The mans just a managerial marvel.

6m a year?

Give him a pay rise I say.

Can't fault his handling of the young lads really. Just wonder where he'll fit in if Schneiderlin doesn't snub us for West Brom