Dwight McNeil

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brap2
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Re: Dwight McNeil

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TheRam wrote: Wed Oct 16, 2024 9:48 pm I just don’t see how you can say he isn’t playing well when he’s scoring, and creating chances.

He’s as involved as a number ten can be in a Sean dyche team.

Is ndiaye even a creative player? Looks more suited out wide to me, at least in this system.
Just how I feel from watching him, dunno what to say.

I think he's scored mostly unlikely stuff that won't keep happening and created mostly from set pieces or follow ups so it doesn't matter where he plays for that.

I definitely prefer him to Doucs in the ten I'll say that much.

Ndiaye I dunno. Might not work but I want my best players on the ball as much as possible and using him as a track runner on the left feels like getting the ferrari out because the field needs ploughing.
Cods
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Re: Dwight McNeil

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brap2 wrote: Wed Oct 16, 2024 10:54 pm Just how I feel from watching him, dunno what to say.

I think he's scored mostly unlikely stuff that won't keep happening and created mostly from set pieces or follow ups so it doesn't matter where he plays for that.

I definitely prefer him to Doucs in the ten I'll say that much.

Ndiaye I dunno. Might not work but I want my best players on the ball as much as possible and using him as a track runner on the left feels like getting the ferrari out because the field needs ploughing.
N'Diaye carries it well, maybe better than one sided McNeil with only slightly higher risk of losing posession, but if he does 3 or 4 players in a mazy run, then we've got the numbers where we need it and perhaps the finishers to score. If he loses it, ok, we're exposed a bit at the back, but we need goals and chances, as last season these were so limited.

I expect N'Diaye and McNeil to be swapped from time to time depending on who needs covering and availability, but it's working ok overall so far. I've been hoping for some time that we'll get to see McNeil unleashed, with less defensive responsibility, I think he can do more than he's been allowed to show in his time with us so far.
AjaxAndy
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@brap2 I never said I expected it to continue, you don't score worldies in this league on a daily basis.

I said he's on 3 goals in 7 games, and I'd expect given where he's playing and his ability to maybe score 4 more in the remaining 31 games.

That's agreeing he'll return more to the mean over the season, not arguing against it.

My point was you posted a stat that says McNeil scores goals from unlikely situations, and we all know that already, because he generally only scores long range bangers. So it's a nothing stat that only proves something we all would agree on anyway.
Toddacelli
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Re: Dwight McNeil

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brap2 wrote: Wed Oct 16, 2024 9:30 pm Fair enough!

I suppose I just disagree, I don't think he's been that good. I think he's had some standout moments and at other times the games passed him by.

Is what it is. Hope Ndiaye plays in the ten. If he doesn't, or he does and he's crap (possible!) I hope McNeil keeps his form up.
I know what you mean about games passing us by. He has been good for us in moments, but the feel is at times he’s not as involved as he could be.

What probably explains this is also all the times I see him helping out defensively and think ‘Oh he’s tracking back a lot’.
brap2
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He's having his fewest touches since 2018, fewest passes from open play since 2018. Fewest carries into the box ever.

But he does have his best xga per 90, more progressive passes despite less passes in general, more passes into the box, more passes into the final third and more key passes (all ignoring open play/set pieces).

So probably a little of both really, as ever I suppose.
TheRam
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Re: Dwight McNeil

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brap2 wrote: Thu Oct 17, 2024 7:52 am He's having his fewest touches since 2018, fewest passes from open play since 2018. Fewest carries into the box ever.

But he does have his best xga per 90, more progressive passes despite less passes in general, more passes into the box, more passes into the final third and more key passes (all ignoring open play/set pieces).

So probably a little of both really, as ever I suppose.
I don’t see the issue then?
brap2
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TheRam wrote: Thu Oct 17, 2024 8:17 am I don’t see the issue then?
No I guess that's a point in a disagreement.

Games are passing him by, and at his best he is an extremely slow, one footed player with good technique to deliver balls into the box, and hit the occasional worldy.

We've covered this, you disagree.
AjaxAndy
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brap2 wrote: Thu Oct 17, 2024 8:20 am No I guess that's a point in a disagreement.

Games are passing him by, and at his best he is an extremely slow, one footed player with good technique to deliver balls into the box, and hit the occasional worldy.

We've covered this, you disagree.
How the team sets up massively impacts that role and against Newcastle both CMs were sat very deep to protect Tarks and Keane. Left him very isolated and he suffered as a result.

I think we'll see that happen with him in this role, against weaker opposition and with Branthwaite in the team he'll see a lot more of the ball, but when we're sat super deep because Branthwaite isn't available or we're playing good opposition he'll not be very involved and we're just hoping really he bangs one in from nothing.

I think if we play weak opposition and he constantly struggles we'd need to look at moving him back out wide, but he's done enough to deserve retaining the spot for now.
Toddacelli
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Re: Dwight McNeil

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Everyone’s stats are about to improve.
Injury returns will lead to a settled eleven over the next 5 very easy games. We’ll piss it.
Free Agent
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Re: Dwight McNeil

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Toddacelli wrote: Thu Oct 17, 2024 12:48 pm Everyone’s stats are about to improve.
Injury returns will lead to a settled eleven over the next 5 very easy games. We’ll piss it.
We would, except you’ve gone and jinxed it. :roll:
UnsyisaRhino
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Re: Dwight McNeil

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Toddacelli wrote: Thu Oct 17, 2024 12:48 pm Everyone’s stats are about to improve.
Injury returns will lead to a settled eleven over the next 5 very easy games. We’ll piss it.
So we're going to struggle to get the points we should in the next 5, but somehow get a win and 2 draws from the following tough games we expect to lose?

Gotcha
Toddacelli
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Re: Dwight McNeil

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UnsyisaRhino wrote: Thu Oct 17, 2024 4:30 pm So we're going to struggle to get the points we should in the next 5, but somehow get a win and 2 draws from the following tough games we expect to lose?

Gotcha
Dur! That’s exactly what I said, isn’t it?
AjaxAndy
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I can't remember, but did McNeil set up Keane and also slip DCL in for the one on one at the end... That hill @brap2 is determined to die on is getting bigger by the day 😜
The Doc
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Re: Dwight McNeil

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Not involved in our play apparently.
brap2
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Re: Dwight McNeil

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Oh get an assist from technically open play did he
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