Topic: Naby Keita Watch

[duvva 💅]

Any news whether he'll be okay for the weekend?

Sure I saw he trained yesterday, so should be fine

[spider-neil]

Decent first half. I still think there is more to come from Keita (injuries permitting). The Under Pressure podcast we digging into the stats for Keita and basically Keita dribbling stats went down as his interceptions and tackles stats went up and now the dribbles stats are increasing again. Basically, Keita took a step back learning to be Gini now he has got that part of his game down he is now being Liepzig Keita again (more carries through midfield) but with a better defencive foundation.

[Egyptian36]

Players looked nervous the first half which is understandable but they all were aggressive except for Naby. Wish he had the ego of
top players because he got the quality. Don't know its the pressure or me just being harsh on him.

[Samie]

The man better have the game of his life next weekend.

[ac]

The man better have the game of his life next weekend.

He has the quality to be our Thiago in the final but does he have the personality and aggression? I'm not so sure which is why I wouldn't be surprised if Milner starts the final

[Coolie High]

He has the quality to be our Thiago in the final but does he have the personality and aggression? I'm not so sure which is why I wouldn't be surprised if Milner starts the final

That would be horrible.

[slotmachine]

Naby's redemption game in the CL final. Dragged off at Half time in the last games against both Madrids hopefully third time lucky. Needs to go full on Man City in the semi final pressing against Madrid's midfield.

[BTGH]

Unfortunately Keita has played more average games for us,  than he has powerful performances when he's selected.  Don't think I will have high hopes of him helping us dominate the midfield against Madrid (really hope I am proven wrong though)

[macmanamanaman]

Going ot be honest: I am petrified of starting Keita against Madrid.

It always seems to be that there is a chance of him just tototally letting his defensive game to pot once in a while, such that an entire half of football just collapses.
Maybe a bias....

But cant shake the feeling that he should not be starting against Madrid, would be a huge risk.
Would rather even Milner. Or if we want to go more offensive then Curtis or Elliot.

Crazy I know, but just something about the way Keita is perceived by me (pretty sure it is something ridiculous and irrational from me).
But if Fab and Thiago are not100% we are not exactly spoint for choice....

[spider-neil]

We need to have Keita to have the game of his Liverpool career next week.

[spider-neil]

Going ot be honest: I am petrified of starting Keita against Madrid.

It always seems to be that there is a chance of him just tototally letting his defensive game to pot once in a while, such that an entire half of football just collapses.
Maybe a bias....

But cant shake the feeling that he should not be starting against Madrid, would be a huge risk.
Would rather even Milner. Or if we want to go more offensive then Curtis or Elliot.

Crazy I know, but just something about the way Keita is perceived by me (pretty sure it is something ridiculous and irrational from me).
But if Fab and Thiago are not100% we are not exactly spoint for choice....

Doesn't matter if Keita starts the game or not he will have a huge role to play.

[Knight]

We need the Naby from the first half of the FA Cup semi final on Saturday. The ‘I’ve literally never seen a better half of pressing from any player’, Naby. He was fine today. But without Thiago we need lots more.

[spider-neil]

We need the Naby from the first half of the FA Cup semi final on Saturday. The ‘I’ve literally never seen a better half of pressing from any player’, Naby. He was fine today. But without Thiago we need lots more.

Manu away
Inter away
Benfica away
Villarreal away (second half)

Have been Naby's best performances this season

[BER]

I only worry about Naby when Fabinho isn't there.

[OkieRedman]

Going ot be honest: I am petrified of starting Keita against Madrid.

It always seems to be that there is a chance of him just tototally letting his defensive game to pot once in a while, such that an entire half of football just collapses.
Maybe a bias....

But cant shake the feeling that he should not be starting against Madrid, would be a huge risk.
Would rather even Milner. Or if we want to go more offensive then Curtis or Elliot.

Crazy I know, but just something about the way Keita is perceived by me (pretty sure it is something ridiculous and irrational from me).
But if Fab and Thiago are not100% we are not exactly spoint for choice....

Looks likely Thiago is out. Hopefully Henderson and Fab can start, who are you starting in place of Keita? Really there is only two options. Jones and Miller. Both of these can be well worse than Keita.

[spider-neil]

Looks likely Thiago is out. Hopefully Henderson and Fab can start, who are you starting in place of Keita? Really there is only two options. Jones and Miller. Both of these can be well worse than Keita.

Keita is badly underestimated. He has been great this season and has started in the two cup finals we won.

[Egyptian36]

Keita is badly underestimated. He has been great this season and has started in the two cup finals we won.

I dont think he is underestimated. Most especially in here say he is a good player which he is. Personally I think he got the skills and quality to be more than that, to be a world class midfielder but he lacks the drive and ego of one. When you look at top players you feel they know they are good and that they think they are better than everyone. Naby doesn't IMO,  sometimes he is good but other times he looks somehow overwhelmed.

[Caps4444]

Need to wrap him in cotton wool…..need him big time next week.

[macmanamanaman]

Looks likely Thiago is out. Hopefully Henderson and Fab can start, who are you starting in place of Keita? Really there is only two options. Jones and Miller. Both of these can be well worse than Keita.

My crazy theory is to go with Matip if Fabinho is unfit.  Joel played DM before for Schalke....
Maybe too risky.

If Fab is fit, DM no issue.
Would go Hendo + Jones (or even Elliot, out of left field, if he shows it in training) with Keita on the bench.
Bring on Naby lad after 70mins to go attack if needed, or keep the ball if we're ahead.
My fear (irrational as it is. Maybe because of his handful of horror shows earlier) is that he just vacates his post too easily when he starts, goes pressing too hard and may let the likes of Vinicius, Modric just bypass him entirely.
Heck, Wolves today caused no end of trouble by just easily playing around him and then isolating Trent, often even making Matip enter a foot race.
Can't be having that in the 1st half against Madrid. Keep it tight and avoid shooting ourself in the foot.

I m ok with Jones or Elliot really. Just think they have more fight in them.

[Keith Lard]

My crazy theory is to go with Matip if Fabinho is unfit.  Joel played DM before for Schalke....
Maybe too risky.

If Fab is fit, DM no issue.
Would go Hendo + Jones (or even Elliot, out of left field, if he shows it in training) with Keita on the bench.
Bring on Naby lad after 70mins to go attack if needed, or keep the ball if we're ahead.
My fear (irrational as it is. Maybe because of his handful of horror shows earlier) is that he just vacates his post too easily when he starts, goes pressing too hard and may let the likes of Vinicius, Modric just bypass him entirely.
Heck, Wolves today caused no end of trouble by just easily playing around him and then isolating Trent, often even making Matip enter a foot race.
Can't be having that in the 1st half against Madrid. Keep it tight and avoid shooting ourself in the foot.

I m ok with Jones or Elliot really. Just think they have more fight in them.

Haha I wouldn’t overthink it. We have outstanding players to step in for Thiago if he can’t make it. Fabinho, Hendo, Keita, Millie, Jones and Elliott will be ready

[Bucko - Dubai]

Think it is extremely clear he is not good enough for us.

Anyone convincing themselves he is based on the odd decent performance is kidding themselves.

[stevieG786]

We were a poorer team when he came on, which was a shame as he’s had a very good season

[Johnnyboy1973]

Knowing what we know now which is that they would sit off us with ten behind the ball, I think we should have started him.

I don't know how more evident it is that we need a ball carrying midfielder that will commit the opposition rather than control or break up play.

[El Lobo]

What was he meant to do? It was pretty much see what you can do, in those circumstances though you’re just going to be lobbing balls in so might as well have kept Henderson on

[RedG13]

What was he meant to do? It was pretty much see what you can do, in those circumstances though you’re just going to be lobbing balls in so might as well have kept Henderson on

He was helping protect vs the counter , passing the ball between the lines pretty well. He kinda just took over the Thiago role when he came on

[Phineus]

Will post my thoughts on that shot in a few days. Blimey.

[Machae]

He had time for his chance, not sure why he's taking that first time. Thought he did OK

[Suareznumber7]

Will post my thoughts on that shot in a few days. Blimey.

We'll all be waiting with bated breath

[Ray K]

Juan Loco, late of this parish, called him a 'toblerone-footed waster' after that shot, which harsh but accurate really.

[Fiasco]

Juan Loco, late of this parish, called him a 'toblerone-footed waster' after that shot, which harsh but accurate really.

Fucking hell I needed that laugh



Reminds me of when a mate of mine used to call Joe Hart 'Quaver wrists'

[Phineus]

We'll all be waiting with bated breath

 

[Oskar]

The shot looked like an NFL punt, strange technique.

I'd hoped to see him brought on a bit sooner than he was - the midfield was a bit flat from the start, I thought we might give it ten minutes at the start of the second half and then bring him on for Henderson. He was fine when he did come on, by then we didn't have any control of the game and were chasing it so it was difficult for the substitutes.

[MadErik]

That ‘shot’ reminded me of the kid in the playground who hated football, got picked last and just wellied the ball whenever it went near him.

[PEG2K]

We were a poorer team when he came on, which was a shame as he’s had a very good season

We weren't poorer at all. If anything he added more urgency and verticality to our play. At that point we were essentially playing 424 so don't expect any sort of control like when we played with a midfield 3.

                                                     

[stevensr123]

Juan Loco, late of this parish, called him a 'toblerone-footed waster' after that shot, which harsh but accurate really.

who was the stats guy back in the day who said he was the supreme midfielder and was gonna take over the premier league? I want my brain cells back from reading it.

In all seriousness, keita is just a body for the squad. Don’t offer anything. Love the guy as a person, but he was meant to be the midfielder who offers something going forward - he isn’t.

[LallanaInPyjamas]

The worst striker of a ball I've ever seen. Makes Sterling look like Roberto Carlos

[Studgotelli]

That shot

[Schmohawk]

He really twatted that ball.

[FLRed67]

That shot

Alas, I'm guessing the comedy value was lost on his teammates and coaches .    .      .

Is it possible for an attempted shot to be the final nail in your club career? If so, we may have just seen such a thing tonight.

[Red Eyed]

Right up there with the Aspas corner that one.