If anyone was still wondering what toxic meant, this is as good a description as I could have given. Quique is a user, not a motivator.
Can't see them doing much training with the amount of mud they have this year. Might catch some good bands though.
Played well against Saints in fairness, but i'm not concerned by this news. He's not a natural wing-back, we will have Zuniga, Dje Dje, Holebas, Kenedy and Anya (sigh) to play in those positions - plenty of cover and it's another player off the list to complete a 17 man squad of non home grown players. Didn't rate him last season, but then again he was being played out of position by QSF!!
Gutted, if true. Finally being played out wide, which is where he was playing at Malaga before QSF got his nasty mitts on him and was the only player to come out with credit from the QPR friendly, also thought he was our MOM at Southampton on Saturday.
I was at the Southampton game, and no way I would want him as our regular RWB. The consensus of those around me was he looked game but limited defensively. Bearing in mind his lack of goals and assists as an attacking player (like his name sake Wooter - all effort no impact on the result of a game), I think this is a good outcome. If he can help out Granada, and we can develop a proper RWB option, its a win win.
He put in the cross that Deeney cushioned for Capoue to score. I thought Amrabat played well at St Mary's. He worked hard; always willing to get up and support, then he did the hard miles backwards too. He put in a dangerous cross that Deeney or Ighalo had to gamble on - terrible forward play that neither of them were there to tap in. In terms of defensive skill, maybe he isn't a natural and would get exposed by better wingers in the league but he showed on Saturday he's a more than capable option at wing back. Coaches are paid to make players better. Teach him to defend and he could be a cracking player there for us. Why would we let him go while Dja Djedje seems to have injury problems (already)? Zuniga is seemingly seen by Mazzarri as a CM and Anya would likely be playing there for the time being. Silly decision if he goes now.
I kind of see Amrabat as a non-home grown, better version of Anya - and for that reason, I hope we keep him and his versatility.
Walter probably has Zuniga down as first choice RWB. Nordin might prefer to go to Granada if so. Sad if he goes, I reckon he'd have had a good season.
The more you look at the stats in his last 4 years; 79 games, 8 goals and 13 assists and we paid £6.1 million, you have to say he has a top notch agent. You certainly can't complain about his effort, but really I can't see him pushing on this season in the premier league. With o/seas places to cull to make room for new signings he always would be in the frame to make way.
There may be more to it behind the scenes. Like Layun we spend decent money on a player, we literally never play them in their natural position, they appear to give 100% anyway. And we let them go without giving them a run or a decent chance to shine in their specialist role :/
I understand things are tight in the squad, and I could never suggest Vydra or Gueds leave the squad before him, but who would you rather start at RWB next game? DjeDje sounds like a good option, but how long till he's fit, and how long will he stay fit? I'd rather lose Nyom than Amrabat
If we sell him, I think it will be a very foolish move. Amrabat is one of the only players which could effectively move from a wing back to a winger mid game, requiring one less substitution. We have many worse players to sell, but cannot, due to the clubs failure to buy homegrown players.
“There is no passion to be found playing small ― in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” David Brent. ...or maybe Nelson Mandela
If the objective is "fill HG squad slots" then it is a failure. It might be argued that Amrabat is on his way because we have average players like Nyom/Pants/Paredes using up the overseas spots.
Ok well firstly Pantilimon is a quality backup keeper for us. Surely by having so many foreign players Mazzarri gets a few months to look at them and then picks the best ones who he feels can do a job? Selling them is the easy part, it's better to have them through the door and be able to put them in the squad. We don't know who is going but if Amrabat goes then obviously Djedje and Zuniga are seen as better options. There's no way Paredes is making the squad and I'll be surprised if Kaboul doesn't push Nyom out the door too.
True. But Amrabat does offer something in several positions and he'd have a much higher chance of a squad place if our reserve keeper was HG and we had an average HG right back instead of Nyom.
