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Benfica (H) - UCL Quarter Final 2nd leg, Wed 13th Apr 2022 (8:00pm)

By Trumo,
April 10, 2022 in FF - Football Forum

Followers 1

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VladimirIlyich

Posted April 15, 2022

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Posted April 15, 2022

23 hours ago, lebron said:

I'll probably get some comments on being his dad again, but this ridiculous narrative needs to be stopped. If we disregard the Covid-season (without fans and pacey central defenders), which most on here think we should, he's basically had a rough 6 month-spell where he's had recurring injuries and Covid himself. Whenever he's been available, he's been as good as anyone not named Salah from the forward line playing-wise.

The ONE thing I'll give his detractors is that his passing (slightly longer distance, like 15-30 metres) has been below par for a few of the games he's played this season, which has led to a few unnecessary counter-attacks. Guess what though, that's a lot bigger problem with all our other forwards (and most forwards in the league). The effort, the close control, the pressing and the quick interchanges between him and the other forwards are all still a joy to watch (unless you're looking to feed the "finished" narrative). It also looks to me like Firmino is nearing peak physical condition again after a tough time both illness-/injury-wise and due to lack of minutes.

We've finally (after a few years of people nagging about it being a huge problem) got real depth in the forward positions. Most have been screaming for it, thinking it will lead to heightened competition and better performances. In many cases, that will happen. In other cases, it leads to lack of rythm and decreased self-belief. I don't know how it will affect Mane and Firmino medium/long-term (Salah probably starts no matter what due to his goal-threat and left-footedness), but I can't really get why people are in such a hurry to get rid of something we know works for something completely unproven (the Nunez shouts in the Summer Transfer thread for example).

Henderson has suffered unwarranted criticism for not being Gerrard and Mane suffers in the same way in that he's not Salah. This is despite the fact Mo wouldn't have a lot of those goals without Mane's work,or Firmino's either. It's why I think Salah would not be the same player elsewhere as he has so many other players in this team helping him get the best from his own play. Our current glitches are not coming from our forwards,any hiccups are coming from behind them.(ooerr missus!)