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The mad thing is, I don’t think he’s improved that much in other areas, just his efforts on goal. Aerial duels, runs in behind etc seem about the same. I think he’s scrapping a bit more though, trying to be a bit more of a handful as well. But other than what happens when the ball leaves his toe - I think he was doing a lot of what we’re praising him for now, earlier. We’re just more appreciative now as he’s also scoring.

Toddacelli wrote: ↑Tue Jan 27, 2026 8:55 pm The mad thing is, I don’t think he’s improved that much in other areas, just his efforts on goal. Aerial duels, runs in behind etc seem about the same. I think he’s scrapping a bit more though, trying to be a bit more of a handful as well. But other than what happens when the ball leaves his toe - I think he was doing a lot of what we’re praising him for now, earlier. We’re just more appreciative now as he’s also scoring.

Sort of agree and sort of don't... Think his overall performances are maybe not enough on their own, so the goals are definitely changing the perception.

I do think though he's improved in lots of areas. I was very critical of not competing physically or even trying at the start, and he's since then became much more dominant in the air. He tries to battle a bit more on the ground but that side is still lacking although the effort imo is greater.

He's also trying to run the channels more than previously and being more of a problem for the defence as a result.

He's not showing DCL levels of off the ball work and dominating CBs by any stretch, but I think certain areas of his game outside of scoring have shown decent levels of development.

Would be great if that turn the defender and leg it down the line things he's got in his locker became a thing and resulting in anything more than a goal kick or him falling over! Boss quality to have as a striker, make the opposition uncomfortable and have to chase you.

It's good that he's getting the goals now and he can certainly finish but it would be nice if at least one of our strikers could run with the ball at their feet without eventually booting it out of play.

Risky wrote: ↑Mon Jan 26, 2026 10:55 pm Another proper strikers goal that. The timing of the run across the defender and the finish were both top quality.

That's what I loved most about this goal.

There were no gimmicks, no lucky bounce, no being first to react (all great qualities to have, don't get me wrong), it was just a straightforward low cross in, get in front of the defender and stick it in the goal. This is the sort of chance we should be able to create repeatedly, so if he can reliably put them away, happy days.

I dont think hes playing particularly well still. Think hes still surviving on moments in games. However I do think we are getting more of them moments of good play and on top of that he does also appear to be a really really good finisher. To be fair to him that seems like plenty enough to work with

Gash wrote: ↑Tue Jan 27, 2026 10:12 pm It's good that he's getting the goals now and he can certainly finish but it would be nice if at least one of our strikers could run with the ball at their feet without eventually booting it out of play.

This made me laugh so much!

Gash wrote: ↑Tue Jan 27, 2026 10:12 pm It's good that he's getting the goals now and he can certainly finish but it would be nice if at least one of our strikers could run with the ball at their feet without eventually booting it out of play.

Shogun wrote: ↑Tue Jan 27, 2026 10:11 pm Would be great if that turn the defender and leg it down the line things he's got in his locker became a thing and resulting in anything more than a goal kick or him falling over! Boss quality to have as a striker, make the opposition uncomfortable and have to chase you.

This is very true.

He definitely looks capable of it, maybe getting used to the physical element of running with the ball Vs prem defenders.

Apparently he's on a programme to fill out.

brap2 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 28, 2026 11:02 am This is very true.

He definitely looks capable of it, maybe getting used to the physical element of running with the ball Vs prem defenders.

Apparently he's on a programme to fill out.

Nice of his family to keep him protected from his critics.

“I think not me but my family (were affected). Every day my family sends me people saying I am the worst striker, so I say, 'Okay, I am the worst striker', so that is why I do this celebration (mouthing 'me?' when scoring).

“You see the critics, but I like to prove people wrong who have the wrong idea of me. For me, I don’t care, I like it when someone talks about me. I see the criticism and I don’t care.

“I need to adapt to the new league and it is difficult to play against the best defenders in the world. It is more physical here. I am tall, but I am not big (strong), so I need to work on my body to know how to use my body to protect the ball.

“I have learnt in training and I try to prove every week that I can play here and can play in England because it is my dream.

“To improve fast you need to play, so the gaffer has given me a lot of confidence and I try to give back. I try to give more. I train every day to be ready, and I hope to continue like this.”

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲

Second and third slide discussing getting bigger

Toddacelli wrote: ↑Tue Jan 27, 2026 8:55 pm The mad thing is, I don’t think he’s improved that much in other areas, just his efforts on goal. Aerial duels, runs in behind etc seem about the same. I think he’s scrapping a bit more though, trying to be a bit more of a handful as well. But other than what happens when the ball leaves his toe - I think he was doing a lot of what we’re praising him for now, earlier. We’re just more appreciative now as he’s also scoring.

He's definitely improved on what he actually does when he wins an aerial duel IMO.

He's a big lad so he was always going to win his fair share, but earlier in the season we lost the ball even when he won the duel - now he's actually keeping possession by controlling it or finding a blue shirt

He has been studying Lukaku’s game, and that’s the big difference, Rom had a great physique when with us, just not his United days.

People moaned about lukakus hold up constantly at Everton

He is absolutely terrible at the first time pass back into a midfielder.

Always gets it wrong.

Genuinely the only big flaw I’ve seen in his game though.

Made up with how quickly he’s developed so far.