A late win for Turkey, so they remain with a chance of qualifying for the playoffs, Norway should beat Latvia but also play the Dutch on the last day, Turkey have a home game against Gibraltar and a tricky looking (certainly on their current form) tie against Montenegro on the final day
A big blow that late penalty from the Turks. But Norway again without a recognised striker played very well and deserved the win. Put in another performance like that and they should beat Latvia ending with a tricky away game in Rotterdam. They deserve a playoff spot in fairness or better. It's still not a brilliant Dutch side and they will be the nervous ones.
You might have to go to Rotterdam and win (which you need to do to top the group anyway), because a point there (assuming you do the business against Latvia), means Turkey would draw level on points with you, and with one of their games against Gibraltar, they could rack up the goals (think your goal difference advantage over them at the moment is 5). However, on this form, I don't think Turkey are playing well enough to go to Montenegro and win, so I think you'll scrape 2nd regardless
Agreed. Saw a little from him second half against Newcastle but very little since. Personally I'd get rid if we could in January and go all out for Thorsby. Patrick Berg at Bodo is also someone that needs looking at. He's the DM linking midfielder were short of. Plus if they're looking at Bodo Glimts keeper they should of noticed Berg.
On loan with a "option" to buy. Not obligation by the sounds of it. He's not dreadful, but not really what we need. We required players who can hit the ground running, not players who will take a season before they become good. Kucka, after a bit of a downturn, is inspired since Ranieri has joined. Sissoko is improving and deserving of his place too. Etebo was flying before his injury. But there are a few others, who are not justifying why we signed them. They might come good, however, the signs are they wont. Fletcher, Louza & Tufan have currently all missed the mark so far.
I think he's been decent, good energy and tidy with the ball. He hasn't looked a goal threat which is a shame because I expected a lot of shots from him. It feels like the midfield is just a complete mess and we have no idea who to play and where to play them. I'm sure Ranieri will sort it out but once again the recruitment has been a shambles.
In terms of profile, he is what we need, we desperately need a creative spark from somewhere, however, until we have a proper defensive midfielder (Yokuslu perhaps?), I fear his impact will be limited
I'm disappointed with his impact too, but that's in part because he's shown glimpses of quality on the ball that no one else in the midfield has, as well as a willingness to look forward and move for the ball. I do feel like, as soon as we see a game Cleverley or Gosling is forced to start, we will see why Tufan is ahead of them again (Gosling far more so, of course, and Cleverley has his role but yeah, that's been done to death, blah blah etc).
Jeez. Another midfielder injury. Can’t be long before the non playing midfielder has to play by default unless they put Gosling in.
He was ******* terrible today until he finally woke up in the last five minutes. In hindsight, wasn't a good decision to take Cleverley off for him at half time.
Well just like Louza some players will need time to settle. Let's not forget that Tufan has never played in England before and he hasn't had a run of games yet. He could turn out to be gash but again that's on the club bringing in an inadequate player, I'm happy to give him time until he's had a run of appearances under Ranieri though.
Definitely agree with this, although whether it will actually happen or not I'm not so sure. Turkish posters on reddit warned us when he signed that if he is 'trusted' and given a starting spot and feels loved, he will run through brick walls every second of the game and be brilliant, but if he doesn't feel like that it can be a different story. Now obviously, it's not necessarily that easy and he has to earn his spot, but so far he certainly can't be said to have had that opportunity to show what he can do in the right environment - whether that's expecting too much, or not.
I just have absolutely no idea what Tufan does. He’s shown nothing to indicate what type of player he is or how he is going to benefit us. Obviously will give him time but he’s been massively disappointing to date. Just such a ‘meh’ player so far.
Yep, he's absolute gash unfortunately. I thought we were getting an all action box to box midfielder, instead we've got a poor imitation of Dan Gosling.
Summed his overall contribution with that sequence of play just before Ranieri hooked him. Received the ball in relatively free space wide on the left and looked set to run in behind their full back. Proceeded to take around 3 heavy touches to bring it under control, nearly ran it out of play despite having started a fair way from the touch line, then turned back and played an aimless lofted ball to no one in the middle of the park.
