That is probably why the Palace fans are worried big powerful Kiko will kick little fragile Zaha to bits.. Did a good job containing Robertson and Mane (without needing to hack them) with help from Sarr. Helps having that pace unlike our other full backs.
This needs to be reiterated. One of the absolute worst full backs I've ever seen at Premier League level. He makes Nyom look like prime Cafu.
Remember when him and janmaat looked like world beaters when they played together? Think it lasted once match.
He had a decent 2nd half last game as he didn't have to defend that much. Soon as Kiko has to against any pace or skill and he is toast.
The frustrating thing is he is fairly decent going forward and could be a option on the wing in front of a more defensive right back in the more difficult games. But he should not be a Premier League starting right back week in week out. Another decent squad player in a squad full to the brim with decent squad players.
Dear f**king god, he's not a decent squad player at all, he's absolutely pathetic. I seem to be repeating this over and over again, but this is exactly the problem with the mindset of both our fan base and the club. There's an excuse for everyone, there's a desperate search for redeeming qualities of players who have none and there's always a "he can still do a job" attitude despite months or even years of awful performances. Femenia is an absolute joke. He's not "fairly decent going forward", he doesn't contribute any goals or assists, he can't really cross a ball, he's a weak as a 6 year old girl, he's never shown any real heart, bravery or desire, his "defending" is genuinely disgusting the vast majority of the time, and he has spent almost the entirety of his three years here being AWFUL and a glaringly obvious example of our laughable recruitment. He's woeful beyond description and needs shifting the second this season ends.
Bit reluctant to make Femenia the hill I die on, as I'm not particularly a fan as I wrote in my original post. But if you think we're going to have a squad of 25 Sarr-quality players, as Watford, you're unfortunately mistaken. Maybe one day. Until then, we can (and should have by now) have say 15 proper Premier League quality players, bolstered by maybe some promising youngsters, and (this is what "decent squad player" means) some lesser quality players who aren't going to rock the boat if they're not playing. Who come in if there's an injury crisis or in particular circumstances. Femenia is good enough to play that squad player role for us, mid-table Watford. We are not Man City. I'd like to see him making maybe 3 starting appearances in a season, not 30. Instead, he, Masina, and a handful of other poor players are starting every game and we're getting relegated.
No one is expecting a team of superstars, but what I certainly don't want or expect is useless little shirkers like Femenia who have absolutely no redeeming qualities as footballers whatsoever. If you think he's good enough to play a part for us despite the fact he's spent years blatantly proving himself to be an awful defender with absolutely no balls that's fine, but to me it's insanity and flies in the face of those literal years of obviously awful to average at best performances, the majority of which have been the former.
I just see comments about not being Man City and that we should accept mediocre players because we are Watford.
I think we're pretty much in agreement apart from I think it's fine to have him in the squad to make a handful of appearances a year if needed until we replace him with someone better. In no way do I want him (or a handful of others) playing a major part week in week out. But they have been and it's Gino/Giraldi's heads.
The only person Nath really rates at all is Pereyra I guess! But Kiko is a weak defender who struggles with pace and strength against him. Another modern day "full back " who cannot do his job.
I don't even rate Pereyra. He's long since given up. There is no one who deserves to be "rated" considering the abysmal year and a bit this squad has served up.
Not that far from where his family live. But fingers crossed he gets a move there. No big loss at all.
That is his home town in the province of Alicante, in the Valencian Community, not a million miles away from the city of Valencia. He'd go there in a flash, good luck to him, but we wouldn't be that upset to see him leave
If it is true about Estipinan and the little runt really wants out, then I think it is very important that we keep Kiko. IMO Kiko always looks a better player when he plays on the left and of course he does OK on the right too. Therefore his versatility could prove invaluable to us over the season, and right now as the ingrate Estipinan is playing silly buggas and Masina is out injured, Kiko is very capable of being our 1st choice at LB and could even make the position his own if he is given a decent run in that position. However, even if we do bring in a new specialist LB, as Kiko is capable of playing in a few positions he would be a useful utility man for the squad and well worth keeping IMO.
Is Kiko injured already or just taken a knock ? Least he won't look as exposed defensive wise hopefully allowing him to get forward more.
Formation suits him as his weak point is his defensive awareness and he's got 3 CBs to bail him out in that regard. His versatility is useful too. Don't particularly rate him that highly but he's definitely good enough for this level and his ability on the ball seems to suit the style that Ivic wants to play. Hasn't been publicly touting himself for moves (so far!) and didn't come down with man-flu the day before the Boro game so he's alright in my book.